Findings and Recommendations Below are the findings and recommendations for the IFMAT IV assessment. Nine general findings were identified, ranging from issues surrounding tribal priorities, comparison of federal funding for comparable lands, forest infrastructure, funding delivery, and law enforcement.
Task A Findings and Recommendations
Findings and Recommendations A1 Finding
Recommendation Revise federal funding to provide for land stewardship costs plus timber production consistent with tribal goals. ■ Combine forest management, hazardous fuels reduction, roads, and other natural resource funding sources into one stewardship funding source so tribes can more efficiently meet their objectives. Recommendation Increase annual funding for both forestry and wildfire preparedness to reach parity with Forest Service and BLM funding on their respective land classification. ■ To bring funding for Indian forests up to parity with fundings in the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, a base of $144 million is needed plus a timber budget depending on timber production consistent with tribal goals. ($201 million total base for stewardship and timber harvest of 400 MMBF) ■ Increase federal funding for fire preparedness funding $42 million for a base funding of $123 million. ■ A budget of at least $59 million per year for the next 15 years would be necessary to reduce the backlog of forest treatments (Table A.20).
Many tribes are prioritizing non-timber uses and long-term stewardship and resiliency of their forests over timber production. ■ Many tribes are focusing on traditional uses for their land and less on the commercial forest products. ■ Costs of all-land stewardship outweigh the availability of funds provided for commercial forest management operations. Funding for BIA forestry and wildfire preparedness continues to be far below investments in Forest Service and BLM funding for comparable lands. ■ Funding levels for commercial forest lands in Indian Forestry are roughly one-third the levels of the U.S. Forest Service for forestry and hazardous fuels reduction, and one- third for preparedness. ■ BLM receives $0.35/acre, BIA receives $0.05/ac for woodlands. ■ Backlogs in planting, precommercial thinning, and hazardous fuel reduction continue to grow.
A2 Finding
Lumber products leaving the mill at White Mountain Apache Timber Company in Arizona. PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL DOCKRY
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