Findings and Recommendations Task A Findings and Recommendations
A8 Finding
Recommendation Bring funding for wild horse control to parity with the National Forests and BLM. ■ Invite tribes and the BIA to participate in the national action teams that exists between the U.S. Forest Service and BLM. ■ Fund the estimated $40 million that will be required to address the current overpopulation of wild horses at a level consistent with Forest Service and BLM policies and expenditures. Recommendation The BIA needs to better understand tribal program facilities needs and request the funding necessary to improve conditions for the employees. ■ The Bureau should update the inventory of facilities to include all outbuildings and their condition. ■ The Bureau should secure funding to replace the federal buildings that are in very poor shape. ■ The Bureau should expand programs to help tribes replace inferior tribal buildings that are used to house contracted or compacted programs. ■ The Bureau should ensure that all building components, including computers, internet and wi-fi meet acceptable standards.
Excessive wild horse populations continue to damage forests and watersheds in Indian Country, particularly in the West (see Task B). ■ Tribal programs are not being included in national wild horse and burro management programs. ■ Funding for wild horse control is being funded out of existing program dollars and not a fixed budgetary line item as the BLM. There is a significant difference between the condition of tribal facilities and those used by the Bureau programs. ■ While the BIA facilities are in fairly good shape, tribal facilities are significantly worse in condition. ■ Many tribal facilities listed on the BIA facilities inventory (MAXIMO) are either incorrect or outdated. In some cases, tribal facilities are missing from the list. ■ Funding is inadequate to meet the needs for maintaining and supporting modern facilities.
A9 Finding
“There is nothing I don’t value in the forest. I can’t go down a list.” —IFMAT IV focus group participant
78 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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