A USDA Forest Service Action Plan
The Tribal Relations Program strives to enhance relationships between the Forest Service, Tribes, ANCs, non-federally recognized Tribes, and Native Hawaiians, as well as American Indian, Alaska Native, and other Indigenous individuals, communities, inter-Tribal organizations, enterprises, and educational institutions, thereby improving the agency’s ability to foster effective partnerships and respect Tribal sovereignty.
This USDA Forest Service action plan, “Strengthening Tribal Consultations and Nation-to-Nation Relationships,” (Action Plan) is the product of diverse perspectives from the unit, regional, and national levels of the agency. It provides agency guidance and assistance to fulfill the Federal trust responsibility, honor treaty obligations, and support Tribal self-determination. This document complements the USDA Action Plan on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships pursuant to the Presidential memorandum dated January 26, 2021. Implementation of this Action Plan Per Public Law 108–447 Stat. 2809, 3267. This Action Plan is additionally responsive to, and builds on, the 2012 Report to the Secretary of Agriculture on USDA Policy and Procedures Review and Recommendations for Indian Sacred Sites, the Forest Service Research and Development Tribal Engagement Roadmap, and the USDA Forest Service Tribal Relations Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2019-2022.
Implementation of this planrequires agencywide coordination, cooperation, and collaboration at the national, regional, station, and forest unit level, as well as continued work in policy, training, engagement, practice, consultation, collaboration, and accountability. Guided by this Action Plan, the Forest Service will be better able to meet all new and existing policies and administrative direction. This Action Plan provides a framework for advancing existing laws, regulations, and policies in the Forest Service and is not intended to amend or establish new policy or directive. It does not contain specific standards, criteria, or guidelines pertaining to resource management programs and can be implemented through existing programs and processes. This Action Plan is effective until superseded.
Attached document published February 2023
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Making Transportation Planning Applicable in Tribal Communities Research Study: Final Report
posted Dec 20, 2023
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT) planning staff have observed two challenges in Tribal transportation planning: (1) that existing planning analysis tools do not always align with Tribal community context and needs and (2) it is not always clear what benefits planning provides to transportation project selection and delivery in Tribal communities.
posted Dec 20, 2023
This report and its appendices constitute a review of law, policy, and procedures, with recommendations for changes based on Tribal consultation and public comments.
posted Dec 20, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service is recognized as a leader among Federal land management agencies in partnering collaboratively with American Indian and Alaska Native governments and indigenous communities. The Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) Deputy Area recognizes that working with tribes and indigenous groups is vital to its mission to develop and deliver knowledge and innovative technology to improve the health and use of the Nation’s forests and grasslands— both public and private.
posted Aug 23, 2023
What would it take for all Americans to be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes be on trails that wind through their cities, towns or villages and bring them back without retracing steps?
452 views • posted 12/20/2023
