The CIWC urges all Tribes and Tribal communities to make their concerns and recommendations heard before the closing date. Protection and preservation of Sacred Sites is one the most valuable responsibilities and duties we must continue to fight for. Every voice counts in honoring all those that came before us, and all those that will come after us. The forest service planning rule must incorporate Traditional, cultural, Tribal ecology and true historic information about lands and our lifeways that are critical in providing long standing stewardship practices since time immemorial.
Deadline for Consultation Oct. 21,2011.
Deadline for additional comments Oct. 4, 2011.
For status and more information about current aws, regulations, access the National Planning Rule Website:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/planningrule
For Tribal Consultation Materials go to :
http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/tribal
You will need the following user name: forest1, password: forest123.
Comments should be sent to: <tribalsacredsites@fs.fed.us> or by hard copy to:
USDA Forest Service
Office of Tribal Relations
Attn: Ericka Luna
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC. 20250-1160
Open Letter from:
CALIFORNIA INDIAN WATER COMMISSION, Inc.
Forest Service Planning DEIS
c/o Bear West Company,
132 E 500 S
Bountiful, UT 84010
Re: National Forest System Land Management Planning Act.
We are providing recommendations to the February 14, meeting held in Sacramento, California. Within the Federal Register Notice Volume 76, Number 30. We the California Indian Water Commission hereby recommend the following language be added to The Regulations in its entirety:
“Coordination of plans for National Forest System lands with Indian land use planning and management programs for the purposes of development and revision. In the development and revision of land use plans, the Secretary of Agriculture shall coordinate land use plans for lands in the National Forest System with the land use planning and Management programs of and for Indian tribes by among other things, considering the policies of approved tribal land resource management programs.” (from 16 USC s1712(b)
We believe that Tribes and Tribal organizations can provide technical and traditional knowledge that has provided sound successfully proven ecological stewardship practices throughout the millennia. The trust duties and responsibilities provide obligatory resources and technical assistance to Tribes and Tribal organization via Public Law 92-638, Self-Determination Contracts. Mutual understanding of the law encourages meaningful communication, coordination and planning of programs that are clearly defined by statute (referenced above). The unique relationship between the United States and Tribes via federal recognition, treaty or state recognition have clear precise law to describe how Tribes can be empowered to be involved in decisions that will directly impact current and future land use of their respective lands, habitat, fuels, energy, water, forest and protect their cultural heritage.
We as California federally recognized Tribal People are the beneficiaries and owners of the Public “Trust” lands currently managed by the Forest Service based on original intent of governmental policy. All resources itemized within the confines of the Forest Service must be protected, preserved, conserved and restored with cultural perspectives and traditional core values involving spiritual ties to the land, air and all resources. All resources within Tribal territory can benefit our community by providing, employment, public education, cultural and traditional practices and shared recreational benefit. We as Tribal People understand the implications and need to plan for housing, economic development, artistic expression, Timber harvest planning, social impacts, wildlife sanctuaries and energy development. Also land set aside for Spiritual and Ceremonial and medicinal plant harvesting.
We as California Tribal People have an intimate relationship and knowledge of the dynamics of the land from which we live. We do not view the land and all its resources as commodities for economic development but rather living entities that require Stewardship in a manner requiring a balance of science and ancient traditional knowledge passed down thru generations of Tribal memory. Under the special authorities under the Indian Self-Determination Law, the management programs under The Department of the Interior and the Health and Human Service shall be awarded to Tribes and Tribal Organizations. In Addition, Congress provided a unique interagency/tribal project “bank account” authority that will assist the Forest Service (25 USC 3109) in implementing projects. Federal government agencies maintain agreements and mechanisms between each other to allow for interagency transfers to facilitate these types of Indian “awards”.
We believe to promote Tribal sovereignty and promote Indian Self Determination ideologies and to enforce the intent of The law, are rights Tribal People are entitled to. As Indian beneficiaries we expect the Forest Service to utilize the above mentioned authorities such as Tribal Forest Protection Act (25 USCs 3115a) to establish best value determination for awards.
Respectfully,
Atta P. Stevenson
California Indian Water Commission
Forest Service Rule Document: INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE RULE
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