BLM Releases Guidance for Improving and Sustaining Tribal Relationships
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced the release of the new BLM 1780 Tribal Relations Manual and Handbook. The President and the Department of the Interior (Department) have made tribal relations and tribal consultation a priority of the Administration. This new guidance represents the culmination of years of outreach and coordination between the BLM and American Indian tribes, and has been developed to complement the direction of the Administration and the Department.
“As public land managers, we have a foundational responsibility to work closely and engage in meaningful consultation with Native Americans. This guidance will help the BLM's current and future leaders build positive, long-lasting relationships with tribes across the country,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze.
Strong relationships built on trust are the keys to joint success. Tribal insights help the BLM protect sacred sites and uphold treaty rights for fishing, hunting and gathering. The new guidance supports the Bureau’s ongoing commitment to these tribal responsibilities and provides a foundation for increased communication and collaboration between the BLM and tribes.
Beginning in August 2008, the BLM initiated comprehensive outreach to the tribes that garnered valuable input for improving BLM tribal consultation policy and practice. Tribes also provided insights regarding tribal consultation required by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The decision to create a comprehensive manual resulted from tribal feedback. The new manual and handbook will assist BLM’s line managers and responsible staffs who carry out consultation and cooperation across a wide spectrum of resources and issues of concern to tribes.
A Nov. 5, 2009 Presidential Memorandum directed Federal agencies to develop a plan to comply with the 2000 Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments. In December 2011, Interior adopted a new Departmental policy on tribal consultation with Secretarial Order (SO) No. 3317. The Secretarial Order established new responsibilities, positions, performance metrics and goals. It also established principles including involvement of the authorized official and conducting consultation in the context of an ongoing relationship with tribes.
For further information, please contact Byron Loosle at (202) 912-7240. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the individual above. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are made during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.