WHAT'S HAPPENING
MEMORANDUM
Model Tribal Resolution – Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District – Due 12-19-24
FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE NAME
Address
Phone, Email
RESOLUTION 2024-00-00
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE (NAME OF TRIBE) TO DEVELOP A LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRIBAL CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO COLLABORATIVELY UTILIZE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PROGRAMS AND OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS TRIBAL RESOURCE ISSUES AND CONCERNS IN THE BERING SEA INTERIOR CUSTOMARY AND TRADITIONAL RESOURCE TERRITORY.
WHEREAS, (Name of Tribe) is a federally recognized Tribal government, and under its constitution and by-laws, has full authority to act in the following:
WHEREAS, (Name of Tribe) recognizes the importance of addressing subsistence, environmental and natural resource needs of our Tribal members through the utilization of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and other federal programs and technical assistance to protect and support our traditional way of life in perpetuity by advocating for land and water use planning processes and sustainable natural resource management decisions that meaningfully reflect our voices and values, sustain local traditional food sources, and the Indigenous peoples’ accessibility to the resources; and
WHEREAS, Technical and cost-share assistance provided by the USDA is most effectively provided through a Tribal Conservation District and long range natural resource plan; and
WHEREAS, the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District will have the authority to work cooperatively with other area agencies to develop a long range natural resource plans which will establish priorities, under which the USDA agencies will operate.
WHEREAS, the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District supports holistic co-planning and co-management of our traditional lands and waters, the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District member tribes are deeply interested in working cooperatively through the Tribal Conservation District with the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce agencies.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The (Name of Tribe) hereby orders the establishment of the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District, defined by the boundaries of the Bering Sea Interior customary and traditional resource use territory using Gravel to Gravel boundaries within the United States and will enter into mutual agreement with USDA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District is empowered to enter into a Cooperative Working Agreements with USDA Agencies and other villages that wish to join to carry out the Tribal Conservation District's long range plan, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District shall develop and implement necessary documents for establishing and governing its organization which will be subject to review and approval by the (Name of Tribe) council.
CERTIFICATION: This resolution was duly considered and adopted at a regular meeting of the (NAME OF TRIBE) effective this ____ day of __________, 2024 by a vote of _____ in favor, _____ against, ______abstaining.
ATTEST
Tribal President/Chief Tribal Secretary
To: Alaska Tribes Seeking to Join the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District
From: Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission Full Board
Date: Approved by Full Membership December 2, 2024
Regarding: Setting Intention for the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District
The Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission was formed in 2019 and is now composed of 38 Tribes working in unity to protect our contemporary and traditional way of life by advocating for land use planning and sustainable natural resource management decisions that reflect our voices and our values. The US Bureau of Land Management’s two large resource management planning efforts have been the focus of the Tribal Commission’s concern, both the finalized Bering Sea-Western Interior plan and the Central Yukon plan.
In 2014, Tribal Commission member Tribes nominated local watersheds and other important ancestral lands for special management and protection from extractive development in Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and were active as Cooperating Agency participants in the resource management planning processes. However, contrary to BLM planning procedures, the BLM rejected the Tribes’ nominations and designations for ACECs which resulted the opening of 99% of the BLM-managed land to mineral entry.
Today, the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission (BSITC) has decided to form a Tribal Conservation District that will be called the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District to be formed within the boundaries of the Gravel to Gravel Keystone Initiative within the United States.
The BSITC has decided to form the Tribal Conservation District in an effort to co-manage the nominated lands and ensure Tribal priorities for sustainable use of natural resources for subsistence, economic opportunity, resource development, and cultural preservation are at the forefront of the decision-making process. The Tribal Commission acknowledges the Gravel to Gravel Memorandum of Understanding in which Tribal consortia organizations, individual Tribes and federal agencies agreed to collaborate toward co-stewardship and co-management of federal lands.
The intention of the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District is to form a foundational organization recognized by the federal government under which communication and collaboration can occur. The Bering Sea-Interior Tribal Conservation District does not intend to supersede or compete with any Tribes that have existing or planned Tribal Conservation Districts or co-management agreements with federal and or state agencies, but only wishes to create a forum under which communication, meaningful Tribal consultation, and collaboration can occur to address land use and conservation issues.
MUTUAL AGREEMENT
Between the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
the (Tribal Nation Name)
and the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District
for their Cooperation in the Implementation of the Common Objectives and Goals of USDA and the (Tribal Nation Name)
and the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District
This Mutual Agreement (Agreement) is between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the (name of Tribal Nation), and the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District.
The authority of the Tribal Conservation District to enter into this agreement is provided in (Name of Tribal Nation’s authorizing legislation), signed on (Month, Date, Year).
USDA enters into this agreement pursuant to Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, dated November 6, 2000; Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Department of Agriculture and their various agencies, relative to planning and implementing community development and natural resources management and conservation programs on Indian lands, dated November 6, 2019.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The parties have the common objective of helping people utilize and manage tribal resources in accordance with their capabilities and needs for protection and improvement. Each party is independent, has its respective responsibilities, yet recognizes the need to coordinate as partners for the successful delivery of all USDA programs.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT:
Broad-based community development and conservation programs delivered through the cooperation of USDA and the Tribe is vital to the protection of the natural resources, economic stability, and well-being of this country.
The parties reaffirm the relationship between USDA and the Tribal Nation. The Secretary of Agriculture intends to continue, within the terms of the various statutes administered by USDA, to carry out broad programs of assistance encompassing technical, research, educational, and financial assistance to landowners and users. The parties also recognize and encourage a commitment from the Tribal Nation in aiding the administration, coordination, financing, and delivery of all USDA programs related to community development and natural resources management and conservation programs.
This agreement is not intended to, and does not create, any right, benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, by any party against the United States or the (name of the Tribal Nation) or their agencies, officers, appointees, elected officials or any person.
USDA and the (name of the Tribal Nation) and their respective agencies and offices will handle their own activities and utilize their own resources, including the expenditure of their own funds, in pursing these objectives. Each party will carry out its separate activities in a coordinated and mutually beneficial manner.
Nothing in this Mutual Agreement shall obligate either USDA or the (Name of Tribal Nation) to obligate or transfer any funds. Specific work projects or activities that involve the transfer of funds, services, or property among the various agencies and offices of USDA and the (Name of Tribal Nation) will require execution of separate agreements and be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. Such activities must be independently authorized by appropriate statutory authority. This Agreement does not provide such authority. Negotiation, execution, and administration of each such agreement must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations.
This Agreement takes effect upon the signature of USDA and the (Name of Tribal Nation) and shall remain in effect for a time period of no more than 5 years from the date of execution. This Agreement may be extended or amended upon written request of either USDA or the (Name of the Tribal Nation) and the subsequent written concurrence of the other(s). Either USDA or the (Name of the Tribal Nation) may terminate this Agreement with a 60-day notice.
This Agreement is not intended to, and does not create, any right, benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any person.
The parties will encourage other community development and natural resources related agencies to develop similar agreements.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULURE
By
Secretary of Agriculture
(NAME OF THE TRIBAL NATION)
By:
Title (Example: Chief of the Choctaw Nation)
Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District
By:
Chairman, Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission
web design by James