As a federal agency, the
US Fish and Wildlife Service has a responsibility
and a commitment to work with federally recognized Native American tribes.
Here in the Northeast we take that commitment seriously.
As professionals of a Natural Resources Agency,
we are passionate about our role in conserving and restoring
wildlife habitat. Tribes too are passionate about protecting the resources,
many of which we share.
We've relied on the natural resources of this area to survive
for thousands of years. We've evolved
along side these natural resources and we've developed
very special relationship with the natural resources.
We've seen changes
in our own lifetime to our environment that
our environment used to support our lives and our traditions.
Historically it's its pretty well known that
the majority vast majority of tribes are are
proponents and and wardens for the environment and it can only benefit
us as tribal people a and on the state federal and even town level
for us all to coordinate projects together.
You know we may have projects going on
ourselves
with development
or protection
of certain areas
and I think other agency planning activities
or projects that could impact those areas
that we really should be working together could be
saving cost-saving by working together
Consultation's important. I think it's an opportunity
for the agency and the tribes to work together
and develop really solid relationships
Well, consultation on these issues is critically important.
But it's not just about the notifications which often times many agencies feel is
say all end all to the consultation. I think it has to result in a meaningful conversation.
If activities hold the potential to do damage
the work that we're doing we need to be
put on notice and and advised. A lot of times our traditional knowledge
of the area and out what people plan to do on the area
can be an essential part of decision-making process.
And I think that
federal agencies in general
could do
a lot more to make sure that
when we're talking about water quality standards
or dam construction
or fracking
whatever is going on in a specific territory that
those subsistence and cultural impacts need to be
fully evaluated based on tribes in that region
and what their specific needs are
and what's important to them.
Building relationships mutual respect between
the two parties, the agency as well as the tribes
I think strengthening those relationships is vital.
US Fish and Wildlife's been a tremendous partner for
tribes I think.
You know we all have limitations
with the product we're trying to deliver. I think the biggest thing
is to individually evaluate the tribes you're servicing.
Tribal consultation and coordination is not just a responsibility though.
It's an opportunity to develop partnerships
and to work together to achieve mutual goals. It's about building relationships
and trust for our mutual benefit and for the benefit of the resource we all care
so much about