Natural Resources Subcommittee

Report for May 2006

Subcommittee Members

• Brooklyn D. Baptiste, Chairman
• Gary E. Greene, Vice Chairman
• Joel T. Moffett
• John Strombeck
• Robert L. Taylor
• Larry M. Greene, Jr.

Meeting Dates

The Natural Resources Subcommittee meets every first and third Tuesdays of the month at 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.  (Open to Tribal members).

Vision

To strive toward developing and improving governmental services, exercising and protecting tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, improving and maintaining the Nez Perce way of life.

Goals

Expand and protect our precious natural resources, which are fundamental to who we are as a people, including an expanded land base, access to traditional resources, and the protection of the vast family of fish, birds, vegetation and wildlife which depend on the health of an environment.

Program Components

Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Department of Natural Resources Administration, Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Committee, Environmental Restoration & Waste Management, Forestry, Water Resources, Wildlife, Land Services and Cultural Resources.

Accomplishments

• Currently the Natural Resource subcommittee is preparing for a Spring meeting with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.  A Memorandum of Understanding is in place which requires two meetings per year regarding Fish and Wildlife practices for both the State and the Tribe.  The agenda will address fishery issue's and concerns for treaty and non-treaty fisherman alike on tributaries in our aboriginal territories.
• The Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA) settlement has been approved by the Nez Perce Tribe.  On Tuesday April 12 in regular NPTEC session, the council took action to refer to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee to establish a SRBA implementation team.  This action identities staff to proceed with strategic planning & implementation settlement monies which the tribe will receive as guaranteed in the agreement.
• Funding from the BIA single line agreement was approved for the Integrated Resource Management Planning for the Nez Perce Tribe.  Phase II monies in the amount of $49,850.00 are available.  Composition for team players will be presented to NPTEC in the near future.
• Culture Resources staff have been working on a joint repatriation issue with the Colville, Wanapum Band, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Yakama Tribes.  The Smithsonian has granted remains stored at the repository for many years to the aforementioned Tribes.  Members from each Tribe will travel to Washington, D.C. in the second week of May to review inventory and package for transfer home.  The reburial date is May 13, 2005.  Also staff has progressed working with the Wallowa Whitman Forest regarding human remains found in Knight Creek which is a tributary to the Snake River.  Identity of the remains are of Nez Perce descent and are in ceded area of Nez Perce Tribe.
• The Water Resource Strategic Plan 2005-2010 is in review process for approval.  SRBA settlement funds will support program development of water and sewer facilities in our tribal communities.  Sites identified for infrastructure are now being proposed through the Land Enterprise Commission.
• Forest Service Tribal liaison David Scholes assists the Tribe regarding our MOU with Forests in our ceded area.  Communication with some forests have been very effective to ensure treaty practice is being honored.  Sacred site protection will remain a priority as well as access to federal properties.
• Early forecasts may once again impact all fishery harvests in the Columbia River Zone 6.  Spring ceremonial harvests are very low.  This may  be due to the water temperature and the sea lions which have moved up the Columbia.  Until fish counts increase, each member CRITFC tribe may not receive the harvest allocation of 2000 salmon per tribe.  Nez Perce Tribal fishery harvests in the 1855 Treaty tributaries are based on technical and Fish and Wildlife Commission recommendation of NPTEC.
• IPCO funds will continue to maintain and operate our conservation enforcement staff until new source of funds are received.
• Young Horse Program funding has expired.  A three year ANA grant ended in September of 2004.  Nez Perce Tribe allocation for FY 05 was $72,212.00.  Those funds expended in April.  Staff has been reduced and the horse herd downsized.  A July 2004 report stated a total of 89 horses listed as Tribal property appraised at $393,750.00.  Current status is available from the Natural Resources Manager or the Land Services Department.
• Bison in Yellowstone National Park were scarce this year.  Tribal Members retrieving meat in the past had no chance of traveling back into Buffalo Country this year.  However, applications will remain on file.  If the opportunity arises the Wildlife Department will send out notification.
• Environmental Restoration and Waste Management continues to be active with EPA/DOE issues here on the Reservation and in the Hanford area.  The new face at the helm is Gabe Bohnee.   Gabe is now the new Director replacing Pat Sobotta who moved to the BIA for employment.
• Allocated $58,000 to Language Program for FY 05.
• Allocated $39,908 for Tac Titoqan newspaper.
• NPT working with EPA implementation of Federal Air Rules for Reservations.
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program through the Nat. Res. Cons. Service Reforestation of Webb Ridge.
• Applied for $400,000 grant to EPA, Regional Tribal Operations Committee for two years.
• Held a Strategic Planning Workshop for Lewis and Clark Bicentennial (January))
• Awarded a contract to Looking Glass Consulting for management and harvest of spring, summer and fall chinook.
• Awarded a contract with Bill Smith for Tourism and Marketing.
• Hired two Tribal Members for Mentee Positions (B. Smith - Tourism)
• Continued tribal representation at Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission.
• Provided testimony to EPA, BPA and NOAA regarding fisheries, spill, hydrology and other related to Nez Perce Concern.
• Approved grant monies supporting DFRM, Forestry, ERWM, Water Resources, Cultural Resources, Wildlife, Bicentennial.
• Approved expenditures of grant funding for Watershed Department.
• Received grants from BPA, NOAA for Fishery Restoration and other projects related to DFRM.
• Met Corps of Engineers - regarding Spill, Dredging, land acquisition.
• Met with Bureau of Reclamation and Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District re:  Sweetwater Creek.
• Met Forest Service Representatives regarding Forest Plan revisions and management practices.  Tribal Harvests.  EA's, EIS, FONSI and other.
• The Natural Resources Subcommittee is cognizant of the Tribe's needs to maintain employment.  Therefore it is important for all staff to adhere to federal guidelines and policy as required.
• The Nez Perce Tribe is a Natural Resource Tribe and will continue to thrive culturally and economically.  We will continue to utilize Executive Orders Trust Responsibility, State and Federal Law, Consultation Policies and the Treaty of 1855 for out inherent Cultural Identity.

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