U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
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DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION |
Number: 1340-002 |
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SUBJECT: Consolidating USDA Agencies' Services on Indian Reservations |
DATE: August 6, 1991 |
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OPI: Office of Public Affairs, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs |
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1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this regulation is to implement section 2501 (g) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 by providing consolidated United States Department of Agriculture suboffices on American Indian reservations. This regulation applies to the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Farmers Home Administration. The Secretary reserves the right to include such other offices and functions as he may decide are appropriate.
2 POLICY
The policy of USDA is to provide opportunities for all rural Americans by providing for effective and efficient coordination of USDA agricultural and rural development programs within each State, county, and tribal jurisdiction.
3 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Consolidated suboffices shall be established at the tribal headquarters of those Tribes that provide the necessary office space.
Each suboffice must be staffed using existing staff.
A USDA agency representative for each agency must staff the suboffice at least 1 day per week unless otherwise agreed by the agencies' State administrators and each Tribe.
To avoid duplication of efforts, for reservations located in more than one county or State, the Secretary of Agriculture, the relevant county or State officials, and the Tribe shall enter into a cooperative agreement to provide the services needed.
4 RESPONSIBILITIES
USDA agencies and interested Tribes have the responsibility for initiating certain actions to carry out the services specified here:
a Affected agencies shall initiate the necessary actions to establish consolidated suboffices at tribally designated locations.
b The State administrators of the agencies affected by this regulation shall meet within 30 days of the date of this regulation to determine the specific actions necessary in each State, or among States involved with a Tribe, to extend and consolidate the agencies' services. Suggested actions include the following:
(1) Request each Tribe seeking the additional services to designate a specific tribal contact, such as an individual or a tribal committee, to cooperate and coordinate with the USDA staff at the consolidated suboffices.
(2) Request each Tribe to provide any information, such as a specific plan of work which includes priorities established by the Tribe, that would make the planning and running of the consolidated suboffice easier and more efficient.
c Tribal units shall:
(1) Request the establishment of the suboffices of the affected agencies by contacting the State office of any one of the affected agencies.
(2) Determine along with USDA personnel the site for the consolidated suboffices.
(3) Determine along with USDA personnel the day or days each week that suboffices shall be staffed by each agency.
END