Southwestern Region

USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region Announces Tribal Relations Program Web Site

Albuquerque, NM—(March 29, 2005) The USDA Forest Service (FS), Southwestern Region announces the release of their Tribal Relations Program Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r3/spf/tribal. This is the first FS Region-wide Web site established to address tribal program issues. It will facilitate communication and consultation among the Regional Leadership, 11 National Forests, and 52 Tribes in (and around) the Southwest.

This Web site provides information on key elements of the FS National Tribal Implementation Strategy including: the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), reburial of Native American remains on FS lands, Occupancy and Use of FS Lands by Tribes for traditional and cultural purposes, and development of Special Forest Products policies.

Links are established on the Web site for the National Office of Tribal Relations (OTR), the FS Native American Special Emphasis Program, the FS Civil Rights Native American Indian Program, and the Southwest Strategy Tribal Relations Support Team (TRST). This will help to facilitate flow of information regarding national legal and policy developments, employment, and coordination among federal agencies in the Southwest regarding Tribal programs, concerns, and services.

Links are also provided to FS Cooperative Forestry Programs, offering technical, educational, and financial assistance to the public; to Research and Development, including the Rocky Mountain Research Station; and to Legislative developments.

Information on the location and common boundary between FS and Tribal lands in the Southwest Region is available at this Web site. In addition, a list has been posted for the Regional Tribal Program Managers and liaisons for the Southwest Forests.

For questions, comments, and suggestions about the Web site please contact the Southwestern Region Tribal Relations Program Manager at (505) 842-3424.