USDA SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH THREE NEW TRIBAL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2003—During the first Annual National Tribal Conservation District Conference, held recently in Las Vegas, Nev., the U.S. Department of Agriculture commemorated the addition of three new tribal conservation districts.

“I am honored to be on Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman’s team as she affirms the President’s commitment to tribal governments as well as USDA’s goals for better serving farmers, ranchers, communities and consumers in Indian country,” said Annabelle Romero, newly-appointed USDA Director for Native American Programs.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has an integral role in helping people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment on private and tribal lands. NRCS has a unique partnership with conservation districts which are vital to the locally led approach to conservation that has served American landowners for seven decades.

USDA recently signed mutual agreements with the following tribes that bring the total number of tribal conservation districts to 26 in 11 states.
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Colville Tribal Natural Resource Conservation District (Washington)
• Hualapai Nation and the Hualapai Nation Soil and Water Conservation District (Arizona)
• Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Tiicham Soil and Water Conservation District (Oregon)

These agreements formally recognize these tribes within USDA’s statutory authorities, regulations, and policies for purposes of delivering conservation programs in cooperation with these tribes and conservation districts on tribal lands.

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