U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The Southeast Region is committed to working with Federally-recognized Native American Tribe to conserve and manage fish and wildlife resources.

The Native American Liaison provides communication and support to Tribes and Tribal organizations to promote cooperative fish and wildlife activities. The liaison works with Service staff in our field offices to facilitate government-to-government consultation under the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Native American Policy , Secretarial Order 3206 (American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments), and other relevant Federal laws.

The liaison also works with the Service’s regional archeologist on issues of cultural significance to Tribes.

Service helps Eastern Band of Cherokee Repair and Manage Trout Hatchery

The Cherokee Reservation is known for its trout fishing due to the extremely well-stocked streams and rivers. Nearly 45,000 people, tourists and trophy-anglers alike, fished in Cherokee in 2007.

Now the Cherokee Tribal Trout Hatchery is embarking on $500,000 renovation project that will more than double its already impressive capacity for raising trout. These improvements are in addition to raceways reconstruction work completed under a $250,000 Tribal Wildlife Grant provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The most recent hatchery renovations will increase trout production from 150,000 pounds annually to 350,000 pounds at the 25-year old hatchery.

The Service has worked closely with the Tribe since the hatchery was established to provide technical assistance and to provide trout eggs. So far in 2008, the Service has provided 440,000 trout eggs to the hatchery.