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.