Legislative
Update - May 10, 2001
(Broadcast #354)
Support Needed for Tribal Set Aside in Land and Water Conservation Grants - On May 3, 2001,
Secretary Norton announced a new Indian grant program, to be funded out of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF), that would allow tribes to apply directly for $10 million in conservation
funding under the proposed FY2002 budget. This proposal was likely initiated in response to tribal
concerns raised during last year's funding compromise in the wake of Congress' failure to pass the
Conservation and Reinvestment Act, which shut tribes out of important conservation funding. The
proposed grant program would give tribes a share in a major shift in funding proposed by the Bush
Administration that would increase funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund by $359.7 million
to a proposed level of $450 million.
Tribes are strongly urged to write the House and
Senate Appropriations Committees, as well their state delegations, urging support
for maintaining this tribal grant program at a level of at least $10 million in
the final budget package. Attached for your convenience is a sample letter and
address list. Secretary Norton's announcement can be found at http://www.doi.gov/news/010503.html.
Sample Letter
The Honorable
United States (Senate/House of Representatives)
Washington, DC
RE: Land & Water Conservation Fund Grants for Indian Tribes
Dear _____________:
On behalf of the (Tribe)
I am writing to request your support for the $10 million set aside for tribes
under President Bush's Flexible Land and Water Conservation Fund State Grant Program
for FY 2002. This flexible program would provide critically needed conservation
funding to protect the highest priority resources as identified by tribes themselves.
Tribes across the country expended tremendous effort last year to obtain
equitable access to the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). Like
States, Indian tribes have governmental responsibility for the conservation
of fish, wildlife, and other resources on their lands. Like States, Indian
tribes regulate hunting and fishing and gathering on their lands. Like
States, Indian tribes would receive critically needed conservation funding
under CARA. But unlike States, Indian tribes were completely shut out from
the new conservation funding that was abruptly authorized at the end of the 106th
Congress, which resulted from the inability to enact CARA last year. That
funding, known by some as "CARA-Lite", funded fewer activities with fewer
dollars over less time than CARA. No stakeholder was more adversely affected
by this dilution than Indian tribes, who lost every single provision that had
benefitted them in the original legislation.
It is critical therefore, that the $10 million tribal portion of President
Bush's proposal be retained, along with the flexibility specified by the
President for this program. We also ask that you include language directing a
federal/tribal team be composed to develop the tribal competitive grant
program to distribute these funds, which should include tribes, the BIA, and
the National Park Service.
In addition, we ask your support in assuring that tribes are included in the development
of criteria for President Bush's $50 million Landowner Incentive program for grants
to tribes, states, and territories for habitat protection and management. Currently,
the President's plan calls for the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop criteria
for this program with the states. Federal consultation policy requires that tribes
be included in the development of these criteria. We ask your assistance to include
language that directs the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop criteria for this
program with the states and the tribes, or at a minimum, with the states and the
BIA division of Fish and Wildlife.
Sincerely,
(Tribal Chairperson)
Address List:
The Honorable Conrad Burns
Chairman
Senate Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Interior
Room S-128 Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Robert Byrd
Ranking Member
Senate Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Interior
Room S-128 Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Joe Skeen
Chairman
House Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies
Room H-218 Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Norman D. Dicks
Ranking Member
House Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies
Room H-218 Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
For more information,
please contact NCAI at 202-466-7767.