24 

 Mr. Richardson. Ms. Notah. 



STATEMENT OF GLORIA NOTAH 



Ms. NOTAH. Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, 

 my name is Gloria Notah. I'm a wildlife manager with the Navajo 

 Nation's Department of Fish and Wildlife. 



I'm presenting testimony this morning on behalf of President Pe- 

 terson Zah and the Navajo Nation. 



The Navajo Nation appreciates this opportunity to provide our 

 concerns regarding Indian management of fish and wildlife pro- 

 grams on tribal lands. 



We commend the Subcommittee and the House Natural Re- 

 sources Committee for addressing this issue. 



The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian reservation in the Unit- 

 ed States, consisting of approximately 18 milhon acres of land 

 which spans into the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. 



Navajo Nation lands contain valuable and critical habitat for nu- 

 merous species of fish and wildlife. 



In addition, there are 9 federally listed threatened and endan- 

 gered species found on Navajo Nation lands. 



In 1956, the Navajo Nation created the Department of Fish and 

 Wildlife to manage the fish and wildlife resources on Navajo lands 

 for the benefit of present and future generations. 



Subsequently, fish and wildUfe management codes were estab- 

 lished for the protection and enhancement of Navajo fish and wild- 

 life resources. 



Although the Navajo Department of Fish and Wildlife manages 

 to carry out its management responsibilities, the Department has 

 confi-onted numerous obstacles in advancing this mandate. 



First and foremost is the lack of statutory authorization for In- 

 dian tribes, including the Navajo Nation to participate in and re- 

 ceive funding firom any Federal programs. 



The Navajo Nation is unable to participate in Federal legislation, 

 such as the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, 

 which is also known as the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson 

 Act, £ind also the Endangered Species Act. 



The Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Act assess excise 

 taxes on fishing and hunting supplies and motor boat fuel. This Act 

 generates over $400 million annually, and provides fiinding to all 

 50 states and U.S. territories. 



However, this measure does not allow for Indian tribes, including 

 the Navajo Nation, to participate in this Federal aid program. 



Indian tribes should be allowed to participate in Pittman-Robert- 

 son and Dingell-Johnson since tribal members contribute signifi- 

 cantly to these programs when they purchase taxed hunting and 

 fishing supplies. 



Furthermore, Indian tribes, including the Navajo Nation, contrib- 

 ute significantly to meeting the national demand for hunting and 

 fishing opportunities. 



The Navajo Nation has a developed Fish and Wildlife manage- 

 ment program, which provides recreational fishing and hunting to 

 the demand of the general public, Indian and non-Indian alike. 



