25 



Therefore, we should be afforded the same benefits given to 

 states and territories under Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-John- 

 son. 



Indian tribes are also excluded fi*om receiving direct Federal 

 funding under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act. Only states 

 are authorized and funded to conduct inventories and develop man- 

 agement plans for threatened and endangered species. 



Indian tribes must apply to states to receive this funding. There 

 needs to be an avenue in place where tribes can receive Section 6 

 fimding directly fi*om the Federal Government, rather than 

 through the states. 



In 1977, the Navajo Nation enacted its own Endangered Species 

 Code. This code protects not only federally Usted threatened and 

 endangered species, but also threatened and endangered species 

 that are indigenous to the Navajo Nation. 



There's a demand for individual threatened and endangered spe- 

 cies management plans on the Navajo that would address critical 

 factors that are not currently addressed by the existing federal 

 threatened and endangered species management plans and guide- 

 lines. 



Those critical factors that are of concern to the Navajo Nation 

 are cultural and traditional beliefs, economic feasibility, and eco- 

 nomic development and land use priorities. 



Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act must be amended to au- 

 thorize tribes to receive funds directly for development of threat- 

 ened and endangered species management plans. 



An additional obstacle facing the Navajo Nation in carrying out 

 its management responsibilities is the continual decrease in fund- 

 ing allocations from the Bureau of Indian Affairs through the In- 

 dian Self Determination Act, also known as Public Law 93-638. 



In 1991, the Department contracted the total fish and wildlife re- 

 sponsibilities fi*om the Bureau. This included three wildlife biolo- 

 gist positions. 



As a result of the continual decrease in funding, that's indicated 

 in Attachment A of our written testimony, the Department lost 2 

 of the 3 wildlife biologist positions at the end of 1992. 



In 1993, the Department renegotiated with the Bureau and man- 

 aged to increase the allocation slightly. However, this amount is 

 still grossly inadequate for the Department to manage the Navajo 

 Nation's vast fish and wildlife resources. 



A continued lack of P.L. 93-638 funding demonstrates the BIA's 

 failure to uphold its trust responsibility to the Navajo Nation in the 

 management of fish and wildlife resources. 



This lack of responsibility has forced the Navajo Nation to begin 

 seeking alternative funding sources in other federal programs and 

 the private sector. 



Thank you. 



[Prepared statement of the Navajo Nation follows:] 



