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elk and numerous furbearer and waterfowl species. There are nine federally listed 

 threatened and endangered species found on the Navajo Nation, including an 

 endangered fish located on the San Juan River ( Ptvchocheilus lucuis ) and the 

 Humpback Chub. 



In 1 956, the Navajo Nation created the Navajo Department of Fish and Wildlife 

 to manage the fish and wildlife resources on Navajo lands for the benefit of our 

 present and future generations. Presently, the Navajo Department of Fish and Wildlife 

 consist of four sections: Wildlife Law Enforcement; Management/Research; Natural 

 Heritage; and, Animal Damage Control. The Wildlife Enforcement section is 

 responsible for the enforcement of all fish and wildlife laws and regulations. The 

 Management/Research section evaluates, monitors, manages and researches certain 

 populations of small and big game, furbearers and game fish. The Natural Heritage 

 section is responsible for the collection, management and dissemination of biological 

 and ecological information on threatened and endangered species and communities. 

 It is the only program of its type in the United States on an Indian reservation. The 

 Animal Damage Control section oversees the alleviation of wildlife damage to 

 agricultural resources such as crops and livestock. There are approximately thirty 

 professional staff in the four sections of the Navajo Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

 Twenty staff members are located in the central office in Window Rock, Arizona, and 

 ten staff members are located in the field. Each person is charged with overseeing 

 the Navajo Nation's vast land, habitat and species resources. 



The Navajo Department of Fish and Wildlife has confronted numerous obstacles 

 in carrying out its responsibilities. Foremost is the lack of statutory authorization for 



