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Testimony of the NWIFC February 18, 1993 



on Fish & Wildlife Management Page 11 



Resultant staff capabilities have been extremely valuable in allowing the tribes to 

 address critical management issues in a positive, solution oriented way. But if tribes 

 are to continue this effort, additional commitments to management and support staff 

 is essential. This is especially important given the increasing needs for 

 environmental protection. 



Tribal infrastructure depends on adequate and stable funding 



Tribal natural resource management programs are second to none in their 

 effectiveness and efficiency. But even the best programs faces limiting factors. One 

 such limit is adequate and stable financial support. 



Tribal natural resource management programs have delivered many services to 

 Indian people over the past several years. The programs have built a strong 

 foundation for future community and economic growth. But without continued 

 financial support, the programs will not continue to deliver the level of services 

 needed to manage natural resources. 



The sources of funding for tribal natural resource management programs have 

 included congressional appropriations through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish and 

 Wildlife Service, Administration for Native Americans, and the Environmental 

 Protection Agency. In addition, other tribal revenues come from state programs and 

 tribally-imposed fish taxes and other tribally generated funds. 



At the present time, the tribes do not have clear and specific access to Dingel- 

 Johnson, Pittman-Robertson, Wallop-Breaux funds, forest legacy programs or Land 

 and Water Conservation funds. Such access should be secured directly to the 

 tribes. It should not have to come through the affected states, which may have 

 different views of priorities and needs, and are often times adversarial to tribal 

 interests. 



Without tribal involvement, overall natural resource management efforts will suffer, 

 harming all interests in the state, region, and country. Tribal shellfish management 

 programs, for example, are seen as a key to resolving critical issues surrounding 

 beach certification procedures. In addition, tribal enhancement planning efforts offer 

 an increase in finfish and shellfish availability for both tribal and other users. Tribes 

 have also extensively participated in a number of forums designed to protect treaty 

 harvest and habitat protection rights. These efforts, which benefit Indian and non- 

 Indian alike, will suffer without tribal infrastructure. The need for tribal programs 

 clearly exceeds existing funding levels. 



