166 



This relationship has been defined by numerous pieces of legisla- 

 tion and executive orders, administered by the Executive Branch, 

 and interpreted by the courts. 



The United States has obligations and responsibilities for protec- 

 tion, proper management, and enhancement of fish, wildlife, plants, 

 soil, and water, so as to ensure access, sustained availability and 

 suitability for use by Indian tribes and Alaska native peoples. 



The United States should serve as an advocate for the preserva- 

 tion and exercise of these treaty rights, not sit idly by, a silent wit- 

 ness to their erosion. 



We believe that the Committee's efforts should focus on a few 

 fundamental cornerstones to estabhsh the foundation for future ini- 

 tiatives in fish and wildlife management. 



The foremost issue is to affirm the commitment of the United 

 States to support, strengthen, and enhance tribal management ca- 

 pabilities. This commitment should be reflected in two fundamental 

 areas. 



First, tribal sovereignty and primacy to establish management 

 direction on-reservation should be fully supported. Our reservation 

 was established as a permanent homeland for the people of the 

 Quinault Nation. 



The policy of allotment has led to the fractionation and checker 

 boarding of land on many reservations across the country. 



Current land ownership patterns on our reservation cause enor- 

 mous problems when attempting to implement responsible resource 

 management. 



Contending with trespass violations and enforcement of fish and 

 game regulations has become an administrative nightmare, fraught 

 with jurisdictional impediments to effective resource management. 



These problems are especially severe for fish and wildlife re- 

 sources which of course recognize no political or ownership bound- 

 aries. 



We believe that the Congress and the Administration should rec- 

 ognize the primacy of tribal rights to m£inage fish and wildlife re- 

 sources on-reservation. Support should be provided for development 

 of effective enforcement of tribal fish and wildlife codes and regula- 

 tions to apply to all persons on all lands within reservation bound- 

 aries. 



In addition, adequate funding and professional development 

 training programs are needed to improve tribal management skills 

 and capacities. 



Second, the standing of tribal governments to participate in deci- 

 sions involving off-reservation resource management issues, at 

 least on a par with the states, should be supported. 



An affected tribal government should, at its own option, be enti- 

 tled to take part in inter-jurisdictional decisions affecting off-res- 

 ervation resources of concern. 



For example, standing for tribes to fully participate in specific 

 regulatory activities, such as habitat protection, in stream flows, 

 water quality, and FERC licensing, should be recognized. 



Further, current programs within the federal government pro- 

 vide for agreements with states for management direction of lands 

 and resources, some of which Indian tribes have vital interests. 

 This occurs without tribal consultation and participation. 



