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Tribal Inclusion
Northwest Forest Plan & Amendment
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Amendment Library
Engagement & InclusionThe Need for Tribal Inclusion in Amending the Northwest Forest Plan
The Northwest Forest Plan area includes over 70 Tribal Nations and many Tribal communities. Tribal practices and stewardship activities such as burning, tending, tracking, cultivation, and habitat management for aquatic and wildlife species have contributed to the establishment and maintenance of mature and old growth forest landscapes that included a mosaic of habitats and supported fire-adapted ecosystems. The Forest Service recognizes that Tribes were the original stewards of land, managing the forest in a way that sustained communities and ecosystem health. Indigenous cultural stewardship and use techniques have not been well reflected in Forest Service land management plans.
The Northwest Forest Plan amendment process seeks to improve Tribal inclusion in forest management across the affected plan area. The 2012 Planning Rule and Executive Order 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Tribal Governments provide direction for increased tribal inclusion in planning and implementation through co-stewardship in cooperative land management. Through the amendment, the Forest Service is seeking to elevate the importance of Indigenous Knowledge and reinforce the need to honor treaty and protected tribal rights by fulfilling the federal trust responsibility to Tribal Nations.
Tribal Engagement Efforts
Tribal Nations have expressed a desire to be involved from the beginning of land management planning—not just during the review of draft amendments. In response, the Forest Service has worked to include Tribal feedback at every stage of the Northwest Forest Plan amendment process.
Through this process, the Forest Service seeks to: Elevate the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in land management. Honor treaty and Tribal rights, fulfilling federal trust responsibilities Promote co-stewardship in forest management planning. This follows guidance from the 2012 Planning Rule and Executive Order 13175 on Tribal consultation and coordination.
Amendment Theme Tribal Inclusion Fact Sheet
View the Northwest Forest Plan Amendment Tribal Inclusion Summary & Planned Events.
Please contact us at: sm.fs.nwfp_tribal@usda.gov.
The Forest Service will solicit feedback and consultation from Tribal communities on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) during the 90-day comment period when the DEIS is published. There will be webinars and in-person meetings with Tribes at each of the 17 National Forests level to share the DEIS and encourage formal comment submission. The Forests are being grouped into geographic “clusters” to facilitate support of in-person public and tribal meetings. Formal consultation options are always open. After the 90-day comment period we will keep tribes informed on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and how to participate in the objections process.
For questions or more information please contact the Northwest Forest Plan Tribal Relations Team at as sm.fs.nwfp_tribal@usda.gov.
Resources
For further information regarding tribal inclusion related to the Northwest Forest Plan see the following documents:
- Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation | The White House
- Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (justice.gov)
- A Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Governments
- A Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Governments - PowerPoint
The Northwest Forest Plan Synthesis of Science to Inform Land Management within the Northwest Forest Plan Area: Volume 3, Chapter 11, includes a review of the relationship of tribes and the Forest Service.
Interagency Regional Monitoring of the Tribal Program has resulted in 5-Year Monitoring Reports at the 10, 15, 20, and 25-year marks.
The Supplemental Bioregional Assessment (2021), Chapter 2, pages 65-70, reviews current tribal engagement efforts and highlights areas of improvement.
Get Involved!
We have many opportunities for you to get involved in the Northwest Forest Plan Amendment process! Whether you are looking for more information, want to share information, or are looking for opportunities to comment on document releases, you can find it all here.