Tribal Inclusion in Amending the Northwest Forest Plan
About the Amendment > Tribal Inclusion
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.