Publications and Reports
View U.S. Forest Service Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) reports and publications, as well as other published resources.
Publications
- USDA Resource Guide for American Indians & Alaska Natives (December 2016) (External link) - Resource to identify USDA programs that best serve individual or community needs for anyone who works with American Indians and Alaska Natives on any USDA programs.
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Fire Science (July 2010) (PDF, 329 KB) - Research overview by Blake Jackson providing descriptions of selected articles that contain information on two philosophies of Western fire science and traditional knowledge of using fire on landscapes working together in ecosystem management.
- Forest Service National Resource Guide to American Indian and Alaska Native Relations (April 1997) (PDF, 1.5 MB) - Guide to help Forest Service employees gain a clearer understanding of how to implement the U.S. Government’s and the Forest Service’s American Indian and Alaska Native policy.
- Start a Partnership with the USDA Forest Service or Obtain Federal Financial Assistance - A Guide for Tribal Governments (July 2014) (PDF, 2.0 MB) - Guide to provide our tribal counterparts with a better understanding of how best to work in partnership with the Forest Service.
- Tribal Cultural and Heritage Cooperation Authority Technical Guide (October 2019) (PDF, 2.6 MB) - Technical guidance on exercising the 2008 Farm Bill authorities. This legislation, unique to the Forest Service, expands authority to rebury Native American ancestors; institute temporary closures for traditional and ceremonial uses; provide free use of forest products; and ensure information confidentiality.
Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT) Reports
- Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT) I Report: An Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States (November 1993) (PDF, 16.2 MB) - First 10 year periodic assessment of Indian forestland completed in 1993.
- Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT) II Report: An Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States (December 2003) (PDF, 16.0 MB) - Second 10 year periodic assessment of Indian forest lands completed in 2003.
- Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT) III Report 2013 (External link) - Third 10 year periodic assessment of Indian forest lands completed in 2013.
Reports
- Tribal Forest Protection Act Analysis Reports (External link)
- Northwest Forest Plan - Tribal Monitoring Program
- USDA Forest Service ARRA Funding - Indian Country Impacts(Revised September 2, 2009) (PDF, 252 KB)
- Executive Summary USDA Forest Service Tribal Relations Program Implementation Team Report (March 2005) (PDF, 232 KB)
Sacred Sites Background Materials
- Sacred Sites – Questions & Answers for the Review of USDA & Forest Service Policies and Procedures for the Accommodation of Indian Sacred Sites (PDF, 166 KB, 7-12-2011).
- Review of USDA & Forest Service Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Indian Sacred Sites: Summary of Summary of 2003-2007 Forest Service Sacred Sites Policy Review (PDF, 125 KB)
- Letter to Tribal leaders from the USDA Under Secretary and the Forest Service Chief (PDF, 0.7 MB) - On July 15, 2011, USDA Under Secretary and Forest Service Chief jointly signed a letter transmitting the report on CD to Tribes and offering them the opportunity to consult on the Draft Report to the Secretary.
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Tribal Participants Letter from the USDA Under Secretary and the Forest Service Chief (PDF, 1.1 MB) - On November 3, 2010, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, Harris Sherman, and Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell jointly signed a letter asking Tribes for their assistance. The letter also invited Tribes to participate in the first national telephonic listening session that occurred on November 29, 2010.