Strengthening Tribal Voices in the
NWFP Amendment Process
A Template Letter to Advocate for Tribal Sovereignty and Stewardship
The Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) Amendment Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) provides an opportunity for Tribes to influence how ancestral lands and critical ecosystems are managed. To assist in advocating for Tribal sovereignty, co-stewardship, and the integration of Indigenous Knowledge, we’ve developed a comprehensive template letter that outlines key concerns and recommendations.
This template letter is intended to:
Highlight the importance of Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
Advocate for meaningful co-stewardship agreements.
Emphasize the integration of Indigenous Knowledge in forest management.
Address gaps in the DEIS regarding cultural and ecological priorities.
How to Use the Template Letter
Download the letter from the link below.
Customize it with your Tribe’s specific details and priorities.
Submit your completed letter to the U.S. Forest Service by the [submission deadline, e.g., March 17, 2025].
For step-by-step instructions, please refer to the FAQ section below or contact us at eddie@againstthecurrent.consulting.
FAQ Section: Common Questions about the Template Letter and Funding
Q1: Can this letter be customized to fit our Tribe’s unique needs?
A: Absolutely. This template is a starting point designed to help articulate key issues, but we encourage you to add details specific to your Tribe's concerns, priorities, and geographic context.
Q2: How does the template letter align with Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights?
A: The letter explicitly reaffirms Tribal sovereignty and treaty-reserved rights, urging the U.S. Forest Service to fulfill its trust responsibilities by centering Tribal leadership in forest management.
Q3: Understanding the Legal Framework of Forest Plans
Why can’t forest plans guarantee specific funding or staffing?
A: Forest plans establish the desired outcomes for and constraints on management activities on national forests. Federal law precludes the U.S. Forest Service from obligating specific amounts of funding or staff to meet those outcomes. For example, the forest plan amendment cannot include language like:
“Pay for Tribal natural resources staff to participate in Forest Service interdisciplinary meetings.”
However, forest plans can include commitments such as:
“The Forest Service will work with willing Tribes to identify funding sources to build Tribal capacity to participate in Forest Service interdisciplinary meetings.”
These types of commitments honor Tribal sovereignty while aligning with federal budgetary constraints and the Trust responsibilities owed to Tribes.
Q4: How does the Forest Service work within these constraints to support co-stewardship?
A: While the Forest Service cannot obligate funding in forest plans, it can:
Set Priorities: Establish management priorities that emphasize Tribal collaboration and capacity-building.
Collaborate with Tribes: Commit to working with Tribes to identify and secure resources for co-stewardship initiatives.
Honor Sovereignty: Include plan components that respect Tribal leadership and integrate Indigenous Knowledge into management decisions.
Q5: How can I advocate for these commitments in my comment letter?
A: You can support plan components that reflect these collaborative commitments and suggest additional language to meet your Tribe’s specific needs. For example:
Support provisions that prioritize resource identification and Tribal capacity-building.
Recommend new commitments, such as co-designed capacity-building programs or interdisciplinary planning efforts.
Example language for your letter:
“We strongly support the inclusion of provisions that commit the Forest Service to work with Tribes to identify and secure adequate resources for co-stewardship. These provisions honor Tribal sovereignty and align with the federal government’s Trust responsibilities owed to Tribes.”
Need More Help?
Contact our team at eddie@againstthecurrent.consulting for assistance with the template letter, submitting your comment, or understanding the legal framework of forest plans.