Volume 6, Fall 2000

Project Aids Tribes in Resource Protection

As part of continuing efforts to provide Tribes legal assistance, CILS is developing and publishing summaries of important federal environmental and natural resource laws with specific information pertaining to the rights and responsibilities of Tribes and individual Indians. These summaries, which describe how the laws may affect Native American communities, will become available on our Web site as they are completed. The summaries are intended to provide a brief introduction to the various statutes as well as the working knowledge needed to initially participate in Tribal, federal, state, and local decision-making forums. However, a detailed analysis of these environmental laws is beyond the scope of the summaries. As always, an attorney should be consulted to fully protect legal rights.

This summer, the National Association for Public Interest Law provided funds for the preparation of summaries of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Some highlights of the NHPA summary follow.

Tribal Voice in Federal Planning

NHPA imposes on each federal agency a procedure for consulting with Indian Tribes when planning certain federal activities that have the potential to affect property of religious and cultural importance to an Indian Tribe.

Preservation on Tribal Lands

When formally established through the approval of the National Park Service, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices allow a Tribe more autonomy in protecting traditional cultural properties.

Federal Funding

The NHPA authorizes funding to assist Tribes in preserving and protecting significant cultural and historic resources and traditions. Click here to download the complete NHPA summary (Opens new window - PDF File) from our Web site. Tribes or individuals needing legal assistance should contact their local CILS office.