Table 1 below describes the responsibilities of Service officials for implementing the Service’s Native American Policy, 510 FW 1. Sections 2.0 to 9.0 in the policy provide details about how we achieve these responsibilities.
Table 1: Responsibilities for the Service’s Native American Policy
| These officials... | When working with federally recognized Tribal governments, are responsible for... |
| A. The Director | (1) Serving as the final authority for those Servicewide decisions that may affect Tribal interests; (2) Overseeing the management of all Service programs, including our work with Tribal governments; (3) Ensuring Servicewide policies and programs are consistent with our Tribal trust responsibility; (4) Working to resolve issues with Tribal governments when elevated by Regional Directors; and (5) Delegating authority to consult with Tribal officials. |
| B. National Native American Programs Coordinator | (1) Coordinating with Headquarters and Regional Directorate members on national and cross-Regional programs and issues; (2) Maintaining and continuing to build and promote positive working relationships with federally recognized Indian Tribes by listening to Tribes and gaining insight to further conservation goals and cultural protection at the national level; (3) Developing and providing national-level training opportunities for Service employees, Tribal staff, and Tribal members; (4) Developing and administering a national implementation plan to incorporate this policy into Service operations; (5) Reviewing this policy with assistance from Directorate members and Tribes (see section 8 of 510 FW 1) to strengthen its implementation and identify recommended revisions and updates; (6) Developing agreements and programs with Tribes under ISDEAA as we discuss in section 7 of 510 FW 1; (7) Promoting Tribal cultural competency awareness within the Service and improving Tribes’ understanding regarding our Federal mandates and mission at the national level; (8) Promoting partnership opportunities between the Service and Tribes at national and Regional levels; and (9) Leading and facilitating the resolution of conflicts between Tribes and the Service that are multi-Regional or national in scope. |
| C. Directorate members at Headquarters | (1) Serving as the delegated agency officials in government-to-government consultation or other coordination on issues relevant to Tribes; and (2) Ensuring the goals and intent of this policy are implemented as their staff develop: (a) Program policies, (b) Regulations, (c) Strategic plans (national and Regional), and (d) Other planning documents. |
| D. Chief – Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), through Special Agents-in-Charge | (1) Ensuring that all OLE employees implement this policy; (2) Serving as or designating an OLE agency official in government-to- government consultation or other coordination on law enforcement issues relevant to Tribes; and (3) Ensuring the goals and intent of this policy are implemented as OLE staff develop: (a) Program policies, (b) Regulations, (c) Training for Service officers and Tribal conservation officers, (d) Strategic plans, and (e) Other planning documents. |
| E. Regional Directors | (1) Serving as the delegated agency officials in government-to-government consultation or other coordination on issues relevant to Tribes; (2) Fulfilling the Service’s Federal Indian trust responsibilities to Tribes; (3) Ensuring the Service operates on a government-to-government basis with Tribes; (4) Coordinating with Tribes on a regular basis to address important issues; (5) Promoting partnership opportunities between the Service and Tribes at the Regional level; (6) Resolving issues that may arise within the Region when implementing this policy; (7) Assigning a Regional Native American Liaison or point of contact; and (8) Developing and providing Regional training opportunities for Service employees, Tribal staff, and Tribal members. |
| F. Regional Native American Liaisons or Point(s) of Contact | (1) Serving as the point of contact or intermediary between the Service and Tribes, (2) Assisting Service employees in implementing this policy, (3) Maintaining and continuing to build and promote positive working relationships with Tribes at the Regional level, (4) Promoting Tribal cultural competency awareness within the Service and improving Tribes’ understanding regarding the Service's Federal mandates and mission at the Regional level, (5) Promoting partnership opportunities (e.g., co-management and training) between the Service and Tribes at the Regional level, (6) Providing assistance and support to the Regional Director in resolving conflicts between Tribes and the Service, and (7) Developing step-down policies (e.g., in Region 7 for Alaska National Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Alaska Native Organizations) and Regional implementation plans, where appropriate. |
| G. Regional Directorate Team Members | (1) Serving as the delegated agency official in government-to-government consultation or other coordination on issues relevant to Tribes; (2) Ensuring the goals and intent of this policy, including timely communication with Tribes in planning and implementation phases, in their programs; and (3) Developing agreements with Tribes under ISDEAA as we discuss in section 7 of 510 FW 1. |
| H. Project Leaders, Managers, and Supervisors | (1) Serving as the agency official in government-to-government consultation or other coordination on issues relevant to Tribes, when delegated; (2) Ensuring activities for which they are responsible are consistent with this policy; (3) Developing agreements with Tribes under ISDEAA as we discuss in section 7 of 510 FW 1; (4) Ensuring employees understand the relevance of this policy to their job duties; (5) Making relevant training opportunities related to implementing this policy available to employees whose duties may affect Tribal interests; (6) Encouraging and supporting implementation of the goals and responsibilities described in this policy as they are applicable to the programs and projects for which they are responsible; (7) Providing assistance and support to the Regional Director in resolving conflicts between Tribes and the Service; and (8) Assisting Service employees to implement this policy. |
| I. Employees whose duties may affect Tribal interests | (1) Understanding this policy and its importance in carrying out the agency mission, specifically by developing a working knowledge of any policy goals and responsibilities relevant to their job duties. This includes taking relevant training (see section 8 of 510 FW 1); (2) Implementing applicable sections of the policy for issues or projects that may affect Tribal interests (e.g., through coordination with Tribal biologists or other staff of federally recognized Tribes, development of working relationships with Tribal staff in the area, etc.), to fulfill the Service’s Federal Indian trust responsibilities; and (3) Communicating with managers and supervisors when professional activities include federally recognized Tribes. |