It is the goal of the Service to include federally-recognized Tribes in its decision-making process, from initiation to completion, for actions that may affect those Tribes or their membership.
Consultation leads to information exchange, mutual understanding, and informed decision-making. To achieve this goal, and to the extent practicable and permissible by law, it is essential that the Service and Tribes engage in open, continuous, and meaningful communication throughout the relationship.
This Tribal Consultation Guide has been prepared as a tool for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees to effectively communicate on a government-to-government basis with federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native governments (herein referred to as tribal governments or Tribes).