Interior Department Seeks Tribal Comments on New Consultation Policy

On Nov. 25, the Department of the Interior announced the launch of a new effort to develop a department-wide policy on tribal consultation. The new policy will be developed with input from the nation’s 564 federally recognized tribes.

The action follows President Obama’s Nov. 5 executive memorandum that directs all federal departments and agencies to develop a “plan of actions” to implement the policies and directives of Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, issued by President Clinton on Nov. 6, 2000.

DOI is seeking tribal comments via e-mail, regular mail and in real-time meetings by Jan. 15, 2010, regarding what parameters a comprehensive Interior Department-wide consultation policy should include.

To view “Tribal Consultation, Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies” and “Executive Order 13175 – Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments,” visit www.indianaffairs.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/Consultation/index.htm and scroll down to the section “Presidential and BIA Tribal Consultation Documents.”