Natural Resources
The distinct cultures of Tribal Nations are highly integrated into our environments, with many Tribal cultures and economies heavily dependent on environmental and subsistence resources. Disturbances to these environments, which extend beyond the boundaries of individual reservations, have proven to disrupt the survival of Tribal cultures and subsistence lifestyles. In fulfillment of the trust obligation, the federal government has a responsibility to ensure the protection of Tribal environments and resources by recognizing and upholding the inherent sovereign status of Tribal Nations. As sovereigns, Tribal Nations must be able to exercise our authority by enacting and administering important regulatory programs over our homelands. These authorities must not be subject to or diminished by state regulatory standards which do not have authority over Tribal lands and could threaten crucial Tribal or federal protections for our environment and resources.
Testimony
2024
2023
- USET SPF Testimony for the Record of Senate ENR Hearing to "Examine Federal Offshore Energy Strategies and Policies" - October 26, 2023
- USET SPF Testimony for the Record of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Hearing on “Safeguarding American Jobs and Economic Growth: Examining the Future of the Offshore Leasing Program” - July 27, 2023
- USET SPF Testimony for the Record of the Senate ENR Hearing to “Examine Opportunities for Congress to Reform the Process for Permitting Electric Transmission Lines, Pipelines, and Energy Production on Federal Lands” - July 26, 2023
- USET SPF Testimony for the Record of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing “The Future of Tribal Energy Development: Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” - April 12, 2023
- USET SPF Testimony for the Record of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Roundtable on “Native Priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization” - April 5, 2023
- USET SPF Testimony for the Record of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing on “Native Communities’ Priorities for the 118th Congress” - March 22, 2023
- USET SPF Testimony for the Record of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Hearing on "Unlocking Indian Country's Economic Potential" - March 15, 2023
2021
Comments
2024
- USET SPF Comments to NPS on its Draft Tribal Consultation Policy - August 26, 2024
- USET SPF Comments to USDA on Tribal Barriers to Access USDA Programs and Services - May 24, 2024
- USET SPF Comments to DOI on Updating Climate Adaptation Plan - April 5, 2024
- USET SPF Comments to EPA on Draft Meaningful Involvement Policy - January 16, 2024
2023
- USET SPF Comments to CDC/ATSDR on Environmental Justice Index Tool - December 1, 2023
- USET SPF Comments to BSEE on Drafting an EJ Strategy and Action Plan - November 16, 2023
- USET SPF Comments to CEQ & OSTP on “Ocean Justice Strategy Tribal Consultation” - August 25, 2023
- USET SPF Comments to EPA on Proposed Revisions to its Tribal Consultation Policy and Tribal Treaty Rights Guidance - July 21, 2023
- USET SPF Comments on FPISC Draft ERIF Application - July 17, 2023
- USET SPF Comments on NTIA National Spectrum Strategy - April 17, 2023
- USET SPF Comments to DOI re: IRA Funding - January 18, 2023
2022
- USET SPF Comments to CEQ/OSTP on Ocean Climate Action Plan - December 15, 2022
- USET SPF Comments to WHCNAA re: TRR MOU - October 21, 2022
- USET SPF Comments on White House Indigenous Knowledge Guidance - October 11, 2022
- USET SPF Comments on Nature-Based Solutions Report - September 15, 2022
- USET SPF Comments to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) re: Consultation on Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool - May 25, 2022
- USET SPF Comments to NOAA re: Tribal Consultation Handbook and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Guidance Policies and Procedures - February 24, 2022
- USET SPF Comments on EPA and Department of the Army Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States” - February 7, 2022
- USET SPF Comments to DOI re: implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) - February 4, 2022
2021
- USET SPF Comments to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) re: Proposed Revisions to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Regulations and NEPA 2020 Final Rule - November 22, 2021
- USET SPF Comments FEMA RFI Climate Change EOs - July 22, 2021
- USET SPF Comments: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Creation of the Office of Public Participation - April 23, 2021
- USET SPF Comments on EPA Consultation on Tribal Consultation - March 31, 2021
- USET SPF Comments to USDA on Tribal Consultation - March 22, 2021
2020
- USET SPF Comments on Proposed NEPA Revisions - March 10, 2020
Letters
2024
- USET SPF Letter to USDA in Support of Expansion of 638 Contracting and Compacting - April 5, 2024
- USET SPF Letter to USDA on Concerns with Award of Funds for RFSI Program - March 15, 2024
2022
- USET SPF Letter to Majority Leader Schumer re: Tribal Nation Inclusion in Inflation Reduction Act - August 5, 2022
Joint Letters
2024
- Joint Tribal Organization Letter Supporting and Calling for Congressional Hearing on H.R.7859 (TERRA Act) - May 7, 2024
2021
- Joint Tribal Organizations Letter in Support of Janie Sims Hipp Nomination for USDA General Counsel - May 24, 2021
- USET SPF Joins and Assists with Joint DAPL Letter to Biden Admin - February 9, 2021
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