Summary of Commissioner's Office Native American Program Highlights in Fiscal Year 2001
The Native American Affairs Office in the Commissioner's Office provides the overall lead for Reclamation's Native American Program.
The Commissioner's Office reported Native American Program highlights in several areas for FY2001:
During fiscal year 2001, the Native American Affairs Office was involved in a wide array of policy issues and was frequently called upon to provide guidance and advice to the field. The NAAO provided input and support for policy matters initiated by the Administration, DOI, and other Reclamation offices on issues related to:
- Federal funding task force
- Indian component of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1983 (GPRA)
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Environmental compliance
- Environmental justice
- Contracts and repayment
- Drought program
- Transfers of project water
The topics and issues frequently revolved around:
Reclamation and Indian Law
- Supported Reclamation's effort to formulate a water program that is responsive to the needs of Indian Tribes
Trust Responsibility
- Continued to work with Regional and Area Offices toward consistently applying Secretarial Order 3215, Principles for the Discharge of the Secretary's Trust Responsibility, and Reclamation's own Indian Trust Policy
- Coordinated response for information on Reclamation activities as requested by the Department for the Indian Trust funds management case, Cobell vs. Norton
- Reviewed and provided advice and comments on the Indian Trust Asset section in several high profile or particularly complex National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents
- Identified and evaluated Indian Trust Assets for consideration in NEPA documents
Contracting under P.L. 93-638 (Self-Determination)
- Continued to develop guidance for negotiating, awarding, and administering Self-Determination construction contracts with the team established in FY00
- Counseled Regions and Area Offices on new and existing 638 contracts
- Coordinated with Reclamation's contracts office
Tribal Consultation
- Worked with Mid-Pacific Region to develop potential approaches to multi-Tribal
consultation associated with CalFED.
- Counseled Region and Area Offices on consultation
In FY2001, Reclamation had members serving on 18 Indian water rights negotiation teams, 17 implementation teams, and 4 assessment teams established by DOI. Reclamation appoints individuals from the NAAO and field to serve on these teams. Reclamation expended over $1.0 million to support all team efforts in FY2001.
The NAAO water rights page has updated information.
In FY2001, the Native American Affairs Office continued to work with partners, Tribes, universities, and others to support education efforts.
A new goal was set for high school outreach and recruiting Indian students. The Native American Affairs Office began developing a program for Native American high school students that will access and address students' potential for college or other training programs. This outreach and recruitment program will encourage students to continue their education beyond high school and provide students with information to make informed decisions about their future. It will combine water technology information with encouragement and support to pursue higher education in water and science.
Other activities included:
- Continued to support the education of Native American students through renewal of agreements with Arizona State University, Central Washington University, and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institution
- Coordinated Reclamation staff who were instructors for a module of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Water Resources Technical Training Program
- Initiated scholarship program for undergraduate students
- Hosted Native American Conference for Reclamation's staff in the fall of 2000
The NAAO education page has updated information.
about the Native American Affairs Office