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

2023

• Testimony of the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund For the Record of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing on “Native Communities’ Priorities for the 118th Congress” - March 22, 2023

2021

• Testimony of Dr. Casey Thornbrugh, United South and Eastern Tribes, before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for the Hearing, “Tribal Voices, Tribal Wisdom: Strategies for the Climate Crisis” - November 18, 2021

Comments

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

2022

• USET SPF Letter to Majority Leader Schumer re: Tribal Nation Inclusion in Inflation Reduction Act - August 5, 2022

Joint Letters

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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