WASHINGTON – In addition to the articles already covered by Native News Online, here’s a look at other news from Washington, D.C. recently impacting Indian Country.
USDA Forest Service seeks public comment on draft old growth management guidelines for national forests
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has taken the next step to advance President Biden’s commitment to preserving old-growth forests by releasing a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed amendment to the National Old-growth Forest Plan. The proposed change was posted in the Federal Register on Friday and will be open for public comment for 90 days after publication.
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The purpose of this amendment is to provide consistent guidance for the management, conservation, and recruitment of old growth in national forests. The proposed amendment emphasizes the importance of proactive stewardship actions in managing threats to old-growth forests and reducing wildfire risk, taking into account current and emerging climate-related threats. It also calls for the development of adaptive management strategies using local, geographically relevant information and the best available science, including indigenous knowledge.
“Recent scientific analysis shows us that many old-growth forests are significantly threatened by climate change,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “The Forest Service’s plan will help protect these iconic tree stands through science-based management and conservation strategies that can be adapted to unique local conditions in national forests. USDA looks forward to receiving feedback on today’s draft proposal from tribal, state and local governments, industry partners, conservation organizations and many others; They will all be crucial partners in the forest management and conservation actions needed to ensure the conservation and growth of primary forests in the future.”
Investments in bipartisan infrastructure legislation will help bring clean, reliable drinking water to rural communities
The Department of the Interior on Thursday announced a $43 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for rural water projects that will provide clean, reliable drinking water to rural and tribal communities. Investments through the Bureau of Reclamation will support six projects already under construction or in the planning stages in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota, and follow $733 million previously announced for rural water projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“With historic resources from President Biden’s Investing in America, we continue to make significant investments to help states and tribes fundamentally transform current and future water sustainability and conservation efforts across the country,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “With new resources from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are accelerating the completion of long-awaited rural water projects and ensuring that more Americans can have clean water flowing from their taps through reliable water supplies, because no community should be left behind .”
Two tribes were part of the distributed funds:
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$9.8 million for the Fort Peck Reservation/Dry Prairie in Montana to fund the completion of the Pines Service Area Project. $54 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is being used in the Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Rural Water System to complete the final two phases of service lines within the reservation. Dry Prairie is completing service lines in the Scobey/Flaxville service areas and the Outlook/Westby service areas.
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$5 million for the Jicarilla Apache Nation to continue data collection and design work. This builds on $22 million previously committed through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the design and construction of project components of the previous phase of the Rural Water System.
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