NRCS-Utah conducting an on-site field visit with Tribal partners

NRCS understands the need to achieve consistency in ancestral lands consultation: Some states not doing ancestral land consultation THPO/Tribal input to NRCS at 2015 NATHPO Conference Prototype Programmatic Agreement development Existing NRCS consultation guidance did not identify how to conduct ancestral lands consultation. This document builds on to the prior NRCS consultation guidance.

Why isn’t staff currently completing this consistently? There is a knowledge gap between doing archaeology and conducting consultation. Barriers: perception of overwhelming workload, client privacy issues, knowing which tribes and who to contact. Limited guidance available for ancestral land consultation.

NRCS Melissa Gutierrez – CRC John Riggs – CRS Sharron Santure – CRS Dana Vaillancourt – CRS/FPO NATHPO Bambi Krauss – President Robert Cast –Contractor & Choctaw Nation archaeologist ACHP Ira L. Matt – Program Analyst & NRCS Liaison Choctaw Nation Lindsey Bilyeu – Senior Compliance Specialist Forest County Potawatomi Melissa Cook – Former THPO TALC Work group at Cahokia Mounds

TALC guidance is designed to: assist NRCS employees in meeting their legal requirements regarding consultation with Indian tribes under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). This guidance has 3 parts: Written document Webinar training NRCS AgLearn web-based course

An in-depth review of existing statute, regulation, and NRCS agency policy. Common questions regarding ancestral lands, religious and cultural significance, and consultation are addressed. Examples are provided and guidance is offered. “Ancestral land” is defined.

Ancestral Lands are the areas, whether discrete or continuous, where Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs) have affiliation. These are areas that have cultural, historical, spiritual, subsistence, and/or ceremonial significance ascribed to them. An Indian tribe’s or NHO’s physical connections to these areas may or may not persist into the modern era; an ongoing physical connection to an area is not required for it to have religious and cultural significance. Ancestral lands are defined by Indian tribes or NHOs based on their knowledge of their history and connections with that area.

Indian Country Indian Reservations NPS NAGPRA Map

They provide NRCS staff with information necessary to engage Indian Tribes in ancestral lands consultation. They do not dictate a process; they provide an adaptive framework NRCS state offices and Tribal partners can develop cooperatively. They can be incorporated into existing NRCS structure. Guidelines can be amended at any time.

Increase staff knowledge regarding consultation. Better NRCS/Tribal coordination and transparency. Comply with NHPA. Highlight the benefits of Tribal Prototype Programmatic Agreements and Consultation Protocols.

Written guidelines are projected to be distributed in October Webinars for NRCS leadership and cultural resources personnel delivered this winter. New web-based training module will be developed as routine staff training.

Question or Comments? There is a TALC guidance evaluation form in the back of the room and on the NATHPO web page. Presenters will be available all week to meet with you. Dana Vaillancourt – (202) (cell) Ira Matt – (202) (cell)