Tribal Transportation Department Yurok Indian Reservation 2015 California Transportation Planning Conference Tribal Transportation Planning and Engagement Yurok Tribe Tribal Transportation Department Yurok Indian Reservation Joseph l. James Manager
Yurok Tribe – Beyond the Pavement Yurok People, Lands and Culture Yurok Tribe Transportation Principles and Vision Government to Government Relationship Decision makers v. Consultation
Recommendations for Effective Project Implementation Principles and objectives Technical expertise and solution based approaches Timeliness and Policy decision making abilities Communication, Engagement and Decision Making Secure Funding Yurok Tribe is looked to as leader in infrastructure improvement, tribal governance and projects
Partners and Decision Makers Recognizes importance of Tribal Government Respect Yurok Cultural integrity and history Technical Expertise Technical Capabilities Infrastructure improvement
Challenges Co-Decision Principles Exercise Sovereignty Administration of policy and staff awareness Expansion of areas covered by agreements including but not limited to Cultural and Traditional life-ways, Training and Awareness, Technical Capabilities Funding & Budgetary engagement – Top and Bottom
Future Issues Transportation - Federal Federal – DOI, DOT, HUD, EPA, DHHS & DOJ Re - acquisition of Tribal Ancestral Territory Technical Expertise beyond MOU’s Planning and Funding Land management, Funding, Cultural Resources Protection, Trainings, Data, Management
Future Issues – State of California Educational Process of Tribal Governments, Tribal Land Areas and Natural Resources Jurisdictional Interactions Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance and Tribal Laws Cultural Integrity, Respect and Management California Transportation Commission and others
Principled Benefits Technical Expertise has been invaluable to Federal, State, local and international agencies Allow to expand collective views perspectives beyond transportation Technical ability to carry out activities supportive of Agreements and Funding opportunities
Challenges Responsibilities and obligations are interpreted differently by administration and staff changes Limited funding and availability of funding for implementation Differing policy actions attempts to inhibit Tribal technical expertise Limited Tribal participation at Cabinet level and Sr. Management policy levels
Worth the Risk Yurok Tribe has been awarded and administers FTA, FHWA & Caltrans discretionary and other grants. Development of a Yurok Scenic Byways Program, River Transit Service and Yurok Trail Program. Partnerships with Redwood National and State Parks – a world heritage site; Six Rivers National Forest, the State of California, & Hum./DN counties
Planning Activities and Projects Transit Services – Yurok Tribe and KT-NET Bald Hills Paving and Rehabilitation Transportation Research Board NextGen Intermodal / Multimodal Initiatives Tribal Transportation Program and Projects Yurok Scenic Byways Program Re-Acquisition of Yurok Lands and Transportation Infrastructure development Emergency Response and Design Programs Yurok River Transit – Ferry Boat initiative
Yurok Country Visitor Center and Demonstration Village
Bald Hills Road
River Highway
Old is New Again
Yurok Tribe – Transportation Department QUESTIONS? Contact information Joseph L. James, Manager Transportation Department Yurok Tribe 190 Klamath Blvd. Klamath, CA 95546 jjames@yuroktribe.nsn.us (707)482-1350