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