Tribal Perspectives on Transportation Richard Arnold Tribal Caucus

Who Are the Tribes? Like States, Tribes are unique! 567 Federally Recognized Tribes in the U.S. Tribal Government – Elected Officials Distinct Languages, Customs and Beliefs Maintain Distinct Jurisdictions Most regulated

Considerations Very Complex Misunderstood/Mistrust Jurisdictional Issues Law Enforcement Responsibility Fire Protection Emergency Response and Preparedness

Why Involve the Tribes Treaties Executive Orders AIRFA – 1978, 1990, 1996 EO Government to Government Relations EO Access To Sacred Sites Agency Policies DOE Order American Indian Policy NRC Tribal Protocols Manual

Where Are Tribes Located? Reservations Trust Land Tribal Communities Rural Areas Towns or Cities

Tribal Land Classification Reservation Boundaries Villages Trust Land Ceded Lands Treaty Lands Aboriginal Lands Hunting and Collection Areas Ceremonial Areas

Cultural Affiliation Areas Traditionally Used or Managed Exclusive Use Areas Joint Use Areas Assigned Areas Culturally Sensitive Areas Contemporary Use Areas

Cultural Resources Personified Cultural Landscapes Storyscapes Songscapes Plants Animals Natural Resources (water, air, land, geology)

Tribal Perspectives Tribes Recognize the Importance of Safe Transportation If You Plan For Bad Things, It Will Happen! When Things Go Wrong It’s Because It Is Sick or Out Of Balance If You Disrespect Things, It Knows And Will Respond or Retaliate

Challenges Lack of Resources Unfamiliarity with Issues and Expectations Insufficient Funding Limited Trained and Dedicated Personnel Inequity in Advance Notification and Information Disparity in Understanding

Understanding Reasoning Poor Communication Lack of Coordination Misunderstanding All Driven By: Personalities Politics Budgets

Perceptions Government did a good job at warning everyone about the dangers of radiation during civil defense era and bomb shelters. The Government and Industry Have Done a Bad Job at Labeling Waste! Government states Transporting Waste is Safe! NV says bringing U233 Shipments to NNSS is dangerous. Atomic testing is ok??

Waste? Who picks up your household waste? “The Garbage Man” “Debitage” for stone flakes. Household waste, wastewater, toxic waste, hazardous waste, solid waste, radioactive waste and even sewage, all negative or undesirable!! All require clean up. “Waste” is clearly the wrong descriptor. Industry needs a new term or else … What perception are we giving the public?

Risk Assessments PROBABLISTIC RISK ASSESSMENT Calculates the mathematical likelihood of an accident number of deaths or disease resulting from transportation PERCEIVED RISK ASSESSMENT Characterizes the social and cultural environments of tribes within that context Describes what tribes perceive to be the potential consequences to themselves, families or communities, schools, daycares, senior centers, clinics, administration buildings, cemeteries and ceremonial grounds and sensitive cultural resources.

Limited Participation Tribes Do Not Engage in Transportation Issues until it becomes a problem. Tribes have not been included in discussions Perceived risks Unfamiliarity with elements Effects from Transporting Unsafe Material Impacts to Tribal Communities Lack of Resources and Funding Insufficient Staffing

Successful Transportation Discussions Occur From: Systematic Planning Collaboration Cooperation Understanding Communication Commitment

Observations Tribes and States Don’t Know How To Approach Each Other Tribes Must Build Capacity – We Don’t Want to Wait For An Emergency to Get Together Partnerships Must Be Developed Between States and Tribes Understanding is Necessary to Engage!

How Do We Engage Tribes NTSF NSFT NETWG NE Core Group EM and STGWG SRG Meetings Training Exercises Outreach & Information Sharing