|
|
|
DC DIGEST |
|
|
|
|
D.C. Digest Compiled by Seán O’Donoghue Support for FLAME Act
Five former chiefs of the U.S. Forest Service came out recently in
support of the FLAME Act, legislation introduced by House Natural
Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) to establish a
federal fund to cover the growing costs associated with fighting
catastrophic, emergency wildland fires. In a letter to Rahall, former Forest Service Chiefs R. Max Peterson, F. Dale Robertson, Jack Ward Thomas, Michael P. Dombeck, and Dale N. Bosworth wrote, "If money is appropriated for the FLAME fund, we believe this will create the opportunity to rebuild the capability of the Forest Service to protect and manage the resources of the National Forest System for the benefit of the American people. We urge enactment of H.R. 5541." Rahall said, "In recent years, the escalating costs of fighting these devastating blazes has detracted from the core missions of the Forest Service and the Interior Department - in essence, leaving the agencies with no other choice than to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul' simply to cover the costs of fighting fires. I am pleased that these former Forest Service officials, who know a thing or two about the fire funding dilemma, recognize the toll this has taken on the agency. I appreciate their support." The Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement (FLAME) Act (H.R. 5541) is sponsored by Rahall, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), and Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA). Relationship with Indian Country
Working to address one of the top concerns aired by Indian tribes
before the House Natural Resources Committee, Chai-rman Nick J. Rahall
(D-WV), introduced legislation recently mandating that the
Administr-ation consult with tribes on policies that directly affect
their lives."Normally, I would be pleased to offer a bill that strengthens the government-to-government relationship betwe-en the United States and Indian country. But today, I am disappointed that such legislation is even necessary," Rahall said. "When the federal government interacts with Indian tribes, it does so on a government-to-government basis. This, combined with the history of treatment of Indian tribes by the United States, imposes a moral obligation on the federal government to consult with Indian tribes before enacting policies that have a direct effect on them. Yet, this Administra-tion has shown a clear disregard for that legal, political and moral responsibility," he continued. The Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments Act (H.R. 5608) reaffirms and puts into statute much of Presidential Executive Order 13175, signed in November 2000 by President Clinton, which requires consultation with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis - an order that the current Administration has flagrantly ignored. A January 2008 Interior Department Guidance Memo that was issued without any tribal input, and that changed federal policy toward Indian tribes, is the latest example of this Administration's disregard for its responsibilities. "Far too often, the Bush Administration has taken and continues to take actions that have serious and negative consequences on Indian country, without any consultation at all from the tribes themselves. Clearly, this should not be the case," Rahall said. The Rahall legislation will require the Department of the Interior, the Indian Health Service, and the National Indian Gaming Commission to enter into a true consultation process with Indian tribes and Alaska Natives before new policies or actions are taken that will directly affect them. "In the end, this bill will ensure that the United States, as a government, sits at the table with Indian tribal governments when decisions are to be made affecting the lives of our First Americans. We cannot afford to repeat the mistaken policies of the past where the federal government makes decisions and policies in a vacuum," Rahall said. |
Vol. 91 No. 13
Hey Kids!!
|
Want your Ad to appear on EVERY Page of this site? Contact us
Today!
|
|
|
Website Designed By Ellen Pritchard
