“A bill to assist Tribal governments in the management of buffalo and buffalo habitat and the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian land.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section states congressional findings on the historical sustenance of Indian Tribes by buffalo, the enduring cultural and spiritual connections, Tribal desires for buffalo restoration, and potential benefits including dietary reintroduction, cultural rekindling, and economic development. The section further sets forth the purposes of the Act, including fulfilling government-to-government relations in buffalo management, promoting Tribal capacity to manage buffalo and habitat, conserving buffalo for Tribal subsistence and economic needs, and enhancing Tribal inclusion in related decision-making processes.
This section defines terms for the Act, including (1) buffalo as an animal of the subspecies Bison bison bison; (2) buffalo habitat as Indian land managed for buffalo; (3) Department as the Department of the Interior; (4) Indian land as defined in 25 U.S.C. 3501(2) with Indian reservation per 3501(3) without regard to the August 8, 2005, date restriction in 3501(3)(A) (thus expanding eligible land to include reservations established after that date); (5) Indian Tribe as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304; (6) Secretary as the Secretary of the Interior; and (7) Tribal organization as a legally established organization of Indians chartered under specified federal laws (25 U.S.C. 5124 or 5203), recognized by one or more Indian Tribes, and with experience in buffalo and buffalo habitat restoration on Indian land.
This section directs the Secretary to coordinate with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to (1) promote tribal capacity to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat; (2) protect, conserve, and enhance tribally owned buffalo populations; (3) develop and use buffalo and habitat for maximum tribal benefit; and (4) include tribes in departmental, international, national, regional, and local decision-making forums on buffalo and habitat. The section authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to (A) plan, conduct, or implement buffalo restoration or management programs; (B) plan and execute commercial activities related to buffalo or buffalo products; (C) support mobile tribal meat processing facilities; or (D) carry out other buffalo restoration and management activities. (Such authorities do not diminish any federal or state laws or regulations regarding diseased buffalo or buffalo that escape from Indian land.) The section further requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to recipient tribes in carrying out buffalo restoration, management, and related activities.
This section directs the Secretary to (1) consult with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations not later than one year after enactment, and on an ongoing basis thereafter, on Department initiatives affecting buffalo or buffalo habitat, including efforts to contain or eradicate diseased buffalo; and (2) develop a policy for buffalo and buffalo habitat management activities on Indian land in accordance with Tribal-approved buffalo management programs and Tribal laws and ordinances.
This section prohibits the Secretary from disclosing any information provided by an Indian tribe or tribal organization that the tribe or organization identifies as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
This section authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with an Indian tribe or tribal organization to dispose of surplus buffalo on federal land administered by the Department by transporting them to Indian land. It establishes an application process for tribes to request such buffalo and permits the Secretary to waive any associated charges, including deposits or payments under 36 C.F.R. § 10.2 (or successor regulation).