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Tribal Engagement & Consultation

Tribal Engagement & Consultation

Engagement

Federally recognized Tribes are sovereign nations exercising government-to-government engagement with the United States. These engagements can take the form of either informal dialogue or legally required consultation. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Tribal Liaison Officer serves as the bureau official for BSEE’s National Tribal Engagement Program and primary point of contact with Tribes, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations, and the Native Hawaiian Community.

BSEE actions on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) could have Tribal Implications. Tribal consultations can identify the cultural values, religious beliefs, traditional practices, and the legal rights of Indigenous Peoples that may be impacted by Federal actions, BSEE implements consultation policies through formal government-to-government consultations and informal dialogue, robust collaboration, and meaningful engagement. BSEE is committed to maintaining open and transparent communications with Tribal governments, ANCSA Corporations, the Native Hawaiian Community, and other Indigenous communities. BSEE emphasizes trust, respect, and shared responsibility as part of a deliberative process to promote effective collaboration, transparent, and informed decision-making.

Tribal Engagement Fact SheetNTEP Alaska Fact Sheet

 

The ancestors of today’s Tribes occupied vast areas of land and depended on nearby ocean resources, even prior to both sea level rise at the end of the last ice age and interaction with the U.S. government. BSEE activities are proposed and conducted in the OCS. Many Indigenous Peoples have historical and cultural ties to areas where BSEE activities are proposed and conducted although they may no longer be physically located near the area. It is important to note the impact that the history of Federal law and policy has had on Tribal access to ancestral lands. Policies such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830 resulted in mass removal of Native Americans from their lands. These types of actions continue to have long-lasting impacts on Tribes and their relationship with the Federal government.

  • BSEE Hosts Consultations To:

    • Honor our nation-to-nation relationship.

    • Hear directly from Tribal leaders and representatives as we address the health, economic, racial justice, and climate crises — all of which disproportionately impact American Indians and Alaska Natives.

    • Commit ourselves to a process that addresses Tribal needs and ensures we respect and take input to heart.

    Previous Consultations

    Sub-part J Pipelines Rights-of-Way Rulemaking

    The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) would like to invite you or your designee to participate in Government-to-Government consultations concerning an upcoming rulemaking that would propose to revise the existing regulations governing Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way. Please let us know if you have any questions or wish to engage in formal consultation by contacting BSEE’s National Tribal Engagement Program, tribalengagement@bsee.gov

    SubPartJ Dear Tribal Letter

    SubPartJ Dear ANCSA Leader Letter

    Carbon Sequestration Rulemaking

    The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management are developing a joint notice of proposed rulemaking to regulate activities related to carbon sequestration on the outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Please let us know if you have any questions or wish to engage in formal consultation by contacting BSEE’s Tribal Liaison Officer Jack Lorrigan jack.lorrigan@bsee.gov, (907) 334-5357. Mr. Lorrigan will share any information that you provide with both bureaus.

    Carbon Sequestration

    Tribal Nations Carbon Sequestration Rule

    ANCSA Carbon Sequestration Rule

    Consultation Request: BSEE Proposed Rule Making

    1014-AA-44 Oil-Spill Response Requirements for Facilities Located Seaward of the Coast Line

    The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement would like to invite you or your designee to participate in Government-to-Government and Government to ANCSA Corporation consultations concerning an upcoming rulemaking that would apply to oil spill response requirements for facilities located seaward of the coastline. BSEE is initiating this rulemaking to address the regulatory gaps identified by multiple investigations and studies following the Deepwater Horizon incident. Additionally, the proposed rule would implement recommendations of those reports and studies to advance oil spill response best practices. We are able to meet at your convenience by or before May 15, 2023, please contact our Tribal Liaison Officer, Jack Lorrigan at 907-738-3743 or jack.lorrigan@bsee.gov to request a time to meet. Additional information regarding the AA-44 rule can be found in the consultation letters below.

    AA-44 Request for Consultation Letters

    Tribal Leader Letter

    ANCSA Corporations Letter

    Regulatory Agenda

    Tribes and ANCSA Corporations were notified of BSEE’s proposed regulatory agenda on July 24, 2022. The notification can be reviewed below.

    Tribal Leader Letter

    ANCSA Corporations Letter

  • Tribal Consultation Annual Reports

    FY 2022

  • Environmental Justice Strategy and Action Plan

    Purpose: BSEE hosted three informational sessions on the early phase development of its Environmental Justice Strategy and Action Plan for Tribal Nations, the Native Hawaiian, Community, and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations. The informational sessions introduced the new initiative to integrate environmental justice into bureau planning, policy development, and decision-making and invited perspectives on the bureau's four draft environmental justice goals: 1) Institutionalize Environmental Justice, 2) Deliver Equity on Federal Investments, 3) Reduce Burdens and Harms, and 4) Advance Meaningful Outreach and Engagement. Additional information on BSEE's environmental justice activities, including future updates on the Environmental Justice Strategy and Action Plan, can be found at: Environmental Justice | Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

    Informational Session (PDF presentations):

    Native Hawaiian Community

    Tribal Nations

    Alaska Natives and ANCSA Corporations

    BSEE is still accepting written responses. Written comments can be provided to the following email BSEE National Tribal Engagement Program (NTEP) tribalengagement@bsee.gov

    Tribal Leader Letter

    ANCSA Corporations Letter


    Director's Roundtable

    Purpose: The Tribal Roundtable provided a forum to discuss the Bureau’s National Tribal Engagement Program, to learn of Tribal concerns and issues, and to assist in developing and maintaining government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations. The purpose of this meeting was for the Director to fully convey his thoughts and ideas for the scope and direction of this initiative and have an open discussion with Tribal members.

  • National Tribal Engagement Program

    Tribes and ANCSA Corporations were notified of BSEE’s proposed National Tribal Engagement Program policy development in July 2022, followed by a request for Tribal and ANCSA Corporations' input on this endeavor in August 2022. BSEE is currently notifying Tribes and ANCSA Corporations of the final, The National Tribal Engagement Program Bureau Interim Directive that was signed October 27, 2022. Notification letters to the Tribes and ANCSA Corporations are below.

    Initial Notification - Tribal Program Development

    Tribal Leader Letter

    ANCSA Corporations Leader Letter

    Request for Consultation - NTEP Policy Review

    Tribal Leader Letter

    ANCSA Corporations Leader Letter

    Draft BID for Review

    Final Signed Policy - NTEP BID Signed

    Tribal Leader Letter

    ANCSA Corporations Leader Letter


    Tribal Liaison Officer

     Bronia E Ashford
         (202) 208-7251

    Tribal Coordinator

     Amanda Garrison
         (720) 625-9769

    Federal Preservation Officer

     W. Shawn Arnold
         (504) 736-2416

    Regional Tribal Liaisons

     Sara Guiltinan
         Pacific Regional Tribal Liaison
         (805) 384-6345

     Doug Jones
         Gulf of Mexico Tribal Liaison
         (571) 567-0619

     Jack Lorrigan
         Alaska Regional Tribal and Community Liaison
         (907) 334-5357

     Jennifer “Gigi” Modrich
         Eastern Seaboard Tribal Liaison
         (571) 567-0406

    Please use the email below to contact the National Tribal Engagement Program: tribalengagement@bsee.gov


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National Response Center Tribal Notifications

Tribes with NRC agreements in place will receive spill notifications based on selected incident criteria contained in the agreement application. To apply for an NRC Agreement, please email nrc@uscg.mil or fax (202) 267-1322. Additional information can be found on the National Response Center website below.

National Response Center