Skip to main content

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Tribal Engagement & Consultation

Tribal Engagement & Consultation

Engagement

Federally recognized Indian 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 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.

 

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 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.

Fact Sheets

NTEP Fact SheetNTEP Alaska Fact Sheet

 

  • BSEE Tribal Consultations

    The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is committed to meaningful consultations with Tribal Nations, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations, and the Native Hawaiian Community. These consultations are designed to:

    • Uphold the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibilities to American Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, and the Native Hawaiian Community.

    • Honor the unique government-to-government relationship with Tribal Nations, government-to-corporation relationship with ANCSA Corporations, and government-to-sovereign relationship with the Native Hawaiian Community.

    • Directly engage and listen to leaders and representatives of Tribal Nations, ANCSA Corporations, and the Native Hawaiian Community.

    • Ensure consultation processes reflect the needs and concerns of Tribal, ANCSA Corporation, and Native Hawaiian representatives and that input is thoughtfully considered and integrated.

    Current Consultation Topics

    2025 Regulatory Agenda

    The Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions outlines federal regulations currently under development or review. BSEE invites input from Tribal Nations, ANCSA Corporations, and the Native Hawaiian Community on its 2025 regulatory agenda and individual rulemaking actions. For detailed information:

    1.) Visit the Unified Agenda website.
    2.) Select "Department of the Interior" from the dropdown and click "submit."
    3.) Find BSEE rulemakings listed under the agency name "DOI/BSEE."
    4.) Click the hyperlinked Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for further details on specific rulemaking actions.

    BSEE notified Tribal Nations, ANCSA Corporations, and the Native Hawaiian Community about the 2025 regulatory agenda via letters and provided a regulatory table for reference:

    Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement – Regulatory Agenda table

    Proposed Rulemaking: Revisions to Subpart J – Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way 
    Regulatory Identification Number 1014-AA45

    BSEE regulates offshore oil and gas pipelines on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to ensure operators conduct their activities safely and in an environmentally sound manner. Regulations governing pipeline activities—from permitting and installation to eventual decommissioning—are detailed in 30 CFR 250 Subpart J.

    BSEE plans significant updates to these pipeline regulations, incorporating modern industry standards, existing BSEE policies, and updated conditions for approvals to enhance safety and environmental stewardship.

    BSEE notified Tribal Nations and ANCSA Corporations about this rulemaking effort in July 2025:

    AA45 Subpart J Pipelines – Proposed Rulemaking Tribal Nations Letter (July 2025) 

    AA45 Subpart J Pipelines – Proposed Rulemaking ANCSA Corporations Letter (July 2025)

    Previous Consultations

    Proposed Rulemaking: Sub-part J - Pipeline and Pipelines Rights-of-Way 
    Regulatory Identification Number 1014-AA45

    In May 2023, BSEE sent letters notifying Tribal Nations and ANCSA Corporations of the initial development of proposed rulemaking 1014-AA45, Revisions to
    Subpart J – Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, and inviting consultation:

    SubPart J Tribal Nations Letter (May 2023)     SubPart J ANCSA Corporation Letter (May 2023) 

    Proposed Rulemaking: Oil Spill Response Requirements for Facilities Located Seaward of the Coast Line 
    Regulatory Identification Number 1014-AA44 

    In March 2023, BSEE sent letters notifying Tribal Nations and ANCSA Corporations of the initial development of proposed rulemaking 1014-AA44, Oil-Spill Response Plan Requirements for Offshore Facilities Located Seaward of the Coast Line, and inviting consultation:

    AA44 Tribal Nations Letter (March 2023)    AA44 ANCSA Corporations Letter (March 2023)

  • Tribal Liaison Officer

     Bronia E Ashford
         (202) 208-7251

    Tribal Coordinator

     Amanda Garrison
         (720) 625-9769

    Federal Preservation Officer

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

    Regional Tribal Liaisons

     Sara Guiltinan
         Pacific Regional Tribal Liaison
         (805) 515-6605

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

     Amanda Garrison
         Alaska Regional Tribal and
         Community Liaison
         (720) 625-9769

     Doug Jones
         Eastern Seaboard Regional
         Tribal Liaison
         (571) 567-0619
     

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

Pacific Region Decommissioning

BOEM/BSEE Pacific Decommissioning

Federal Register Notice

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