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.
 

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.

Consultation Topics and Informational Sessions

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

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  SubPartJ Dear Tribal Letter

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  SubPartJ Dear ANSCA Leader Letter

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  Tribal Nations Carbon Sequestration Rule

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  ANCSA Carbon Sequestration Rule

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: https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/national-response-center

Tribal Consultation Policy

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  DOI Policy on Indian Tribes

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  DOI Policy on ANCSA Corporation

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  DOI SOP on the Native Hawaiian Community

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  Tribal Engagement Fact Sheet