The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability a new guide for developing Tribal wetland management programs. This Guide, “Protecting Waters and Wetlands in Indian Country: A Guide for Developing Tribal Wetland Management Programs,” provides information specifically developed for Tribes on best practices for designing comprehensive wetland protection and restoration programs. This new Guide, which augments the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) 2013 Wetland Program Plans Handbook, is designed to aid Tribal leaders and Tribal natural resource managers in strategic wetland resource planning and management. The Guide provides information about how to begin wetland program planning and addresses EPA’s core elements framework for developing strong wetland programs, funding and other sources of support, and suggests collaboration approaches. Seventeen Tribal case studies highlight the importance and some of the diversity of Tribal community wetland programs, including how indigenous knowledge (e.g., Traditional Ecological Knowledge) and cultural values are addressed in Tribal wetland programs.
This Guide is part of the on-going technical assistance provided by EPA’s Wetlands Program to support Tribes, States, Territories, and local entities to build the capacity of diverse communities to increase the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition.
EPA worked collaboratively with Tribes and contractors to establish a Tribal Roundtable of Tribal representatives from around the country to support the Guide’s development and to ensure that it reflects Tribal needs, knowledge, and perspectives, providing a complete picture of various Tribal governments’ approaches and values surrounding wetland protection and the vital ecosystem services provided by aquatic resources in Tribal homelands.
To view a copy of the guide, please visit the following link: A Guide for Developing Tribal Wetland Management Programs (pdf).