Federal Land and Water Management: Lessons Learned from Implementing Federal-Tribal Shared Decision-Making Agreements

What GAO Found Various federal land and water management agencies and Tribes have entered into shared decision-making agreements. Under these agreements, Tribes provide substantive input on federal natural and cultural resource management decisions over many years. The relevant federal agencies are the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, the Interior, and their subcomponents. The subcomponents include the U.S. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service. GAO identified five lessons learned from the implementation of shared decision-making agreements between federal agencies and Tribes. Five Lessons Federal Agency and Tribal Officials Learned from Implementing Shared Decision-Making Agreements These lessons are important for various reasons. For example, with respect to developing mutual understanding and trust, tribal officials party to an agreement said agency staff met with them in person, had open minds, and treated them with respect. This encouraged candid conversations and helped participants better understand one another’s perspectives. In developing and implementing shared decision-making agreements, there are key questions related to each lesson learned that would be useful for federal agencies and Tribes to consider. For example, Does the agreement or supporting documents clearly identify how the parties will implement the agreement? Have parties taken concerted efforts to understand each other’s approaches to natural and cultural resource management, and recognize constraints on their participation, such as legal limitations? Have parties identified existing policies and procedures that can create challenges to working together, such as contrasting definitions or differing timelines? Have parties identified the appropriate knowledge and skills federal staff need to implement the agreement? Have parties determined what resources are available? Why GAO Did This Study Federal agencies manage public lands and waters, including national forests and parks, that are tribal ancestral territories and have special importance to Tribes. Agencies collaborate with Tribes to help achieve their missions and fulfill the unique federal trust and treaty responsibilities. GAO was asked to examine issues related to agencies developing and implementing shared decision-making agreements with Tribes. In a January 2026 report, GAO reported on factors that affected development of shared decision-making agreements. This report identifies lessons that federal agencies and Tribes learned during the implementation of shared decision-making agreements for managing public lands and waters. It also includes related key questions. GAO reviewed information collected in interviews with the parties to shared decision-making agreements discussed in the previous report (GAO-26-106626). GAO analyzed statements related to implementing agreements, and identified lessons learned, their importance, and related key questions. For more information, contact Anna Maria Ortiz at OrtizA@gao.gov.

Federal Land and Water Management: Lessons Learned from Implementing Federal-Tribal Shared Decision-Making Agreements

Debates 0

Difunda suas informações e promova seu argumento