Conserving this Nation’s fish and other aquatic resources cannot be successful without the partnership of Tribes; they manage or influence some of the most important aquatic habitats both on and off reservations. In addition, the Federal government and the Service have distinct and unique obligations toward Tribes based on trust responsibility, treaty provisions, and statutory mandates.

Service to Initiate Consultation on National Eagle Repository Feather Distribution Processes

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) National Eagle Repository (Repository) is considering changing its eagle and eagle feather distribution processes. Because of the potential impact to members of federally recognized Tribes, the Service will extend the opportunity for federally recognized Tribes to consult with the Service about these potential changes.

The Repository will continue to distribute eagles, their parts and feathers to members of federally recognized Tribes for cultural and religious purposes, and would like to discuss how to accomplish that in a way that better meets the needs of all Tribes. We have heard Tribal members express frustration over the current wait times for their orders, and we would like to discuss alternatives to decrease those wait times while maintaining a fair, unbiased process for this important program. The Service will provide several options for Tribal consideration and is willing to hear additional options posed by the Tribes.

We encourage your officially designated Tribal representative’s participation in this endeavor either by oral or written statement during one of the five government-to-government consultation meetings, or by telephone consultation, or by submission of a written statement.

The Service has established five locations for government-to-government consultation meetings around the United States for this national program: Arlington, Virginia, Bloomington, Minnesota; Albuquerque, New Mexico (completed June 21); Sacramento, California; and Anchorage, Alaska.

July 10, 2012
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1-4 p.m. 4401 N Fairfax Drive, Room #200 A and B
Arlington, Virginia 22203

July 24, 2012
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1-4 p.m. Norman Pointe II Building
7th Floor - Room 702
5600 American Blvd. West,
Bloomington, Minnesota 55437-1458
(About 15 minutes west of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport)

September 11, 2012
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Alaska Regional Office
1-4 p.m. 1011 E Tudor Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99503

October 21-26, 2012
NCAI 69th Annual Convention, Sacramento, California, exact time, date, and location will be prominently posted at the Convention