Initiated in 2015, the California Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) is a forum for the Native American Tribes and tribal members in California to address natural resource issues on tribal lands.
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Initiated in 2015, the California Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) is a forum for the Native American Tribes and tribal members in California to address natural resource issues on tribal lands. The TAC provides tribes an opportunity to voice conservation issues that are important to them directly to the State Conservationist and in doing so, help to shape the NRCS California Tribal Program.
Tribal Conservation Advisory Committees were first authorized in the 1996 Farm Bill as advisory bodies to USDA agencies including NRCS on Tribal issues.
- At the local level, Tribal Advisory Committees can–
Provide leadership on conservation needs, programs, and priorities to NRCS Tribal Liaison.
Maintain communications with the NRCS Tribal liaison.
Engage NRCS in resource assessments.
Develop conservation plans and priorities for implementation.
- At the State Level, Tribal Advisory Committees can–
Maintain communications with the State Conservationist.
Communicate conservation needs, plans, and priorities to the State Conservationist.
Engage the State Conservationist in developing annual budgets for natural resource conservation. Advise regional level conservation advisory committees of natural resource programs and budget needs.
- At the Regional Level, Tribal Advisory Committees can–
Maintain communications with the Regional Conservationists
Communicate with State and national level Tribal Conservation Advisory committees regarding conservation programs, legislative needs, and budgets.
The NRCS California Tribal Advisory Committee Mission
To promote the conservation and preservation of natural resources on Native American land, to educate, advise, and inform American Indian landowners, tribes, and tribal groups of available assistance to promote strong and stable tribal resource management programs, and to assist NRCS in fulfilling its trust responsibilities by maintaining communication about how NRCS programs can better meet their needs.
Purpose
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California Tribal Conservation Advisory Committee (CA-TAC) is a Committee of member tribes that provide input and feedback on NRCS rules, policies, and programs and their impacts on tribes and work with NRCS California to promote conservation on tribal lands. It is a forum for providing leadership on conservation needs and priorities that are important to Tribal Nations, giving a voice to tribes on conservation issues at the state and national level. Recommendations from the TAC will go directly to the NRCS California State Conservationist and will be incorporated into our efforts to improve USDA-NRCS Tribal Programs from a technical and policy standpoint.
The California Tribal Advisory Committee Will Focus On
- Maintaining communications with the State Conservationist to develop tribal specific initiatives and propose budgets for NRCS conservation programs;
- Communicating conservation needs, plans, and priorities to the California State Conservationist;
- Increasing American Indian land owners and tribe’s knowledge of program and funding opportunities;
- Fostering and encouraging working relationships among American Indian land owners, tribes, and the NRCS to improve conservation efforts on Tribal Lands.