FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450; Snyder Act of 1921, Public Law 67-85, 42 Stat. 208, 25 U.S.C. 13.

To assist tribes in clarifying and defining their off-reservation hunting and fishing rights.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds are used to support tribes engaged in negotiations with other fish and wildlife resource management authorities to clarify the scope of Indian hunting, fishing, and gathering rights; and the nature and extent to which such rights may be exercised.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members and Native American Organizations.

Credentials/Documentation:   Initial application must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Initial applications must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local BIA agency office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedure:   Awards are approved at the Headquarters level.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Applications will be processed within 90 days.

Appeals:   An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.

Renewals:   Funds are appropriated for nonrecurring projects on a year-by-year basis and are not intended to provide perennial support for tribal programs.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of payments will be negotiated with the grantee.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required. The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.

Audits:   For awards made under this program, grantees and subgrantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et. Seq.).

Records:   Financial records must be retained for three years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for three years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for three years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions, or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-2100-0-1-302.

Obligations:   (Total Amount of Awards) FY 01 $307,000; FY 02 est $229,140; and FY 03 est $46,740.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$50,000 to $320,000.

A majority of the assistance was awarded annually to one tribal organization which supported 20 individual tribes. Remaining program funds were commonly used to partially fund one or two other projects that are awarded competitively from four or five applications received.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

25 CFR, Part 900.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Office of Trust Responsibilities, Division of Water and Land Resources, Branch of Fish, Wildlife and Recreation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, MS 4513 MIB, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. Telephone: (202) 208-4088. Contact: Gary Rankel.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Awards are generally made to multi- tribal organizations or coalitions of tribes in a specific area.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Funds are awarded based on the nature and extent of the unresolved rights issue and on the relative number of tribes that can potentially benefit from the project. Consideration is given to the BIA agency's recommendation on the proposal.