Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Tribal Input in Identifying Natural Resource Concerns

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase tribal input in the priority resource concern (PRC) determination process. A priority resource concern (PRC) is a natural resource issue such as soil erosion, surface and groundwater contamination, or plant and animal health. Under current law, PRCs are identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in collaboration with state and local entities. Peters' Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act - which he reintroduced with U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) - would amend the law to include tribes as entities that can help identify PRCs.

"Effectively identifying threats to our state's precious natural resources is critical to keeping our environment strong and healthy for future generations. We need to ensure our tribal communities, who have a deep understanding of these issues, can voice their concerns. I'll keep working to get this commonsense bill passed to improve the inclusivity and success of this process," said Senator Peters.

"The Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act helps strengthen the bonds between Indian Country and our federal partners by highlighting tribal visibility," said Austin Lowes, Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. "The measures of this bill will help ensure tribes and tribal lands have a clearer role in conservation programs moving forward. This is essential in strengthening the government-to-government relations that are integral to tribal sovereignty."

Peters' bill would not require any changes to the PRC determination process - it simply ensures tribally identified conservation priorities are taken into consideration. Adding tribes to the list of entities that can identify PRCs would increase tribal visibility during the PRC determination process, facilitate a deeper consideration of tribally driven concerns, and gives tribal communities equal opportunity for National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) funding. NRCS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) primary conservation agency and provides financial assistance and personalized conservation planning to help producers meet their unique natural resource conservation and business goals.

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO-2).

Peters has repeatedly fought to support Michigan's Tribal communities. Last year, the Senate passed bipartisan, bicameral legislation authored by Peters to settle the longstanding land claims of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). The bill authorizes federal funds through the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) that may be used by the KBIC for governmental services, economic development, natural resource protection, and land acquisition. Peters also reintroducedlegislation last year to grant federal recognition to the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians (GRB). In addition to granting federal recognition to the GRB, Peters' Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act would make its members eligible for benefits and services provided by the federal government, including tuition, health care, and housing assistance.

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