[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1936 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1936

 To provide for the integrated management of Indian resources, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

             March 16 (legislative day, February 22), 1994

Mr. McCain (for himself and Mr. Inouye) introduced the following bill; 
  which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide for the integrated management of Indian resources, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Indian Integrated Resources 
Management Planning Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) Indian land.--The term ``Indian land'' means all land 
        that is--
                    (A) held in trust by the United States for the 
                benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian; or
                    (B) owned by an Indian or Indian tribe and is 
                subject to restrictions against alienation.
            (2) Indian natural resources.--The term ``Indian natural 
        resources'' includes forests, ranges, wildlife, water, 
        fisheries, soils, minerals, oil, gas, coal, agriculture, 
        recreation, archaeological resources, historical resources, 
        cultural resources, traditional resources, socioeconomic 
        resources, and threatened and endangered species.
            (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means any 
        Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or 
        community, including any Alaska Native Village or regional 
        corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska 
        Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is 
        eligible for the special programs and services provided by the 
        United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
            (4) Integrated resource management plan.--The term 
        ``integrated resource management plan'' means a plan developed 
        by an Indian tribe and approved by the Secretary pursuant to 
        section 4--
                    (A) to assess available natural resources;
                    (B) to identify management objectives that 
                integrate--
                            (i) quality of life;
                            (ii) production goals;
                            (iii) preservation goals; and
                            (iv) landscape descriptions of the natural 
                        resources; and
                    (C) that encompasses tribal codes and specific 
                natural resource management plans in effect on the date 
                of enactment of this Act.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) it is the policy of the United States to promote tribal 
        self-determination and self-governance;
            (2) the United States holds most Indian natural resources 
        in trust for the benefit of Indian tribes and individuals;
            (3) it is consistent with the Federal trust responsibility 
        and the policies of self-determination and self-governance to 
        promote increased tribal involvement in the management and use 
        of Indian land and natural resources; and
            (4) Indian tribes have among their principal policy 
        objectives, the management of their natural resources in a 
        manner that is consistent with the cultural, social, and 
        economic needs and values of the tribes.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act--
            (1) to authorize the Secretary to assist Indian tribes in 
        the development and implementation of integrated resource 
        management plans;
            (2) to ensure that the management of natural resources on 
        Indian land is conducted in a manner that is consistent with 
        tribal culture and values, applicable Federal laws, and the 
        Federal trust responsibility; and
            (3) to promote and enhance tribal self-determination and 
        self-governance by ensuring tribal control of natural resources 
        and co-management by Indian tribes and the Secretary.

SEC. 4. INDIAN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and carry out a 
program to assist Indian tribes to develop and implement integrated 
natural resource management plans.
    (b) Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Upon the request of an Indian tribe, the 
        Secretary shall provide assistance under this subsection, 
        including the transfer to the tribe of all natural resources 
        data, including maps and other information held by the 
        Secretary that relates to land under the authority of the 
        Indian tribe.
            (2) Grants; contracts.--Upon the request of an Indian 
        tribe, the Secretary shall enter into a grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement with each Indian tribe under the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 
        et seq.) to provide financial assistance to the Indian tribe 
        for the development of an integrated resource management plan.
    (c) Development.--The process for plan development shall include 
provisions for--
            (1) a determination of the need for the plan;
            (2) identification of short- and long-term goals;
            (3) identification of the geographic area to be included in 
        the plan;
            (4) identification of available and needed data;
            (5) identification of the natural resources expertise 
        needed prepare the plan;
            (6) a determination of the time required for data 
        collection;
            (7) a determination of the affected parties, including 
        landowners, lessees, and residents;
            (8) public comment;
            (9) identification and consideration of alternative plans;
            (10) an estimation of the cost of plan development;
            (11) a list of resources to be included in the plan;
            (12) a list of resource management goals and objectives; 
        and
            (13) compliance with applicable Federal and tribal laws.
    (d) Approval by Secretary.--
            (1) Submission.--Upon completion of a plan, an Indian tribe 
        shall submit the plan to the Secretary for approval.
            (2) Approval.--Not later than 6 months after receipt of a 
        plan, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the plan. If 
        the Secretary neither approves nor disapproves the plan, such 
        inaction shall be deemed to be an approval of the plan.
            (3) Disapproval.--If the Secretary disapproves a plan, the 
        Secretary shall state the reasons for such disapproval and 
        shall provide recommendations and technical assistance for plan 
        revisions.
    (e) Force and Effect.--An approved plan shall govern all activities 
of the Indian tribe and the Secretary with regard to matters included 
in the plan. The plan shall take effect on the date of approval.
    (f) Amendments.--
            (1) In general.--An Indian tribe may amend the plan at any 
        time consistent with this section.
            (2) Public comment.--Proposed amendments shall be made 
        available for public review and comment.
            (3) Approval.--Upon approval by the Indian tribe, proposed 
        amendments shall be submitted to the Secretary for approval in 
        accordance with subsection (d).

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT.

    Consistent with the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.), the Secretary shall provide for 
the management of Indian natural resources in a manner that is 
consistent with the approved integrated resource management plans.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.

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