Cooperative Agreements

  • Assist tribes with negotiating intergovernmental agreements with federal and state agencies to protect tribal interests regarding natural and cultural resources.
  • Negotiate comprehensive water rights compacts between tribes and states.
  • Develop innovative agreements with federal agencies for tribes to assume responsibility for carrying out activities on federal lands that have historical and cultural significance to tribes, such as wildlife surveys, habitat improvements, fire management, educational programs, and general coordination with tribal communities.
  • Negotiate terms and conditions for hydroelectric dam relicensing with public utility districts and other non-federal entities, including exercise of tribal authorities under the Federal Power Act.
  • Represent tribes in developing Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) with landowners in order to protect endangered species that have treaty significance to tribes and to help tribes manage habitat for endangered species when an adjoining landowner’s HCP would negatively affect tribal lands.