§3101 — Title 25 Indians | U.S. Code

Summary

Congress says Indian forest lands are very important and must be protected. They cover more than 15,990,000 acres, including more than 5,700,000 acres of commercial forest and 8,700,000 acres of woodland. These forests can be managed and renewed. They give economic benefits like income, jobs, and subsistence, and also have ecological, cultural, and esthetic value. The United States has a trust responsibility for these lands, but current federal laws and funding are not enough. Federal investment and management are much lower than for National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or private forest lands. Tribes already do a lot of the management, and the forests face a serious threat from trespass and unauthorized harvesting.

Title 25, §3101

Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Congress finds and declares that—

(1)the forest lands of Indians are among their most valuable resources and Indian forest lands—

(A)encompass more than 15,990,000 acres, including more than 5,700,000 acres of commercial forest land and 8,700,000 acres of woodland,

(B)are a perpetually renewable and manageable resource,

(C)provide economic benefits, including income, employment, and subsistence, and

(D)provide natural benefits, including ecological, cultural, and esthetic values;

(2)the United States has a trust responsibility toward Indian forest lands;

(3)existing Federal laws do not sufficiently assure the adequate and necessary trust management of Indian forest lands;

(4)the Federal investment in, and the management of, Indian forest land is significantly below the level of investment in, and management of, National Forest Service forest land, Bureau of Land Management forest land, or private forest land;

(5)tribal governments make substantial contributions to the overall management of Indian forest land; and

(6)there is a serious threat to Indian forest lands arising from trespass and unauthorized harvesting of Indian forest land resources.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

of 2004 Amendment Pub. L. 108–278, § 1, July 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 868, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 3115a of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 3115b of this title] may be cited as the ‘Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 101–630, title III, § 301, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4532, provided that: “This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘National Indian Forest Resources Management Act’.”

§3101 Findings

Summary

Title 25, §3101

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

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Citations & Metadata