Bill Overview
Title: Yurok Lands Act of 2022
Description: of 2022 This bill addresses the management of Yurok Reservation lands. The Department of the Interior must enter into a cooperative agreement with the Yurok Tribe for protecting the natural resources of Redwood National Park. The bill confirms the 2006 Cooperative Agreement between the Department of the Interior and the Yurok Tribe for the Cooperative Management of Tribal and Federal Lands and Resources in the Klamath River Basin of California and authorizes Interior to implement the agreement. The Forest Service must transfer approximately 1,229 acres in the Yurok Experimental Forest and Six Rivers National Forest to Interior. That land must be held in trust for the benefit of the tribe and be managed by the tribe for conservation and research purposes. The land may not be used for gaming activity or for old growth logging. Interior must revise the boundary of the reservation as depicted on the map titled Proposed Yurok Reservation Boundary and dated March 30, 2022. National Forest System land and National Park System land within the revised reservation must be administered by the Forest Service and the National Park Service, respectively. The bill gives the tribe the option to expand its role in the environmental review process with respect to major federal actions within the revised Yurok Reservation. The bill designates the Bald Hills Road, which runs from U.S. Highway 101 to the Klamath River, as the Yurok Scenic Byway. The bill ratifies and confirms the tribe's governing documents.
Sponsors: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Target Audience
Population: People of the Yurok Tribe
Estimated Size: 6300
- The bill affects lands in the Yurok Reservation and surrounding areas in California, impacting management and conservation efforts.
- The Yurok Tribe members, who reside primarily in Northwest California, are directly impacted as their tribal lands and governance are affected.
- The cooperative agreements impact how the Yurok Tribe and U.S. government manage natural resources.
- Residents and environmental stakeholders in the Klamath River Basin may be affected by changes in land management and conservation practices.
- The transfer of land to the Yurok Tribe involves approximately 1,229 acres which impacts local land use and management.
Reasoning
- The target population is primarily members of the Yurok Tribe, numbering approximately 6,300, and are directly impacted by the policy as it involves a significant revision to land management practices and governance structures.
- Other stakeholders may include environmentalists, local residents around the Klamath River Basin, and individuals involved in federal land management.
- Due to budget constraints, prioritization will likely be given to activities that maximize conservation and sustainable land management practices, aligning with the Yurok Tribe's interests.
- Not everyone within or around the impacted area will notice significant changes, especially those not involved in land use or resource management.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Council Member (Yurok Reservation, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a major step forward for the tribe, allowing us autonomy over our historic lands.
- We will ensure the lands are cared for with respect to our ancestral traditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Eureka, California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Yurok Lands Act strengthens environmental conservation in the region significantly.
- It's great to see a policy that supports environmental science and tribal management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Government Worker (Sacramento, California)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe cooperative agreements like this are essential for respecting Native American sovereignty.
- However, constant revisions can lead to administrative complexities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Local Business Owner (Klamath, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might increase ecotourism, as people like visiting well-preserved lands.
- Concerned about changes in public land access impacting business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
National Park Service Ranger (Crescent City, California)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive shift, as it underlines the importance of cooperative management with tribes.
- Challenges may arise in adjusting resource allocation and management duties.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Forest Service Employee (Redding, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The transfer of land is a logistical challenge but beneficial for conservation.
- Tribal management can offer new perspectives on land stewardship.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Yurok Cultural Preservation Specialist (Klamath River, California)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy empowers us to actively safeguard our cultural sites.
- It helps integrate cultural preservation with conservation efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
University Student (Arcata, California)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The cooperative management model is something I aspire to work with in my career.
- The policy provides a field case study for our university programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Fisheries Biologist (Trinidad, California)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help stabilize fisheries by supporting habitat protection.
- Continued collaboration with tribes is crucial for successful fisheries management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Environmental Policy Analyst (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Yurok Lands Act is an important precedent for tribal self-governance.
- Budgeting will be key for the long-term success and sustainability of the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Key Considerations
- The cooperative agreement implementation will influence the needed operational and conservation funding levels.
- The land transfer entails both one-time and continual management costs.
- Potential for enhanced environmental benefits and community engagement in land management.