BOEM Finalizes Tribal Engagement Strategy and Consultation Guidance

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced the publication of its Tribal Nation and Indigenous Peoples Engagement Strategy and its Tribal Consultation Guidance as part of the Bureau's efforts to build and grow lasting relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples based on mutual trust and respect and meaningful engagement.

BOEM's engagement strategy is a guiding framework and accountability aid to help fulfill the Bureau's trust responsibilities and commitment to meaningful and informed engagement with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples. BOEM staff across all regions and programs will use the strategy to ensure early and consistent outreach and engagement on BOEM activities with implications for Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples.

The strategy is intended to complement BOEM's updated Tribal Consultation Guidance, which establishes BOEM procedures for consultation with Tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Corporations. The guidance was first issued in 2014 and last revised in 2018.

"Many Tribal members and Indigenous Peoples live near and use areas where BOEM-authorized activities are proposed and conducted, as did their ancestors," said BOEM director Elizabeth Klein. "BOEM supports their needs and priorities and expects these documents will help us strengthen relationships, improve consultation processes, drive benefits, and address potential impacts of BOEM authorized activities."

BOEM's fundamental goals with Tribal consultation and engagement with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples are to honor its trust responsibilities, respect the sovereignty of Tribal Nations, and ensure Indigenous Knowledge is incorporated and protected in decision-making. BOEM aims to emphasize trust, respect, and partnership in its work to achieve these goals.

The documents were released during the White House 2024 Tribal Nations Summit. Established by Executive Order 13647, the Summit is the flagship annual convening of the federal government and Indian Country, which reflects the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to strengthening Nation-to-Nation relationships. The Summit reinforces the fundamental principles of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal self-determination, and the federal government's trust responsibility so that Native Nations and Native peoples thrive, prosper, and retain their reserved rights. This year's Summit is being held at the Department of the Interior's Stewart Lee Udall Building in Washington, DC.

-- BOEM --

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy, mineral, and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.