MEMORANDUM:

 

TO:                  Missouri River Basin Tribal Chairmen and Presidents, Mni Sose Tribal Delegates, and      Tribal Cultural Resource Officials

FROM:             Gary Collins, President

 

SUBJECT:        Missouri River Master Manual and Cultural Resources Activities Update

 

 

The Mni Sose Intertribal Water Rights Coalition continues to participate in the Army Corps of Engineers’ revision of the Missouri River Master Water Control Manual. This manual describes the general plan of operation for the Missouri River.

 

The revised Master Manual, tentatively scheduled for release in Spring 2003, will contain a number of tribal issues. A few of the options under consideration propose an unbalanced system within the reservoir system above Gavin’s Point, which would include raising and lowering of water levels in dams above Gavin’s Point. There is a need to include plans for protection or mitigation of bank erosion and tribal cultural resources in periods of high and low water.

 

On behalf of the Mni Sose Intertribal Water Rights Coalition, the Coalition is currently addressing the following tribal concerns:

v      The Army Corps of Engineers is currently conducting pilot projects on bank stabilization with three Missouri River Basin Tribes. The Coalition is seeking an expansion of this program to include other Tribes in this program.

v      Tribes will be included in the technical review of the Annual Operating Plan by the Army Corps of Engineers, which will also include state representatives. The Coalition will inform Tribes of the impacts of the Annual Operating Plan on tribal lands.

v      The Coalition will seek the inclusion of environmental mitigation plans in the Mater Manual alternatives for Tribes impacted by the Annual Operation Plan.

v      The Coalition is assisting Tribes and the Army Corps of Engineers in developing cultural resource management agreements with Missouri River Basin Tribes.

v      The Missouri River Basin Association, an organization of the seven states impacted by the Missouri River, will schedule meetings to include Tribes in surrounding areas. Tribes will be able to review current river management issues under review by states.

v      The Coalition is reviewing hydropower generation under the Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed operation plans. Hydropower generation changes could impact the cost of electricity to Tribes. 

 

The following meetings are scheduled for the Coalition:

v      Cultural Resources 106 Training meeting on December 17-19, 2002,in Rapid City, South Dakota;

v      Cultural Resources Task Force Meeting on February 10 and 11, 2003, in Rapid City, South Dakota;

v      MRBA ESA Stakeholder Forum on March 10 and 11, 2003, in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

 

Woody Corbine, Executive Director for the Mni Sose Intertribal Water Rights Coalition, would appreciate hearing from you if you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding the current and future activities of the Army Corps of Engineers as they relate to cultural resources and the Master Manual. He can be reached at 1-800-243-9133. Please feel free to share this information with your Tribal Council.