U!l /J l f2011 TUE l5: 11 FAX 

Picayune Rancheria 

of the 

CHU KCHANS I INDIANS 

46575 Road 417· Coarsegold, CA 93614 • (559) 683-6633 • FAX (559) 683-0599 

SENT VIA U.S. MAIL & FACSIMILE (202) 632-7066. 

National Indian Gaming Commission 

14411. Street, NW, Suite 9100 

Washington, D.C. 20005 

Attn: Kathy Zebell 

Re: Draft NIGC Tribal Consultation Policy Comments 

Dear Chairwoman Stevens: 

The following comments are submitted on behalf of the Picayune Rancheria of the Cbukchansi 

Indians ("Picayune" or the "Tribe") in response to the recent Draft National Indian Gaming 

Commission (NIGC) Tribal Consultation Policy issued on March 11 . 2011: 

1) Picayune requests the NIGC to preserve its current draft version of the Preamble. 

~ool /ol 3 

Picayune believes the preamble appears to effectively quantify the express intent of the 

current NIGC administration to better incorporate tribes in the NIGC decision making 

process. Moreover, it enumerates that the NIGC must incorporate tribal input and review 

of proposed NIGC activities affecting tribes pursuant to existing Jaws, rules, and 

regulations. 

2) Picayune requests the NIGC broaden the definition of "Consultation" to recognize thaI 

tribes may request "Consultation. " 

Since the inception of the NIGC following the enactment of the Indian Gaming 

Regulatory Act, there have been numerous occasions where Tribes have initiated 

infonnal consultations with the NIGC to discuss and exchange infonnation on 

government-to-goverrunent matters. Picayune believes it is important to continue this 

possibility by the NIGC's Consultation Policy expressly allowing this historic practice to 

continue. 

3) Picayune requests the NIGC expand the scope of "Action with Tribal Implications" to 

include triggering events by actions outside of the NIGC. 

Picayune believes that the proposed defInition does not appear to take into consideration 

certain events where consultation can be beneficial despite a lack of NIGC action 

triggering the consultation. Specifically, where a state action or action by another Tribe 

has the potential for impacting the government-to-government relationship between the 

Tribe and or other Tribes, consultation should be an available mechanism for engaging 

the NIGC in discussions. For example, the recent evolution of Unifonn Tribal 

Regulation CGCC-8 in California was not prompted by the NIGC, but given the proposed 

State regulation and its adaptation over time, NIGC consultation was beneficial to 

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Picayune. Because there may be a benefit and a need for government-ta-government 

consultation in order to best protect the Tribe's gaming interests, Picayune suggests this 

definition be expanded to include actions outside of the NIGC as well. 

4) Picayune requests the NIGC include additional language in the definition of "NIGC 

Tribal Consultation Officer " to assW"e a tribe's right to indicate an employee preference 

for consullation. 

Picayune believes it is advantageous to add language whereby the Tribe could 

specifically request consultation with a particular NIGC employee or identify an NIGe 

employee that the Tribe does not wish to engage in a government-to- government 

consultation. This same type of request is routinely granted by the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs ("BIA") when Tribes are consulting with and engaging the BIA on contracting 

matters. 

5) Picayune requests the NIGC to amend the language of Section V "The Consultation 

Process " to allow for a broader application, as mentioned above. 

Picayune's opinion is that this section should be amended to incorporate those events 

where the Tribe seeks to initiate consultation on a matter or where despite a lack ofNIGC 

"Action" there arises a need for consultation to protect the government-to-government 

relationship between the NIGC and Tribes. As discussed above, there could be instances 

in the future where the NIGC would need to involve itself in consultation with Tribes 

when a state impacts, impedes or attempts to impede the relationship between the NIGC 

and tribes. 

6) Picayune requests the NIGC to alter the language of Section VI "Accountability and 

Transparency" to allow tribes to request or exclude certain NIGC employees. 

As discussed above in comment 4), Picayune requests this section should be amended to 

allow Tribes the ability to request or exclude a certain NIGC employee upon a reasonable 

showing that such inclusion or exclusion will enhance or make the government-togovernment consultation more effective 

7) Picayune requests the NIGC to modify "Inlernal Accountability and Reports " to provide 

for the preservation of confidential and/or sensitive information provided in the 

consultation process. 

Given the recent disclosure of sensitive tribal revenue allocation plan infonnation, it is 

imperative that proper NIGC policy and procedure be implemented whenever sensitive 

tribal information is conveyed in the consultation process. Although most regional 

consultation sessions will likely not include the most sensitive information pertaining to 

most Tribes, there is the likelihood of particularly sensitive tribal information being 

exchanged from time-to-time, and such infonnation should not be freely disclosed by the 

NIGC or made readily available to the general public or disclosed pursuant to the 

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Freedom of information AcL Changing this provision to increase security is in the 

interest of tribes and the NIGC. 

8) Picayune requests the NIGC to include language in Section VII "Communication, 

Coordination and Collaboration" to indicate communication will be with tribal bodies, 

agencies and individuals as specified by the individual tribes. 

Including language in this Section that specifies that the NIGC will communicate with 

tribes through specified. tribal bodies. agencies and individuals as identified by the tribes 

would ensure that proper and effective communication channels are implemented and 

utilized in the consultation process. 

Picayune enjoys an excellent government-to~govemment relationship with the NIOC and values 

the regulatory assistance your agency provides to the Tribe. To that end, the Tribe respectfully 

requests you consider these comments accordingly prior to issuing any finaJ rule or decision on 

the matters addressed in the recent Draft NIOC Tribal Consultation Policy. If you have any 

questions., please contact our regulatory attorneys, Rosette & Associates, PC, at (916) 353-1084. 

Sincerely, . 

~!ce ~v-<~ Reggie Lewis, Chainnan 

Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians 

cc: Picayune Rancheria Tribal Gaming Commission 

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I)j.UFTN1<;'G(lQV~I\NMENt,'r<FGOVEru.'MENt 

TRiBAL ilONSUL TAT1«;lN .PQL!CY 

1, .Preambl~ 

~~t:j9n ~ !J% th,e hean ~f~~~ gov~em~tO:--gqyemment ~iationship 

bcfweec the Uriited States-and lildian Trib~J 'It:'is e. ~s :whi~~ faei~'if$ ~ 

f<?~ picixCh:aiige~9rif~~tion D~'een SQvo:~F. ~ ~~ ~ ~rib~~~ par1lClpate ill FedcralqectSlon ~g bef.o.re an ~,~,!y ~!Ul ~ti9Q 9!' C9(1lUUlS 10 ~ 

fl:eci$i~ ",1ri¢. 'JP.bal implicalipns. ~art-ottbe consillttti6n pro~ss, 'Tn~ in~ fs s~~.s1it. ~h'~. re$P9Jid~d t? and -'.: fI~~)' fEji$I81 ~gC119ies. "The process is not a 

sin.s1e act 01 e<)tnmtli11cation, but one iIivol~i imi1YEl~ s~w)rich ~l~nate iii. im 

\ij:it~om~ ~t"~ ~ view;;,; needs and tibjecilv.es -of~ih F~en!lMla Tribal 

participants. ' .~" 

~ -/:" •.... ~ 9"b1.~~ ~fFed~ ~~~t:o ~~~ ~~!!'f~~ o~ a g,?V~~l ~~o- . 

~~eDt baSis is root.c(I in the centurles--bl9t.~ ~!O!!Ship ~etYr~ tpe f~mI 

8~~~ T~¢.s: ~~ti9.n ~ril)i~ ~~!~;el~9~p ~ befo~ in the U.S. ~nifiOn, iteaties, St8tnt~~ ~atibris, ~Cctjtiv(4Ctip~JUdicial rpJi6.gs and. Sin ' 

.2QQQ, f~~;j}jiOlicy ~l~4 by~eopljvc bra.er 13))~, (k,muJlaiioll 'olld 

CifofdiJ7bti'tJn l~ith 11.?liciit t(~b_~~ M ¥!~~~~~t Ft#r~t~~~cy senimg ~!?re" tli~ . 

240 T~ '!!ii!lg!UI1ipg operations, tb' li,u9Jial.J~dian!l~Commission {"NIGC") 

~~g~ ~~ Tn}es:qp ~ g~erpitl~~-~$.?v ~\~js ~bcil1t constillS wi!h Tri~ 

In aceordanee with this Pol~~y abd EO 1317~ .... ~ - -.... 

The indian Gari!il1i~~ia;~ijAct r~<i~'), iiBtielljgto jaw!J\ 198~.plovi<te.d • , staM<!rY ....... fo< ili;;~nAf JllU1ling by I~jan Tribes,and _blishcd:thc NIGCto 

'Q~11 ' .. -. ' indi O< .. . ana -- '" .. th Act''''' ''''"'';schetQ .' _._-" with '.' ~ng . _ .. Wlpj~q,t~~ •. e rql.l_~~ . I;"l,q t-'+""4""':"'.R " 

TDbes"end !h..~:§Qyetnmerl!!l .. eiilitie$·/14:k.eY polley ofIORA is to ~~ Tribal 

~6mw develop~!t.TnDa1 -sufficieii y and strong T~baI ~oyernments -through 

In:di~-!~: ~is ~p~ C~~&on ~o1icr~~·~e NIGC:s ren e~}¢d . .. ~V~!~gpom.nutmc:ntto regular;meanlAsfu1 atla. ti~lYC<lllsqJtation WIth Tnbes aslt 

striVes to flMll its statUtory misSiOn. 'It ~fle{:t! tlie ¢d#in~g ~lev<l:Jlcy and ViWitj <}f 

tJie gov~m.rri~t-:to--governmi:nt relationshIp and. the lmpoitance oflhe NICe ana Tribes 

wOik"ig 1i ~P I<i~t reali", the p~e; ~f1GRi1, 

n. D~i~~ 

A. C.ii;ul/!ll(oll ~ A,P'<J<"'S' vil>lOh ~1 .. l',,'l>es to p"£ojpalo in F.ederal 

decisio? ~~g ~~f~ ~ ~W~e.s ~ktjQI).. "¢~~s tQ ~ ~~~ wnb Tribalfulplications. 'h is not asin.s!e act oftonimuiiicafi&1. but'cOiWSts 

of l.~~P~: St~s y{lij.~, ~~Mf~ W. ~ q~~~~. $1\ rcp~6't~ th~ yi ~, n~ and.objecu .... 'es of both Fcdcr2.l 'and TnbaI participants. Q;insuttation.ls 

Jfi~cl ¥.h.en"$.-e ~~ti~ ~f. ~ ~si9p.n -wit9 ~al im?li~tions r Policies 

ihat·H.ve Tiiballmplic.!lionS (EO 131 ;~), or oQtlj, ¢O m~t. 11 t~ .<!'form.l 

braft:oTMarcli 8. 2011 P~g<ll i)f 10 

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riJlcpi3Jc:i~g). With i;tab Wne liI!es aM ""ui1¢ p!!lilication of dmfl 

rules ahd commen~ or less form,al (t~CoonfcrcnciOg)., 

Adio~ ""'. Triballm.P/iPil!.ieJ;t r·Aotio~·? -cNIOC p~tiJr rewm~no. rulemakin&.lcgislatioD, gUidanct; pO~rormtiIa'1ioti 'or ~~ Ulat.lj:tay b~ve 

a ~~~ di rcct e'lfeci on one 'or morC Trioes • .on -the ~atlortship ·betv.·een 

Trib-e's 'a¥' ~~ ~Cderai ~~~t; Oi b~ ~~ d#mJfutiSitl of~Wq ~4 te$po~ibiliti=s"b .. etween tho.l'ribes and the F~era1 ~Ovemi1l.l;ot 

.C. .EO )8.115 Po1ides tfzat.Hav.e trfballmpilcations- RegulationS, legislativepo~nl$ Oj piqpP~~.~~gijl~Qn, Bp4 Q .. ih~ ;p~cy ~tCin~niS M~ a,ction.s 

thathavt substariti8l direct effect& on One or more'TribeS, On tlierelationship . ..... . .. .. . ' .. " .". .. .' .' . 

bo!w= thef~eral &QVeIDIll<;n\ ""a Tnbe$. or\lil the ~stribution of powet 

aJid .. - nSiimiti . ~ .. . ,-Federal' o. eliunent m\(! Tribes. 'EO 13 i 7. . 1O$pO ... .. !'S. . '''''J_ ' " g ~ ... ." . . . ~Qjres ~1ion hy-Federal agcnc1~:tO tQe Office orMplagement and' 

~~~t ~t;; ~~Q~ "" ~lations or a.legiSl.ativei>+oposal 

'satisfied -the OO's COhSUlt.al:iOn ~s. .' , • "' . '.l;,. 

D. lriiIiM TIj¥ t"lnl;e"} ~M~ or J\ii#;~ f:l~ti~ Tri ~ beb,d ... ,.tio.. 'p1ldU~. ~gc... oreomm:~~~ thal the See~ of the Interior aclcno~]e(I!?~ 

IP. tiXill ~ arlI"9i'~ "Itil><~""t t9 w FedOilily Recogitized liidiait <i~ 

List Act of 1994, 25 U.s.C. §.47~ 

E. i'ribdJ Oirli;;ai.- Ah elected orauly~~~ !fribal l~ or·.bfficw 

(!cleg~ ~~«lin writing bY-a Tribe. <ti Bit authorized mteiirlbal . . ti ~ . P-o'!1!'-

·G. ~ NiGC d(mSI /¢.j911 PolnYo!Contact rCPOO·'i.) -:" the NIOC regi~ direoior. ·or 

\-\toevei-the clW:iql~On ~i;ria~. respQtUible f¢ COo~~ting CpOSUlt¢jOll effQjts within h!~ or her region and ,\11th 'the NIGC ~tra1 office. 

, J 

1l1, 'Co"rtSUltatioil Gcl).etal Principl~ 

To the extent;petm1tted By law, the MOO mil fo1iowt'hese principies when comideriIi:g .. 

forrnuJafing ar ~l~~ting an Action"wiijJ Tn"b31 !tnpti~OfIS, 

A. lndian gatoing""is mbal govemmentgam:m]:. Its foundation rests uP.On the 

i"""","~ $!!.~ p<>wmpfI~:Il?jlJ!li~ aria. ¢DtC!>!l# ow;. l.~ ;mil 

to ,sovcm:their 'OWn tettitOry. The NIGe ac1aiowledgeS fila! Tribe$;'as 

sp.v~qgn na.tiQQP.. ~ the iiiht to:make thcrrown,J,.ws anQ be rul~ ~y 1h.¢IJt. . . 

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B. In~ap gamiitg.iS ~ed by T,ijb.~~' a toot to effec;:ti.vely serve Trib.al 

cotnmunities by streI:!gtheding Tribal governments, 't:nhancing a ~mmuo~ty's 

~lf..¢fici~C;Y. an4 ~ ~Donll~ oppp;1;lW.idc:~. growth and.stability. 

C. ~ffiGOwilJ h=1n"bai trcalYOild~theitights: 

D. TheNIGC-wil1 Stiive to _ th.~~l>1iib'" l);aljliisefroni lbe1Iniqbe 

legal ~L.tioIl$llip between the}"edeeaJ eO"""""""t and Tribal go .. ,'mDenls. . . 

E, Th~ Nlac wll.i apprPath ~ ~tation process on tlI,~ovemro:enhtcr 

:goyemnl'~b:~ ~ 4~~ ~t for, ~d W.e~6: the sov(ieiin ri~ 

,power ana authoritY of Tribal gdvemmepts. .: ~t1: 

F. The NInO wil! ~uta~e Tn'bts ~ ij~~lop tfi¢lr <:!;?pqlicies to acl{jeve 

Wlgram9bjecPv~ :and, when possible, 9efer 10 Trlbcs to establish their own "''''';A '>1., ' ., . • ~~~; i- .... . 

Q. !I! ~~ Vt.Oelhot·to ~i~ ~~'. tJ.e 1<100 win toDSUlt 

wftb Tribal6ffic!iaJs ii!fto the need fur the f.edeTal standards iliider 

~~ ... frQll..d the .ve.(l!bilitt"f.ny ait~v" tbat wo;;iaa.imit ,the 

~~. ~frp*' ~~ ~j btlj~se ~~ thcj)l'e~gatives. a\lUWntr anP 

l!ol.\tOnomy.ofTribes. 

Nc. ConsUltation tluidiujc:e " .; ;: ! 

"" ' " .. Acconllngto 5. '"eaCb~cy ~l ~ .. 'C an ~uptaP~ ~~~ CJl§lfrc 

~njngfj.il ~ti~ii nput py [ri~al officials m the development of reiUtatoI}' policies 

with ~ j.~nS;" 'Al~~~ $lib~& jnd ~onpat of~nsuha1;i otis S<in c;liff~r 

dramati~~!h~ ro1~o\"ing ~I1!'.ce 8ppij~1:0 oJl NlGCconsultations. q ' ~ _ n 

A,,; / ' Early iYll,-Ji f!I'01v~i;;~!...: FO.r Ttib~l p~ci~t;i~~ !?O~~ita'P.Oh ~ .' -. , ,!"ea;m,gfu1. it m)lSt haiipcl1 ..,\y "'l~ oltOn. The Wac will'iDe1uile Trib., in 

':tIl'l; conversafioj} ~re it w:es an Action 'Witi'! "rib~ Implications or .• d.6Jjts·a rYwith rri¥l.Impiications. 

B. CO~/ f4J.'J. Triggers - GollStiltlltlon is reqiIi.rea·w'beneVer the NIGG·js 

~~=!l-~BriACtion ·tli T~ "IIm;"li · < .' <M.. ~ -' 'a round-i.lbe ~!IS . • 'Wl .. , I~ ", C3~~ .~!: -Rl~ f I' : ' . .. 

ck:fifdtion of an Action With Trib8I lmphoations m\lSt ~ ~~ before 

~.r$.i tati~l;l is ~iteO" 

C. AJggzlQle Notlc~ ..:..AQ.equate DOnee.O'!.m opporhinityto consult will include 

i Pil~$tic.aiihio · ati" ·sUch '. 'dat tim arid ta·· · '"antici' "tcdNIGC ... ... TUl; ~ . . ~ ... J? .. .. e .. .. p ~ . . ~ ... parlici'patl~ a brief description of the topic{s) to be disc"L{s~; a timelinc 'of 

thc ~t: an,d ~J¥ o\itiQJ;l;les .. 

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D. !i~yN~ """1\I!1ely ~qtice of a.n ~~Y!O CQjISuJ~ will b~ giVen to 

"'tribes d.1~t 4-5 pays prior to a scheduled consu1~ion,. If cx~~o~ 

c;ir¢mn~a~ prevent Il9iif:;C wi1)iiJ.\. 45 ~ys of the consllltaUon. an 

~lanationfoi" the abbte\oiated nO~~J;~d~ wi» ff provi4qi ~ tJte irivi~tion l<t\cor . 

.a (:Qnsl/ltalitJn.~ccesj -Han indi"'iidual 'l'rlbt ori"n'bal ~Op. isp~y 

.i;ri~~ lly t,bp ~~t; J¥t ~ ~"SJ1bject o(tbe consQlt.iion. the'NTGCwill 

m.ake eve' ry . effort tp. 'hold . ... :the ~'m1iltati .. ... • oti' '!L foat .... area.. ' Iftlie .c.~ati . . ... 9U ~i;l.ycjlYrl! jciW! ac#~ wi.th oth~ ~a:al enc~t ~ :tilGe will attehipt~ 

hoj~ a)pi~1 ~~'*i'~'\!l "!l'\l ~ o1!iot,iBc"oi!i'. 'lJl{NIGc~n *0 expJ.Dre oppo~ties fOT.consUltation through .ihn9vative .. so~rces, 'such as video 

{ODfeI¢~ing, telecc#'C;"en.qmg ~ interaCtiv,~b te~ol gy. '.':: 

F. cp~!41ft~i m .FOf'l!1~ C<?llS1ittathm~ ~ ~any Tonks ~ viill reflect \h(: 

'ntiml:iei" or.~.P~ ~i~J~~~ ~tw:" ~ cO~p'exlty 9ftlJ.e pI?po~cd NlqC Action. For exampJ~. j~ may co!lsist ofhatiooal. ~gtonaJ Or 

jMh'i~\!~ ~~,l!~ ~ ~l~c~ ~tR "TD:9.Cs or Tti~ pffjci~ 1i 'JP'lY tCQnSist"Ot1l'Seties"O!~-9pen to 811 T-tibCs and Tribal Qfficials, Qf ~ 

s4iille ~g 'iiilh one Tillie. It,;;aobe f0iTn3!~rulemakingi. wiih . . 'wablisbed lini! lines a¢ ~!lired ~~ca1iorl9r qraft rul~ and eomtnei'$, or 

J~ fa-.! (toJecQnfer ... ;,@. 

G. CoMIiJalion~-The.s~:·a.rrang~~Dt~ ~~ ~ oppp'~es 

for ~~ ~~ .to ~~pect ~ s~verei&l tY pfTnbes and reflect the 

.go\~~'t-1C.gOV~elrt re1ati~hlp, 

S. ~u1~on ~EJ!i;!ftg~t ;: ~~ ~Ceptio~ c~¥qp~ 9~C\~~ ~ . " O;~~. IGQ~resematlv~ .at consultatIons will mcl.ude 8h:officuil Wlth 

, < :aCiCiSioli~~ '~w)ty; ~$ubject !fUI~ exp~ }¢ti(j}vledg ab}c: ab01:l.t tb~ 

.l-/.~ -<»nsUitati6n;,i9pic; ail.~.;fw. regi6na1 comu1tations, ·tbe·iCgion's. poe. The 

.. " ~,. :: A'lI~'~ ~c~f?:rli~i~i:m h? T1j?~?t :x.nQ~ ~fticials. and ~~ul'age 

P~CJpauoh bY "Otber Tribal representalJ."~ knoWledgeable about Ql~ 

ooil,s}!ltatiQDJo . . . . . I. O;mJ,dilvj()(I /ireparciiion - 10 pr~are for'an upccimi~g cml·sultatioJl. 

p'~<;ip~t\I,is NIYC emjilj)y~;s ,Vil) ~~ ~.tl' ~lT9i'f141~""UJ!@<e 1'tj}:le$ patticipating in oonsuhation and alfeetod.bythe:propoSed"NIGC 

~~. inCluaing.a Tri~'& ~paplijc ~catj.o.p, ;ov~ql SWc.ture. 

history, cuirore aild economic b2se; 

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I:diplic~ti6lj.S; to ~culat~ ~it·~"pi9wws ahd raponales; and to. eQ.gl<.ge in 

discussions with other affected Tribes. . 

v; The Consultation Proc$ 

:the. CQ~~OIl pro~ess is tr:igg~. ~~316.'e'r t!1e'~GC i~ consjd~g. !Q~1\ilaijI!g Qr 

im~lem~ting an Action with Tribal Im"plic8tions. The ~ a~~ comp'l~ty ~ 

~~ 9ft1!c·tohswt#.ion. \vllJ Q~-ap.PfCprjate ~Qthe Acti'on with Tribal ImpUcations 

involved. Generally spcaklls, fpe p.~~$ un1<ii4s cbrQ~o1Qgisally~ ~ 19QQwillg •• t;iges. 

A 

B. 

c. 

MAY-31 - 20 11 18: 03 

Idf!11tiMM ConF#lafionissues :.~~ .' . .. .... .... /.~ 

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The NIGC ~~ h~ ntec~~ and p~.~s i.n :pl~ to c:Ps~~'"¢ar.i~s ¥opQS;4 a.ctjons are routinely SCttened fofTribal im'pJj~#~ps • .consisteht 

~-~S P91ic:?ii!n4 ~:@Y-pr9P~S9 qtions ~~ to'oe ~~ops-with Tribal Implications care the1f~~ ;tR the Co~iSSion. ~~ditjR~j)'. as 

soo~.~ PQS$iWe • .t4lf~{~qg-~u j~e:ntif1)he ~~~l&S~~~ vhl ch may justi~ "-pfopoSe:d NIGC Actio-D" -bnee iden.t~fie~. thc'NIGCWilI ~hate this 

UU:o~on"With To.tiS.1I.!.C!p.g-wi~ ~~'pl~'ijon as:to wby an NIOC action 'o"rileclSionmay be~.· ' . . > .... ,. ~ .. ,". -::'''. 

Rqriy iJ6iiliiltatimi on P-Ossible NIGa·jJdion -, -. -.; .)j ' '''-''. :-

The NIGC Will oo.nsult With TrioeS during the initial planning stage ofan 

Action ~lP Tribaij~pii-,:~~on~ th~t i~ ~d¢r ca~l~era~~rl ~~ ~~~~GC. ~e NIOC tii~Y '?g~duct ~JIleeting ot oUte,! foons Qf .mteraction \'11th Tnbcnt this 

~e in OJ"dcfjo ~e ~d eValuate"i::omments ieeei\-ea. - • -- .~ ••• • • , -• • ,'.'." J' - -, - • " 

:· :ru~t ~CAAIDg ~vities i~~~: efforts P~eAAt$lY t9 issuanc:e Qf dra,ft 

" regu1ation~. C\ildance~ ~q.f; JlIl?posals, legislation '~d D~Onal prlarg~~e 

~gionar chang~ in pro¢:lures Qr :!,oliqies. 

initialing ConsullaLion i •• ·' ~ _i~ 

Qon~!Jt~Q1l is'required when the criteria for an Acrioo-with.TribiI 

I1np!icatl~s ~e s~lisfie~ .. '?Jh~ ~~,4en."g· an A~~n witl;L Tribal 

lJ:qplicitiDrui;the NIGC wm notifY the ~priate TribeS of the opportunityto 

§Qnsul~J1S s~t forth in, 'thi~ Policy. 

l\ Trib~ mayrequest con.Sllr~oJrwith the NIOC when it befieves'that the 

~IGc is~ns1~ug ~ M~OI~ 'vi~ r~~l IWp,li~oil#; ~eqli~ts. s~oJ,ilp be "m,adein wrifins to 'fue!l'e6 wlth a description -cit-the ~ifie Action.. Once-a 

~Ii~ f9i !;Onsltl~9Jj ~~ ~~i~~ ~m a trlb~ orTijt1al Pffi~i~!. the n::O 

will promptJy.cbhfinrt r~Oipt of the requeSt arid reply Witlim:.30 days. 

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The NIGC 'l'iji ""'ric ,.{tI!:rri9"to~e ' jiioC.,;s aIld ~liili. fimellne thal max1nilzes the opportunity rot tinieiy Uiput by Tribes aria is 

CO ... i",,,", With bbth :rijQ~ aiiill'lJGC "h¢~les. . 

Wl\ert ~)eC\iIig~ .~niill~!io~ !""a!i9n, lh~ NIGG WJl informallY .eekTtibal 

inl.'ot and attempt_t9 ~d .illQ~i?f1 ~lli,* ,$ CQi:iv~et~ ~f.te~~g Tn~, WbeT1 feasibl~> the NItlC"will schwulcits oonsuliations af th~ same' tUnc as 

re -. ' ana -M1onal intertriba1 ... ..;. .... -I'~ .. c(Z;;-iherin" and in . l!I. '" ."'. ... . ...... . ' .. all.... .. gJ< 

~ord1nation\MithotherFCdc:ral ~$eucles. _. '. . 

CohsUltation EvenJs. 

-Ad~ .' -- oDd timd . ti · 'f IX,"-"''' ' \:. d ihe ... rt . ' t ~"'" -.. !y~9- C?,. ~ .. ~~~WU:~t~ .. QJ)M ~lty 0 

CCiDSu1t WIll De -providoo1o Trib1=s as set'fQ.i;thib. thii Policy: The fonnat 'ofthe' 

~~t~tiOJ1 c.v~t ",U . .¢ll~~'ihc mbCr pf,p<qt.icipants aqd the l;l~~ e.nd 

comp!Oltiij> bftheproposC<! Nlde Action. • ", t . 

DurU:t$ the ~il~t:a:tion.·tho"~n~~Iq:~ l?-~Fts Will r~ponl;l tp q~~91'l;S.,. and ~s. 1(piced by Tnbal M~pants aoq. !=QmmtlDlca.1e openly about the 

-!,t'CXi's~lIC;S. -potcy goai~ ~r irlStitqtipilalliri!ibilions . 

,'. I 

~o.» ¢v~ts Wj1l be ~rrb~ Tnmscrjp!igJlS wiJt l?e ptlbli~ o,n 

the NIOC \\:e~1e" W~. ~inIn~ ftoin Trihes. i~llldln.& ~ ~~1~ . ~~~a.!e or a~..;.4, Will be ~~. considerea -and published by the NIOC 'o"n its we~t~. - . . ,;! . 

F:.,...·~ -~ CphSitltafion '1;'I!lni Foi?oW-llp 

MAY-31-2011 18 :03 

F611p"'irig ~ c~ltnI,iQn cv~t, thc'NI® ~r",sc;he4ule ..aMi;iQ.D~ f9UOW·~P collSU!~~!qn. Tribes can tequesl i.dditional. 'fo1l0v."~u.P" ~69. , 

fo~ ~el~ ~a ~~~~o~ may I<oritinu.~ bet\\~ the NIGC and 

'ci '.- -Tribes after tiie·cbnSultaticin C";"n1 n".,;,etidin oil ~ . Qf partJ pa!!Jlg .. .., .' . '~ """ __ g .. p." ... 

consii.ltatic)!l> fo)1q~-up ~en ClOlUmtnt,!i m(lY be tccqlted and cons:ld.crcd 

~y the NIGC p~or to finai d§c;i~1)n ~g. 

To.th.. ~t"'\Potsibl .. ~NJ~ 1'iiP ~PQnd to _ored ~uei!iQIl.l.",d . 

remamin!: Concerns afTrib~ follQ~jflg 1P~ ¢ol\s_uJtation. bt# qef9fP any final 

Q.~1~ we made. 

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, The Ntoo Will implement procedures fot'the rCC.eipt\ nd CCinsiderati6n qf 

R'\'l'«>"jjoA~~!I1plajo!s, objc069l1S 1Il'd ~leiiii in",nSisi.ncies with,the 

PoliCy andEq 13.175. Co~hlm~ "6bj~94S ~a allege4 incOnsiste~es Will 

b!:-iu)?ject to iniernaJ ~view. Results Qfthe iJt1Cmal revi~:wi1J be proVided ld:rr~. . . .. .. ~ . .l-' 

r" "'j."l:~ " ':-

\ . 

. ", ~~., .. 

The NlGC Will ... ",. ",m]lliallcewiJl.!. the Polio/·and \;Q 13175 QY pro.iding both 

.interr.i.lliocOUntabflitY"Wit$i ~1t'NIGq,,:"o(D~ extem81 aecafin~~P.iHIY to "'r~; 

A.. NrGCDmsu!laiWn Off",,"i 

MAY-31-20 11 18: 03 

< • 

do ~ .' ''' 

A~",@~ ""'t~ .iicoun~biUty.1bO l'.~GC Cbaljpe"OQ Will ~\a''' TTlbal g$jl~~<:'ll Pr'Jficer (<<T~CQ:,) ~~rti'the ccn~~J ofijce ~ P91f~ or Cm$~ (''PQCJ frQiiI e,ach ~glQI:!31 ~I.fice and asSign them consultation- "'- " '. . ' .. '.' 

re~ ~~i~Ii.9~ A7. T~ ~d p~C~ ~ c:oo~i~;te ~ta~~· ~P:i~ .. l!fPvlhe~ ''Y1-Qrin thC·:}ittgQ-and WIth Tnbes at the duection o~ilie 

.. . ·· "Cofuri:U$.Sl~P.t Thes~~onSibilitif;S wnJ inClude: (1) rppon4]ng to j~quj.ri~ 

from :rribe~Qut ~ *gi!\~ ~~tiltation -:-~ oogomg or prppp~~~ (2) . 

~spondi~g to ~~guiries ~:bOut tbr:'-9(lIlSlllJation process in ~cneraI; (3) ~ceiving 

~'lu~St$' fr9ru TP.pe$ See"kingJb ~tial~ ~titlon a¢ then ~ilf~ ~hem 

to P,:!.~ Col]UD.!~Qnf.ar tonsideratic:tn·a.1d e,SpQnsc;~H) co¢din.ating \VTth the 

~C!w~~on t~rid:ntjf}'~d ~ fOr pot~~ ~~tation ~ssu:s; .(5) . prcsernng .ana mamtaIllmg complete consultatJon records; (6) 2SSlsung Tribes 

..... 

""'~ t.; .... . io·a&:ess consultation records' ·imd (7) ~virj" ost-COh.su1tation .,. . .. . . _ • _ . "... 181' ._ . ¢Ciirlpisirits, objections and alleged irlcons:is:tencies md then forwarding them 

tp t~¥ Q6mm.issiQil·£Qr oonSiderati9n and'a resP.o~. 

I. TrfbdJConsuUatiG" qp;C<' (''1ttJ"f-'1'be TCQ is inc Nloe ""'Ploy .. 'rimaril _ .. sibl~ for . ~6U iri:"-l~tioiJ of1li:i$"Po'lk. p.. .... . . y r<Sl'J?!l' " •.. CQ9... .' .. K . P • . y 

witbin the NI6C and ""ith other Fe'derul agencies, 

n",ft ofM'arch8. 2011 

Page 7 000 

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~--~= . . - _ •. __ . - ._. ____ 0'_- ._ •.. _ . _ _ .' ___ _ . _ __ . ___ .• ____ _ 

'n\e teO )ViU provid;~fi'1-81~ ofc,omplitnoe with EO J3175 for draft 

1i~1 regul~ions anP pr.OP¢~ ieg4!ation with TriP.~1 frnplical,io.Ps to the 

Offlc~ ofMana.$ement end BJldget 

~C' ,too ~li ~ responSib'lc fW t<:m'@J~nl~tmgte~lttr~\X:$ r~~ lbcni1 .CQ1lSt1ltatl.QD;'re1a1od mattE:(S, incfuding 'receivil:ls and farwardioS 

"'uCs\$fort<>noultiti6ri_TribiS"f~ to .. " "n" ruIln .... • .. , . ' .. . •. .. . ~,. . !I!)!I.\'Slg "". '"'P" g 

to ~ inquirles ahoma ~bciiit CODSultation-orthecot.l~ltalion ~ in 

~~. The TGO. "iP ~ffipi~;[Old ~:pDt:un an ~~~ updated eol$Ct 

list for coinmunl~,With !f~'be~. The Teo Wil!.j " ", ttii.4itaiD a'i1d 

~ a~S!s1bJe to Trl~s ~:tOm#te ~rd. Of~~t~1~n, ' . - .•.• 

P.o.iJfl oj'etmlact ("poa,? ~ ElchNIOC r~gi o~a1 oIfice~s-recion direc'tor. 

at wl!#.r 1.\ ~gJj;!te(fl>Ythe ii, "i\i ~ the Poihl pf~la<;t re~ble for coordinating COoSul~nbn .efforts Within 'his 9I'her region 

lind ~1ll r.M ~lW olJ'ic:c, Th~ 'l!O~ ~ cO(Iqpunk.ate \yl_!h Tribes in ~ir rt:g'l0'n8 abOut consuha1J~ ~"lt~ <4tetS ~d Wo.fi:. Close.!y with {he 

1'(;0, 

B. litrernrJlAceotmJalii11tv and RepOrts '. -"., " .' /'>: 

c. 

~ a:n ao:nus.! bas~ 'the ~. in ~U~boia:tion wi!h the fegio~ Pots.. sli311 

~to fue G~4PersOJ,l ~ ~ of~~5;y wide efforts to fa~i1itate and 

~~tJ:; ~C!lflin$ful. ~~'j @,lld rs~ar ~nsul~tioD \',lith Tpbes. ~eports ru-e 

intended tQ ~'bO!n)r~j~ A11~ Sho ald fuclu~ 'at a minimum: (1) the 

#ife t{~iencY-wi~ fonsillfatibn ~fforts; 0.) me results Qf~ efforts:; (3) ~ 

~ 

co.hehs1~Jist OfJh~J~ies-oh 'MEch eon:sultaticns were held; (4) 8 Jim of 

mc1.i!.43n~rrn~ i@~ontllld titl~ if~ (5) a summary of the 

~* of ellgag~jpt of seo.iqr -NIGC leaderShip in ~nSultilt.io~s; 

{4j na.4-aqyS~ tJe$Cri~i!tg liignifi!=am consultation efforts; and (5) a list of 

-.I::~ ~cipated~e ~i;is~,~tiori 9-P~.n~es.' Th~ ,tWQ.rt will a~ u;:cllil1e a 

,t Pst of any tniinW-g reIat~ to consUltation and col1aboration with Tribes, , 

l(-~p?'ljcabl~ aq'N-IGe em~loyee s perfonnancc evaiua'tion «lli includE an 

~es~en£ o'fhis ,or ~Cipati~ in ~tJ1iali9n Ol:~llg i~fu~ of this 9~y.~ , . 

Externttlt1ccotmtdhililv (0 ftib,s 

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<>:t~. ~sultation is concil,id~;. ~~ ~~-compi~ ~~ lf~~~. or 

; ~!).~ to r~~h an ~U1C9Jtte. ~l1;$ wl11 b~ pJl)Vlded to Tribes' by-.the NlGC 

~thiri. ~5 ~y~ o,h}lY 4~$j:On. Tti~ t~~ pr9Y~~J.O. T!;I9~~~lJ j~eJudeJl synop51S ofTnbahssues and COficCr'ii$; a dC5Criytioh of the NIGC'.s 

~~Qn of~ ~4e$ ~d fQii~ a.nd eiq.edh~ ~tancc o'fthe 

~~ su.te(t'positib~ ~ ~~~o~ b[tf:J.*N!G<.;·~ ~~nafi6Q: . 

eQnsUi~on o.utcoroes will be:aYallable wTn'be5,and published on the NIOC 

wCb$; 

< • 

Qons~,~tiop ~ wil.1.l?e ~qiiP¢. :A .. ~tn...PJet; te¢6td ol'the ~nsti1tafton 

'will be Fser<# and ~n\iii~»Yt!)!: T(:l). i&~u!t8tion ie<;qf<lj.':jll 

~lId~ b¢ not I;le linllted to: (I) th-enooce of cObSur~on jlroVidea to 

1!ib~ G) ipqui:S~ ~ TnD~ ~g to Uiitiale c6nsi.iJw.fipn apd tht 

NiPC's response; (3) wrltt<n COIllIllents ""iimitte<l ~y 1'ii~ (4) 

~cripti.ons ·o f CoDs\Ql8~?¢.~ao~ {~.) ~uI[ation $,~es (final 

outcome,: a. synopsis ofTrib.al issuesand eoncCtris, a:deSctiptioi\ 'of the 

NIGe's ¢Onsid~ti<t.n or~qI~¥~t9P19S. 394q-ij~al ~C:Q,tS; and a 

justification for1he:~~o~ ~o~ by the ~IGC, i{.~n1#ti'10 the Tiibes' 

suS!. eoi<iI n.os1tion). . . r ' ~ ..... 

Cm~ultaiionrecordswl!l ~:r~ole lO~y Tr"iOeprtnllaJ official ~ reqUest (0 tht 1W P'1't.8io:nil. QC. ~ li!GC will poij !;Qlls~l!itiQn . mfomlation 6ifii:s we~~ ~Iudir!g comm~ts, franscripti.o~ an51 ou~.ij).es, 

!\Jmual ~~.J,11~9.!l ~rts or s¥manes. caihpiicd ~y the NIcK:, will.a1;o ~ po~.an ~ NI~C VkbSite, ~'~ '. 

w. 9Om:$.~~~on. ~9ir~~~ ~ OQJ~~on ... .I:~ . .. 

11t~ NlqC ~h .strlY.~~!? "(ffil~ ~ It~bc;r of QPPQ~i1ies for . .io~1U'9yea ~Ul1i~til)p 

with ~~9es. ineludjng ~ti~ i,l}fonnation-.shanng ~~io~ ~i~teQi~ ~~iQ~ . 

ni~ng ~th ini)ividl,l8l"I)i.9!: . an~ :lilformal d.i~ussiOIlS with trlq~ 1~~ The NroC ~a)' also ~ Tn~ l~d~\Wk fo~ at Tribal ¥yi~o~ grQJlP t9 hC¥ ~iifotm ~ts 

4ecis,i.p~me1.iqg ~d gain ~(~ttcr liI)C!~jng of the :rriPal pmpective.on a proj:iQ$~ 

A~q!.l.; 'fhe~)~Qii P~ for .menlDm ft~.fp~ ~idY.is6i"y i.1p$'vill ~ 

IWC'Llmptish"ed willi iPp!,Ilfrom Tribes, 

With.Tribes 

~tririun'l:i~ti~D ~~iJ}~~ .I} ~v~lq i..QjP~9Jil f.'?~ Qf ~;pjlgi~blJ; t~~~ign,.~ tc? effcctiv~y gain fh.cafterioon ofiildividual Trlbil "leadets;':t;uild on best praetieC:s"; Jltilize 

~~Niale f~~ bf eCbno~Qgy, ~d lo!e ~p~ly ~~~ 9iTribeS.fortb,eir ·ejfectiye:ciess, Communicatioh will miv.e: to b-e open andlransp3rent. 

MAY-31 -201 1 18: 04 

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~ ~rGC?-'ill p.ri ri.ti.z.~ ~e d~'ie1op ~t~!i ;:Q~tl;n.an~ Q.{ ~cu@t~. tlpdat~ contact 

J,ist$ fOr'Tn'b.:es. It win collaborate with nationa1 ah.ci tegiqn.il:l i~~~' groups. ~d o~er 

FedC@,!, ~a)~ tq rP.~mjze e(fe@ve ~uriic~OJl wlth Tn"bes. 

Th~NI09 wjJl ~untcate and coJ!abo:rateWi,th Tribes to atcofnplish r~gular. 

lneaningf\iJ arid Fljl@ll!oJ$jiJii. !be NIce WiU tPUtjnelypost@DSUl"tlon 

infOrn1aiiOD on its :wtbs'ite! including comm~ ~pp~ ~ out~~~N1oq 

~I ~Sign 9~~~ C';l;Ilp19~ ~pooo1)jhtles for commuriicafmg regularly with 

l'ribes.about co",uli;uj9"~a(td inO(;en. 

The NIGe wiil i~l1f)' ;1!11!~k ro. ~s !mjli<llin~s. ~o.ll\~imal and jntcm~. io imp:ovin~ ~~ ~~itat'j-on tn'ocesses. ~ ."'ill ~Cly 561i,J!Iribes' evjl~Qn of ~c ~psultabQP. ~ents and constiltatiQD .p.'ilCtices {:epei'aIly. , 

wilh 'Oihp; Fe:deraf.Agimcies 

. - ~;:.: . . The NIGC ·wiJl·work-wi"th other Federal .&getl~61o conS'u1t with Tribes on is.,S;1:l~s ~ct 

~Qve.t:iappifli:jpp~¢i.i~ @:ri;l:l ~~rUu~ s'ui:p ~ g;;upi.ng. and.la,,!. ~orcero~t. The NIGC wiII colla'borate with ottier tedc;:fal agebcl~ to maximiie effective 

~~~on 'With tri~ 

VJII. Trainings 

The moe Will csiil>Usli...,.al targtts for providing haiping oppolt,;.'ti., fo>ifs ","f. 

NIac ~o:yees Will 'rece&;traimng on t)i~~ovemrnetlt 'to-govemment relationship 

with Tri~1fuft:9~~tadon p~cy and proCCfs;.f¥ ~eraI o~~fs trust and ~ty ~~Dill:nes; and h!$i~jnfonnation ahQRt Indian traditions. culture, history"ind 

gttvc~ r~ngS 1~ ~1~ ~~pl~jeeS"\Yi\1 a#q9.WIedge.Ti:J.oaI Sovcreignty, ~ y..ill prqrno1~ -§~lr-g,?yemin~ and cor.stiltltio.n. e6truhurucatioii, collaboration and other 

~~~WithTiib¢$, .': 

IX... ': ~dicia1 Vl~ 

This po~i9Y is "i,Q\ended oWY:to 'improve ·the itiiem.a1 mari,!-gemeht ot-the NIGC.in'd is nOt 

intenac4 iQ ~~~Y ri~> bcne.fi.t. o!JiVSt~Jlsi~j1jty~ sJlb~t¢!iv¢ o,pr9cedwal .. eDtorcCa.blc at law ~y ~ party against the United StateS, '1tS 2$enci.es or ahf-persoJi. 

Draft bfMar<ht, 201! 

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