Methodology The Intertribal Agriculture Council surveyed their membership. The Natural Resources Conservation Service of USDA, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Commission performed outreach activities in attempts to develop information. Supplemental data was gathered from public testimony and comments. There are approximately 560 federally recognized Indian tribes located within the United States - 306 in the conterminous 48 states. Two hundred eighty nine are west of the Mississippi River, where 95 percent of all Indian trust land is located.
Many tribal lands lack current soil survey, streamgaging, and range condition information.
Some tribes indicated that they lack access to snow amount, soil moisture, and stream flow information needed in planning and for triggering emergency response efforts. Many tribes noted the need for technical and financial assistance to effectively plan and implement conservation measures and other practices to enhance wildlife and protect against wildfire. They emphasized that this assistance must be easily and locally accessible to tribal members. Most tribal representatives explained that current programs require modifications in eligibility criteria and cost- share rates to address specific tribal situations and that programs must be adequately funded. Some tribes are using planning as a viable means of lessening the impacts of drought on tribal lands and populations.