| The Natural Resource Branch is a key tribal agency charged with the responsibility of insuring the long-term perservation of the tribe's natural and cultural resources. The branch's responsibilities include overseeing such programs as Ranger Enforcement, Policy and Planning, Realty, Water, Soil and Environmental Office, Range and Agriculture, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, GIS Programs, Forestry, and Cultural Resources. All this is done while coordinating such responsibilities with various tribal and non-tribal entites and agencies. The branch is one of the largest employers on the reservation, with some 180 full-time, year-round employees, growing to over 300 during the summer months.
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Robert "Bobby" Brunoe, General Manager for the Branch of Natural Resources, talks about the cultural values that are the basis for the various decisions affecting the management of natural resources on the Warm Springs Reservation. (Interviewed by Rodney Frey, July 2003) |
One of the most important and progressive tools the Branch of Natural Resources and the Tribal Council uses to promote its stewardship responsibilities is the Integrated Resources Management Plan. Developed in the 1980s, formally adopted in 1992 and revisisted every 5 years, this is a "living" document that reflects the tribe's commitment to manage, preserve and perpetuate the natural and cultural resources of the reservation for future generations.
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Bobby Brunoe considers the origin and role of the Integrated Resource Management Plan. Part 1. (Interviewed by Rodney Frey, July 2003) |
In the 1980s the tribe was harvesting over 100 million board feet of timber each year, and many tribal members felt that as a result some natural and cultural resources were being threatened. After exhaustive scientific research the sustainable timber yield is today established at 42 million board feet annually. The Integrated Resource Management Plan reflects the need to balance the protection of resources and the generation of revenues for the tribe. To help assure its mission and achieve ultimate success, continual public input and comment is essential to the Natural Resources Branch.
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Bobby Brunoe continues to discuss the role and importance of the Integrated Resource Management Plan. Part 2. (Interviewed by Rodney Frey, July 2003) |
© Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs 2003
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