NAVAJO FORESTLANDS INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
OUR VISION
The Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) will provide the Navajo Nation Forestry Department with guidance on how best to manage, conserve and enhance forestlands for ALL the Navajo people. The foundation of the IRMP project development involves using an integrated management approach that takes into account the interrelationships between and among all natural resources and community values and uses that make up these shared forestlands.
We want to hear from you!
Community input is critical for development of the Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP). The Navajo Forestland Areas are a collective tribal resource and your insight on the management, use and protection of these areas is of great importance.
Thank you everyone for your participation and input on the Navajo Forestlands IRMP Community Survey.
The survey comment period closed on December 31st, 2017
We received strong response from the community. If you would like to view how different survey responders answered different questions anonymously, please click on the link below for the IRMP Survey Response Report.
We also selected our raffle winner for the $100 Walmart Gift card. We congratulate Cecilia Yazzie for her input and winning the raffle!
Thank you
PHOTOS OF NAVAJO FORESTLANDS
Take a look at our gallery of photos. Development and implementation of the Navajo Forestland IRMP is an important exercise in Tribal self-governance and sovereign control of our future.
SUBTITLED NAVAJO LANGUAGE VIDEO ON THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Development and implementation of the Navajo Forestland IRMP is an important exercise in Tribal self-governance and sovereign control of our future.
Be still and the earth will speak to you
Navajo Proverb
OPEN HOUSE
We are hosted a Community Meeting Series to gather your input on the future of the Navajo Forestlands in your area. Now we are presenting the results of these meetings in our FINAL two OPEN HOUSES.
The Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources & Forestry asked for support from ALL community members to weigh in on how our natural and cultural resources should be protected, utilized, and conserved for the future. Your ideas helped shape an overall Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP). View the resource assessment by clicking on the link at the top of this page.
Community Meetings and information sheets were provided in both Navajo and English.
OPEN HOUSE:
ST. MICHAELS CHAPTER HOUSE
JUNE 6, 2018 5-8PM
OPEN HOUSE: SHIPROCK CHAPTER HOUSE
JUNE 7, 2018 5-7PM
Listening to All Voices: Issues & Concerns
Here is a sampling of what people are saying at the IRMP Community Meetings and via the Survey. (Please click below.) Community input is important to help shape how the Navajo Nation Forestlands are managed in the future and affect your community. We value your voice!
Meeting Notes
Click on the links provided below to view meeting notes
About The Navajo Forestlands Integrated Resource Management Plan
The Navajo Nation Forestry Department has long recognized the need and responsibility for the Navajo Nation to manage its resources in a coordinated and collaborative manner for the benefit of its tribal members and for the long term sustainability of its resources.
The purpose of the Integrated Resource Management Plan project is to develop a shared vision for management of the Navajo Nation Forestlands that integrates goals and objectives for all its natural and cultural resources. Community and Navajo Agency outreach is an integral component of this project to obtain input on the goals and values that should be applied to the use, management and protection of the Navajo Forestland Areas.
Presently, the Navajo Forestlands are managed independent of other natural and cultural resource agencies and community and economic development priorities. Funding and project implementation lacks coordination across agencies and can lead to competing priorities and inefficiency. This single resource management approach hinders the long term sustainability of our Navajo Forestland Areas.
To address this need, the Navajo Forestry Department is developing an Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP). An IRMP is a strategic planning document that integrates and guides the Nation’s natural and cultural resource management activities in line with tribal community values. It lays out a vision for the desired future state of its resources and establishes goals, objectives and strategies to achieve that future. The IRMP is focused on identifying the Nation’s priorities for management, use and protection of its resources for the Navajo Forestland Areas.
Development and implementation of the Navajo Forestland IRMP is an important exercise in Tribal self-governance and sovereign control of our future. The end result of the IRMP project will provide planning guidance and strategies to Resource managers and resource specialists. The IRMP does not identify specific management activities for the Navajo Forest Land Areas, but rather provides a framework for development of specific management activities for the future that represents the collective desires of the Navajo people.
Benefits Associated with Participation in the IRMP Project
Coordinated resource management provides multiple benefits for both land management agencies and for the communities adjacent to the Forestland areas. The IRMP process focuses on defining activities and use of forestland areas in a holistic manner rather than focusing on one single use or management strategy. By viewing our forestland areas from a landscape level perspective we are better equipped to achieve multiple benefits with each management action and avoid undesired impacts that result from lack of coordination. Local communities adjacent to the forestland areas and resource management agencies benefit through participation in the IRMP Project in the following ways:
Ensure compliance with Environmental, Cultural and Natural Resources laws
Provide strategic guidance on for updating and enforcing regulations & policies
Coordinate management strategies to ensure resource activities support multi-use goals
Identify new opportunities for compatible resource development (recreation, job creation)
Develop new management strategies from an ecological systems perspective
Establish a foundation for agency collaboration for data collection, reporting and sharing for multiple resources
Develop resource management educational opportunities for tribal members
Establish working relationships with surrounding U.S. National Forests for management coordination and connections for use of these areas
Develop and/or adopt BMPs for protection of resources
In a coordinated manner, identify and delineate areas for specific uses and development of resources
Develop conservation or wilderness areas to protect sensitive areas
Identify zones for resource extraction activities
Allow for limited-seasonal housing & other structure development
Ensure access to cultural resources, archaeological site, TCP sites, cultural landscapes, & other sacred spaces are provided
Ensure chapter land use plans are consistent with current planning efforts
Develop housing in areas currently supported by existing infrastructure
Goals
The IRMP strives to integrate community and agency desires for the protection, use and management of these forestlands for the benefit of all its users for the future.
Unlike traditional planning approaches, the IRMP begins with understanding the multiples uses of forestlands by the people that regularly depend on and use the forestlands. The IRMP is focused on integrating community, social and cultural values into how the forestlands are protected and managed for the future.
The objectives of the IRMP include work with different resource management agencies and local communities adjacent to the forestland project areas to:
Manage Navajo Nation Forestlands for Multiple Resource Benefits
Create a Culture of Collaboration Across Resource Management Agencies & Community Leaders
Incorporate Navajo Cultural Sensitivity & Values into Planning & Management Activities on Navajo Nation Forestlands
Enhance the Resiliency of the Navajo Nation Forestlands to Disturbance Processes & Changing Environmental Conditions
Create Jobs and Economic Development Opportunities
Support Community Development Goals
Provide Education & Outreach on Responsible Resource Management
Improve Compliance with Applicable Laws & Regulations that Pertain to Forestlands
Focus Areas/Project Boundaries & Preliminary Scope
The IRMP Project includes 705,878 acres of Navajo Forestlands and covers the following areas:
Navajo Mountain: 25,960 AC
Mount Powell: 22, 136 AC
Carrizo Mountain: 50,378 AC
Defiance Plateau & Chuska Mountain: 607,404 AC
The IRMP will include an assessment and evaluation of the following resources and activities as part of the development of the IRMP:
Forests
Vegetation
Soils & geology
Mining and minerals
Fish & wildlife
Water Resources
Air quality
Cultural Resources and Sacred Sites
Land Ownership
Infrastructure
Recreation
Home Site Development
Agriculture & Rangeland Management
Fire Management
Community & Economic Development Activities
These forestland areas are adjacent to 22 Chapters and fall within 12 Council Delegate Areas.
Please comment on the Navajo Forestlands IRMP
Make your Voice Heard
Address:
Navajo Route 12, Building #F004-018 P.O. Box 230 Fort Defiance AZ United States 86504
Email: