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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Indian lands environment: who should protect it

Journal Article · · Nat. Resour. J.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6431607
Indian tribes showed little concern for environmental regulation until their recent interest in developing energy sources and in gaining self-determination. Although several Federal agencies have responsibility for Indian affairs and regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have had mostly indirect effects, there has been no comprehensive scheme. The author reviews Federal and state legislation, court cases, and tribal laws affecting Indian lands in terms of their goals and responsibilities. He concludes that the tribes, who have the primary interest in their land, will enact the best environmental programs and that the current trend will continue for tribal jurisdiction to take precedence over state jurisdiction over both Indian and non-Indian activities on reservations. EPA has been reluctant to impose the same costly controls on Indian lands as on states and other localities.
Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, Denver, CO
OSTI ID:
6431607
Journal Information:
Nat. Resour. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Nat. Resour. J.; (United States) Vol. 18:3; ISSN NRJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English