Tribal Policy Statement, 2402-2417 [2017-00091]

Agencies

• NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2402-2417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00091]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2012-0235]


Tribal Policy Statement

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Policy statement; issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this 
Statement of Policy to set forth principles to be followed by the NRC 
staff to promote effective government-to-government interactions with 
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, and to encourage and 
facilitate Tribal involvement in the areas over which the Commission 
has jurisdiction. It provides agencywide guidelines that achieve 
consistency, but also encourage custom-tailored approaches to 
consultation and coordination that reflect the circumstances of each 
situation and the preference of each Tribal government. It is the NRC's 
expectation that all program and regional office consultation and 
coordination practices will be consistent with or adhere to the NRC 
Tribal Policy Statement.

DATES: This policy statement is effective on January 9, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0235 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0235. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact 
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the 
ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and 
then select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, 
please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The 
ADAMS accession number for each document referenced in this document 
(if that document is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time 
that a document is referenced. The Tribal Policy Statement, in its 
entirety, is in the attachment to this document.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin O'Sullivan, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-8112, email: 
Tribal_Outreach.Resource@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Discussion
III. Opportunity for Public Participation
IV. Procedural Requirements

I. Background

    The purpose of the NRC Tribal Policy Statement is to establish 
policy principles to be followed by the NRC to promote effective 
government-to-government interactions with Indian Tribes, and to 
encourage and facilitate Tribal involvement in the areas over which the 
Commission has jurisdiction. The NRC licenses and regulates the 
Nation's civilian use of radioactive materials to protect public health 
and safety, common defense and security, and the environment under the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA) (42 U.S.C. 2011). Other 
statutory provisions such as the National Historic Preservation Act 
(NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 300101) can require Tribal consultation as part of 
the NRC's evaluation of agency activities during licensing actions, 
rulemaking, or policy development. The NRC complies with statutory 
provisions and NRC regulatory

[[Page 2403]]

provisions that require Tribal consultation and interacts with Tribal 
governments accordingly.

A. NRC Previous Interactions with Indian Tribes

    Historically, the NRC has had limited, but significant, 
interactions with Indian Tribes. The Commission has upheld statutory 
obligations to consult with Tribes under Federal law and acted in a 
manner consistent with the spirit of certain Presidential initiatives 
pertaining to Tribal consultation and coordination. However, the NRC 
has not previously formalized an agencywide policy statement.
    Many Federally recognized Tribes have an interest in public health 
and safety and environmental protection associated with NRC regulatory 
activities that include uranium recovery, commercial nuclear power, and 
nuclear waste transportation, disposal, and storage activities. The NRC 
has exercised its Trust Responsibility in the context of its 
authorizing statutes, including the AEA. The NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement formally reflects the NRC's recognition of the Federal Trust 
Responsibility and the NRC's commitment to a government-to-government 
relationship, which is distinct from interactions with members of the 
public, with Federally recognized Tribes. The NRC will make efforts to 
consult in good faith with Indian Tribes on agency actions that have 
substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes as well as 
those regulatory actions for which Tribal consultation is required 
under Federal Statute. Under the NRC's policy, the NRC or Tribal 
governments can request consultation on regulatory activities that have 
Tribal implications. The NRC's policy is to consult on a government-to-
government basis with Tribal governments as soon as practicable on NRC 
regulatory actions with Tribal implications.
    On November 6, 2000, President Clinton issued Executive Order (EO) 
13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' 
(65 FR 67249). Executive Order 13175 states, ```Policies that have 
Tribal implications' refers to regulations, legislative comments or 
proposed legislation, and other policy statements or actions that have 
substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes, on the 
relationship between the Federal government and Indian Tribes, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
government and Indian Tribes.'' Executive Order 13175, established the 
following principles to guide agencies when forming and implementing 
policies with potential Tribal implications:
     The United States has a unique legal relationship with 
Indian Tribal governments as set forth in the Constitution of the 
United States, treaties, statutes, EOs, and court decisions. The 
Federal government recognizes Indian Tribes as domestic dependent 
nations under its protection and has enacted statutes and promulgated 
regulations that establish and define a trust relationship with Indian 
Tribes.
     The Federal government has recognized the right of Indian 
Tribes to self-government with inherent sovereign powers over their 
members and territory. The United States continues to work with Indian 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis to address issues concerning 
Tribal self-government, Tribal trust resources, and Indian Tribal 
treaty and other rights.
     The United States recognizes the right of Indian Tribes to 
self-government and supports Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
    As an independent regulatory agency, the NRC is exempt from the 
requirements of certain EOs, including EO 13175. However, on January 
26, 2001, the Commission sent correspondence to the Office of 
Management and Budget stating that ``. . . in exercising its regulatory 
authority this agency [NRC] acts in a manner consistent with the 
fundamental precepts expressed in the Order [EO 13175]'' (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML010260297). To that end, the Commission has developed 
agency practices for Tribal consultation consistent with the principles 
articulated in EO 13175.
    The NRC's past practice for government-to-government interaction 
with Federally recognized Tribes has reflected the spirit of the 
relevant EOs, without establishing a formal policy. The NRC has 
interacted with Tribal governments on a case-by-case basis, allowing 
the NRC and the Tribes to initiate communication and consultation. The 
NRC staff has also maintained working relationships with Tribal 
governments and Tribal organizations that have an interest in NRC 
regulated activities.

B. Development of the Draft Tribal Policy Statement

    In SECY-96-187, ``Policy Issues Raised in Meeting with Prairie 
Island Dakota Indian Representatives'' (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML16293A128), the NRC staff provided to the Commission an analysis of 
Tribal issues. The paper centered on issues raised by representatives 
from the Prairie Island Dakota Indian Community including: (1) Entering 
into a Memorandum of Understanding with the NRC; 2) allowing Tribal 
representatives to observe inspections at the Prairie Island Nuclear 
Generating Plant; and 3) developing a formal policy on cooperation with 
Federally recognized Tribes. In the Staff Requirements Memorandum (SRM) 
dated November 13, 1996, the Commission approved the staff's 
recommendation not to develop a formal policy on cooperation with 
Federally recognized Tribal governments at that time, but to continue 
addressing Native American issues on a case-by-case basis and operating 
with Tribal governments on a government-to-government basis (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML16293A154).
    On January 8, 2009, the Commission issued SRM-M081211, from the 
December 11, 2008, ``Briefing on Uranium Recovery,'' directing the NRC 
staff to develop and implement an internal protocol for interaction 
with Native American Tribal Governments that would allow for custom 
tailored approaches to address both the NRC and Tribal interests on a 
case-by-case basis (ADAMS Accession No. ML090080206). The Commission 
also directed the NRC staff to assess what policies other Federal 
agencies have for interactions with Native American Tribal Governments 
and to report those findings, which could determine the efficacy of an 
NRC Tribal Policy Statement, to the Commission. The NRC staff responded 
to this Commission direction in SECY-09-0180, ``U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission Interaction with Native American Tribes'' (ADAMS Accession 
No. ML092920384). The staff communicated the determination that the 
NRC's case-by-case approach to interaction was effective and met the 
needs of the Commission and the Tribes. The staff concluded that Tribal 
interactions would not benefit from a formal Tribal policy at that 
time. The NRC staff also developed NUREG-2173, ``NRC Tribal Protocol 
Manual: Guidance for NRC Employees,'' as an internal protocol for 
interacting with Tribal governments (ADAMS Accession No. ML092990559).
    On May 22, 2012, the Commission issued the SRM for COMWDM-12-0001, 
``Tribal Consultation Policy Statement and Protocol'' (ADAMS Accession 
No. ML121430233), directing the NRC staff to provide a proposed Policy 
Statement and protocol on consultation with Tribal governments. The 
Commission also directed the NRC staff to do the following when 
developing the proposed policy

[[Page 2404]]

statement: (1) Use the existing ``Tribal Protocol Manual: Guidance for 
NRC Employees,'' and the NRC staff's ongoing efforts outlined in SECY-
09-0180 as a starting point and the basis for developing the proposed 
policy statement and protocol; (2) seek input from the Tribes and the 
public on how to improve the existing manual; (3) clearly articulate in 
the policy statement and protocol that the NRC's actions must be in 
accordance with its governing statutes and regulations; (4) respect and 
reflect in the policy statement and protocol sensitivity to the 
distinction made in executive orders and statutes between Indian Tribes 
who are Federally recognized and those who are not; (5) indicate in the 
policy statement and protocol that the NRC will conduct outreach to 
State-recognized Tribes on a case-by-case basis; (6) explore additional 
opportunities within our current regulatory processes for information 
sharing and outreach to State-recognized Tribes; and (7) make the 
protocol prominently publicly available on the NRC's public Web site. 
The Commission also specified that the proposed policy statement should 
serve as a high-level foundation for the protocol and should echo the 
language and spirit of the relevant Presidential Memoranda and EOs.
    The NRC staff formed an agency working group to develop a proposed 
NRC Tribal Policy Statement and to revise the NRC Tribal Protocol 
Manual. On October 12, 2012 (77 FR 62269), the NRC requested public 
comment on the NRC Tribal Protocol Manual and requested suggestions for 
the development of a proposed NRC Tribal Policy Statement to establish 
policy principles to be followed by the NRC to promote effective 
government-to-government interactions with Indian Tribes, and to 
encourage and facilitate involvement by Indian Tribes in the areas over 
which the Commission has jurisdiction. The public comment period was 
open for 180 days, and the NRC received a total of six comment letters 
from two Tribal governments, two mining associations, one inter-Tribal 
organization, and a Tribal college.
    Informed by internal working group representatives, external 
outreach, and review of similar policies at other Federal agencies, the 
NRC developed the proposed NRC Tribal Policy Statement. The NRC engaged 
with Tribal governments and other interested parties by: (1) 
Collaborating with the National Congress of American Indians to conduct 
mass mailings to Federally recognized Tribes; and (2) participating in 
Tribal meetings hosted by Tribal organizations and other Federal 
agencies (these meetings included attendees from Federally recognized 
and State-recognized Tribes). Additionally, the NRC staff reviewed 
Tribal policy statements of executive departments, their related 
agencies, and other independent agencies and provided their findings to 
the Commission.
    The proposed NRC Tribal Policy Statement was consistent with the 
language of EO 13175 and was intended to cover a broad range of Tribal 
consultations, outreach, and interactions conducted by NRC staff. The 
proposed NRC Tribal Policy Statement applied to Federally recognized 
Indian Tribes as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List 
Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a). It also encouraged participation by 
State-recognized Tribes in the NRC's regulatory process. On December 1, 
2014, the NRC published the proposed NRC Tribal Policy Statement in the 
Federal Register for public comment (79 FR 71136). (See Section III, 
``Opportunity for Public Participation,'' of this document for 
additional information.)

C. Development of the Final NRC Tribal Policy Statement

    After the December 2014 publication of the proposed NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement in the Federal Register, the NRC staff engaged in 
internal and external collaboration and outreach to inform the final 
NRC Tribal Policy Statement. The NRC staff also sought comments on the 
final NRC Tribal Policy Statement through participation in external 
conferences and presentations, periodic telephone calls, 
teleconferences, and webinars. The NRC staff continued to participate 
in standing Tribal meetings hosted by Federal partners and Tribal 
organizations and initiated additional outreach to Tribal leadership 
through various regional or affiliated Tribal leadership councils. A 
list of all outreach efforts can be found in NRC Tribal Liaison Annual 
Report Fiscal Year 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15247A011).
    The final NRC Tribal Policy Statement reflects responses to both 
internal and external comments. The final NRC Tribal Policy Statement 
applies to all NRC staff and activities within the NRC's regulatory 
jurisdiction. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is written at a high 
level to cover a wide variety of interactions, consultation, and 
outreach to Indian Tribes, including Federally recognized American 
Indian and Alaska Native Tribes.
II. Discussion
    Within the context of this discussion, the following definitions 
will apply unless otherwise indicated:
    Consultation means efforts to conduct meaningful and timely 
discussions between the NRC and Tribal governments on the NRC's 
regulatory actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more 
Indian Tribes and those regulatory actions for which Tribal 
consultation is required under Federal statute. The NRC's Tribal 
consultation allows Indian Tribes the opportunity to provide input on 
regulatory actions with Tribal implications and those where Tribal 
consultation is required, and is different from the outreach and public 
comment periods. The consultation process may include, but is not 
limited to, providing for mutually-agreed protocols, timely 
communication, coordination, cooperation, and collaboration. The 
consultation process provides opportunities for appropriate Tribal 
officials or representatives to meet with NRC management or staff to 
achieve a mutual understanding between the NRC and the Tribes of their 
respective interests and perspectives.
    Indian Tribe means any American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, 
Band, Nation, Pueblo, or other organized group or community that the 
Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian Tribe 
pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 
U.S.C. 479a).
    Interaction means reciprocal actions involving the NRC and Indian 
Tribes, and may include, but is not limited to, outreach, consultation, 
coordination, training, and information exchanges. Interactions may be 
oral or written and can take place remotely (through electronic media) 
or in face-to-face meetings.
    Outreach means NRC staff efforts to inform Indian Tribes about the 
agency's actions and plans. Outreach includes sharing information and 
encouraging Tribal governments to communicate their concerns and 
interests to NRC staff.
    Regulatory Actions with Tribal Implications refers to regulations, 
legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy 
statements or actions that have substantial direct effect on one or 
more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.
    Tribal Official means an elected, appointed, or designated official 
or

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employee of an Indian Tribe or authorized intertribal organization.
    Trust Responsibility means a fiduciary duty, on the part of the 
United States, to protect Tribal treaty rights, lands, assets, and 
resources, as well as a duty to carry out the mandates of Federal law 
with respect to Indian Tribes. The NRC exercises its Trust 
Responsibility in the context of its authorizing statutes, which 
include the AEA, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the Nuclear 
Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 
1985, and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978, as 
amended. As an independent regulatory agency that does not hold in 
trust Tribal lands or assets, or provide services to Federally 
recognized Tribes, the NRC fulfills its Trust Responsibility through 
implementation of the principles of the Tribal Policy Statement, by 
providing protections under its implementing regulations, and through 
recognition of additional obligations consistent with other applicable 
treaties and statutory authorities.

III. Opportunity for Public Comment

    On December 1, 2014 (79 FR 71136), the NRC published a Federal 
Register notice requesting public comments on the proposed NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement. The original 120-day comment period was extended to 
180 days (ending on May 31, 2015) through an additional Federal 
Register notice that was published on February 5, 2015 (80 FR 6553).

A. Overview of Public Comments

    The NRC received nine comment submissions, including comments from 
two representatives from Federally recognized Tribes, two 
representatives from inter-Tribal organizations, a Federal agency, an 
electric utility company, and three individuals who did not provide an 
organizational affiliation.
    Comments and responses related to the proposed NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement are listed in this section, and comments are quoted directly 
from comment submissions. The NRC Tribal Protocol Manual was published 
concurrently with the proposed Policy Statement in the Federal Register 
for public comment; comments and related responses will be published 
separately, with the exception of overlapping comments that cover both 
the NRC Tribal Policy Statement and the NRC Tribal Protocol Manual.
    The following table lists the commenter's name and affiliation, 
ADAMS accession number for the comment submission, and the document 
related to each comment.

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                                                                   Comment Submission
            Commenter Name                   Affiliation          ADAMS Accession No.            Document
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Charlene Dwin Vaughn.................  Advisory Council on      ML15154A842............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                        Historic Preservation                             Statement
                                        (ACHP).
R. Budd Haemer.......................  Indiana Michigan Power.  ML15155A564............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                                                                          Statement and Tribal
                                                                                          Protocol Manual
Richard Arnold.......................  National Transportation  ML15175A161............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                        Stakeholders Forum                                Statement
                                        Tribal Caucus.
Bill Thompson........................  National Tribal Air      ML15124A013............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                        Association.                                      Statement
Philip R. Mahowald...................  Prairie Island Indian    ML15159A181............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                        Community.                                        Statement and Tribal
                                                                                          Protocol Manual
Heather Westra.......................  Prairie Island Indian    ML15065A219............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                        Community.                                        Statement
Cassandra Bloedel....................  Private Citizen........  ML15159A179............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                                                                          Statement
Doreen Dupont........................  Private Citizen........  ML15159A180............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                                                                          Statement
Savannah Halleaux....................  Private Citizen........  ML14345A750............  Proposed Tribal Policy
                                                                                          Statement
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B. Public Comment Analysis

    The NRC has reviewed every comment submission and has identified 42 
unique comments requiring NRC consideration and response. Comments and 
the NRC responses are presented in this section. The comments generally 
fell within the following categories: NRC's Trust Responsibility as a 
Federal agency; suggested changes to the language of the NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement; NRC's Tribal outreach and consultation; and NRC's 
government-to-government relationship with Tribes. Commenters provided 
additional comments that did not fall within those categories as well 
as comments that were out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy Statement; 
these comments have been included at the end of this section, along 
with NRC responses.
1. NRC's Trust Responsibility as a Federal Agency
    Multiple commenters provided input related to the NRC's Trust 
Responsibility to Federally recognized Tribes as a Federal agency.
    Comment 1.1. ``Politics should not come into play in the Trust 
Relationship. The Trust Relationship requires more in terms of 
interactions access, and voice.''
    Response 1.1. The NRC agrees with this comment. The NRC upholds its 
Trust Relationship with Federally recognized Tribes without 
consideration of politics. In achieving its mission, the NRC adheres to 
the principles of good regulation--independence, openness, efficiency, 
clarity, and reliability. The NRC seeks to use the highest possible 
standards of ethical performance and professionalism with regard to 
regulatory activities. Tribal governments and others are encouraged to 
participate in the regulatory process to provide relevant facts and 
opinions pertaining to an action. The NRC considers many, and possibly 
conflicting public interests, when making decisions that are based on 
objective, unbiased assessments of all information, and must be 
documented with reasons explicitly stated.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 1.2. ``It is inconsistent to say that the Trust 
Responsibility is met simply by meeting standards for the general 
public. Need to recognize the uniqueness of Tribes and the Trust 
Relationship. Trust relationship requires more than simply meeting what 
is required.''
    Response 1.2. The NRC agrees with this comment. Under the Federal 
Trust Doctrine, the United States--and the individual agencies of the 
Federal government--owe a fiduciary duty to Indian Tribes. The nature 
of that duty depends on the underlying substantive laws (i.e., 
treaties, statutes, agreements) creating the duty. The NRC exercises 
its Trust Responsibility under its authorizing statutes including the 
AEA, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the Nuclear Waste Policy 
Act of 1982, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy

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Act of 1985, and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 
1978, as amended. As an independent regulatory agency that does not 
hold in trust Tribal lands or assets or provide services to Federally 
recognized Tribes, the NRC fulfills its Trust Responsibility through 
implementation of the principles of the Tribal Policy Statement, by 
providing protections under its implementing regulations, and through 
recognition of additional obligations consistent with other applicable 
treaties and statutory authorities. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement 
formally reflects the NRC's recognition of the Federal Trust 
Responsibility and the NRC's commitment to a government-to-government 
relationship with Federally recognized Tribes that is distinct from 
interactions with members of the public. The NRC will consult in good 
faith with Indian Tribes on agency actions that have substantial direct 
effects on one or more Indian Tribes as well as those agency actions 
for which Tribal consultation is required under Federal Statute.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect the 
comment, in part.
    Comment 1.3. ``NRC has not historically met its Trust 
Responsibilities. Tribal Advance Notification Rule and the requirement 
for tribes to `opt-in' is inconsistent with the Tribal Policy 
Statement. States do not have to opt-in, while Tribes have to. Tribes 
should be given the opportunity to `opt-out.'''
    Response 1.3. The NRC disagrees with the comment that the NRC has 
not historically met its Trust Responsibility. Under the Federal Trust 
Doctrine, the United States--and the individual agencies of the Federal 
Government--owe a fiduciary duty to Indian Tribes. The nature of that 
duty depends on the underlying substantive laws (i.e., treaties, 
statutes, agreements) creating the duty. The NRC exercises its Trust 
Responsibility under its authorizing statutes including the AEA, the 
Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 
1982, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1985, and the 
Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978, as amended. As an 
independent regulatory agency that does not hold in trust Tribal lands 
or assets or provide services to Federally recognized Tribes, the NRC 
fulfills its Trust Responsibility through implementation of the 
principles of the Tribal Policy Statement, by providing protections 
under its implementing regulations, and through recognition of 
additional obligations consistent with other applicable treaties and 
statutory authorities. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement formally 
reflects the NRC's recognition of the Federal Trust Responsibility and 
the NRC's commitment to a government-to-government relationship with 
Federally recognized Tribes that is distinct from interactions with 
members of the public. In addition to affording Tribal members 
protections under its implementing regulations, the NRC will consult in 
good faith with Indian Tribes on agency actions that have substantial 
direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes as well as those agency 
actions for which Tribal consultation is required under Federal 
statute.
    While the comment related to the Tribal Advance Notification Rule 
is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy Statement, the NRC believes 
the Tribal Advance Notification Rule is consistent with the NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement because it requires Tribal governments to opt-in to 
participate in the advanced notification program. The Advance 
Notification to Native American Tribes of Transportation of Certain 
Types of Nuclear Waste (Tribal Advance Notification Rule) amends NRC 
rules to require licensees to provide advance notification to 
participating Federally recognized Tribal governments regarding 
shipments of irradiated reactor fuel and certain types of nuclear waste 
for any shipment that passes within or across their reservations (77 FR 
34194). After reviewing public comments received during the development 
of the Tribal Advance Notification Rule, the NRC staff concluded that 
Tribes should have the option of whether to opt into the program 
because the program requires training, certain equipment, and has civil 
and criminal penalties for non-compliance.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect the 
comment, in part.
    Comment 1.4. ``The ACHP [Advisory Council on Historic Preservation] 
recommends expanding the discussion on trust responsibility [related to 
policy principle 2 on Trust Responsibility] and including an 
acknowledgement of trust responsibility. For more information about 
trust responsibility, please reference the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
[BIA] definition of trust responsibility (https://www.bia.gov/FAQs/).''
    Response 1.4. The NRC agrees with this comment. In comparison with 
the BIA, the NRC is an independent regulatory agency and does not hold 
in trust Tribal lands or assets or provide services to Federally 
recognized Tribes. Under the Federal Trust Doctrine, the United 
States--and the individual agencies of the Federal Government--owe a 
fiduciary duty to Indian Tribes. The nature of that duty depends on the 
underlying substantive laws (i.e., treaties, statutes, agreements) 
creating the duty. The NRC exercises its Trust Responsibility in the 
context of its authorizing statutes including the AEA, the Energy 
Reorganization Act of 1974, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the 
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1985, and the Uranium Mill 
Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978, as amended. As an independent 
regulatory agency that does not hold in trust Tribal lands or assets or 
provide services to Federally recognized Tribes, the NRC fulfills its 
Trust Responsibility through implementation of the principles of the 
Tribal Policy Statement, by providing protections under its 
implementing regulations, and through recognition of additional 
obligations consistent with other applicable treaties and statutory 
authorities. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement formally recognizes the 
unique relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes 
and describes NRC's continuing commitment to a government-to-government 
relationship with Tribal governments that is distinct from the 
interactions that the agency has with members of the public. The 
discussion section of Policy Principle 1 has been revised to provide 
further clarification and acknowledgment of the NRC's Trust 
Responsibility.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect the 
comment.
    Comment 1.5. ``To Indian tribes, upholding a Trust relationship 
with Indian tribes means more to Indian tribes than just ensuring the 
tribal members receive the same protections that are available to other 
persons (i.e., the general public). In our view, the NRC is required to 
do more, not less.
    ``The `trust responsibility' that the federal government owes to 
Indian tribes imposes both substantive and procedural duties on the 
federal government.''
    Response 1.5. The NRC agrees with the comment. Under the Federal 
Trust Doctrine, the United States--and the individual agencies of the 
Federal Government--owe a fiduciary duty to Indian Tribes. The nature 
of that duty depends on the underlying substantive laws (i.e., 
treaties, statutes, agreements) creating the duty. The NRC exercises 
its Trust Responsibility under its authorizing statutes including the 
AEA, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the Nuclear Waste Policy 
Act of 1982, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy

[[Page 2407]]

Act of 1985, and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 
1978, as amended. As an independent regulatory agency that does not 
hold in trust Tribal lands or assets or provide services to Federally 
recognized Tribes, the NRC fulfills its Trust Responsibility through 
implementation of the principles of the Tribal Policy Statement, by 
providing protections under its implementing regulations, and through 
recognition of additional obligations consistent with other applicable 
treaties and statutory authorities. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement 
formally reflects the NRC's recognition of the Federal Trust 
Responsibility and the NRC's commitment to a government-to-government 
relationship with Federally recognized Tribes that is distinct from 
interactions with members of the public.
    Other procedural components for carrying out interactions with 
Tribal governments are articulated in the Tribal Protocol Manual and 
specific agency regulations and guidance documents.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect the 
comment.
    Comment 1.6. ``PIIC [Prairie Island Indian Community] believes that 
the trust responsibility must mean more than solely complying with 
existing statutes and regulations. Compliance of this type is no 
different than what is owed to the general public. In order for the 
trust responsibility to have any vitality, Federal agencies must 
exercise a higher responsibility when taking action that may affect a 
tribe. This is especially true when the issues concern lands held in 
trust by the United States for a tribe and the tribal cultural and 
historic resources and a tribe's ancestral homeland.''
    Response 1.6. The NRC agrees with this comment. Under the Federal 
Trust Doctrine, the United States--and the individual agencies of the 
Federal Government--owe a fiduciary duty to Indian Tribes. The nature 
of that duty depends on the underlying substantive laws (i.e., 
treaties, statutes, agreements) creating the duty. The NRC exercises 
its Trust Responsibility under its authorizing statutes including the 
AEA, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the Nuclear Waste Policy 
Act of 1982, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1985, and 
the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978, as amended. As 
an independent regulatory agency that does not hold in trust Tribal 
lands or assets or provide services to Federally recognized Tribes, the 
NRC fulfills its Trust Responsibility through implementation of the 
principles of the Tribal Policy Statement, by providing protections 
under its implementing regulations, and through recognition of 
additional obligations consistent with other applicable treaties and 
statutory authorities. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement formally 
reflects the NRC's recognition of the NRC's commitment to a government-
to-government relationship with Federally recognized Tribes with 
respect to agency actions that have a substantial direct effect on one 
or more Indian Tribes that is distinct from interactions with members 
of the public. The NRC also upholds the statutory obligation to consult 
with Federally recognized Tribes under Section 106 of the NHPA, which 
is intended to protect historic properties that may be affected by a 
Federal undertaking. The NHPA requirement to engage in Tribal 
consultation applies regardless of the location of the historic 
property and can include Tribal ancestral lands that are not part of 
the Tribe's current reservation or trust lands.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect the 
comment.
2. Suggested changes to the language of the NRC Tribal Policy Statement
    Multiple commenters proposed changes to the language of the NRC 
Tribal Policy Statement or to the discussion section that defines terms 
utilized throughout the NRC Tribal Policy Statement.
    Comment 2.1. ``While the 6 principles [of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement] originally proposed serve as foundation of which to build 
upon, the [U.S. Department of Energy] DOE National Transportation 
Stakeholders Forum Tribal Caucus believes the proposed principles 
should be expanded to include an additional Principle Policy Statement 
#7. Specifically, it is recommended that the existing policy statement 
include:
PRINCIPLE POLICY STATEMENT #7
    7. NRC is committed to collaborating with tribes in regulatory 
activities that may have the potential of affecting tribal interests.''
    Response 2.1. The NRC disagrees with this comment. The NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement is consistent with EO 13175, which states ``Policies 
that have tribal implications refers to regulations, legislative 
comments or proposed legislation, and other policy statements or 
actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian 
Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between 
the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.'' The suggested language 
could be interpreted to require the NRC to seek consultation and 
collaboration on all of NRC's activities because they have the 
potential to impact Tribal members even if the activity has no greater 
potential effect on Tribal members than the general public. For 
example, health and safety regulations relating to well-logging or 
medical use of byproduct material could fall under this definition. 
Therefore, the NRC limited the obligation for the NRC to specifically 
seek Tribal consultation to activities defined in EO 13175 and those 
for which Tribal consultation is required under Federal statute. 
However, Tribes can always request consultation with the NRC regarding 
``regulatory activities that may have the potential of affecting Tribal 
interests.'' The NRC would evaluate such requests on a case-by-case 
basis.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 2.2. [The commenter suggested including the underlined text 
in the discussion of policy principle 1.] ``The NRC shall respect 
Indian Tribal self-government and sovereignty, will honor Tribal treaty 
and other rights, and meet responsibilities that arise from the unique 
relationship between the Federal government and Indian Tribal 
governments. Further, the NRC shall encourage states to recognize the 
Federal government's trust relationship with Tribes and incorporate 
this recognition in their own practices.''
    Response 2.2. The NRC disagrees with this comment. Our 
understanding of the phrase ``Tribal rights'' would also cover ``tribal 
treaty and other rights,'' so the change is unnecessary.
    Section 274b. of the AEA authorizes the NRC to enter into 
agreements with States so that the NRC relinquishes, and the State 
assumes, regulatory authority over the radioactive material and 
activities specified in the agreement. The NRC approves the agreement 
if the NRC finds the State program adequate to protect public health 
and safety and compatible with the NRC's regulatory program. The NRC 
periodically reviews the State's program, but the NRC does not mandate 
to the State how they should interact with Tribal governments when 
implementing these regulatory requirements and the States apply their 
own laws to implement their radiation control program for the specified 
AEA radioactive materials covered in the Agreement.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.

[[Page 2408]]

    Comment 2.3. [The commenter suggested including the underlined text 
in the discussion of policy principle 2, ``The NRC Recognizes and Is 
Committed to a Government-to-Government Relationship With Indian 
Tribes.''] ``The NRC recognizes the right of each Indian Tribe to self-
governance and supports Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. The 
NRC recognizes Tribal governments as dependent domestic sovereign 
nations, independent from State governments, with separate and distinct 
authorities with inherent sovereign powers over their members and 
territory.''
    Response 2.3. The NRC agrees with this comment. The second sentence 
of the discussion related to Policy Principle 2 now reads, ``The NRC 
recognizes Tribal governments as dependent domestic sovereign nations, 
independent from State governments, with separate and distinct 
authorities with inherent sovereign powers over their members and 
territory, consistent with applicable statutes and authorities.''
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect the 
comment.
    Comment 2.4. [The Commenter suggested including the underlined text 
in the discussion of policy principle 4, ``The NRC Will Engage in 
Timely Consultation.''] ``The NRC will provide timely notice to, and 
consult with, Tribal governments on NRC's regulatory and non-regulatory 
actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
Tribes. Tribal officials may request that the NRC engage in government-
to-government consultation with them on matters that have not been 
identified by the NRC to have substantial direct effects on one or more 
Indian Tribes. The NRC will make efforts to honor such requests, taking 
into consideration the nature of the activity at issue, past 
consultation efforts, available resources, timing issues, and other 
relevant factors. The NRC will establish early communication and begin 
consultation at the earliest permissible stage, as appropriate. The NRC 
will consult in good faith throughout the agency decisionmaking process 
and develop and maintain regular and meaningful effective 
communication, coordination, and cooperation with Indian Tribes. The 
NRC representatives for consultations with Tribal officials or 
representatives will be of an appropriate rank of NRC representatives 
and level of interaction commensurate with the circumstances and who 
shall have decision-making power. The appropriate level of interaction 
will be determined by past and current practices, continuing dialogue 
between NRC and Tribal governments, and program office consultation 
procedures.''
    Response 2.4. The NRC agrees in part and disagrees in part with 
this comment. The term ``regulatory action'' is used to reflect the 
scope of the NRC's mission as a regulatory agency, and no change has 
been made to the existing text. ``Effective communication'' already 
reflects that communication should be ongoing during the consultation 
process. The text has been revised to reflect that ``The NRC 
representatives for consultations with Tribal officials or 
representatives will be of an appropriate rank and the level of 
interaction will be commensurate with the circumstances. The 
appropriate level of interaction will be determined by a discussion 
between the NRC and Tribal governments, and program office consultation 
procedures and guidance. Participating Tribal and NRC representatives 
will serve as respective decisionmakers, based on the established 
agenda and to the extent possible.''
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect the 
comment.
    Comment 2.5. [The commenter suggested including the underlined text 
in the discussion of Policy Principle 5, ``The NRC Will Coordinate with 
Other Federal Agencies.''] ``The NRC Will Coordinate With Other Federal 
Agencies and States. When the Commission's action involves other 
Federal agencies and States, the NRC will perform its Tribal 
consultation jointly with other Federal agencies and States, as 
appropriate.''
    Response 2.5. The NRC agrees in part and disagrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC coordinates with other Federal agencies and with 
States, as appropriate, during consultations. For example, when 
following the regulatory procedures related to the NHPA and National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the NRC coordinates with the State by 
communicating with the State Historic Preservation Officer, who is 
included as a consulting party under the NHPA, or the State agency 
regarding State listed species of concern for environmental impact 
determinations on specific resource areas. The NRC disagrees that 
Policy Principle 5 should be revised to include States since the 
Principle is limited to Federal coordination.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 2.6. ``The ACHP recommends defining interactions and using 
interactions consistently throughout the document. In certain cases, 
interactions could be confused with more formal government to 
government consultations.''
    Response 2.6. The NRC agrees with this comment. The definition of 
interaction has been included in the discussion section of the policy 
statement to identify activities covered by the term ``interaction.''
    The discussion section related to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement 
has been revised as a result of the comment.
    Comment 2.7. ``The ACHP recommends defining substantial direct 
effects in order to provide clarity to the NRC's practices addressing 
Executive Order 13175.''
    Response 2.7. The NRC disagrees with this comment. The use of 
``substantial direct effects'' is consistent with the language used in 
EO 13175, which also does not define the term. Since the Tribal Policy 
Statement covers a vast range of regulatory activities, the NRC has not 
defined ``substantial direct effects'' in the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC will consider including criteria in future guidance 
documents to determine whether an activity has a ``substantial direct 
effect'' on one or more Indian Tribes.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 2.8. ``The ACHP recommends specifying outreach should be 
done in addition to formal government to government consultation with 
Native Americans tribes and/or Native Hawaiian Organizations. Also, the 
NRC should include a definition for outreach. Outreach and consultation 
should be discussed as two separate activities conducted by the NRC.''
    Response 2.8. The NRC agrees in part and disagrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC agrees that outreach is distinct from government-
to-government consultation. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement reflects 
the distinction between outreach and consultation by putting forth two 
separate and distinct policy principles related to outreach and 
consultation. In an effort to provide clarification regarding the 
distinction between outreach and consultation, Policy Principle 3 has 
been revised.
    The NRC agrees that a definition of outreach should be included in 
the Discussion Section in an effort to provide further clarification 
The purpose of NRC's Tribal outreach can be broad, ranging from 
participation in standing Tribal meetings hosted by Federal partners 
and Tribal organizations, to conducting informational meetings related 
to a licensing project or rulemaking, to an informational webinar. The 
NRC Tribal

[[Page 2409]]

liaison team continues to seek new opportunities to engage Tribal 
representatives.
    The NRC disagrees that the NRC Tribal Policy Statement's discussion 
of outreach should include Native Hawaiian Organizations. The Tribal 
Policy Statement pertains to consultation with Tribal Governments 
recognized by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 
25 U.S.C. 479a. (See response to Comment 4.1 for additional information 
regarding the Native Hawaiian Organizations.)
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised as a result of the 
comment.
    Comment 2.9. ``The ACHP recommends stating [in the discussion of 
policy principle 4, ``The NRC Will Engage in Timely Consultation''] 
that it is the federal agency's responsibility to engage in 
consultation. It is not the tribe's responsibility to request 
engagement in consultation.''
    Response 2.9. The NRC agrees in part and disagrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC agrees that it is its responsibility to initiate 
consultation when Tribal consultation is required under Federal 
statute. The discussion of Policy Principle 4 has been revised to 
clarify that the NRC also engages in consultation when required under 
Federal statute. However, the NRC disagrees with the suggestion to 
state specifically in Policy Principle 4 that ``it is the federal 
agency's responsibility to engage in consultation'' or that ``it is not 
the tribe's responsibility to request engagement in consultation.'' As 
stated in Policy Principle 4 the NRC will provide timely notice and 
consult in good faith with Tribal Governments on NRC regulatory actions 
that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes as 
well as those regulatory actions for which Tribal consultation is 
required under Federal statute. In some circumstances, Federally 
recognized Tribes may request to engage in consultation on matters that 
have not been identified by the NRC as having substantial direct 
effects on one or more Indian Tribes or for which Tribal consultation 
is not required under Federal statute. The NRC can make a good faith 
effort to invite Tribes to consult, but cannot mandate their 
participation in the process.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to address this 
comment, in part.
    Comment 2.10. ``The Policy and Manual generally reflect the 
differences between outreach and consultation. However, there are 
several specific spots, discussed below, where the language is unclear 
or the terms are used interchangeably. Confusion as to whether the NRC 
is engaged in outreach or consultation or the scope of consultation can 
result in confusion and delay. The Tribes may even get the impression 
that the NRC is only pretending to consult; see, for example, the 
eighth bullet on page 6 of the letter from the Seneca Nation of 
Indians, dated April 1, 2013, in this docket.
    ``Principles 3 and 4 of the Policy are potentially confusing as 
they use the terms `consult' and `outreach' interchangeably. In 
addition, these Principles state that they apply to `regulatory 
actions' without clarifying whether what is meant are policy setting, 
rulemaking, issuing guidance, or a licensing action. As reflected in 
Section 1.D and associated note 25 of the Manual, as a regulatory 
agency, the NRC fulfills the fiduciary obligation to Tribes by ensuring 
uniform treatment action in providing protection under its implementing 
regulations. On the other hand, where the NRC is engaged in setting 
policy, issuing rules, or providing guidance that directly impact 
Tribes, consultation on subjects within the scope of the impact may be 
appropriate where the impact is significant. To minimize confusing 
ambiguity, the following clarifications are suggested:

A. The Policy

    (1) In Principle 3, replace `consult' with `inform' in the first 
sentence and replace `NRC regulatory actions that have substantial 
direct impacts on one or more Indian Tribe' with `NRC regulatory 
actions, including licensing actions, in which one or more Indian 
Tribes have an interest.' This clarification ensures that outreach to 
Indian Tribes will include any regulatory action of interest to a 
Tribe.''
    Response 2.10. The NRC disagrees in part and agrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC recognizes that consultation and outreach are 
distinct terms that should not be used interchangeably. The NRC 
disagrees with the proposed changes to Policy Principle 3, but agrees 
that Policy Principle 3 should be revised to provide greater clarity. 
``Consult'' has been removed from the first sentence, but ``regulatory 
actions that have substantial direct impacts on one or more Indian 
Tribe'' remains. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement reflects the 
distinction between outreach and consultation by setting forth two 
separate and distinct policy principles related to outreach and 
consultation. In an effort to provide clarification regarding the 
distinction between outreach and consultation, Policy Principle 3 has 
been revised. The purpose of NRC's Tribal outreach can be broad, 
ranging from participation in standing Tribal meetings hosted by 
Federal partners and Tribal organizations to conducting informational 
meetings related to a licensing project or rulemaking to an 
informational webinar. The NRC Tribal liaison team continues to seek 
new opportunities to engage Tribal representatives.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised as a result of the 
comment.
    Comment 2.11. ``In Principle 4, replace `on NRC's regulatory 
actions' with `prior to the NRC issuing policies, rules, or guidance' 
in the first sentence. This clarification reflects that consultation on 
NRC licensing actions would generally not be consistent with the NRC's 
statutory authority. This clarification also harmonizes the Policy with 
the Presidential directive for agencies to consult on policies with 
tribal implications, E.O. [Executive Order] 13175, Sec.  I(a), Nov. 6, 
2000.''
    Response 2.11. The NRC agrees in part and disagrees in part with 
this comment. The focus of E.O. 13175 is specifically related to 
consultation on ``policies that have Tribal implications'' (i.e., 
``regulations, legislative comments on proposed legislation, and other 
policy statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on 
one or more Indian Tribes''). The revised text proposed by the 
commenter would harmonize the Policy Statement with the E.O. by 
replacing the term ``NRC's regulatory actions'' with a specific set of 
activities that are consistent with the activities covered in the E.O. 
However, the NRC Tribal Policy Statement covers a broader set of 
activities than those covered in the EO. Not all NRC Tribal 
consultation is related to ``policies, rules, or guidance'' as noted in 
the comment. The NRC licensing actions may also trigger Tribal 
consultation under other Federal statutes. Therefore, the discussion of 
Policy Principle 4 has been revised to clarify the broader set of 
activities covered by the Policy Statement.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to address the 
comment, in part.
    Comment 2.12. ``Consistent with the practices of other agencies, 
the Policy designates an official to facilitate meaningful and timely 
consultations with Indian Tribes. See generally, E.O. [Executive Order] 
13175, Sec.  5(a), Nov. 6, 2000. The designated official is to work 
with other NRC personnel to ensure Tribal implications have been 
considered. The conclusions from these intra-agency considerations 
should be documented in the papers provided to the Commission (SECY 
papers), much

[[Page 2410]]

the way the conclusions of the Chief Financial Officer or legal office 
are reflected now. Such documentation would serve to provide timely 
feedback to the Commission, to be mindful with the resource 
implications associated with formal Tribal consultations, and to show 
respect for the solemnity of conducting Tribal consultations on a 
Government-to-Government basis. Also, the second sentence of the first 
paragraph under `Designated Official and Tribal Liaisons' is an 
ambiguous, run-on sentence that does not clarify that where the NRC is 
engaged in setting policy, issuing rules, or providing guidance that 
directly impact Tribes, consultation on subjects within the scope of 
the impact may be appropriate where the impact is significant as 
reflected in Comment 2, above. It is suggested that sentence be split 
into four sentences that read:

    The designated Official shall ensure that agency program 
personnel have considered the Tribal implications related to their 
responsibilities within the NRC's scope of jurisdiction. Where 
programs, policies, rulemaking or guidance are proposed to the 
Commission, the conclusions from review of these considerations 
shall be briefly discussed; specifically whether or not there 
potentially are direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes. The 
designated official shall facilitate meaningful and timely 
consultation concerning the development, administration, and 
enforcement of NRC's policy, rulemaking, or guidance actions that 
have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian Tribes, 
including obtaining Commission approval to initiate formal 
consultation with one or more Indian Tribes on subjects within the 
scope of such substantial direct effects. Prior Commission approval 
to initiate consultation is not required where consultation is 
required by a Federal statute.''

    Response 2.12. The NRC agrees in part and disagrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC agrees that the ``designated official'' should be 
involved in regulatory actions that have Tribal implications, but 
disagrees with the commenter's suggested edits and related 
implications. Some of the commenter's proposed language would introduce 
procedures that are not appropriate for a high-level policy statement. 
The NRC would consider developing specific procedures in a future 
guidance document. Regulatory actions involving Tribal consultation, 
would be reviewed by the Office of the Executive Director for 
Operations, including the designated official, before being sent to the 
Commission. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement identifies the Deputy 
Executive Director for Materials, Waste, Research, State, Tribal, 
Compliance, Administration, and Human Capital Programs as the 
``designated official'' for purposes of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement, and not pursuant to E.O. 13175, as noted by the commenter. 
The NRC agrees that the second sentence of the section titled, 
``Designated Officials and Tribal Liaisons,'' referenced by the 
commenter should be restructured and has divided it into two sentences.
    The NRC Tribal Policy Statement has been revised to reflect part of 
the comment.
3. Outreach and Consultation
    Multiple commenters provided input related to the use of the terms 
``outreach'' and ``consultation'' in the policy principles of the NRC 
Tribal Policy Statement.
    Comment 3.1. ``The NTAA [National Tribal Air Association] supports 
Principle No. 3 which provides:
    The NRC Will Conduct Outreach to Indian Tribes.
    The NRC will consult and coordinate with Indian Tribes, as 
appropriate, related to its regulatory actions with Tribal implications 
and will seek additional opportunities for general outreach. The NRC 
will participate in national and regional Tribal conferences and 
summits hosted by Federal agencies and Tribal organizations, and will 
seek Tribal representation in NRC meetings and advisory committees 
concerning NRC regulatory actions that have substantial direct effects 
on one or more Indian Tribes.
    While the NTAA supports Principle No. 3, it does not find that 
current NRC outreach to Indian Tribes is being done or happening in a 
timely manner. For example, apart from some local efforts, the NTAA is 
unaware of any venue where Tribes are being brought together to discuss 
radiation issues and air quality impacts from the nuclear program. The 
NTAA finds that NRC must be more diligent in conducting outreach on all 
issues as they are brought to the attention of the NRC by Tribes, the 
NTAA, or other Tribal organizations.''
    Response 3.1. The NRC agrees in part and disagrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC agrees with the commenter's support of the NRC 
Tribal Policy Principle 3. The NRC disagrees that the NRC has not 
conducted outreach to Indian Tribes in a timely manner. While the NRC 
has not hosted particular meetings to bring Tribes together to discuss 
radiation issues and air quality impacts from the nuclear program, the 
NRC has participated in national and regional Tribal conferences and 
summits hosted by Federal agencies and Tribal organizations. 
Additionally, the NRC has provided instructor-led training sessions at 
multiple Tribal Colleges and Universities to inform Tribes regarding 
NRC's mission, basic health physics, radiation safety, and 
environmental review. The NRC will continue to provide training, as 
needed, to Tribes who are affected by regulated activities and will 
seek outreach opportunities.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 3.2. ``Principle No. 4: Development of a Consultation Plan. 
The NTAA recommends that Principle No. 4 require the NRC to also 
develop a comprehensive Tribal consultation plan for NRC regulatory and 
non-regulatory actions having potentially substantial direct effects on 
one or more Indian Tribes. Although Tribes consider consultation to be 
very important, Tribes have limited resources and time to expend on it. 
The NRC must be sensitive to this fact and make every effort to provide 
Tribes with any additional resources and assistance that they might 
require to engage in effective consultation. Some recommendations to 
help the NRC to conduct effective consultation with Tribes include:
    1. Develop guidance on how the NRC intends to assure that 
consultation meetings result in meaningful dialogue rather than simply 
pro forma consultation;
    2. Assign a Tribal liaison to the specific NRC action who has 
extensively worked with Tribes on similar issues; and
    3. Provide adequate time to Tribes to review and provide comments 
concerning proposed NRC actions well beyond the 30- to 60-day periods 
provided to the public to make its comments.''
    Response 3.2. The NRC disagrees in part and agrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC staff has developed an implementation plan that 
will be revised to reflect the final NRC Tribal Policy Statement. The 
NRC disagrees that Policy Principle 4 should state specifically that 
the NRC has to develop a comprehensive Tribal consultation plan for NRC 
regulatory and non-regulatory actions having potentially substantial 
direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes. The NRC agrees that the 
NRC should consider development of consultation plans for actions that 
have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes as well as 
those regulatory actions for which Tribal consultation is required 
under Federal statute, in an effort to promote more effective 
consultations. The NRC Tribal liaison staff will continue to work in 
conjunction with program office staff

[[Page 2411]]

during licensing and other regulatory actions, and may be assigned to 
specific sites or actions, as resources and staffing permit. The NRC 
strives to establish an effective consultation process and will 
consider time allowed for Tribal engagement, including Tribal review 
and comment of relevant documents, on a case by case basis, as 
appropriate, during the regulatory process.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 3.3. ``Further, the NRC must engage in government-to-
government consultation with individual Tribes and not groups of Tribes 
which might occur as part of an outreach session at a conference or 
other similar gathering. Such a consultation approach is necessary for 
a number of reasons. First, it provides for more candid conversations 
between the individual Tribe and NRC than would occur otherwise during 
a group meeting. Second, each Tribe's circumstances are unique and must 
be treated as such by the NRC. A group meeting of Tribes would only 
give short shrift to these circumstances. Third, most cultural 
resources information is protected from release under statutory 
exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act. Discussion of such 
information by an individual Tribe as part a group meeting of Tribes 
risks its release to the general public and potentially endangers 
Tribal cultural sites and practices. Finally, the subject matter may be 
so unique that government-to-government consultation between the 
individual Tribe and NRC provides the best opportunity for a resolution 
to the situation versus a group meeting of Tribes where any number of 
Tribal issues could be discussed in a finite period of time.''
    Response 3.3. The NRC agrees with this comment. The NRC does not 
consider outreach during a conference to be consultation. The NRC will 
make an effort to engage Tribes on a government-to-government basis, 
and will consider whether it is more appropriate to consult 
individually or simultaneously with multiple Tribes, on a case-by-case 
basis, taking into consideration site-specific facts, resource 
limitations, and preference of consulting Tribes.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 3.4. ``The NRC will consult and coordinate with Indian 
Tribes, as appropriate, related to its regulatory actions with Tribal 
implications and will seek additional opportunities for general 
outreach. The NRC will participate in national and regional Tribal 
conferences and summits hosted by Federal agencies and Tribal 
organizations, and will seek Tribal representation in NRC meetings and 
advisory committees concerning NRC regulatory actions that have 
substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes.
    ``Attending major tribal conferences and meetings is an excellent 
way of interacting with Indian tribes. As well, NRC staff should 
endeavor to attend meetings of other federal agencies that attract 
tribal representatives.
    ``. . . [I]t is important to recognize that while there might not 
be delineated reservation or Trust lands in a given area that does not 
necessarily mean that there are no tribes interested in or impacted by 
NRC regulatory actions. Many tribes were forcibly removed from their 
ancestral lands or ceded vast tracts of land to the federal government 
through treaties and have retained or reserved rights (fishing, 
hunting, gathering) for these lands or these lands contain 
archaeological, cultural or historical resources, including important 
sacred sites.''
    Response 3.4. The NRC agrees with this comment. The NRC agrees that 
attending conferences and meetings is an effective way of engaging 
Tribes and that the NRC staff should attend meetings held by other 
Federal agencies that attract Tribal representatives. The NRC staff 
participates in Tribal meetings hosted by other Federal agencies, 
including conferences hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, along with meetings hosted by inter-Tribal 
organizations, including the National Congress of American Indians. The 
NRC also agrees that Tribes may have an interest in areas that do not 
have current reservation or trust lands. The current location and 
geographic proximity to NRC regulated sites is not the sole 
consideration of the NRC when engaging in outreach with Tribes. The NRC 
also considers whether there are Tribes that have historic and cultural 
ties to the land in question.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 3.5. [The Commenter provided input specific to policy 
principle 4, ``The NRC Will Engage in Timely Consultation.''] ``Early 
and frequent consultation must be the cornerstone of the government-to-
government relationship. Publishing a notice in the Federal Register is 
not consultation. It should be noted that sometime the consultative 
process can take time.''
    Response 3.5. The NRC agrees with this comment. The definition of 
``consultation'' and Policy Principle 4 have been revised to provide 
further clarification. The revisions clarify that consultation is a 
process and may include, but is not limited to, providing for mutually-
agreed protocols, timely communication, coordination, cooperation, and 
collaboration and provides opportunities for appropriate Tribal 
officials or representatives to meet with NRC management or staff to 
achieve a mutual understanding between the NRC and the Tribes of their 
respective interests and perspectives.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
4. NRC's Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
    Comment 4.1. ``The ACHP recommends including Alaska Natives and 
Native Hawaiians in the NRC Tribal Policy Statement and the Tribal 
Protocol Manual. The NRC is responsible for licensing materials in 
Alaska and Hawaii. Additionally, the NRC should avoid homogenizing 
Native American tribes and reference Native American communities [in 
the Tribal Protocol Manual], not the Native American community.''
    Response 4.1. The NRC disagrees in part and agrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC disagrees that the NRC Tribal Policy Statement 
should include Native Hawaiian Organizations. The NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement and Tribal Protocol Manual pertain to consultation with 
Tribal governments recognized by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe 
List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a. The definition of Indian Tribe 
includes Alaska Native Tribes. The United States has recognized and 
implemented a special political and Trust Responsibility with the 
Native Hawaiian community through programs and services that are, in 
many respects, analogous to, but separate from the programs and 
services enacted for Federally recognized Indian Tribes. However, 
Native Hawaiian Organizations are not governmental entities. As a 
result, Native Hawaiian Organizations are not covered by the NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement. The NRC does comply with statutory obligations to 
consult with Native Hawaiian Organizations. For example, the NRC 
consults with Native Hawaiian Organizations, as appropriate, under 
Section 106 of the NHPA.
    The NRC agrees with the comment, ``the NRC should avoid 
homogenizing Native American Tribes'' and recognizes distinctions 
between Federally

[[Page 2412]]

recognized Tribes, as noted in the Tribal Protocol Manual. The Tribal 
Protocol Manual has been revised to reflect the suggested change from 
``community'' to ``communities.''
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 4.2. ``Taken together, both the Tribal Protocol Manual and 
the NRC Tribal Policy Statement (and their respective Federal Register 
notices) provide important historical information, such as various 
treaties, Congressional Acts affecting Indian tribes and rights, and a 
discussion of the Federal Trust Responsibility. This information 
provides the proper historical context critical to understanding the 
unique relationship federally recognized Indian Tribes have with the 
Federal Government. This point is underscored in the Tribal Protocol 
Manual, which notes that Indian tribes are not the public or special 
interest groups, but are, in fact, governments. This point is important 
in understanding why tribes desire to have a government-to-government 
relationship with the NRC and do not wish to be considered 
`stakeholders'.''
    Response 4.2. The NRC agrees with this comment. The NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement and Tribal Protocol Manual underscore the NRC's 
commitment to a government-to-government relationship with Indian 
Tribes. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement formalizes the NRC's commitment 
to engaging Indian Tribes on a government-to-government basis, 
providing opportunities for participation in the NRC's regulatory 
process beyond those available to members of the general public or 
interested stakeholders, consistent with the principles articulated in 
E.O. 13175.
    No changes were made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement or Tribal 
Protocol Manual as a result of the comment.
    Comment 4.3. [The commenter provided input on policy principle 2, 
``The NRC Recognizes and Is Committed to a Government-to-Government 
Relationship with Indian Tribes.'']
    ``It should be noted that there are differences among tribes and 
that there is no `one size, fits all' approach when it comes to 
interacting with and understanding Indian tribes. Each tribe is unique 
and should be treated as such. There should not be a `standard process' 
as recommended by some commenters.''
    Response 4.3. The NRC agrees with this comment. The NRC recognizes 
distinctions between Federally recognized Tribes, as noted in the 
Tribal Protocol Manual. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement does not 
prescribe a ``standard process'' for interacting with Tribes. Instead, 
it identifies policy principles that guide the NRC's interactions with 
Indian Tribes.
    No changes were made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a result 
of the comment.
5. Additional Comments
    Comment 5.1. ``The Nuclear Regulatory Commission should look to the 
policies and practices of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] in 
developing its relationship with tribal governments. In particular, the 
EPA identified certain tribal governments to be granted with the same 
treatment as states, allowing the tribes to have primacy in civil 
jurisdiction with regards to enforcement of EPA regulations on tribal 
lands. The NRC should consider implementing a similar policy with some 
or all tribal governments.''
    Response 5.1. The NRC disagrees with this comment. Unlike States, 
the AEA does not authorize Tribal governments to assume regulatory 
authority over AEA radioactive material. However, the NRC has treated 
Federally recognized Tribes in a similar manner to States in some 
instances. For example, Tribal governments can participate in a program 
to receive advance notification of shipments of certain types of 
radioactive material and spent nuclear fuel under the Tribal Advance 
Notification Rule.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 5.2. ``NRC needs to be committed to the Tribal Policy 
Statement. If not, policies can be easily side-stepped. NRC needs to 
implement these policies.''
    Response 5.2. The NRC agrees with this comment. The Commission 
approved a Tribal Policy Statement Implementation Plan in March 2015 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML15078A039), which aligns the agency's Tribal 
activities with policy principles in the NRC Tribal Policy Statement. 
The NRC staff will utilize the plan to implement the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement, and will update it, as appropriate.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of this comment.
    Comment 5.3. ``The NRC should encourage tribal participation on 
working groups.''
    Response 5.3. The NRC agrees with this comment. The NRC will 
consider inviting Tribes to participate on working groups related to 
regulatory actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more 
Indian Tribes, as appropriate.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 5.4. ``As subject-matter experts, the NRC will invite 
tribal representatives to participate on working groups developed for 
those activities that have the potential of impacting tribal interests, 
including but not limited to: Integrated Performance Evaluation Program 
[(IMPEP)] Reviews, Rule-making and other related activities impacting 
our tribal governments.''
    Response 5.4. The NRC disagrees in part and agrees in part with 
this comment. The NRC disagrees with the threshold for Tribal working 
group participation set by the commenter's language, ``for those 
activities that have the potential of impacting Tribal interests.'' The 
NRC agrees that it may invite Tribal representatives to participate on 
working groups on matters that have substantial direct effects on one 
or more Indian Tribes, as appropriate. This is consistent with Policy 
Principle 3 on the NRC outreach to Indian Tribes, which states ``The 
NRC will encourage Tribal governments to communicate their preferences 
to NRC staff during outreach activities and will seek to provide 
information about opportunities for Tribal participation in NRC 
meetings and advisory committees concerning NRC regulatory actions that 
have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes, as 
appropriate.'' Because the NRC does not have statutory authority to 
enter into agreements with Tribes like it does with States, Tribal 
government employees cannot participate in IMPEP Reviews as a review 
team member in the same manner as an Agreement State government 
employee. However, IMPEP reports are publically available and meetings 
are open to the public.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 5.5. ``Further, the NRC will present a yearly report to 
tribal organizations describing all agency undertakings involving or 
relating to Indian Tribes.''
    Response 5.5. The NRC disagrees with this comment. The NRC has no 
current plans to present an annual report describing ``all agency 
undertakings involving or relating to Indian Tribes.'' As part of the 
NRC Tribal Policy implementation Plan, the NRC staff prepares an annual 
report of the agency's implementation of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement, including some of the agency's Tribal-related interactions. 
While the report is intended for internal use, it will be available on 
the NRC's public Web site.

[[Page 2413]]

It will also be available in hardcopy, upon request.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 5.6. ``Yes, extend the comment period.''
    Response 5.6. The NRC agrees with this comment. The comment period 
was extended for the NRC Tribal Policy Statement from 120 days to 180 
days. The NRC considers comments received after the end of the comment 
period if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to assure 
consideration only for comments received on or before the comment 
period closes.
    No changes were made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a result 
of the comment.
    Comment 5.7. ``We believe that the key to effectively implementing 
the Tribal Policy Statement is via actions that will protect Indian 
people, lands, and resources. Toward that end, an evaluation of 
existing staff guidance is a strong start. This evaluation should not 
be limited to the Tribal Protocol Manual, but all NRC staff guidance.''
    Response 5.7. The NRC agrees with this comment. The NRC staff has 
reviewed numerous agency and office-level guidance documents to 
determine if changes were necessary before the Commission approves the 
final NRC Tribal Policy Statement, ensuring that the guidance documents 
are consistent with policy principles in the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC will revise guidance, as needed, to reflect the 
policy principles of the final NRC Tribal Policy Statement.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 5.8. ``We suggest that the NRC work with a number of 
tribes, representing a cross-section of NRC regulatory activities, as 
well as the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to gain a better 
understanding of Indian land tenure and the potential consequences of 
contamination to Indian lands.
    ``We understand that the NRC may possibly be developing a guidance 
document pertaining to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) 
Section 106 consultation. We applaud this effort. We recommend that the 
NRC work with tribes, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 
(ACHP), industry (limited participation), and possibly other federal 
agencies to develop this guidance document.
    ``Finalizing and fully implementing the Tribal Protocol Manual will 
also help NRC staff to be informed on tribal issues. Training, 
awareness, and continuity of staff are also key elements of an 
effective tribal program.''
    Response 5.8. The first part of this comment related to Indian land 
tenure is out of scope of the NRC Policy Statement. The NRC Tribal 
Policy Statement is an agencywide, high-level document that encompasses 
a broad range of NRC Tribal interactions, consultation, and outreach. 
NRC disagrees in part and agrees in part with the remainder of the 
comment. The NRC is in the process of finalizing NHPA Section 106 
guidance for uranium recovery licensing. The NRC sought input from NRC 
Staff, ACHP, Tribal governments, industry representatives, and members 
of the public. The NRC published the draft Interim Staff Guidance, 
FSME-ISG-02, ``Guidance for Conducting the Section 106 Process of the 
National Historic Preservation Act for Uranium Recovery Licensing 
Actions,'' for public review and comment on June 18, 2014 (79 FR 
34792). On September 3, 2014, the NRC extended the comment period (79 
FR 52374). The NRC staff is in the process of developing the final 
program specific guidance. The NRC staff has reviewed staff guidance 
documents and concluded that no guidance documents directly contradict 
the NRC Tribal Policy Statement. The NRC staff review identified 
documents that will need to be revised to be consistent with the final 
NRC Tribal Policy Statement. Guidance will be updated as scheduled, and 
will incorporate the final NRC Tribal Policy Statement, as appropriate. 
The NRC staff has also developed and implemented a Tribal cultural 
sensitivity training that is available agencywide.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
6. Out of Scope Comments
    Comment 6.1. ``We have reviewed the comment letters submitted in 
2013 by other entities on the Tribal Protocol Manual (most notably 
those representing the uranium mining industry) and found the comments 
to be self-serving, ill-informed and insensitive [to] tribal history, 
culture and tradition. These commenters complained that the Section 106 
process was `too cumbersome, time consuming, and costly for the uranium 
recovery industry' and that the pace of the consultation should be 
accelerated and standardized. Moreover, the commenters suggested that 
the NRC should not be making an exhaustive effort to identify all 
potentially impacted Indian tribes. In other words, hurry up and get it 
done!
    The NRC has an obligation under the NHPA to ensure that its actions 
do not have adverse impacts. The NRC also has an obligation to 
federally recognized Indian tribes.
    With regard to tribes delaying the process or lacking incentive to 
work with the NRC, it should be noted that it can be a burden 
(financially and technically) to effectively participate in NRC 
proceedings.''
    Response 6.1. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement because the comment centers on specific statutory 
requirements to consult with Tribes under NHPA. The NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement is an agencywide, high-level document that encompasses a 
broad range of NRC Tribal interactions, consultation, and outreach. It 
does not prescribe procedural requirements for fulfilling NHPA 
consultation requirements. The NRC upholds all statutory obligations to 
consult with Federally recognized Tribes, including consultation 
responsibilities under the NHPA and NEPA.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 6.2. ``The NEPA process (for either [an] EA [environmental 
assessment] or EIS [environmental impact statement]) does not ensure 
that environmental issues and concerns identified by the impacted 
tribes will be addressed adequately, as EA's or EIS's are disclosure 
tools that do not and cannot offer remedies or mitigation. It is 
through the NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) adjudicatory 
process that identified issues can be addressed (if the Board admits 
the affected tribe as an intervener because the tribe has articulated a 
deficiency with an application before the NRC). Achieving intervener 
status is a difficult and costly undertaking, given the high legal and 
regulatory standards to be met. Nevertheless, this is a huge barrier 
that many tribes cannot overcome and this should be recognized a severe 
limitation to effective participation by any tribes impacted by NRC 
licensing actions.''
    Response 6.2. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is an agency-wide, high-
level document that encompasses a broad range of NRC Tribal 
interactions, consultation, and outreach. It does not prescribe 
procedural requirements for fulfilling NEPA Tribal consultations. The 
process for achieving intervenor status before an NRC Atomic Safety and 
Licensing Board (or other NRC adjudicator) is outside the scope of the 
NRC Tribal Policy Statement. Under the

[[Page 2414]]

NRC Tribal Policy Statement, the NRC will provide timely notice and 
consult in good faith with Tribal governments on NRC's regulatory 
actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
Tribes. In addition, Tribes will have the opportunity to raise 
environmental, historic, and cultural issues during the NEPA 
environmental review and NHPA process. This process provides an 
additional opportunity to address the Tribe's concerns with a proposed 
licensing action. Good faith efforts to consult with Indian Tribes 
under the NRC Tribal Policy Statement or during the NEPA and NHPA 
review process may also have the potential to resolve issues outside 
the hearing process.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 6.3. ``In 2013, the NRC finalized its advance notification 
rule (10 CFR 71.97) that allows Indian tribes to receive advance 
notification of shipments of irradiated reactor fuel through 
reservation land (not Trust lands). To participate, interested tribes 
must `opt in' and complete safeguards training. Although the NRC was 
very flexible with some of the prerequisites, the fact that no tribe is 
currently participating in this pre-notification program should cause 
the NRC to pause and ask why. It could be that it is just too 
cumbersome for the tribes to participate, due to a lack of resources 
(staff, financial, etc.) or competing priorities for resources.''
    Response 6.3. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is an agencywide, high-level 
document that encompasses a broad range of NRC Tribal interactions, 
consultation, and outreach. The Tribal Advance Notification Rule 
amended NRC regulations to require licensees to provide advance 
notification to participating Federally recognized Tribal governments 
regarding shipments of irradiated reactor fuel and certain types of 
nuclear waste for any shipment that passes within or across their 
reservations (77 FR 34194). After reviewing public comments received 
during the development of the Tribal Advance Notification Rule, the NRC 
staff concluded that Tribes should have the option of whether to opt 
into the program because the program requires training, certain 
equipment, and has civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. As 
of July of 2016, one Indian Tribe completed the process of enrolling in 
the Tribal Advance Notification Program. A list of participating Tribes 
is maintained on the NRC Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/state-tribal/tribal-advance-notification.html#tribes.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 6.4. ``Principle No. 4: An Example of Lack of 
Implementation. In 2012, the NRC proposed an Advance Notification Rule, 
by which Indian Tribes would receive advance notification of shipments 
of irradiated reactor fuel and other nuclear wastes transported across 
their reservations. (``Tribal Advance Notification'' at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/state-tribal/tribal-advance-notification.html#def 
(last visited on April 12, 2015).)
    ``Yet, the NRC claims that `there are no tribes that have the 
prerequisite required to receive advance notifications.' (``Tribal 
Advance Notification'' at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/state-tribal/tribal-advance-notification.html#def_ (last visited on April 12, 
2015).)
    ``Nuclear waste is being transported through a number of 
reservations weekly by unmarked trucks (e.g., missing placards) and 
Indian Tribes of these reservations have not been made privy to the 
transportation schedules for the waste. Knowing the schedule would 
enable Tribes to protect their reservation environments by having 
emergency response teams in place in case of any accidental waste 
releases. Regardless of whether Tribes meet the aforementioned 
prerequisite, the NRC should still be actively consulting with Tribes 
on shipments across their reservations and other NRC actions having 
potentially substantial air quality and other direct effects on one or 
more Tribes.
    ``The NTAA has also seen several inconsistencies in the reporting 
of the number of regulated facilities in Indian Country. The NTAA finds 
that, an update of NRC's maps or inventories of regulated facilities, 
would help the NRC to more effectively contact and identify Tribes 
about NRC regulatory and non-regulatory actions having substantial air 
quality and other direct effects on one or more Tribes.''
    Response 6.4. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement in part. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is an agencywide, 
high-level document that encompasses a broad range of NRC Tribal 
interactions, consultation, and outreach. The Tribal Advance 
Notification Rule amended NRC regulations to require licensees to 
provide advance notification to participating Federally recognized 
Tribal governments regarding shipments of irradiated reactor fuel and 
certain types of nuclear waste for any shipment that passes within or 
across their reservations (77 FR 34194). After reviewing public 
comments received during the development of the Tribal Advance 
Notification Rule, the NRC staff concluded that Tribes should have the 
option of whether to opt into the program because the program requires 
training, certain equipment, and has civil and criminal penalties for 
non-compliance. As of July of 2016, one Indian Tribe completed the 
process of enrolling in the Tribal Advance Notification Program. A list 
of participating Tribes is maintained on the NRC Web site at: https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/state-tribal/tribal-advance-notification.html#tribes. The NRC continues to update maps of Tribal 
reservation and trust lands within a 50-mile radius of NRC-regulated 
nuclear power plants. The NRC staff is developing tools that they may 
utilize to identify Tribal lands near other NRC-regulated facilities.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 6.5. ``Hire natives to be liaisons with our own people. 
Create trust, transparency and rapport. These people have been deceived 
and betrayed since the white man stepped foot on this land. It's very 
important to really reach the native people and it's high time they got 
many seats at the round table. Thank you for your work and hope it can 
improve to genuinely include First Nation's peoples.''
    Response 6.5. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is an agencywide, high-level 
document that encompasses a broad range of NRC Tribal interactions, 
consultation, and outreach. However, the NRC does seek to foster a 
diverse workplace. The Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer 
participates in extensive recruitment, including the American Indian 
Science and Engineering Society's annual conference. Additionally, the 
NRC's Office of Small Business and Civil Rights promotes diversity by 
sponsoring Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committees, including 
the Native American Advisory Committee (NAAC). The NAAC recommends 
initiatives and approaches to attract qualified Native Americans and 
Alaskan Natives to the NRC and to support and retain the Native 
American and Alaskan Native employees of the NRC. The Committee has 
also forged a working relationship with the American Indian Science and 
Engineering Society through a memorandum of understanding. For 
clarification, the

[[Page 2415]]

listed activities do not cover the ``First Nations [of Canada]'' 
referenced by the commenter.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 6.6. ``Lastly, the NRC will ensure there are mechanisms in 
place to prevent an unfunded mandate upon any tribe, including but not 
limited to requirements of acquiring GSA safe or other supplies or 
materials as stipulated in the in the advance notification rule.''
    Response 6.6. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is an agencywide, high-level 
document that encompasses a broad range of NRC Tribal interactions, 
consultation, and outreach. The Tribal Advance Notification Rule 
amended NRC regulations to require licensees to provide advance 
notification to participating Federally recognized Tribal governments 
regarding shipments of irradiated reactor fuel and certain types of 
nuclear waste for any shipment that passes within or across their 
reservations (June 11, 2012; 77 FR 34194). After reviewing public 
comments received during the development of the Tribal Advance 
Notification Rule, the NRC staff concluded that Tribes should have the 
option of whether to opt into the program because the program requires 
training, certain equipment, and has civil and criminal penalties for 
non-compliance. The NRC is committed to ensuring that Tribal Nations 
are informed of the requirements for receiving Safeguards Information 
and sensitive information. It is the responsibility of all Tribal 
governments that volunteer to participate in the Tribal Advance 
Notification program to ensure that the information is secure and used 
in a manner that will provide for the protection of the public health 
and the environment.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 6.7. ``It is important to note, even though NRC has 
expanded educational tools for Radiation Workshops as open 
communication protocol, there is a need for Native speakers to provide 
the information. Non-English speakers attend the workshops and do not 
comprehend the contents. More workshops related to DOE Radiation site 
locations throughout Indian Country is strongly urged that NRC has 
oversight. Many of these sites are under DOE-LM [DOE Office of Legacy 
Management] and not necessarily under DOE-EM [DOE Office of 
Environmental Management] as it seems there is a communication barrier, 
and updated cleanups by site is missing, especially with transport of 
radioactive sludge from holding/evaporation ponds.
    ``Many transport routes go through Native communities, and are not 
part of the DOE-EM START [Stakeholder Tool for Assessing Radioactive 
Transportation] programming. It may be missing out of other regulatory 
components as 108(c) under DOE for transport. Consideration for links 
for the public with RECA [Radiation Exposure Compensation Act] benefits 
and DownWinder Web sites under NRC is important as many suffer the 
health devastation of cancer due to radiation.''
    Response 6.7. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is an agencywide, high-level 
document that encompasses a broad range of NRC Tribal interactions, 
consultation, and outreach. Previously the NRC staff received similar 
feedback on the inclusion of non-English speakers in the NRC's Tribal 
Training Program. The NRC will consider the inclusion of Native 
speakers when arranging future training sessions for Tribes. DOE-EM 
START programming is not administered by the NRC, and therefore is not 
covered by the NRC Tribal Policy Statement. The RECA benefits are 
administered by the Department of Justice's program for claims relating 
to atmospheric nuclear testing and claims relating to uranium industry 
employment. The NRC does not oversee the program, make related 
determinations, or administer payment of claims. The Downwinder Web 
sites are maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services and do not fall under the NRC's jurisdiction.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.
    Comment 6.8. [The commenter quoted policy principle 5, ``The NRC 
Will Coordinate with Other Federal Agencies,'' stating ``When the 
Commission's action involves other Federal agencies, the NRC will 
perform its Tribal consultation jointly with other Federal agencies, as 
appropriate.''] ``This will be especially important if/when shipments 
of spent nuclear fuel to a federal repository or an interim storage 
facility commence. Shipments of spent nuclear fuel will involve the 
NRC, the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Department of 
Transportation (DOT). Equally important is the engagement of federal 
agencies involved in the uranium mining regulation (i.e., the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs or the Bureau of Land Management).''
    Response 6.8. This comment is out of scope of the NRC Tribal Policy 
Statement. The NRC Tribal Policy Statement is an agencywide, high-level 
document that encompasses a broad range of NRC Tribal interactions, 
consultation, and outreach. The NRC currently coordinates with other 
Federal agencies, as appropriate, on issues within its regulatory 
jurisdiction, including the shipment of spent nuclear fuel and 
licensing and regulation of uranium recovery facilities. Currently, 
there is neither a Federal repository for spent nuclear fuel nor an 
interim storage facility but the NRC will follow the Tribal Policy 
Statement and appropriate regulations when processing any applications 
for these facilities. The NRC does have regulations that govern the 
transport of spent nuclear fuel and implements them in coordination 
with relevant Federal agencies, including the DOE and the DOT. The NRC 
does not have regulatory authority over uranium mining facilities. 
However, the NRC does have regulatory authority over uranium recovery 
and uranium milling facilities and coordinates with other Federal 
agencies, as appropriate, including the Bureau of Land Management and 
EPA, during the consultation process.
    No change has been made to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement as a 
result of the comment.

V. Procedural Requirements

Congressional Review Act Statement

    This final NRC Tribal Policy Statement is a rule as defined in the 
Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801-808). However, the Office of 
Management and Budget has not found it to be a major rule as defined in 
the Congressional Review Act.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    This Policy Statement does not contain new or amended information 
collection requirements and, therefore, is not subject to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of January, 2017.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette L. Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.
Tribal Policy Statement
    The purpose of this Tribal Policy Statement is to set forth 
principles to be followed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
(NRC) to promote effective government-to-government interactions with 
Federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, and to

[[Page 2416]]

encourage and facilitate Tribal involvement in the areas that the NRC 
has jurisdiction. It seeks to provide agencywide principles to achieve 
consistency but also encourage custom-tailored approaches to 
consultation and coordination that reflect the circumstances of each 
situation and the preference of each Tribal government. It is the NRC's 
expectation that all program and regional office consultation and 
coordination practices will be consistent with or adhere to the NRC 
Tribal Policy Statement. This NRC Tribal Policy Statement is based on 
the United States Constitution, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, 
judicial decisions, and the unique relationship between Indian Tribes 
and the Federal government.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ This Tribal Policy Statement is not intended to, and does 
not, grant, expand, create, or diminish any rights, benefits, or 
trust responsibilities, substantive or procedural, enforceable at 
law or in equity in any cause of action by any party against the 
United States, the Commission, or any person. This Tribal Policy 
Statement does not alter, amend, repeal, interpret, or modify Tribal 
sovereignty, any treaty rights of any Indian Tribes, or preempt, 
modify, or limit the exercise of such rights. Nothing herein shall 
be interpreted as amending or changing the Commission's regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following principles will guide the NRC's interaction with 
Indian Tribes:
1. The NRC Recognizes the Federal Trust Relationship With and Will 
Uphold Its Trust Responsibility to Indian Tribes
    The NRC shares the Federal government's unique Trust Relationship 
with, and Trust Responsibility to, Indian Tribes. Under the Federal 
Trust Doctrine, the United States--and the individual agencies of the 
Federal government--owe a fiduciary duty to Indian Tribes. The nature 
of that duty depends on the underlying substantive laws (i.e., 
treaties, statutes, agreements) creating the duty. The NRC exercises 
its Trust Responsibility in the context of its authorizing statutes 
including the Atomic Energy Act, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, 
the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
Policy Act of 1985, and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act 
of 1978, as amended. As an independent regulatory agency that does not 
hold in trust Tribal lands or assets or provide services to Federally 
recognized Tribes, the NRC fulfills its Trust Responsibility through 
implementation of the principles of the Tribal Policy Statement, by 
providing protections under its implementing regulations, and through 
recognition of additional obligations consistent with other applicable 
treaties and statutory authorities.
2. The NRC Recognizes and Is Committed to a Government-to-Government 
Relationship With Indian Tribes
    The NRC recognizes the right of each Indian Tribe to self-
governance and supports Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. The 
NRC recognizes Tribal governments as dependent domestic sovereign 
nations, independent from State governments, with separate and distinct 
authorities with inherent sovereign powers over their members and 
territory, consistent with applicable statutes and authorities.
3. The NRC Will Conduct Outreach to Indian Tribes
    The NRC will conduct outreach to keep Indian Tribes informed about 
the agency's actions and plans, as appropriate, related to its 
regulatory actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more 
Indian Tribes. The NRC will participate in national and regional Tribal 
conferences and summits hosted by Federal agencies, Tribal governments, 
and Tribal organizations, as appropriate. The NRC will encourage Tribal 
governments to communicate their preferences to NRC staff during 
outreach activities and will seek to provide information about 
opportunities for Tribal participation in NRC meetings and advisory 
committees concerning NRC regulatory actions that have substantial 
direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes, as appropriate.
4. The NRC Will Engage in Timely Consultation
    The NRC will provide timely notice and consult in good faith with 
Tribal governments on NRC's regulatory actions that have substantial 
direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes as well as those regulatory 
actions for which Tribal consultation is required under Federal 
statute.
    Tribal officials may also request that the NRC engage in 
consultation with them on matters that have not been identified by the 
NRC to have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes as 
well as those regulatory actions for which Tribal consultation is not 
required under Federal statute. The NRC will make efforts to grant such 
requests, taking into consideration the nature of the activity at 
issue, past consultation efforts, available resources, timing issues, 
and other relevant factors.
    The NRC will establish early communications and begin consultation 
as soon as practicable. The NRC will consult in good faith throughout 
the agency decisionmaking process and develop and maintain effective 
communication, coordination, and cooperation with Indian Tribes. The 
NRC representatives for consultations with Tribal officials or 
representatives will be of an appropriate rank and the level of 
interaction will be commensurate with the circumstances. The 
appropriate level of interaction will be determined by a discussion 
between the NRC and Tribal governments, and program office consultation 
procedures and guidance. Participating Tribal and NRC representatives 
will serve as respective decisionmakers, based on the established 
agenda and to the extent possible.
5. The NRC Will Coordinate With Other Federal Agencies
    When the Commission's action involves other Federal agencies, the 
NRC will perform its Tribal consultation jointly with other Federal 
agencies, as appropriate and to the extent possible.
6. The NRC Will Encourage Participation by State-Recognized Tribes
    The NRC recognizes the distinction between Indian Tribes who are 
Federally recognized and those who are not. The NRC will reach out to 
States to identify the appropriate State-recognized Tribes to invite to 
participate in its regulatory process, including opportunities related 
to rulemaking, licensing and decommissioning.
Designated Official and Tribal Liaisons
    The Deputy Executive Director for Materials, Waste, Research, 
State, Tribal, Compliance, Administration, and Human Capital Programs 
serves as the NRC's designated official for Tribal consultations. The 
designated official will ensure that the agency program personnel have 
considered the Tribal implications related to their responsibilities 
within the NRC's jurisdiction. The designated official will also make 
efforts to facilitate meaningful and timely consultation and 
coordination regarding NRC's regulatory actions that have substantial 
direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes as well as those regulatory 
actions for which Tribal consultation is required under Federal 
statute.
    The designated official will be supported by staff who have 
functional responsibility to serve as intergovernmental liaisons to 
Indian Tribes. These NRC Tribal liaisons will facilitate government-to-
government consultation by serving as the agency's primary points of 
contact for Indian Tribes, coordinating with the appropriate office or 
personnel

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regarding programmatic inquiries, and will facilitate the appropriate 
level of communication and exchange of information between Tribal 
officials and the NRC staff. The Tribal liaisons will also educate the 
NRC staff about Tribal issues including cultural sensitivity and the 
Federal Trust Responsibility. The designated official will have the 
authority to delegate tasks to the NRC Tribal liaisons as he/she deems 
fit.

[FR Doc. 2017-00091 Filed 1-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P