What is meant by “deference” to tribal conservation management plans for Indian lands?
The Departments recognize that Indian tribes value and take responsibility for the management of their lands and resources. Deference will be given to those tribal conservation plans that a) speak to those activities on Indian lands (including tribally-owned fee lands) and b) address the conservation needs of the listed species. In other words, if the tribe has a conservation plan that addresses the concerns of the Departments for a particular listed species even if it was not specifically developed for that species the plan will be given deference. There would be no expectation or requirement for the tribe to develop an alternative plan.
