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DEC Tribal Relations

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to enhancing the relationship between the state and Alaska's 227 federally recognized tribes. The DEC tribal liaison works with department staff, the Governor's Tribal Advisory Council (GTAC), GTAC Natural Resources Subcommittee, and other state agencies to address issues of interest to Alaska Tribes, tribal organizations, and the Alaska Native community.

Alaska DEC Tribal Consultation Policy

This policy reinforces government-to-government relationships between the Department of Environmental Conservation (department) and the tribes in Alaska through consultation on significant matters of mutual concern.

This policy provides guidance to all employees of the department involved in any departmental action(s) significantly or uniquely affecting a tribe in Alaska and pertains to any tribal action significantly or uniquely affecting the department. It also reinforces the foundation for establishing and maintaining effective government-to-government communications between the department and the tribes in Alaska and promotes consultation and coordination with these tribes, with the goal of ensuring the department conducts consultation in a culturally sensitive manner.

Alaska Native Outreach Meetings

The department began hosting quarterly informational meetings with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Regional and Village Corporations and Alaska Tribes in 2023. The intent of these meetings is to provide updates on DEC’s ongoing operations within the divisions of Air, Water Quality, Environmental Health, and Spill Prevention & Response. Topics of discussion will include current project and community development permitting, regulations, hiring, environmental justice, and other informational outreach. These meetings will serve as a springboard for further discussion between DEC’s divisions and Alaska Natives as transparent communication occurs early and often throughout DEC’s processes.

Next Alaska Native Outreach Meeting: TBD

Want to receive informational emails about each meeting? Sign up for the Alaska Native Outreach Newsletter.

Past Meetings Information and Resources

Alaska Native Outreach Meetings

March 1, 2024 Quarterly Outreach Meeting

Alaska Native Outreach Meeting

Next Meeting: TBD

Contact Us

If you are aware of environmental issues in your local communities in rural Alaska, please use the contact form below to alert us so we can provide a proactive response.  We also encourage you to use the contact form to let us know of environmental topics of particular interest to you so we can tailor this page to best fit your needs.

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