CCP 01-02-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community is also interested in identifying options to relocate community members wishing to - do so and other acceptable options to reduce known environmental health risks. .- Within the overall objective of federal assistance and cooperation with the Prairie Island Community, there are many specific goals and activities that are identified in a separate action _ plan. No single federal agency nor the Community's tribal government has the authority or I resourCes to address all of the specific goals and activities that are nec-<,~""ry to achieve the overall objective of this MOU. Thus, there is a need for a creative and innovative coalition of . tribal government and federal agency resources to address the common overall objective. Further, it is understood that each agency's specific participation under this general MOU must be accomplished in accordance with explicit Congressional authorization and budget for that I agency. If any new authority or modified existing authority is made available to an agency, it is understood that the agency will explore with the others how that new or changed authority might be used to address the general objective. . It is anticipated that the Area Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Minneapolis Area Office, will take the lead and the initiative to work closely and coordinate with the local, regional and I headquarters offices of the respective signatory agencies to develop a more detailed and specific approach pursuant to the general agreements established in this document. n. FINDINGS I A. Scone of Resoective Authorities - All of the federal agencies involved have an interest in the effects federally licensed or federal -. ' regulated projects have on human health, the environment, and safety responsibilities to federally recognized Indian Tribes. While the administrative oversight of trust lands has been assigned to the Secretary of the Interior, all federal agencies are bound individually by the federal fiduciary relationship. U. S. v Eberhardt 789 F .2d 1354, 1363 (9th circuit). - The Prairie Island Dakota Community Council, the governing body of the Prairie Island Dakota . Community, has invoked the trust responsibility of the federal government to protect their health, safety, natural and cultural resources, and property and business interests from hazardous radiation and emissions caused by the operation of the NSP Nuclear Utility Plant, the location - of the high power electrical lines adjacent to the residential area of the reservation, and the storage of spent nuclear fuel in both, water cooled storage pools and in above-ground dry cask storage units. There is also concern about the health and environmental risks imposed by the I railroad, federal navigation channel, flood damages, leaking underground storage tanks, changing air and water quality and other environmental health risks yet to be recOgnized. As a result, each respective agency's area of responsibility summarized in this document in I regards to the health, safety, economic, and environmental interests of the Prairie Island Dakota Community will be coordinated by the Area Director of the Minneapolis Area Office, Bureau I of Indian Affairs, to ensure a complete and comprehensive coverage of the tasks and allocation of resources. . -. -