Tribal Consultations

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TRIBAL CONSULTATION

Tribal Transportation Consultation in Nevada

Nevada’s sovereign tribes are important stakeholders in the continued development of the state’s transportation system as tribal members use the system to access services. Effective consultation and coordination with American Indian tribes is an important aspect for consideration when accommodating for the needs of travelers in all planning, programming, design, construction, operations, and maintenance activities on the state highway system. This website provides a single source for tribal transportation resources.

Vision Statement

NDOT provides for the needs of travelers of all ages and abilities in all planning, programming, design, construction, operations, and maintenance activities on the state highway system. NDOT views each transportation improvement project as an opportunity to improve safety, access, and mobility for all road users in Nevada and recognizes sovereign tribes within the state are important stakeholders in the continued development of the state’s transportation system as tribal members use the state’s transportation system to access services.

Tribal Liaison

An NDOT Tribal Liaison is available to assist NDOT staff with consultation and coordination efforts with Indian tribes. The NDOT Tribal Liaison’s roles include:

▪ Assist the NDOT Director ensuring the implementation of the NDOT Tribal Best Practices and Recommendations

▪ Serve as a contact person who shall maintain ongoing communication between NDOT and affected Indian tribes.

▪ Ensure that training is provided to NDOT staff pursuant to NRS 233A.270(2)

▪ NDOT’s tribal liaison shall notify the NDOT Director of any issues associated with NDOT policies, agreements, or programs that affect an Indian tribe. The NDOT Director, or their designee, and the tribal liaison must follow the NDOT Tribal Best Practices and Recommendations to attempt a resolution to the issue in collaboration with the Indian tribe.

NDOT Tribal Liaison Contact Information

Zachary Shaw
NDOT Multimodal Program Development Department Tribal Liaison
tribal.liaison@dot.nv.gov
775-888-7121

Guinevere Hobdy
NDOT Multimodal Program Development Assistant Chief and Department Tribal Liaison
tribal.liaison@dot.nv.gov
775-888-7219

TRIBAL BEST PRACTICES OVERVIEW

The purpose of developing the NDOT Tribal Best Practices and Recommendations (Tribal Best Practices) is to ensure that NDOT meets the requirements set forth by State Law requiring state agencies to make an effort to collaborate with the tribes. The development and implementation of policies, agreements, and programs of NDOT directly impact the State of Nevada's 21 federally recognized tribes made up of five major indigenous groups; the Northern Paiute (Numu), the Shoshone (Newe), the Southern Paiute (Nuwuvi), the Washoe (Wa She Shu), and the Mojave (Pipa Aha Macav) and 2 communities as depicted in the map below. 5 Tribal Map w.Names

Background on Best Practices

NDOT developed the NDOT Tribal Best Practices and Recommendations (Tribal Best Practices) with input from NDOT staff, the Nevada American Indian Commission, various tribes within the state, and Arizona Department of Transportation and New Mexico Department of Transportation tribal liaisons. NDOT staff should follow the Tribal Best Practices documents recommendations when consulting and coordinating with American Indian tribes to ensure trust and strong relationships continue to be built between NDOT and the tribes.

▪ Link to NDOT Tribal Best Practices and Recommendations

Nevada Indian Tribes

State History and Demographics

Nevada’s American Indian Territory consists of the five Great Basin tribes: Washoe, Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute, Western Shoshone, and Mojave. Nevada is home to 21 sovereign, federally recognized tribes, comprising 28 separate colonies and community councils. The tribal land base covers more than 1.16 million acres and is home to more than 32,000 tribal members.

▪ Link to Tribal Contact Information

Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO)

Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) are developed and administered by tribes under their sovereign authority. TERO require that all covered employers, who are engaged in operating a business or performing work on or near a reservation create opportunities and give preference to qualified Indians in all aspects of employment including contracting and other business activities. Note that TERO and taxation requirements are different for each Indian tribe.

NDOT divisions, specifically, Scoping and Design should be responsible for ensuring that TERO and taxation is met, if required, and ensure that documentation is provided in the published bid. All contractors are required to reach out to the tribes during the bidding process. Pre-bid and pre-construction meetings should include the appropriate tribes.

Please contact NDOT’s Tribal Liaison to obtain the appropriate TERO and taxation information for use in contract documents.

Grant Resources

Available grant opportunities from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are provided here. These grants are expected to be released each year during the five-year period the IIJA is in effect, beginning in 2022.

Additional information about each of the grant opportunities can be found at Grants (US Department of Transportation) and FTA Program Fact Sheets Under The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (FTA). You can also sign up to receive notifications when Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) are released for each grant at Grants.gov.

Federal Grant Support Checklist

If your agency is interested in applying for a discretionary federal funding opportunity and needs to do one or more of the following, then please fill out NDOT’s Federal Grant Support Checklist and submit it to Matthew Bradley at mjbradley@dot.nv.gov.

1. Earmarks: Request a signed Letter of Support from NDOT,

2. Grant: Request a signed Letter of Support from NDOT,

3. Grant: Request the Department be a Project Funding Partner, or

4. Grant: Request the Department act as the Lead Applicant.

This form should be submitted at least three weeks in advance of the grant application deadline to allow NDOT adequate time to respond.

NDOT Tribal Transportation Consultation Training

NDOT has developed a tribal training course to be completed by NDOT staff and contractors that work on tribal land. The rest of the training summary to be provided once training is finalized.

For more information on the tribal training and to sign up, please contact determine who will be the contact for training.