News Releases for April 2008
April 01, 2008
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Hoeven, Wells Sign Historic MOU
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven and Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Marcus Wells Jr. signed a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday to coordinate access to Lake Sakakawea and promote cooperation on hunting and fishing issues on the Fort Berthold Reservation.
The MOU promotes the use of the central portion of Lake Sakakawea by not requiring users to have multiple licenses. The Tribe will no longer charge an access or conservation fee to any non-Native American for boating or fishing access within the reservation. In return, much like the successful PLOTS program, the State Game and Fish Department will make an annual payment of $25,000 to the Tribe.
The money will be used to offset revenue brought in by the sale of conservation licenses that are currently charged to non-Tribal members crossing tribal lands. These funds may also be used as cost share for tribal boating development projects, which will further increase access points to the lake with no additional fees.
The MOU enables both departments to recognize and honor each other’s licenses, and to coordinate season dates and bag limits for Native Americans and non-Native Americans while hunting on tribal lands within the reservation boundaries.
“Hunting and fishing are an important part of our shared heritage, and this agreement will help us work together to preserve and manage these valuable resources,” Hoeven said. “By entering into this MOU, the Tribe and State will be working together to preserve our hunting and fishing legacy and at the same time make it easier for our residents to enjoy these great natural resources.”
“It is more user friendly,” said Terry Steinwand, North Dakota Game and Fish Department director. “We agree that hunting, fishing and boating are important to the state, and Lake Sakakawea is a prime resource.”
The MOU helps implement SB 2041, passed in 2005 by the State Legislature, which provides for state recognition of Tribal licenses issued to non-Natives who hunt on tribal lands within the reservation boundary, and the possession and transportation of legally taken game.
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