Wetlands
      Delineation
             and
     Management
MBCI IMbal Lands

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        WETLANDS DELINEATION

           AND MANAGEMENT

                 ON

            TRIBAL LANDS
Prepared By:
Approved:    _
          Phillip  Ma^f£iriL" T"ri\jal Chief

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                    MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
                            WETLANDS DELINEATION
                               AND MANAGEMENT

                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                      PAGE
INTRODUCTION	 1
  Applicable Laws	 1
  Wetlands Definition and Delineation Criteria	 2-4

DESCRIPTION OF WETLAND CLASS	 5

USE OF STREAMSIDE MANAGEMENT ZONES	 5-6

DETERMINING SMZ 'S	 6-7

LOGGING/ACCESS ROADS - BMP ' S	 8
   Required Practices for Road Construction	:'	 8-9
   Required Practices for Harvesting Operations	 9-10

ROAD MAINTENANCE	 10

BEAVER TRAPPING ACTIVITIES	 10

FIREWOOD CUTTING	 11

WATER QUALITY MONITORING	 12

RESERVATION SETTING	 12

MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES 	13-14

APPENDIX A - Forest Resource Questionnaire

APPENDIX B - Revised Firewood Permit

APPENDIX C - Community Maps Delineating Wetlands

APPENDIX D - Tribal Resolution

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                                  WETLANDS



INTRODUCTION



     The bottomland hardwood forests, including wetlands, are productive



ecosystems with multiple functions and ecological values for members of the



Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.  These areas provide tribal members



with benefits such as hunting, fishing, cultural/traditional uses (Ex. cane



for baskets, firewood, stickball sticks, etc.).  The protection and



enhancement of this habitat is important for the well-being of the Tribe,



both physically and mentally.  This plan deals with the management of these



sites in order that they may continue to provide for the well-being of the



Tribe.  Over 98% of the Tribe's wetlands occur in the form of bottomland



hardwood forests.  For the purpose of this plan, the protection of these



wetlands will primarily be in the form of timber management and harvesting



activities as well as water quality monitoring.  Even though most



silvicultural activities are exempt from regulation, it is important to the



Tribe that standards and regulation be set forth to protect the wetlands



from forest management activities that may result in site degradation.



1.   Applicable Laws - Wetland delineations performed as part of this



wetland management plan were performed in accordance with federal laws such



as section 404 of the Clean Water Act, The National Historic Preservation



Act, and the Endangered Species Act.  The Tribe intends to comply with the



federal laws that may regulate activities discussed herein.  At this time,



the Tribe has no intention of altering the use of these wetland areas, but



should such intentions surface, the Tribe intends to consult with the U.S.



Army Corps of Engineers and apply for a permit.

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2.    Wetland Definition and Delineation Criteria - For the purpose of this
plan, a "broad brush"  approach was used in delineating wetlands.   The
regulatory definition  used by EPA and the U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers in
administering the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit program was  used to
define wetlands.   It is as follows:
     a.   Those areas  that are inundated or saturated by surface  or ground
     water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that
     under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
     typically adapted for li-fe in saturated soil conditions.  Wetlands
     generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
     b.   Technical Criteria - There are three technical criteria required
     for identification of an area as a wetland.
          (1}  Vegetation.  The prevalent vegetation consists of
               macrophytes that are typically adapted to areas having
               hydrologic and soil conditions described in a above.
               Hydrophytic species, due to morphological, physiological,
               and/or reproductive adaptation(s), have the ability to grow,
               effectively compete, reproduce, and/or persist in  oxygen
               deficient soil conditions.
          (2)  Soil.  Soils are present and have been classified  as hydric,
               or they possess characteristics that are associated with
               aerobic soil conditions.
          (3)  Hydrology.  The area is inundated either permanently or
               periodically at mean water depths 5.6.6 ft, or the  soil is
               saturated to the surface at some time during the growing
               season of the prevalent vegetation.

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     c.    Technical approach for the indentification  and  delineation

     of wetlands.   Evidence of a minimum of one positive  wetland indicator

     from each parameter (hydrology, soil,  and vegetation)  must be found in

     order to make a positive wetland determination.



Methodology used to identify and assess Tribal wetlands included:

     1.   The use of soils maps provided by the Soil  Conservation Service
          and a listing of hydric soils and hydric inclusive soils.

     2.   Using USGS topographic maps of tribal lands.

     3.   Use of spring 1992 infrared aerial photography of tribal lands.

     4.   Use of United States Fish and Wildlife Service wetland inventory
          maps in Bogue Chitto and Bogue Homa communities.

     5.   The combination of this information as well as a local knowledge
          of tribal lands in respect to the wetlands  as defined in page 1
          of this document.

     6.   Review of U.S. Army Corps of Engineer 1987  &  1989 Wetlands
          Delineation Manual.

     7.   Ground truthing of data to insure proper identification

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     Proper management of these sites is essential to provide far reaching
benefits including timber production, wildlife habitat,  recreation,
hydrologic functions {Ex. dissipation of flood waters, filtration and
stream bank protection),  aesthetics and ground water recharge.   Navigable
rivers and streams are traditionally and legally "public domain", therefore
silvicultural practices on lands adjoining waterways directly affecting the
function and quality of such waters are subject to federal law and review.
The Tribe, in being treated for EPA purposes as a state, intends to set
forth guidelines in this plan to protect the bottomland hardwood forests,
including wetlands, that occur on reservation lands.  This will be done
with the application of multiple use management through the proper use of
Best Management Practices (BMP's) in these forest types.(See Literature
Cited)  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is assigned
responsibility for the administration of all Federal Acts dealing with
water quality.  EPA maintains that the best way to control non-point source
pollution is to minimize sediment production by use of certain
silvicultural management techniques  that prevent the generation  of erosion
at'its source.  These preventative practices are incorporated into the
BMP's intended for use on Tribal forest land.
     EPA has assigned administrative responsibility through a wetlands
grant to the Tribe, giving them  the  task of developing  a plan to accomplish
mandates of Section 404  of the Clean Water Act.

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DESCRIPTION OF WETLAND CLASS



     The forested bottomland and wetland types for reservation lands have



been categorized into one major class: river/branch bottoms.



River/Branch Bottoms - These sites are usually located in the floodplain of



major rivers.  Sloughs and oxbow swamps are interspersed in the floodplain.



The plant species diversity of the floodplain develop in response to small



relative changes in topography and soils.  These changes generally




correspond to the contours of the main stream channel.



Mature forest trees found in the depression of sloughs and oxbows include



cypress, water tupelo and ash.  The higher terraces and ridges of this



system will also support water oak, cherrybark oak, red maple and sweetgum



with occasional pine  (loblolly or spruce).



USE OF STREAHSIDE MANAGEMENT ZONES(SHZ'S)



     The primary goal of the SMZ is to protect the integrity of the stream



channel.  Disturbance to the channel  can affect both  flow rate and



direction, causing alteration of flow patterns, channel scour and erosion



and flooding.  Most of the areas on tribal lands defined as SMZ's are



classified as forested wetlands.



     The SMZ provides valuable protection thru filtration of sediments,



maintaining water temperature, & sunlight regulation.  The benefits of  a



vegetative cover along the water courses are  necessary to prevent



sedimentation, maintain  proper water  temperatures  and degree of shading for




water quality, plus benefit aquatic plant and animal  life.



     On the Mississippi  Band of Choctaw Indians reservation, the majority



of  timberlands adjacent  to water courses are  comprised of hardwoods.  These



areas generally provide  good wildlife habitat.  Many  hardwood  species



provide  large quantities of hard and  soft mast and may additionally offer



cavities and nesting  sites for both game and  non-game wildlife.  These



SMZ's often  link forested  stands  together, providing  protected corridors

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for animal movement,  and diversity for habitat development.   It is
recommended that these  SMZ's follow the natural terrain  along the  branch
bottoms.  Only the pine will be harvested in these areas when the  adjacent
stand on the higher elevations is scheduled to be harvested.   After that
time, the SMZ will be managed through selective harvests.   Directional
felling or winching with cables away from streambanks is the  preferred
method of Harvest.
DETERMINING SMZ'S
     Intermittent streams, recognized as having seasonal flow,  may include
many small drains.  Often, the stream channel is not readily recognizable.
But by noting vegetative changes, seasonal hydric conditions, and  incised
streambanks, an operator properly instructed can identify these sensitive
areas.  Care must be exercised when working around forested wetlands and
the necessary time should be allotted to scout, locate and identify
drainages where appropriate.
     Care must also be taken not to overlook these minor drains.  Excessive
disturbance may result in increased flooding, water quality deterioration,
and possibly a loss in site productivity caused by rutting and soil
compaction.
     Perennial streams are defined as flowing throughout the year except
during  extremely  dry periods.  These watercourses have a more clearly
defined channel than intermittent streams  and should be quite obvious to
the  land  manager.
     For  water quality/erosion control purposes Streamside Management Zones
 (SMZs)  should be  maintained on all  streams (perennial and intermittent).
Streams which have an  average bank-to-bank width of 30 feet  or more call
 for  a  selective cut area  extending  out 75  feet on each side  of  the water
channel.   This  selective  cut will  leave  at least half of the canopy cover
consisting of a diversity of  size  classes  and  species composition.  Streams

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having less than an average bank-to-bank width of 30 feet call for a 35

foot selective cut zone.  Mechanical and aerial site preparation will be

excluded from all SHZ areas.

     Larger streams would generally require some form of bridge for

crossing.  The latter may, under certain conditions, be crossed with

culverts, bridges or hard surfaced crossings.

     All lakes and ponds greater than ten (10) acres in surface area will

be considered in the same class as perennial streams having less than a 30'

channel from bank-to-bank and the same guidelines followed.

     The following guidelines will be included on all land areas requiring

an SMZ:

     1.   If selective cutting is done at least half, or a minimum of 70
          sq. ft. of basal area, will be left.  The residual stand should
          consist of a hardwood species composition which is similar to
          that removed.  Consideration should also be given to leaving
          trees of various heights.

     2.   Site disturbance will be kept to a minimum by concentrating skid
          trails outside SMZs.  Cabling and winching will be used to remove
          harvested timber within the SMZs.   If conditions exist where
          erosion is anticipated, take steps to stabilize these areas.

     3.   Mechanical site preparation will remain outside of the SMZ.
          Logging decks and staging areas will also remain outside of this
          area.   Roads will be restricted to only those absolutely
          necessary for stream crossing.

     4.   Stream crossings will be avoided whenever possible and especially
          where crossings are a potential source of sedimentation.  Skid
          trails will be routed to avoid stream channels.  When crossings
          are necessary they will be made at right angles to the stream and
          will be stabilized as soon as possible.  All logging debris must
          be removed from the stream channel to allow unrestricted water
          flow.

     5.   Hard surface crossings or fords can be used effectively, and any
          approved substrate may be used (i.e., rock, brick, concrete or
          logs).   The crossing must not impede water flow and should be
          removed following harvest.

     6.   The broadcast application of pesticides or fertilizers is not a
          recommended practice within any SMZ.  If a herbicide is desired,
          an application should be by either injection or direct
          application and only with approved and labeled herbicides.

     7.   Logging operations should be conducted during seasonally dry
          periods of the year.

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LOGGING/ACCESS ROADS - BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

     Roads represent an essential element in the management scheme for

large forested areas.  Roads are needed to facilitate the use of heavy

equipment necessary in many forest management operations.  Most of all,

they are needed for the removal of timber from the site, for fire

protection and for use by Tribal members. (Ex. firewood cutting,

recreation, ;etc. )

     Roads have the potential to adversely affect water resources on any

given site.  In forested wetlands, the nature of the site's hydrology

lowers the risk of erosion/sediment problems  originating from a wetland

site {but does not eliminate such risk).  However, the hydrologic

conditions increase the risk of other problems, such as the diversion or

restriction of natural flow patterns.

     As with upland silvicultural activities, roads must be constructed

with considerable emphasis on building access systems which will not cause

long term on-site or off-site damage.  Particular care must be exercised in

avoiding permanent changes in water levels and drainage patterns.

Required Practices for Road Construction

     1.    Where possible, avoid crossing streams, sloughs and other
          watercourses.  Each time a crossing is made there are risks of
          undersizing bridges or culverts, improperly designing or
          constructing the crossing and creating sediment production
          problems.

     2.    Utilize temporary roads in forested wetlands.  Do not attempt to
          construct permanent roads in forested wetlands except to:

          (a)  Serve large and frequently used areas
          (b)  Serve as approaches to a watercourse crossing
          (c)  Serve as access for fire protection

          If properly planned and constructed, temporary roads will have
          less effect on the hydrology of forested wetlands than permanent
          roads.

     3.    Construct fill roads in forested wetlands only when alternative
          access routes do not exist.  This is especially important in
          wetlands with flowing water systems.  Fill roads always have the
          potential to restrict natural flow patterns.  Road constructed at
          natural ground level provide less potential to restrict flowing
          water.

                                     8

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     4.   Restrict  the  road  network  to  that which  is  essential  for  Tribal
          use.  In  general,  roads  and skid trails  should be held  to a
          minimum on  sites with  a  dominance of'organic  soils, whether
          logged in dry or wet weather  conditions,  to limit potential  soil
          damage.

     5.   Fill  roads  shall not restrict the flow patterns  or volumes of
          water movement through forested wetlands.   Culverts,  bridges,
          fords and other appropriate structures must be installed  to
          convey water  through fill  roads to provide  for flood  control,
          erdsion control and to prevent potential  damage  to site
          productivity.  Care must be taken to accommodate water  volumes
          which normally occur during the wet season.

     6.   No  fill roads will be  constructed in a flowing wetland  system
          within 500  feet of the main channel; exceptions  may occur when
          the road  is built  as an  approach to a permanent  watercourse
          crossing  or when construction is temporary  and is following  a
          natural levee system,  or when construction  is designed  to
          minimize  effects on drainage, or to regulate drainage (Ex. water
          fowl  areas, fisheries).

     7.   Where natural stabilization will not occur  quickly, fill material
          must  be appropriately  stabilized with grass or other  material.
          Sideslopes must be sufficient to allow stabilization  to occur.

          Fill  approaches in the immediate vicinity  (within 35')  of a
          watercourse crossing should be stabilized during construction.

     8.   Design,  construct and  maintain roads so  as  to keep vegetative
          disturbance to a minimum.

     9.   Construct and maintain temporary road crossings  so as not to
          disrupt migration or movement of aquatic life or jeopardize
          endangered or threatened species within  the wetland.  This
          includes any modification or  destruction of critical  aquatic or
          wildlife habitat.

     10.  All fill material used for road crossings or elevation  shall be
          material taken from upland sources where feasible.

     11.  All temporary road fills shall be removed and the area  restored
          to its original elevation upon abandonment or completion of
          harvesting operations.

Required Practices For Harvesting  Operations

     1.   Avoid felling trees into stream channels.  If trees are felled
          into  a stream, remove  all material to avoid potential
          interference with normal drainage.

     2.   Limb,  top, jump butt,   and merchandise at the stump when possible
          rather than on the log deck.  Such activities on the  log deck
          cause  increased degradation which may affect regeneration.

     3.   Repair skidding damage as much as practical, but especially in
          the drainage system.

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     4.   Cross drain temporary roads where necessary to assure natural
          flow of water in the drainage pattern.

     5.   When practical, pile and burn debris on log decks and loading
          decks.   Consider stabilizing decks with grasses beneficial to
          wildlife.

     6.   Keep litter from equipment maintenance and repair (containers,
          filters, tires, cables, etc.) out of streams.

     7.   Preferably, haul litter to designated dumping areas.  Dispose of
          used oil in proper containers and remove from the site.


ROAD MAINTENANCE

     It will be necessary to close roads to all vehicle traffic during the

wet weather to protect the integrity of the roadbed which will help keep

maintenance costs down and insure the roads remain available for future

use.  This will be from the month of December thru February.  This closure

will also aid in managing the firewood harvest from reservation lands as

well as assist the Tribe in meeting their wildlife management objectives.

Roads will be posted to notify individuals of such closures.

BEAVER TRAPPING ACTIVITIES

     The Tribe's wetland resource is overpopulated with beaver along the

floodplain of the Pearl River (Pearl River Community) and the Owl Creek

watershed (Bogue Chitto Community).   Trapping is necessary to maintain a

he'althy beaver population in addition to protecting the hardwood timber

occurring in these areas.  The trapping policy is one of containment in the

major bottoms.  Beaver populations are also high on adjoining private lands

so this policy allows for an annual harvest for the Tribe.

     Beaver populations that occur on small upland creeks are targeted for

elimination.  This prevents the spread of these animals into areas that the

Tribe may desire to develop in the future (Ex. recreational, residential

uses).   It also prevents damage to valuable timber due to flooding.
                                     10

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FIREWOOD CUTTING
     Firewood cutting plays a very important role to Tribal members.
According to a Forest Resource Survey Questionnaire taken in the
formulation of the Multi-Resource Management Plan, firewood was the second
most important issue  facing the Tribe over the next ten (10) years next to
wildlife management.  Approximately 51% of the respondents stated that they
use the forest for firewood cutting.(See Appendix A)  Recent firewood
cutting practices have left bottomland hardwood stands in a "high graded"
condition.  This has been the case because the amount of firewood that is
conveniently located is in short supply.  The pressure applied by firewood
cutting on the Tribes bottomland hardwood forest necessitates a
restructuring of the present firewood permit.  This revised permit and its
procedures are exhibited in Appendix B.  All firewood will be marked prior
to removal within the wetlands area.   Firewood cutting permits will be
required of all Tribal members desiring to harvest firewood from Tribal
Lands.   A map zoning the firewood areas is listed in Appendix B.  No
harvesting of firewood is permitted in Administrative Industrial or
Recreational Zones unless otherwise designated by the Tribal Council.  In
the event of such a case, these trees will need to be marked prior to
harvesting.  Penalty rates will apply for non-compliance with the firewood
permit.  These penalties are listed on the firewood permit.  Failure to
obtain a firewood permit will be considered as a trespass and treated as a
class C offense and subject to same penalties.
     Access will need to be controlled in some areas by road closures to
assist with the enforcement of the firewood permits.  This work will be
conducted by the Tribal Wildlife & Parks program.
                                     11

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WATER QUALITY MONITORING

     The Tribe intends to monitor the water quality of the permanent

streams on rese-rvation lands.  The funding for this work is anticipated to

come from the Clean Water Act Section 106 funds from the EPA.   Monitoring

will be increased during periods of harvesting activity in the wetlands to

insure that the present water quality can be maintained or improved.

RESERVATION SETTING

     The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians reservation is comprised

primarily of eight individual communities located in east central

Mississippi. (See map Appendix C).  In 1992 the reservation trust land was

listed as 20,670.60 acres.  Land ownership within these communities is

"checkerboarded" with non-Indian lands.  The Tribe hopes to acquire

additional lands as they become available in an effort to consolidate the

land ownership pattern so as to facilitate access and management

capabilities.

     The reservation land ownership is as follows:


        Community

      Bogue Chitto
      Bogue Homa
      Conehatta
      Pearl River
      Redwater
      Standing Pine
      Tucker
      Crystal Ridge
      Attala County
      Jackson County
      Other            	
            TOTAL      20,934.60      560.12      21,270.72      5038


     The Tribal resolution  (CHO-103-93)  approving this documents is
provided in Appendix D of this document.
Trust
Acres
1992.89
350.00
3370.71
11627.96
1338.40
945. 11
1045.53
184.00
40.00
40.00
0.00
Acres not
in Trust
20.51
-0-
16.27
428.04
18.77
29.74
6.47



40.32
Total
Acres
2013.40
350.00
3386.98
12056.00
1357. 17
974.85
1052.00


40.00
40.32
Wetland
Acres
447
112
298
3583
299
58
164
53
4
17
0
                                      12

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                          MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES

     It is the intent of this portion of this document to provide a variety
of management options available to the tribe.  Through these options or
alternatives a direction will be set forth on which to focus the tribal
wetland management priorities.  The tribe is not limited to the
alternatives proposed herein, and may chose to develope additional ones or
modify those discussed.  It is through the evaluation of differing
management activities that informed decisions may be made by the tribal
government.
     Based on present uses of the wetlands by tribal members it was
determined that 3 major themes be developed  for management alternatives.
These themes are: firewood use, recreational use and economics.
Description of Management Alternatives
     1.   Firewood - The management for firewood production and consumption
     by tribal members would  be the priority alternative.  Other
     alternatives would be considered but the emphasis would be for
     firewood usage by the Tribe with a minor emphasis for recreation and
     economics.  Red oak would be the preferred  species.
     2.   Recreation - Activities such as hunting,  fishing, aesthetics  and
     traditional values would be emphasized  in  this  alternative.   It places
     an importance upon the  need to protect  traditional and cultural use  of
     the  Choctaw land  and  resources.  A minor emphasis would be placed  on
     firewood and economics.
     3.   Economics  -  Emphasis  of this  alternative  is  to  achieve maximum
     production  of high quality sawlogs within  the  wetland  areas.   A minor
     emphasis would  be  placed on  firewood and recreation.
                                      13

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     It was agreed by the Tribal Council that no one alternative should be
     the only management strategy but that all three should be integrated
     for the wise use of the resource.  The priorities were then placed in
     order of Importance to the Tribe.  This order is as follows:
     economics, firewood and recreation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
     Economics was to be the primary objective in wetlands management with
firewood to be a major consideration in the hardwood management.  Red oak
will be encouraged through the tree selection or shelterwood system of
harvesting depending upon the species composition and stand age.  The
"Hardwoods Management Handbook" published by the Mississippi Forestry
Commission (September, 1985) will be used as a guide to determine
nanagement strategies.  Stands will be managed for the production of high
quality sawlogs with firewood being harvested in the form of intermediate
thinning.  The planting of red oak will be necessary in areas where a
sufficient seed source does not exist.  Forest management activities will
be conducted in such a way as to minimize the negative visual impact that
is sometimes associated with such work.  This will be accomplished by the
use of SMZ's especially in higher use recreational areas.  Harvesting
activities will be conducted in a checkerboard fashion to produce the
optimum amount of "edge effect".  This will allow for a greater diversity
of food and shelter available to local wildlife populations.
     The traditional use of certain species such as swamp cane, hickory,
etc. will be protected and encouraged where it occurs with the wetlands.
                                      14

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Literature Cited:



"Mississippi's Best Management Practices Handbook",  Mississippi  Forestry



Association, 1989.



"Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Mississippi,"  Mississippi



Forestry Association, December 1989.



"Mississippi's Best Management Practices for Wetlands,"  Mississippi



Forestry Association, January 1991.



"U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers Experimental Laboratory Wetlands Delineation



Manual," Technical Report Y-87-1,  January 1987.



"Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands,"



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Army Environmental



Protection Agency,  Soil Conservation Service, January 1989.



"Multi-Resource Management plan," Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians,



October 1989.
                                     15

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APPENDIX A

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                             APPENDIX A

                               "RESULTS"

                  MISSISSIPPI  BAND  OF CHOCTAW  INDIANS
                    OFFICE OF  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
                          DIVISION OF FORESTRY

                     FOREST RESOURCE QUESTIONNAIRE


1.) What should be considered  as most important  in  forest management?
     Rate the following,  1 as  most  important,  2  as  less  important,
     etc.

       9% Income  (Tmber Value)   4%   Traditional/Cultural/Spiritual
      13% Employment of Tribal  17%   Wildlife       11% Housing
          Members
      15% Recreation             4%   Water  Quality   8% Beauty
          Roads (construction   10%   Timber         4% Multiple  use
          and maintenance)             Production
2.) What are the most important issues  facing  the Tribe  in  regards  to
    their forest resource in the next ten  years?

      15% Wildlife         6% Logging Control      10%  Housing
    	ZZ. Management          Quantity/Quality         Location
    	6%. Fire Control     3% Herbicide  Use       10%  Reforestation
      13% Firewoood        7% Insects/Disease       6%  Thinning
      8% Logging          9% Trespass              0%  Other
         Access Road                                  (Please List)
3.) Should the Tribe implement a road closure program on an area
    basis to limit access into specific  tribal  lands? 43%_Yes  57% NO
    What tribal lands do you think should  be closed?


4.) Do you feel there has been too much  or too  little timber
    harvesting?

         Too Much    28%  Too Little  53% About  Right
5.) Should the forest be managed to provide for present and future
    recreation development?     942 Yes       6%   No
                                  A-i

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 6.) Because of  insect  and disease  problems/  as  well  as  a  need to make
     some of the timber stands grow better,  small  clearcuts  are being
     considered.   How do you  feel?

                    77%   For Clearcut      23% Against Clearcut


 7.) Does 'the  forest transportation system (roads  and trails)  serve
     the access  needs of all  forest users  while  protecting the
     environment?         61%   Yes           39%  No


 8.) Are there Choctaw  traditional  resources  that  need identification
     and protection?          37% Yes            63%   No

     If yes, What?


 9.) Do you live on the reservation?      83% Yes         17Z  No

     If yes, which community  	


10.) How often do you use your forest  resource

     A.     23%   often         *2% Occasionally       35%  Seldom

     B.  What  type use/uses are they?

         Wildlife, hunting, and fishing	 27%
         Camp-out	  8%
         Nature  walks	 14%
         Firewood	 51%

11.) Do you have any other comments and/or questions  about forest
      activities?

     LISTING ATTACHED

NOTE: Anyone wanting to discuss forest  issues or concerns should
      contact:
               Joe Gardinski
               Office of Economic Development
               Division of Forestry
               Route 7  Box 21
               Philadelphia, MS.  39350
               Phone: 601/656-5251
                                   A-2

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APPENDIX B

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                    MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
                      OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
                           DIVISION OF FORESTRY

                           TIMBER CUTTING PERMIT
                              FOR USE BY THE
                    MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS

                           FIREWOOD PERMIT ONLY

[   ]  Indian     [  ] Non-Indian                     Permit #: FP-      /93

Date: 	               Community:	

Permission is hereby granted to 	 whose address

is 	 to cut and remove in

accordance with the regulations on the reverse  side of this permit, on or

before OCTOBER 1, 1993, from the following Tribal lands: 	



     Areas will be designated for the cutting of firewood by the  Division

of Forestry.

     Timber of kind and quantity is as follows!  Four (4) cords of

hardwood firewood (for personal use).

     This permit is issued in accordance with the corporate charter of the

Tribal Council of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

                                              Phillip Martin, Tribal Chief

I ACCEPT THIS PERMIT AND AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS AND
WITH THE REGULATIONS ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS PERMIT.

RECOMMENDED:
FORESTER                                   PERMITTEE


APPROVING OFFICER:
SUPERINTENDENT, CHOCTAW AGENCY

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                        MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INUlflfO                              *u * .LUIIS.I.A u
                           WOOD CUTTING PERMIT PROCEDURES

This permit is issued under the fallowing regulations:

1.  The word "Forestry Director" signifies the Mississippi Band of Choctau
Indians, or other authorized representative, within the Jurisdiction of which the
land covered by this permit is included.

2.  "Approving Officer" means the officer approving the permit or his authorized
representative.

3.  The term "Officer In Charge", wherever used in these regulations, signifies the
forest officer of highest rank assigned to the supervision of timber work on the
reservation within which the sale area Is situated, or such other officer as may be
designated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, to supervise a sale.

4.  The tribal Division of Forestry will designate areas and/or trees to be cut.
Trees not designated to be cut that are felled anyway are subject to double
stumpage payments and/or the revoking of this permit.

5.  if the permitting damages any pine seedlings, roads, bridges, culverts.
ditches, fences, or other improvements in the permit area, or used as access to the
permit area, he/she will repair them or pay for damage as assessed by the Forestry
Director, or his authorized representative.

6.  Stumps shall be cut as low as practicable to avoid waste.  The mean height of
any stump shall not exceed one-half its diameter, except that where this height is
considered to be impracticable, higher stumps may be authorized by the Officer In
Charge.

7.  Maste in high stumps, butts, tops, breaks, skids, and partially sound logs and
all trees which are left felled or logged or badly damaged by the logging
operations will be sealed for their merchantable contents and charged against the
permittee.

8.  Carelessness on the part of fellers or other employees of the permittee that
results in unnecessary breaking of trees will be penalized by scaling such trees
full as If they had not been broken.

9.  All slash and debris caused by harvesting of products will be kept out of. or
removed from, streams and roadways.

10. Permits are subject to cancellation because of road conditions or fire danger
as determined by the Forestry Director.

11. The permit area will be kept clear of all litter and garbage.  Access roads
within the permit area will be kept open at all times.

12. During the permit period. It Is agreed that the permittee will assist, without
pay. the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians In suppressing fires on or threatening
the area covered by this permit.  It is also agreed that the permittee will assist
the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in suppressing other fires en or
threatening the reservation at a rate of pay established for the reservation.

13. A  bond may or may not be required as determined by the Approving Officer.

14. The permittee will comply with all other laws and regulations governing this
Indian reservation.  The holder of any permit must have the permit In his/her
possession at all times when cutting or hauling permit materials.  Permits are non-
transferable.

15. The permittee Is held responsible for the actions of his crew and is liable
for any damages that may result.

16. Once a permit has been revoked, that individual will not be eligible to work
on reservation lands under another individuals permit until such time that the
penalties have been satisfied.

NOTE:  A COPY OF A RESOLUTION OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL 6IVIN6 ASSENT TO THE SALE OF
TIMBER COVERED BY THIS PERMIT AND AUTHORIZING ONE OR MORE OFFICIALS TO SI6N THE
PERMIT. SAID RESOLUTION TO 8E CERTIFIED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND THE SECRETARY OF THE
TRIBAL COUNCIL UNDER CORPORATE SEAL AS A TRUE AND CORRECT TRANSCRIPT OF THE
ORIGINAL RESOLUTION. MUST BE ON FILE WITH THE APPROVING OFFICER.  THE RESOLUTION
MUST AUTHORIZE THE RESOURCE MANAGER TO COLLECT STUHPAGE FEES AND DEPOSIT THEM IN
THE APPROPRIATE TREASURY ACCOUNT AFTER DEDUCTING A PERCENTAGE OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS
FOR TIMBER SALE ADMINISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE UITH THE GENERAL FOREST REGULATIONS.

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APPENDIX B

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APPENDIX A

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APPENDIX C

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\       \  ^v  ^    \
  ij BOGUE CHITTO INDIAN COMMUNITY
   |_l	1—I   Reservation boundary
           Streams

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f I    BOGUE HOMA INDIAN COMMUNITY




                   LEGEND
                                    Streams



                                    Wetlands
Reservation Boundary




Roads

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CONFHATTA  INDIAN COMMUNITY




            LEGEND
   Reservation Boundary
Streams



Wetlands

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                                             w
                                           J
PPARL RIVER  INDIAN COMMUNITY


            LEGEND


                              Streams
I   >   '  1 Reservation Boundary
          Roads   „
             o   ''
                              Wetlands

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X  RHDWATER INDIAN COMMUNITY
              LEGEND
       Reservation Boundary

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I
STANDING  PINF INDIAN COMMUNITY
              LEGEND
        Reservation Boundary

        Roads

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•J

  TUCKFK  INDIAN COMMUNITY




           LEGEND




Reservation Boundary




'Roads
          Streams




          Wetlands

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*
t
CRYSTAL RIDGE INDIAN COMMUNITY



              LEGEND




     Reservation Boundary    ——•— Streams




     Roads                        I Wetlands

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         ATTALA COUNTY

              LEGEND

Reservation Boundary

Roads
         'A       ;/u      *
Streams

Wetlands

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    MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
DWNER:
tAvWv*Sv.ppv
                                    ACRES:
XDDRESS:  RV . H   Boy
                     PVu
.OCATION: SEC.
        T. 75
                      R.
.^35-Q SCALE:



	 DATE:
                                               *—h
:OUNTY:   3ficV>^oAJ
                       SCALE 9 = 1 Ml.

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APPENDIX D

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                   MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW.INDIANS

                                     RESOLUTION CHO 103-93


 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A WETLANDS DELINEATION AND MANAGEMENT
WHEREAS it is necessary to preserve and protect the environment of reservation lands in order
to assure the quality of life of reservation residents, including that portion of the environment
*Akh can be categorized as wetlands, which constitute a significant percentage of tribal lands,
and

WHEREAS, the tribal Natural  Resources staff has drafted  a Wetlands Delineation  and
Management Plan which conforms to the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency
and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and

WHEREAS, this Resolution was reviewed and approved by the Committee on Community
Development of the Tribal Council, now therefore be it

RESOLVED,  that the Tribal Council does hereby adopt the Wetlands Delineation  and
Management Plan attached hereto, and made a part of this Resolution.

                                CERTIFICATION

I, the undersigned, as Secretary-Treasurer of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, certify
that the Tribal Council of said Band is composed of 16 members, of whom IS, constituting a
quorum, were present at a special meeting thereof, duly called, noticed, convened, and held this
25th day of March, 1993; and that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by a vote of 14
members in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstaining.

Dated this 25th day of March, 1993.

ATTEST:
                                         uecretary-

RECOMMENDED:
superintendent, Choctaw Agency            Date

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