®) mj Sponsored by the National CPA-Tribal Science Council and hosted by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

iiU'lUfJatioTral Tnirai "Science Forum

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Traverse Clt# Michigan

THEME: Mother Earth: Indigenous Knowledge	v

and Science to Promote Positive Change





Title of Priority: Habitat Loss

Summary of the Priority and Tribal Request:

Habitat loss occurs when an ecosystem experiences a change in its structural makeup (either
flora and/or fauna) due to an outside influence. Habitat loss can be particularly detrimental to
tribal communities pursuing traditional lifeways (e.g., gathering practices, traditional activities).
Many tribes depend on specific species of plants, animals and/or land areas to support their
cultural practices. Without these specific resources, they are unable to continue these practices.
Substituting other resources is often not an opti on. Resulting loss of habitat can have other
detrimental environmental and/or health impacts.

The tribes request the TSC conduct educational and outreach efforts on this topic to enhance the
scientific capacity of tribes in the areas of resource management, monitoring, data assessment
and development of adaptive management plans and environmental standards to protect species
and priority habitats.

Objective/Purpose of the Response:

The goal of the USEPA, tribes and land management groups and agencies is to maintain and
restore the goods and services of stream and wetland riparian areas. To address the aquatic
impacts from environmental stressors, it is important to understand the interconnectivity within
an ecosystem and recognize the fundamental changes to the water cycle, water quality, aquatic
and terrestrial ecology and stream form and function. The objective is to have the TSC provide
information and technology exchange in the form of trainings in ecosystem proper functioning
condition, water quality, aquatic organisms and physical habitat monitoring, data assessment,
adaptive management planning and development of environmental standards to establish a
sustainable management strategy for the protection of species of interest and essential habitats

Summary of EPA Response to Tribal Request:

The comparability and maintenance of wildlife, tribal lifeways resources and aquatic habitat
depends upon the development of a riparian area management strategy, which considers and
adapts to certain basic ecological and economic relationships. These relationships are functions
of riparian and terrestrial ecosystems, growth and reproduction of woody and herbaceous plant
communities within the reach and watershed, consideration of the dependency of aquatic and
terrestrial wildlife (i.e., fish, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles) on riparian areas,
hydrologic and geomorphic conditions and processes, soils, sediment, water quality and quantity,
recovery rates, upland conditions, recreation and domestic uses.

Suggested Next Steps:

Develop a national tribal training based on the National Riparian Service Team (NRST) Proper
Function Condition (PFC) protocol to further understanding of ecological functionality and
management of stream and wetland riparian areas.

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