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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

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Tribal Policy Statement

On January 9, 2017, the NRC published its Tribal Policy Statement to set forth principles to promote effective government-to-government interactions with federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and to encourage and facilitate Tribal involvement in the areas that the NRC has jurisdiction (82 FR 2402). The policy was developed in response to issuance of Staff Requirements Memoranda–COMWDM–12–0001, “Tribal Consultation Policy Statement and Protocol” where the Commission directed the staff to provide a “proposed policy statement and protocol on consultation with Native American Tribal governments.”

The policy statement seeks to provide agencywide principles to achieve consistency but also encourage custom-tailored approaches to consultation and coordination that reflect the circumstances of each situation and the preference of each Tribal government. It is the NRC’s expectation that all program and regional office consultation and coordination practices will be consistent with or adhere to the NRC Tribal Policy Statement.

The Tribal Policy Statement principles are as follows:

  1. The NRC Recognizes the Federal Trust Relationship With and Will Uphold its Trust Responsibility to Indian Tribes.
  2. The NRC Recognizes and Is Committed to a Government-to-Government Relationship with Indian Tribes.
  3. The NRC Will Conduct Outreach to Indian Tribes.
  4. The NRC Will Engage in Timely Consultation.
  5. The NRC Will Coordinate with Other Federal Agencies.
  6. The NRC Will Encourage Participation by State-Recognized Tribes.
NRC Tribal Policy Statement – Definitions found at 82 FR 2402.

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NRC welcomes questions, feedback, and concerns to the NRC Tribal Relations Team.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, June 4, 2025