How are tribal lands regulated?
Tribal lands in Washington are regulated by the Washington state government and the affected tribal governments. The state government and tribes have entered into a variety of agreements to ensure that tribal lands are properly managed, protected, and developed. The most common of these agreements are treaties and contracts. Treaties are formal documents that spell out the terms of agreements between a tribe and the state or federal government. They are legally binding on all parties and provide a framework of rules and regulations that must be followed. Contracts are agreements between the tribal government and private or public entities, setting forth the conditions of a particular resource or activity. The state of Washington also regulates development on tribal lands through a variety of laws and regulations. For example, Washington requires that any water rights or land acquisitions be reviewed and approved by the state Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, the state requires that certain construction projects be reviewed and approved by local governments and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Finally, Washington also regulates the natural resources within tribal lands. For example, state and federal laws regulate hunting, fishing, forestry, and mineral extraction on tribal lands. Additionally, tribes have their own regulations regarding the harvesting and use of natural resources.
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