#USA #Washington #EU Regulations #Intertribal Timber Council #Indigenous Forestry

Intertribal Timber Council Responds to EU Regulation Review

The Intertribal Timber Council (ITC) has expressed profound disappointment following the release of the European Commission's simplified review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The Council believes that the regulatory package fails to offer any substantial relief for tribal nations, leaving unresolved critical concerns raised by tribal forest managers.

Lack of Engagement with Tribal Concerns

Despite extensive engagement from tribal representatives over several months and repeated warnings regarding the unintentional impacts on indigenous communities, the European Commission has declined to reopen the regulation for discussion. Instead, the proposed changes are limited to minor technical adjustments implemented through enforcement regulations, frequently asked questions, and guidance notes. Consequently, the compliance obligations for tribal nations in low-risk countries remain fundamentally unchanged.

Cody Desautel, President of the Intertribal Timber Council and Executive Director of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, remarked, "Tribal nations are among the world's most effective forest managers; however, the European Commission continues to treat indigenous forestry systems as if they pose the same risks as regions experiencing active deforestation." He emphasized that the current approach does not reflect risk-based policymaking and overlooks indigenous governance, sustainable management practices, and sovereignty.

Sustainable Management by Tribal Nations

In the United States, tribal nations manage approximately 7.8 million acres of forested land through sovereign stewardship systems supported by long-term management plans, active restoration practices, prescribed burns, and sustainable harvesting standards designed to protect forests for future generations.

While the ITC supports the EU's goal of preventing global deforestation, it warns that the existing framework of the EUDR is already disrupting supply chains for forest products in the United States, even before its full implementation begins in December 2026. Timber intended for EU markets in 2026 is already being harvested, leading tribal producers to face new compliance requirements via supply contracts and customer demands.

Desautel noted, "This paradox cannot be ignored. Legislation aimed at forest protection creates barriers for indigenous peoples who have successfully safeguarded these forests for generations."

Recommendations for the EU Commission

The ITC urges the European Commission to acknowledge tribal forests in the United States as low-risk, legally protected systems by simplifying geolocation requirements for indigenous and low-risk forestry operations. They also advocate for temporary flexibility in compliance during the implementation phase and meaningful intergovernmental consultations with tribal nations prior to the final enforcement of the regulation.

Founded in 1976, the Intertribal Timber Council is a national non-profit consortium of tribal nations, Alaskan Native corporations, and individuals dedicated to enhancing the management of natural resources critical to the communities of indigenous peoples in Alaska. By advocating for better policies and practices, the ITC aims to support both the ecological sustainability of forests and the cultural sovereignty of tribal nations.