Bridging the waters: Comparative insights on federal-tribal shared stewardship of wild and scenic rivers

Abstract

Over the past three decades, joint land and water management approaches involving two or more parties have been increasingly applied across the US federal government, including through shared stewardship arrangements with American Indian Tribes (Washburn 2022). Shared stewardship refers to voluntary partnerships to align goals, share data, and coordinate action around decisions regarding land and water, with or without the transfer of legal decision-making authority (US Department of Agriculture [USDA] 2018). Many scholars recognize that shared stewardship approaches can strengthen Tribal treaty rights, maintain or restore Tribal dignity and land relationships, and incorporate Indigenous Knowledge and values to benefit land stewardship (Steen- Adams et al. 2023; King 2007). Many Tribes have a strong interest in ensuring holistic environmental management of resources held in trust by the federal government. However, shared stewardship may involve difficult trade-offs for Tribes, including a lack of enforcement power or capacity to engage in management beyond Tribal jurisdiction (Stokes 2002).

Citation

Redmore, Lauren; Carim, Kellie J.; Rushing, Jaclyn Fox. 2025. Bridging the waters: Comparative insights on federal-tribal shared stewardship of wild and scenic rivers. International Journal of Wilderness. 31(2): 28-47.