EMPSi has a long history of working with the BIA to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian Tribes, and Alaska Natives

EMPSi recognizes the BIA’s environmental and cultural compliance and planning needs have evolved as the agency works with Tribes to further self-governance and self-determination. EMPSi staff have more than two decades of experience implementing solutions for numerous federally recognized Tribes and the BIA across their regional offices from Alaska to the eastern US. Working with the BIA has unique planning challenges with protecting and promoting Tribal trust assets, and we bring expertise in all aspects of NEPA compliance and planning and in-depth experience with Section 106 and government-to-government consultation. Accessing EMPSi is easy through our various contract mechanisms. EMPSi staff have a proven history of successfully completing projects for the BIA, below is a brief selection of our project experience.

Thank you [EMPSi] for the . . . passion and commitment in your community, [which] says a lot about you. Continue to support and defend your resources. Thank you for your support of [the BIA].

— Maureen Joe, Director Federal Indian Minerals Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs

SELECT PROJECTS

CE STREAMLINING FOR TRIBAL and BIA Water Infrastructure ASSETS, NATIONWIDE

  • Worked with BIA, BLM, and OEPC to develop new categorical exclusions that will increase efficiencies for Tribes to improve dam safety

  • Ensures that BIA can complete NEPA in a timely manner while allowing Tribes to approve and conduct crucial dam repairs and improvements

 
 

Pawnee Nation StoneWolf Casino Expansion EA, OK

  • Analyzed impacts of a fee-to-trust acquisition and Section 20 gaming determination to increase revenues for the Pawnee Nation

  • Developed the EA with the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, Office of Indian Gaming and Pawnee Agency of the BIA Southern Plains Region

 
 
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Havasupai Bar Four Community Development EA, Az

  • Analyzed effects of a community development project with residences, commercial uses, and medical facilities along the rim of the Grand Canyon

  • Collaborated with BIA Western Region, Indian Health Services, and Bureau of Reclamation  

 
 
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Metlakatla Indian Community Bald Ridge Aggregate Mine Permitting EA, AK

  • Worked with the BIA in preparing an EA for an aggregate mine to promote Tribal development

  • Conducted wetland and biological surveys

  • Developed plan to minimize impacts on water, salmon, sensitive species, and visual corridors

 
 

farmington mancos-gallup rmp amendment and eis, NM

  • Collaborated with the BIA Navajo and Southwest Regional Offices to complete an EIS analyzing impacts from oil and gas development on Navajo communities and Tribal resources in a 4.2-million-acre planning area

  • Consulted extensively with BIA and many Tribes

 
 

Integrated Resource Management Plan and EIS, OK, KS, TX, NE

  • Worked with the BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Regional Offices to develop an Integrated RMP to provide direction for allotted Tribal mineral interests and restricted Tribal lands

  • Conducted socioeconomic workshops with affected Tribal members and prepared analysis reports

 
 

CE STREAMLINING FOR Tribal Oil and Gas ASSETS, Nationwide

  • Developed new categorical exclusion with BIA, BLM, and OEPC policy leads and prepared a report to document the lack of significant effects of the covered actions based on review of past analyses

  • Project will improve BIA’s ability to conduct timely NEPA and strengthen Tribes’ revenue generation

 
 

osage county oil and gas eis, ok

  • Analyzed impacts to guide the management of oil and gas resources on 1.47 million acres owned by the Osage Nation and under the jurisdiction of the BIA Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office

  • Complex project with key issues related to oil/gas, socioeconomics, water, and special status species