Summary of Services:

The Natural Resources Department consists of two departments: Habitat (including Public Works for the time being) and Harvest.

The Skokomish Natural Resources Department Habitat Division is responsible for development and implementation of the Tribe's water quality, environmental health, hazardous waste, habitat protection and enhancement programs for salmon-bearing streams and wetlands, among other as-needed and requested duties for the tribal community. Oversight for the Tribe's trust efforts in forestry, solid waste management, flood control, watershed planning, and disaster/emergency services is also provided. In addition, the Department is responsible for all Tribal, State, Federal and local compliance and regulatory ordinances and laws that are associated with land, air and water regulation. 

The Skokomish Natural Resources Department Harvest Division provides administrative, management, research and enhancement services that support the tribal government and tribal members’ ability to exercise treaty fishing and wildlife rights.  Administrative services include budget development, staff oversight, tribal representation in government fora, fisheries policy development, support of the tribal fish committee and tribal council, as well as assessing the documentation of conservation activities.  Management services include licensing fishers, buyers and boats, conducting shellfish population surveys, and monitoring harvests.  Enhancement services include cluster harvesting and clam & oyster seed planting.

Vision:

We, the Skokomish Tribe Natural Resources Department employees, envision the Skokomish tribal community having a thriving and healthy natural environment with abundant populations of fish, wildlife and other resources; this is in order to sustain the cultural and spiritual identity of the community in addition to providing economic stability for present and future generations.

Mission:

By fulfilling the above vision, the staff members of the Skokomish Natural Resources Department aspire to protect the Skokomish treaty rights through effective management that will preserve and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the Tribe and will perpetuate the tribal fisheries resources for this and future generations.  We pledge to defend the treaty rights of the Skokomish people and the sovereignty of the Skokomish Nation with regard to all natural resource concerns and to improve environmental health within the Tribal community.