U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Jon Tester (D-MT) urged Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate to ensure Native American tribes and Alaska Natives are true partners in the emergency management community.

In a letter sent to Fugate on Thursday, Begich and Tester expressed their concerns over FEMA’s lack of timely implementation of their tribal disaster declaration provision in the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act (SRIA).

In January 2013, Congress passed Begich and Tester’s provision, which allows Indian tribes to directly request federal assistance after a natural or man-made disaster. Under previous law, tribes had to work through state governments to seek assistance after a disaster on their land. In states such as Alaska, where the state government does not recognize federally recognized tribes as a legitimate government, this change in law is very significant.

“…FEMA must move swiftly to implement an effective outreach strategy that recognizes the unique needs of different Tribes across the country,” Tester and Begich wrote. “Tribal communities range in membership, geography, and organizational structure and a ‘one size fits all’ approach to consultation will not produce meaningful feedback. As members of both the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and Appropriations Subcommittees with jurisdiction over FEMA we are keenly aware of the need for adequate resources to conduct critical outreach and we urge you to keep us informed of any resource gaps that may affect your ability to meet your required targets.

“As the original authors of legislation to amend the Stafford Act to allow the Chief Executive of a federally recognized tribe to make a direct request to the President for a major disaster or emergency declaration, we recognized the importance of promoting tribal sovereignty and highlighting the pressing needs of tribal communities. As with any new federal provision, guidance from the relevant agency is an important step in ensuring the policy is applied consistently across the country. Consistent interpretation of FEMA policy must be supported by accurate and timely guidance to avoid the spread of misinformation during times of disaster.”

Senator Begich chaired a field hearing in Alaska last fall to examine extreme weather and imminent disasters in the Arctic as part of his role as Chair of the HSGAC subcommittee that oversees FEMA. He has been a strong supporter of the direct government to government relationship that exists between tribes and the federal government.

The full text of the letter to FEMA Administrator Fugate can be read here.