Section ENV.02.05 — Committee By-Laws
ARTICLE I – NAME, ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE
(a) Name. The name of the committee shall be the Stockbridge-Munsee Forestry Committee.
(b) Establishment. The Tribal Council, under its inherent authority as a tribal government responsible for tribal assets, establishes this Committee.
(c) Purpose. The Committee is vested with authority to make recommendations to the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council regarding forestry management on lands held in trust for the Tribe and lands owned in fee simple by the Tribe in accordance with Chapter ENV.02, the Forest Resources Ordinance, as amended.
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS
(a) Regular Meetings. The regular monthly meeting of the Committee shall be held on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meetings shall be held at the Tribe's Environmental Offices or at a location designated by the Tribal Council.
(b) Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Committee may be held at any time to implement the provisions of the Tribe's approved Forest Management Plan.
(c) Stipends. Committee members shall be paid a stipend in the amount of allocated in the approved budget.
(d) Open and Closed Sessions. All such meetings shall be open to Tribal members, except that a closed session may be called for purposes of discussing matters of a confidential nature. The meeting must be returned to open session after holding a closed session. All actions must be taken in open session.
(e) Quorum. At least four (4) members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum to conduct business and exercise the powers of the Committee.
(f) Notice of Meetings. A written notice stating the place, day, and hour of regular meetings of the Forestry Committee shall be delivered not less than five (5) working days before the date of the meeting to the members of the Committee and shall be posted to the public. Notice of any special meetings shall be given to Committee members, as well as posted to the public, at least 48 hours in advance. This notice will be done by the Forestry Staff. He/she will post notice at the Library, Health Center, Tribal Office, Headquarters, Housing, Elderly Center, Little Star and Casino.
(g) Minutes. Minutes must be taken at Committee meetings and shall be in a format designed to generate an informative record of meetings. Minutes must be submitted to the Tribal Council for acceptance and shall be required before stipends are issued for meeting attendance.
ARTICLE III –COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
(a) General Powers.
(1) The Committee is authorized to oversee forest policy on the Reservation in accordance with this ordinance and Forest Management Plan.
(2) The Committee may develop and recommend to the Tribal Council other rules and regulations of forestry which shall not violate the provisions of the Tribal Constitution, this ordinance, the Forestry Management Plan, other Tribal law, as well as federal and state law as applicable.
(3) The Committee may exercise those powers authorized under this ordinance and as directed by the Tribal Council.
(b) Composition and Qualifications of the Forestry Committee. The Committee shall be composed of seven (7) adult (21 years or older) enrolled members of the Tribe.
(1) The Committee will follow all applicable Tribal law including Chapter ADM.02, Code of Conduct.
(2) The term of appointment shall be for five (5) years.
(c) Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee. The Committee shall:
(1) Meet on a regular basis and submit their meeting minutes to Tribal Council.
(2) Make recommendations to Tribal Council regarding approval or denial of permits as outlined in this ordinance.
(3) Make recommendations to Tribal Council regarding amendments to this ordinance.
(4) Make recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding forest resource policy issues.
(5) Make recommendations to Tribal Council regarding the Forest Management Plan.
(6) Seek approval from Tribal Council for any proposed actions outside the scope of an approved Forest Management Plan.
(7) Have at least one member review all proposed management areas in a timely manner before taking any official action.
(8) Request Forestry Staff to assist as needed.
(9) Shall compile and regularly update a list of Approved Loggers.
(10) Submit list of Approved Loggers to Tribal Council by July 1st, every year.
(d) Political Office. In no event shall a member of the Committee serve as a member of the Tribal Council during his/her term as a Committee member.
(e) Removal. The Committee may make a recommendation to the Tribal Council for the removal of any Committee member for neglect of duty as a Committee member, including but not limited to, failure to appear at three (3) consecutive regular meetings without a valid reason or performing a duty that constitutes a conflict of interest. All such charges must be documented.
(f) Conflict of Interest. In carrying out the duties of the Committee, no member shall make or participate in making decisions which involve personal or family financial interest.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
(a) Number. The officers of the Committee shall be a Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, and Secretary. Each shall be elected by the Committee itself.
(b) Elections. Length and term of office shall be staggered appointments for continuity. Elections for officers will occur during the regular November meeting.
(c) Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Committee. At each meeting the Chair shall submit such recommendations and information as may be considered proper concerning the business affairs and operational policies of the Committee. The Chairperson shall not vote except in cases of a tie.
(d) Vice-Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson.
(e) Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the records of the Committee and shall act as the recorder of all meetings. The Secretary shall keep minutes of every Committee meeting in a journal kept for such purpose and shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary, including sending meeting minutes to Tribal Council.
(f) Removal of Officers. Any officer elected by the Committee may be removed from office by Tribal Council.
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed upon resolution of the Committee, with final approval of the Tribal Council.
