WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) congratulates the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the 574 federally-recognized Native American Tribes represented in negotiating the final rule establishing the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP) at DOT.

According to the rule summary published by DOT in the Federal Registry, “The Program will afford Tribes participating in the Program greater control and decision-making authority over their use of certain DOT funding for which they are eligible recipients while reducing administrative burdens. These regulations include eligibility criteria, describe the contents of and process for negotiating self-governance compacts and funding agreements with the Department, and set forth the roles and responsibilities of and limitations on the Department and Tribes that participate in the Program.”

FMCS Chief Strategy Officer Joshua Flax and Strategic Coordinator Moira Caruso served as mediators and consultants for the TTSGP Negotiating Committee and its technical advisors from September 2018 through the publication of the rule on June 1, 2020.

“The dedication, commitment and perseverance exhibited by both Tribal and DOT representatives on the TTSGP Negotiating Committee was a shining example of Tribal-Federal cooperation in service of transportation infrastructure improvement across Indian Country,” said Flax. “Their skill as negotiators and as advocates created the foundation for a balanced, inclusive and patient negotiation process that yielded this successful result. It was a great honor and privilege for FMCS to work alongside them in service of this new program and the benefits it will offer to sovereign Tribal nations across the country.”

DOT issued a press release on the historic rule today.