| Back
to Table of Contents Nez
Perce Tribal Code
Last amended: 2003 Title 3 - Natural Resources and Environment
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS § 3-1-1 Definitions (a) "Artificial light" means any light produced by other than natural sources, including but not limited to, spotlights, flashlights or vehicular headlights. (b) "Barter" means the act of trading goods or services for other goods or services rather than money. (c) "Bag limit" means the daily limit in the amount of each species of game or fish which may be taken by any one person. (d) "Ceremonial fishing" means fishing by tribal members pursuant to treaty rights when such fishing is pursuant to a permit issued in advance by the Fish and Wildlife Commission for the purpose of taking fish for use in recognized traditional tribal ceremonies or religious occasions. Ceremonial Fishing is exclusive of fishing for subsistence or commercial purposes. (e) "Closed season" means the period of time during which the taking and sale of specific fish or wildlife is prohibited. (f) "Crossbow" means a weapon consisting of a bow fixed crosswise on a stock. (g) "Commercial fishing" means fishing by tribal members with specified fishing gear and pursuant to treaty rights for the purpose of selling, trading, or bartering such fish to any person in return for money, property, or other consideration. Commercial fishing shall not include the sale or exchange of fish with other members of the Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla and Nez Perce Tribes for the personal use of such other members. (h) "CRITFE" means the Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries Enforcement. (i) "Endangered species" means any species so designated by this chapter and which the Fish and Wildlife Commission has determined is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. (j) "Firearm" means a weapon such as a pistol, shotgun or rifle capable of firing a bullet or other projectile. (k) "Fish and wildlife commission" or "Commission" shall mean the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission as established by this chapter. (l) "Fishing" means any effort to take fish in waters on the Nez Perce Reservation or in off-Reservation waters in which the Nez Perce Tribe has treaty fishing rights, at usual and accustomed places. (m) "Gill net" means a net of single web construction attached at the top by a float line and at the bottom by a weight line designed to entrap fish in the mesh. (n) "Hunting" means shooting at, harassing, chasing, driving, flushing, attracting, brushing, pursuing, trapping, stalking or lying in wait for any wildlife whether or not such wildlife is then or subsequently captured, killed, taken, or wounded. Such term does not include stalking, attracting, searching for or lying in wait for any wildlife by an unarmed person solely for the purpose of watching wildlife or taking pictures or making sound recordings thereof. This definition shall apply to any such activities within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation or on off-Reservation lands in which the Nez Perce Tribe has treaty hunting rights on open and unclaimed land. (o) "Loaded firearm" means any such weapon having a round of ammunition in the chamber. (p) "Member" means a person who is duly enrolled in the Nez Perce Tribe. (q) "Non-member" means any person other than a Nez Perce tribal Member. (r) "Nocturnal species" means those wildlife species which are most active during the night hours. (s) "Open season" means the period of time during which the taking of certain fish and wildlife is permitted by this chapter or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter. (t) "Possession limit" means the amount of each species of game or fish which a person may possess. (u) "Public highways" means all roadways open to the public for vehicular travel. (v) "Rifle" means a shoulder weapon with a rifled bore. (w) "Shotgun" means a smooth bore shoulder weapon for firing shots or slugs. (x) "Subcommittee" means the Nez Perce Tribal Fish and Wildlife Subcommittee or any successor Subcommittee hereafter designated by the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee to perform the functions of the Fish and Wildlife Subcommittee. (y) "Subsistence fishing" means fishing by tribal members pursuant to treaty rights for their personal use, including the sale or exchange with other members of the Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla and Nez Perce Tribes for the personal use of such other members. Subsistence fishing shall not include the sale or trade of harvested fish with non-Indians or non-members of the Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla and Nez Perce Tribes or fishing for commercial or ceremonial purposes. (z) "Take" shall mean any effort to kill, capture, catch, harm, shoot, wound, collect, hunt, pursue or trap fish or wildlife in the waters or on the lands of the Nez Perce Reservation, or in off-Reservation lands in which the Nez Perce Tribe has treaty hunting or fishing rights in usual and accustomed places or on open and unclaimed land. (aa) "Threatened species" means any species designated as such by this chapter or which as determined by the Fish and Wildlife Commission is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. (bb) "Trap" or "Trapping" shall mean any effort to take wildlife with a trap, net, snare or other device used for the purpose of capture in the waters or on the lands of the Nez Perce Reservation, or in off-Reservation water or on off-Reservation lands in which the Nez Perce tribe has treaty hunting or fishing rights. (cc) "Treaty" shall mean the Treaty of June 11, 1855, between the Nez Perce Tribe and the United States as set forth in 12 Stat. 957, and any subsequent treaties and agreements between the tribe and the United States. (dd) "Treaty hunting or fishing rights" shall mean any hunting or fishing right or privilege which is derived from the Treaty of June 11, 1855, 12 Stat. 957, or any subsequent treaties or agreements. (ee) "Waste" means the abandonment of or deterioration of those portions of fish or game normally utilized for human consumption.
The Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee finds that:
Any officer of the CRITFE shall be authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter that pertain to off reservation treaty fishing activity in the Columbia River area to the same extent as that of the tribal police.
(a) In accordance with this section and the terms and conditions established pursuant to the administrative procedures provided by this code by either the program head of Fisheries or Wildlife, which ever is applicable, a person may take, possess, inspect, sample, measure, count or collect data on fish and wildlife for scientific, management and/or enhancement purposes. This section shall apply to any person intending to conduct data collection or sampling within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation and any Nez Perce tribal personnel intending to conduct data collection or sampling on any usual and accustomed fishing location or open and unclaimed lands. (b) Any sampling or data collection activity conducted in violation of the policies and procedures established by the program heads of Fisheries and Wildlife shall constitute a violation of this chapter. In addition to any other remedy for a violation of this section, the Court may temporarily or permanently revoke the permit of the person in violation. (c) The program heads of either Fishers or Wildlife, which ever is applicable, may suspend the permit of any person if he reasonably believes that at any time such person is in violation of this section or his actions threaten the fish and wildlife resources of the tribe and that immediate action is necessary to protect such resources. The suspension of a permit under this section shall be for no longer than ten (10) business days unless the applicable program head issues an order to revoke the permit following a hearing on the record in accordance with the administrative procedures provided in this code. (d) Upon request, the program heads of either Fisheries or Wildlife, whichever is applicable, shall certify in writing that an animal has been taken in accordance with a valid permit issued under this section.
It shall not be a defense to any civil infraction or criminal offense under this chapter that the alleged activity may be lawful under state law.
Any rules or regulations adopted under this chapter shall be consistent with the Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries Enforcement (CRITFE) Code as duly adopted by the Nez Perce Tribe. Any violation of the CRITFE code shall be a violation of this chapter.
Tribal members shall at all times observe and obey all road closure policies and rules:
(a) Any person who is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe and who hunts, fishes or traps within the tribe's territorial jurisdiction shall have in his possession a Nez Perce Tribe Identification card issued by the tribe. (b) A valid tribal identification card shall identify the holder as a duly enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and, subject to the provisions of this chapter, entitle him to exercise all hunting, fishing and trapping rights and privileges reserved for the members of the Nez Perce Tribe by Treaty of June 11, 1855, 12 Stat. 957, and subsequent treaties and agreements.
§ 3-1-9 Program Heads of Fisheries and Wildlife Departments (a) The Nez Perce Tribe shall employ program heads for both the Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries and Wildlife Programs subject to the personnel policies and procedures of the tribe. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the program heads shall take such action necessary to protect, manage and enhance fish and wildlife. (b) The program heads may promulgate rules to implement their duties and authorities under this chapter and pursuant to the administrative procedures provided by this code.
(a) A Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission is hereby established to administer the fish and wildlife resources of the tribe. The Commission shall consist of five (5) tribal members to be appointed by NPTEC. The heads of the Fisheries and Wildlife Departments may not serve as chairperson or vice chairperson of the Commission and may only vote to break a tie. One alternate shall also be appointed. The five appointed members of the Nez Perce Fish and Wildlife Commission and the one alternate member shall be elected by the Nez Perce Tribe, General Council. The elected members’ and the alternate’s names will be forwarded to NPTEC for consideration at the first NPTEC meeting following the General Council election. (b) The selection and appointment of Commission members and alternate shall be made upon the consideration of the welfare and the best interest of the tribe and its fishery and wildlife resources. No person shall be appointed to the Commission unless he is well informed about and interested in the subject of treaty rights and wildlife or fisheries conservation and restoration. Commission members shall serve three (3) year terms which shall be staggered so that only two positions are subject to renewal in any one year. At the outset of the Commission, and in order to maintain the staggered terms of commission members, one (1) member shall serve for a term of one (1) year, two (2) members shall serve for a term of two (2) years, and two (2) members shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The members shall elect among themselves a chairperson and a vice chairperson. Until such time as members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission can be appointed, the Commission's duties and authority as provided by this chapter shall be retained by NPTEC. (c) NPTEC shall remove any Commission member for cause. If a Commission member resigns or a position on the Commission otherwise becomes vacant before the term of that position expires, the alternate shall be appointed by NPTEC to fill the unexpired term. (d) Commission decisions shall be by simple majority vote of the members present. Any members who disagree with the majority vote may make their dissent along with the reason for dissenting known to NPTEC. Three (3) Commission members shall make a quorum. (e) The chairperson of the Commission shall be authorized to call meetings of the Commission. Meetings shall be called at the request of either NPTEC or any Commission member deems it necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter. The chairperson of the Commission shall be responsible for notifying Commission members of upcoming Commission meetings. No Commission meeting shall be held unless a good faith effort is made to contact each member. (f) By-laws to govern the operation of the Commission in performing its duties shall be promulgated and ratified by NPTEC.
Subject to the provisions of this chapter, this code and the authority of NPTEC to reject or modify any action of the Commission at any time, and upon consideration of the recommendations of the program heads of the Fisheries and Wildlife departments, if any, the following duties and powers shall be exercised by the Fish and Wildlife Commission:
(a) Unless and until the Fish and Wildlife Commission acts as provided by this chapter to close a fishing or hunting season for a particular species, then such season shall be open. (b) No person shall hunt, trap or engage in recreational fishing on the Nez Perce Reservation during any closed season established by the Fish and Wildlife Commission for any game animals, upland game, game birds, game fish, migratory birds or furbearers as designated under this chapter. The length of such closed seasons and the fish or wildlife permitted to be taken during those seasons shall be subject to modification by the Commission at any time circumstances warrant such modification.
Absent NPTEC modification or rejection, the Commission's action or decision shall be binding. During the NPTEC meeting immediately following each Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, the Commission shall submit a full report to NPTEC including a summary of:
§ 3-1-14 Civil Infractions (a) Any person subject to the civil jurisdiction of the Nez Perce Tribe who is charged with an infraction violation under this chapter shall be subject to the procedures and remedies provided by this code. (b) Any violation of this chapter and a violation of any regulation or policy adopted pursuant to this chapter is a civil infraction unless specifically identified as a criminal offense.
Any person subject to the criminal jurisdiction of the Nez Perce Tribe who is charged with a criminal offense under this chapter shall be prosecuted under the Nez Perce Tribe Rules of Criminal Procedures and, if found guilty, penalized as a criminal offender.
In addition to any other remedy or penalty provided for a violation of this chapter, the Tribal Court may suspend, confiscate or permanently revoke hunting, trapping or fishing licenses, permits, game tags, identity cards or other related privileges which were granted pursuant to this chapter. The authority to revoke or suspend privileges extends to the rights of tribal members to hunt, trap, or fish, pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty of June 11, 1855, 12 Stat. 957 and subsequent treaties and agreements.
§ 3-1-17 Failure to Show Proof of Identification (a) Any tribal person purporting to hunt, fish, sell, or transport fish or game under right of treaty who fails, upon reasonable demand by any federal, state, or tribal police officer or by a purchaser, transporter or warehouseman of fish, to show his Nez Perce Tribe identification card, commits the infraction of failure to show proof of identification. (b) Refusal or failure to show proof of identification shall be prima facie evidence that such person is not a member of the Nez Perce Tribe.
A person commits the infraction of unauthorized use of rights or privileges if for the purpose of allowing a person other than the person to whom the right or privilege is issued to use such right or privilege he:
A person commits the infraction of wasting fish and game if he permits any fish or game needlessly to go to waste after killing or wounding the same.
A person commits the infraction of destruction of property if while hunting, fishing or trapping within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation, or exercising off-reservation treaty rights, he damages the land, any crops or other property.
A person commits the infraction of hunting from a motor vehicle if he hunts, molests or takes any animal from any automobile, truck, motorcycle, snowmobile, three or four wheeled vehicle, airplane or any other vehicle driven by use of a motor or engine.
A person commits the infraction of hunting with artificial lights if he hunts an animal with any spotlight, headlights or other man made light source. The act of casting or throwing, after sunset, the beam or rays of any artificial lights capable of utilizing six (6) volts or more of electrical power in any place where game animals may reasonably be expected to be found while having in one's possession any uncased firearm shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
A person commits the infraction of unlawful bow hunting if he hunts with a crossbow, utilizes explosive devices or poison on arrows, or violates any other regulations adopted by the Fish & Wildlife Commission related to bow hunting.
A person commits the infraction of unlawful hunting with dogs if he:
A person commits the infraction of use of unlawful substances if he uses any explosive compound, corrosive, toxic, narcotic, poison or other deleterious substance to take fish and wildlife except as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
A person commits the infraction of Hunting or Fishing Without Privileges if he exercises or attempts to exercise any hunting, fishing or trapping privileges during a time when his license, permit, tags, identification card or other related privileges have been suspended, revoked or otherwise limited, or if he has no license, permit, tag or other indication of authorization.
(a) A person commits the infraction of unauthorized fishing, hunting and trapping if:
(b) This section shall not apply when the nonmember involved is:
This section shall not be construed as granting any privileges to persons not authorized to exercise Nez Perce Treaty rights other than the right of the persons specified to accompany members in the practice of such treaty rights.
A person commits the infraction of unauthorized helpers if he:
A person commits a liquor infraction if he fishes or hunts while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substances.
A person commits a boat safety infraction if while operating a boat and while engaged in fishing activities pursuant to this chapter he does not have:
§ 3-1-32 Trafficking Fish and Game (a) A person is guilty of the criminal offense of trafficking fish and game if he:
(b) This section shall not apply to the sale or possession of fish lawfully taken during commercial treaty fishing season, the possession or sale of hides or antlers of game animals lawfully taken or the sale or exchange between members of any federally recognized Indian Tribes for the personal use of such members.
A person is guilty of a criminal weapons offense if he, while exercising treaty fishing rights at a usual and accustomed fishing site, has in his immediate possession any firearm.
A person is guilty of the criminal offense of eluding an officer if he knowingly flees or attempts to evade a tribal police or CRITFE officer following a visible or audible signal to stop. A visible or audible signal under this section may include the use of hands, voice, emergency lights or sirens.
Any person who shall use unjustified force or violence or threaten the use thereof on a tribal police officer for the purpose of interfering or influencing the performance of an official duty shall be guilty of the criminal offense of threat or intimidation to a tribal police officer.
A person is guilty of the criminal offense of interference with the hunting or fishing related property of another if he, without the permission of the owner, uses, operates, occupies, moves, disturbs or otherwise tampers with fishing nets, fishing platforms, fishing poles, firearms, vehicles, boats or other hunting or fishing related personal property belonging to another.
§ 3-1-37 Season The season for subsistence fishing shall be established by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
All subsistence fishing gear must be permanently marked with the owner's name, enrollment number, and tribal affiliation prominently displayed in a visible area.
Any tribal member engaging in subsistence fishing may be required by Fish and Wildlife Commission regulation to report his catch to a designated person or body. Failure to make such a report where required by rule or regulation shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
§ 3-1-40 Commercial Fishing in General Any Nez Perce tribal member shall be authorized to engage in commercial fishing in accordance with the terms and conditions provided in this chapter and by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
All commercial fishing gear must be permanently marked with the owner's name, enrollment number, and tribal affiliation prominently displayed in a visible area.
(a) Any person engaging in commercial fishing under this chapter, or any person buying fish which were taken pursuant to any provision of this chapter or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be required to submit a complete record of his catch or purchase to the Fish and Wildlife Commission within twenty (20) business days after the close of each season. Failure to make such catch or purchase report shall constitute a violation of this chapter. (b) In order to assist purchasers in record keeping and reporting, any member of the Nez Perce Tribe who sells, trades or barters fish taken pursuant to treaty rights shall, upon request, provide his tribal enrollment number to purchasers of such fish.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission is authorized to adopt regulations establishing the minimum or maximum size of fish that may be taken. Compliance with fish length requirements shall be determined by measuring from the shortest distance between the extreme tip of the tail and extreme tip of the snout or jaw, whichever extends the farthest, while the fish is lying in a prone and normal position.
(a) Each commercial fishing site shall be registered with the Tribal Fisheries Department for each commercial fishing season. (b) Each fishing site shall be identified as that of a member of the Nez Perce Tribe with the enrollment number of the person registered to use the site. All registered sites shall be shown on maps maintained by the Fisheries Department. Copies of the map shall be provided to the CRITFE office prior to the opening of each commercial fishing season. (c) Any person aggrieved by the registration of a site may appeal the decision pursuant to the administrative procedures provided by this code.
§ 3-1-45 Ceremonial Permits Any tribal member who is fishing for ceremonial purposes or who transports fish taken for ceremonial purposes shall have in his possession a copy of a ceremonial fishing permit issued by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Such permit shall include the following:
All ceremonial fishing gear must be permanently marked with the owner's name, enrollment number, and tribal affiliation prominently displayed in a visible area.
(a) The program head of Fisheries shall notify the States of Oregon, Washington or Idaho as appropriate in writing of the issuance of a ceremonial fishing permit at least one week prior to the start of such fishery. (b) In the event of a bona fide emergency need for ceremonial fish, notice to State authorities by telephone will be allowed, so long as sufficient time is provided for the notification of all State agencies and agents.
(a) No person shall:
(b) In addition to any other remedies provided by this chapter, a violation of this section shall be grounds for banning the issuance of further permits for ceremonial fishing.
§ 3-1-49 Types of Animals Defined For the purposes of addressing wildlife and fishery resources under this Sub-title the following classification system will be used: (a) GAME ANIMALS:
(b) UPLAND GAME:
(c) GAME BIRDS: Game birds include both upland game birds and migratory game birds.
(d) GAME FISH: Game fish includes the following fish and amphibians:
(e) MIGRATORY BIRDS
(f) FURBEARING ANIMALS
(g) THREATENED OR ENDANGERED WILDLIFE
(h) PROTECTED SPECIES
(i) UNPROTECTED WILDLIFE Unprotected wildlife includes all wildlife not classified in the preceding categories.
(a) Any tribal member who harvest game on the Nez Perce Reservation and who intends to transport the animal beyond the reservation boundaries shall first obtain from the tribal police a permit that contains:
(b) Each permit shall be signed by a tribal police officer and shall be valid for no more than seventy two (72) hours from the time and date of issuance.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission shall be authorized to issue on reservation hunting and recreational fishing permits, licenses or game tags in accordance with this chapter and applicable federal law regulating the taking of or managing wildlife.
Any person who takes a protected, threatened or endangered species, except as specifically authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, shall be in violation of this chapter.
Any person who resides within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation commits an infraction if he destroys any animal that is damaging property without first obtaining permission from the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Commission may grant the request upon a reasonable investigation of the facts alleged, the implementation of appropriate safeguards and consideration of the impacts to any protected, threatened or endangered species. (§§ 3-1-54 - 3-1-60 adopted 7/24/01) (§§ 3-1-54 -3-1-61 are criminal arrestable offenses authorized by NPTEC 7/8/03)
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly maintain, frequent or remain at a place:
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, purchase, consume, obtain, ingest, inject, distribute, manufacture, or sell any controlled substance including, but not limited to, marijuana, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, opiates, cocaine, and other substances as defines in Chapter 13, Title 21 U.S.C. § 812. (b) This section shall not preclude: (1) the possession, purchase, consumption, obtaining, ingestion, distribution or sale of peyote for bona fide Native American religious ceremonies; or
(a) It shall be unlawful for a person: (1) for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction, or the dulling of his brain or nervous system to intentionally; (b) This section shall not apply to the inhalation of prescribed anesthesia for medical or dental purposes. (c) As used in this section, "psychotoxic chemical solvents" includes any glue, cement, or other substance containing one or more of the following chemical compounds: acetone and acetate, benzene, butyl-alcohol, ethyl-alcohol. ethylene dichloride, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol. methyl ethyl, petone, pentachlorophenol, petroleum either, or other chemical substance capable of causing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction, or the dulling of the brain or nervous system as a result of the inhalation of the fumes or vapors of such chemical substance. The statement or listing of the contents of a substance packaged in a container by the manufacturer or producer thereof shall be proof of the contents of such substance without further expert testimony if it reasonably appears that the substance in such container is the same substance placed therein by the manufacturer or producer.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, prepare, store, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce in the human body a controlled substance including, but not limited to, marijuana, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, opiates, cocaine, and other substances, as defined in Chapter 13, Title 21 U.S.C. § 812. (b) This section shall not preclude the possession or purchase of any item/object traditionally used in bona fide Native American religious ceremonies or used as prescribed by a licensed physician.
A person commits the offense of possession of alcohol by a person under the age of twenty-one (21) if while being under the age of twenty-one (21), he shall possess, purchase, consume, obtain, or sell, or is found under the influence, of any beer, wine, ale, whisky or any substance whatsoever which produces alcoholic intoxication, or misrepresents his age for the purpose of buying or otherwise obtaining an alcoholic beverage.
It shall be unlawful for any person to create, any disturbance in a public place while intoxicated or under the influence of an intoxicating drink or drug.
A person commits the infraction of disorderly conduct if he causes public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or creates a risk thereof by:
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(b) "Resists"
as used in this section means the use of or threatened use of violence,
physical force or any other means that creates a substantial risk of
physical injury to any person or that justifies or requires substantial
force to overcome.
§ 3-2-1 Findings The purpose of this Chapter is to provide for the regulation of salmon and steelhead guiding and outfitting on lands and waters of the Nez Perce Tribe by any person who is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe or an enrolled member of any federally recognized Tribe.
(a) "Client" means a person utilizing the services of a guide or outfitter. (b) "Commission" means the Fish and Wildlife Commission of the Nez Perce Tribe defined in § 3-1-10 of this Title. (c) "Conservation Enforcement" means the Department of Fisheries Restoration Management Fisheries Conservation Enforcement. (d) "First Aid Card" means valid card issued by the American Red Cross to denote the individual whose name and signature appear thereon has successfully completed an applicable Red Cross course and is qualified to render appropriate, minimal first aid as prescribed by the American Red Cross, or other valid evidence showing successful completion of an equivalent course conducted by an organization acceptable to the Commission. (e) "Guide" means the taking of persons upon or over the land or waters of the Nez Perce Reservation for the purpose of fishing for salmon or steelhead in return for a fee in money, goods, or any other kind of compensation or consideration. (f) "License" means a license to hunt or fish issued by the Tribe or other agency with jurisdiction to issue licenses recognized by the Nez Perce Tribe. (g) "NPTEC" means the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. (h) "Open Area" means the place or location where by regulation it shall be made lawful to operate as a guide or outfitter. (i) "Outfitter" includes any person who in return for a fee in money, goods, or any other kind of compensation or consideration provides equipment for salmon or steelhead fishing trips. (j) "Permit" means a valid permit issued by Conservation Enforcement authorizing the holder to act as an outfitter or guide within the Reservation. (k) "Reservation" means the Nez Perce Reservation. (l) "Treaty-reserved rights" means hunting, fishing, gathering, grazing, and any other rights reserved by the Nez Perce Tribe in the Treaty of June 9, 1855, with the Nez Perce Tribe, 12 Stat. 957 (1859) and any other treaty or agreement between the Nez Perce Tribe and the United States. (m) "Tribe" means the Nez Perce Tribe.
This Chapter applies to any person who is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe or an enrolled member of any federally recognized Tribe who acts as a guide or outfitter for salmon and steelhead fishing within the exterior boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation.
(a) This Chapter does not apply to the exercise of any treaty-reserved rights by a member of the Nez Perce Tribe or any services provided by a member for a member of the Nez Perce Tribe exercising any treaty-reserved rights. (b) This Chapter does not apply to a member of the Nez Perce Tribe or an enrolled member of any federally recognized Tribe, who acts as a guide or outfitter with a valid license or permit issued by the State of Idaho.
(a) No person without a permit shall act as a guide or outfitter within the Reservation. (b) Any person acting without a permit as a guide or outfitter within the Reservation shall be guilty of the civil infraction of unlawfully acting as a guide or outfitter. (c) A permit must be in possession of the permittee while engaged in outfitting or guiding and must be produced upon the request of an authorized person. Upon request of Conservation Enforcement or other conservation enforcement, an outfitter or guide shall show proof of a permit. Refusal or failure to show proof of a permit shall be prima facie evidence that a person is acting without a permit. (d) Any
person acting as a guide while under the influence of alcohol or any
(e) Except as otherwise authorized by NPTC § 3-1-27, no person shall exercise treaty fishing, hunting, or trapping rights while acting as a guide.
(a) An applicant for an outfitter and/or guide permit must:
(b) Any person holding a current and valid outfitter’s permit may act as a guide without a guide’s permit if he possesses the qualifications of a guide as provided in this Chapter. (c) Only members of the Nez Perce Tribe may be permitted to act as an outfitter under this Chapter. However, a member of a federally recognized Tribe, other than the Nez Perce Tribe, may obtain a permit to act as a guide for an outfitter permitted under this Chapter.
(a) Any person wishing to serve as a guide or outfitter on the Reservation shall obtain a permit by submitting an application to Conservation Enforcement on forms to be provided by Conservation Enforcement. (b) Conservation Enforcement may require an applicant for a permit to pay a reasonable filing fee to cover costs associated with the processing of an application. In addition, Conservation Enforcement may assess a reasonable yearly fee to cover monitoring and enforcement costs. These fees shall not exceed $20.00 per year. (c) Applicants for permits shall submit to interviews as requested by Conservation Enforcement, and shall submit other proof of competence and knowledge to guide on the Reservation as requested by Conservation Enforcement. (d) Conservation Enforcement shall review and grant or deny an application within thirty (30) days of the submission of a completed application.
(a) Conservation Enforcement may deny an application for a guiding or outfitting permit if:
(b) Conservation Enforcement shall provide in writing the reasons for the denial of an application within thirty (30) days of the submission of an application. (c) An applicant whose application was deemed to be incomplete shall have an opportunity to complete the application and provide other necessary information and resubmit the application without an additional application fee. (d) An applicant may appeal a decision of Conservation Enforcement to Nez Perce Tribal Court in a manner consistent with the judicial review provisions of Chapter 2-5 of the Nez Perce Tribal Code. The decision of the Tribal Court shall be final and no appeal shall be granted by the Nez Perce Tribal Court of Appeals.
An outfitter shall maintain and file with Conservation Enforcement a current certificate or proof of liability insurance in the amount as follows:
Every boat utilized for guided or outfitted salmon or steelhead fishing shall comply with NPTC § 3-1-30 and must have:
(a) No later than January 30th of each year, guides shall provide Conservation Enforcement with a report of all guide activities which took place on the Reservation for the previous calendar year. Such report shall contain the following information:
(b) No later than January 30th of each year, outfitters shall provide Conservation Enforcement with a report of all outfitting activities which took place on the Reservation for the previous calendar year. Such report shall contain the following information:
(c) Failure to provide the reports described in subsection (a) and (b) of this section may result in the temporary or permanent suspension of the outfitting or guiding permit by Conservation Enforcement.
The Commission may promulgate other necessary rules and regulations which shall apply to guides and outfitters in a manner consistent with rule making requirements of NPTC Chapter 2-5. Upon adoption, the Commission shall provide a copy of any such regulations to all guides and outfitters.
(a) The Commission shall recommend to NPTEC areas within the Reservation that shall be deemed open for outfitting and guiding activities. (b) NPTEC shall review the recommendation of the Commission and shall designate areas open for outfitting and guiding activities. (c) This designation shall include:
(d) A guide or outfitter may only operate in an open area in a manner consistent with the NPTEC designation. The Commission shall notify all guides and outfitters of areas deemed open for outfitting and guiding activities and any applicable regulations or restrictions. (e) Regardless of any designation as an open area, if land is privately owned, a guide shall obtain permission from the land owner before guiding a client upon or across such lands.
(a) Guides and outfitters shall verify that clients have all required licenses for the activity for which the services are being provided. Guides who are not enrolled members of the Nez Perce Tribe must have a salmon or steelhead license issued by the Tribe or the State. (b) Guides shall ensure that clients comply with bag limits, seasons, area closures, and other applicable regulations.
(a) Guides shall not guide clients to any archaeological resource site or other sensitive cultural resource sites. (b) Guides and outfitters shall not disclose information about archaeological resource sites to any client.
(a) Any person found violating any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of a civil infraction. (b) The penalty for a violation of this Chapter shall be a fine of not less than $100 and no more than $500 and may include the temporary or permanent suspension of a guide or outfitting permit and/or the temporary or permanent prohibition from acquiring a permit in the future. (c) Any permitted guide or outfitter who commits any violation of NPTC Chapter 3-1 shall receive a temporary or permanent suspension of a guide or outfitting permit and/or the temporary or permanent prohibition from acquiring a permit in the future. Back to Top |