Conservation Enforcement

The Conservation Department provides conservation law enforcement throughout reservation lands. Duties include enforcement of the conservation and the environmental code, routine patrol, assistance to other internal and external agencies, certified tracking, and natural resource safety instruction when requested.

The White Earth Reservation encompasses over 500 lakes, 300 miles of rivers and streams, 951 miles of county, State, Federal and BIA roads (not including logging roads and trails) and 1,500 miles of snowmobile trails. The vastness of this area presents numerous challenges for the enforcement of conservation regulations.

The White Earth Conservation Department enforces numerous natural resource protection regulations and other illegal activities. These activities are regulated under the White Earth Conservation Code. Some of the activities under enforcement by Conservation Officers are seasons and limits on fishing and game, netting, leeching, spearing, trapping, and wild rice. Some of the wildlife that are protected are deer, moose, bear, small game, and waterfowl. Control of trespassing and the illegal taking of timber on band lands are coordinated with the Reservation Land and Forestry departments.
The Conservation Officers are also responsible for the administration of the environmental protection code. Water quality, illegal dumping of solid waste, wetland protection, and shoreland protection are just a few of the items referenced in the code. The Conservation also work alongside our Emergency Management people, Tribal Police and other local agencies being tasked with Search and Rescue/Recovery efforts to help locate lost individuals throughout the year.

Maintaining continuous coordination with other law enforcement agencies like the State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources Division of Enforcement is needed to monitor non-Indians who also may abuse the resources on the Reservation.