Law and Regulations

The work of the Water Resources Division is guided by several titles of the Lummi Code of Laws (LCL) including the titles listed below:

LCL Title 10: Natural Resources Code (2008)

Title 10 establishes the institutional framework to govern and regulate fishing, hunting, and other natural resources related activities under the jurisdiction of the Lummi Nation in accordance with cultural tradition and the best available scientific information.Title 10 is also intended to protect the environment required to sustain high levels of production of those resources to ensure maximum sustainable harvest from the fish, game, and other natural resources in conformity with the accepted standards of international law and specifically as reserved and secured to the Lummi Nation by the Treaty of Point Elliot.

LCL Title 13: Tidelands Code (1994)

Title 13 defines trespass on Reservation tidelands. The Lummi tidelands are reserved for the exclusive use of members of the Lummi Nation by the Treaty of 1855. The Lummi tidelands are closed to persons who are not members of the Lummi Nation, in the absence of a lease permitting non-member use of the tidelands, or use permits issued pursuant to Title 13.

LCL Title 15: Land Use, Zoning, and Development Code (2015)

Title 15 provides controls for all lands within the exterior boundaries of the Lummi Indian Reservation in order to promote the health, safety, and general well being of all residents of the Reservation and the political integrity of the Lummi Nation.

LCL Title 15A: Flood Damage Prevention Code (2016)

Title 15A regulates Special Flood Hazard Areas on the Reservation and establishes standards for development and construction in those areas.

Title 15A adopts the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) by reference.

LCL Title 17: Water Resources Protection Code (2016)

Title 17 establishes a permit system for water use on the Reservation and includes Wellhead Protection, Storm Water Management, and Stream and Wetland Management.

On August 20, 2007 the LIBC adopted the Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the Lummi Indian Reservation.These water quality standards were approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on September 30, 2008.

On June 15, 2010 the LIBC adopted the following additional administrative regulations associated with Title 17:

• Well Construction Standards for Wellhead Protection
• Storm Water Management Regulations
• Wetland Management Regulations
• Civil Fines Assessment for Violation of Lummi Code of Laws Title 17

The LCL Titles are available on the website of the Reservation Attorney or the Native American Rights Fund