The Yurok Tribe (Tribe) maintains jurisdiction over burning activities within the exterior boundaries of the Yurok Indian Reservation (YIR). Such jurisdiction shall be exercised to the fullest extent, including issuing Tribal burn permits, burn advisories, monitoring program compliance, and issuing notices of violations.

In the interest of exercising this jurisdiction over the air resources of the YIR, the Council of the Yurok Tribe (Council) approved the Air Quality Ordinance (Chapter 21.05 YTC) on April 7, 2005. This chapter details the Tribe’s sovereign powers, enables this Smoke Management Program, and sets restrictions on activities impacting the air quality of the YIR and penalties for violations of those restrictions. [Plan § 1.1, adopted, 10/1/2003.]