# PAWNEE NATION OF OKLAHOMA (2020)

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apawnee_oklahoma%3Accfda7e93c6b2ade

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

PAWNEE NATION OF OKLAHOMA
LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION
PLAN
2020 – 2039

Prepared By:
Pawnee Nation Transportation Staff

1

PAWNEE NATION OF OKLAHOMA
LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Table of Contents
1

INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 4
1.1 PURPOSE ............................................................................................................ 4
1.2 BACKGROUND.................................................................................................. 4
1.2.1
Pawnee Nation Historical Background ....................................................... 5
1.2.2
Pawnee Nation Today ................................................................................. 6
1.3 REGIONAL CONTEXT ...................................................................................... 7
1.4 THE PLANNING AREA ..................................................................................... 9
1.5 THE PLANNING PROCESS .............................................................................. 9
1.6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION .............................................................................. 10
1.7 PURPOSE, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................... 10
1.7.1.
Tribal Transportation Five-Year Objectives ............................................. 10
1.7.2.
Tribal Transportation Long-term Goals .................................................... 11
2
THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ..................................................................... 13
2.1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 13
....................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2 MODES OF TRAVEL ....................................................................................... 15
2.2.1
Automobiles and Trucks ........................................................................... 15
2.2.2
Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities ..................................................................... 16
2.2.3
Railroads ................................................................................................... 16
2.2.4
Airports ..................................................................................................... 16
2.2.5
School Buses ............................................................................................. 16
2.2.6
Public Transportation ................................................................................ 17
2.2.7
Telecommuting ......................................................................................... 17
2.3 THE TRANSPORTATION CONTEXT............................................................ 17
2.3.1
Functional Classification Verify ............................................................... 17
2.4 ROAD INVENTORY ........................................................................................ 19
2.5 SAFETY ............................................................................................................. 19
2.6 ACCIDENTS ..................................................................................................... 19
3
PAWNEE NATION TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT ................................. 21
3.1 DEPARTMENT HISTORY............................................................................... 21
3.2 TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TODAY ............................................. 23
3.3 PAWNEE NATION ROAD INVENTORY FIELD DATA SYSTEM ............. 23
4 FUTURE IMPACTS AND SYSTEM PERFORMANCE........................................ 24
4.1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 24
4.2 CULTURAL IMPACTS .................................................................................... 24
4.3 SOCIO/ECONOMIC IMPACTS ....................................................................... 24
4.3.1
Population Growth .................................................................................... 24
4.3.2
Employment Growth................................................................................. 28
4.3.3
Land Use and Development Impacts ........................................................ 28
4.3.4
Economic Activity .................................................................................... 29
4.3.5
Tourism and Recreation ............................................................................ 29
4.4 TRAVEL FORECASTS AND ADT.................................................................. 29
2

4.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ....................................................................... 30
4.6
Energy and Commitment of Resources .................................................... 31
5
PUBLIC INPUT........................................................................................................ 31
5.1 Contacts and Comments ..................................................................................... 31
5.2 Pawnee Nation Corporations, Commissions and Departments Comments and
Suggestions ................................................................................................................... 31
5.2.1
Tribal Development Corporation .............................................................. 31
5.2.2
Division of Planning ................................................................................. 31
5.2.3
Gaming Commission ................................................................................ 32
5.2.4
Division of Property.................................................................................. 32
5.2.5
Division of Law Enforcement ................................................................... 32
5.2.6
Division of Health and Community Services Outreach in Home Care
Department ................................................................................................................ 32
5.2.7
Housing Authority .................................................................................... 33
5.2.8
Pawnee Nation College ............................................................................. 33
5.2.9
Division of Natural Resources and Safety ................................................ 33
6
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND PROJECTS ................................................... 34
6.1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 34
6.2 RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES................................................................................. 35
6.3 EXISTING IRR INVENTORY ROAD CONDITONS ..................................... 35
6.4 IDENTIFIED TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND GOALS ........... 36
6.4.1
Land Use and Zoning Plan ........................................................................ 36
6.4.2
SHORT TERM GOALS ........................................................................... 36
6.5 SPECIFIC PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE 20-YEAR PRIORITY LIST ... 37
6.6 BRIDGE NEEDS ............................................................................................... 39
7
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING OPTIONS .......................................................... 40
7.1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 40
7.2 FUNDING OPTIONS ........................................................................................ 41
7.3 TRIBAL FUNDING SOURCES ....................................................................... 42
APPENDIX
A. ROADS TO BE ADDED TO INVENTORY
B. EXISTING INVENTORY ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS
C. BRIDGE INVENTORY PAWNEE COUNTY / PAWNEE CITY

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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1

PURPOSE

The purpose of this plan is to provide a comprehensive transportation plan for the
Pawnee Nation to guide short-range and long-range improvements to the
Pawnee Nation transportation system. The Pawnee Nation Transportation
Department Staff revised this plan to ensure implementation of Tribal goals and
objectives, and resident’s concerns.
The Pawnee Nation has conducted transportation research to create a
transportation plan under the guidelines of the Tribal Transportation Program;
Final Rule (25 CFR Part 170). The Pawnee Nation has developed this plan to
reflect Tribal values and concerns. Several objectives of the plan are:
 To provide safe and efficient public access to all Tribal properties and
areas within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Pawnee Nation.
 To complement surrounding transportation facilities as part of the areawide transportation system, where possible, and
 To assist in the economic development of the Pawnee Nation, while
protecting natural and cultural resource values.
This plan was written under the direction provided by the Indian Reservation
Roads Program; Final Rule (25 CFR Part 170 §170.410-§170.415), which
encourages greater tribal involvement in transportation planning and
implementation. Included is an updated general inventory of Pawnee Nations
Indian Reservation Roads and Bridges. Existing transportation problems within
the system are analyzed and recommendations made for future improvements.
1.2

BACKGROUND

The Tribal Transportation Program; Final Rule (25 CFR Part 170) requires all
Tribes to prepare a Long Range Transportation Plan which also includes a 20year Tribal priority list. From this 20-year priority list, the Tribal Transportation
Department, will prepare a short term priority list of projects that is presented to
the Pawnee Business Committee for approval. The Pawnee Business Council
prioritizes the projects included into the Tribal TIP. The Tribal TIP is then
included into the Oklahoma Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
The Indian Reservation Roads Program; Final Rule (25 CFR Part 170§170.200.202) established a funding allocation formula based upon the “relative needs” to
improve roads. This is done to find out how much each Tribe will receive from
the BIA IRR funding.

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1.4.1 Pawnee Nation Historical Background
The Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma is a federally recognized sovereign
American Indian Nation. The Pawnee are comprised of four distinct bands: (1)
the Chaui (2) the Kitkehahki (3) the Pitahawirata and (4) the Skidi. The Pawnee
Nation’s traditional homelands lie in what
are now the present day states of Nebraska
and Kansas. The Kawarakis Pawnees, the
ancestors of the Chaui, Kitkehaki, and
Pitahawirata Bands, settled in southeastern
Nebraska in approximately A.D. 900. The
Chaui, Kitkehaki and the Pitahawirata
speak the South Band dialect and the Skidi
Band possesses their own dialect.
Among the Plains Indians, the Pawnee Nation had one of the most sophisticated
cultures and societies. Its history is rich in oral and cultural traditions handed down
over centuries. According to Pawnee Creation stories, the first humans were
created by Tirawahut, the Creator, and spiritual powers in the sky and carried to
earth on a whirlwind. Pawnee traditional lifeway’s were rich in complex cosmology,
ceremonies, songs, customs and traditions that ordered the daily life and social,
cultural, and political organization of the Pawnee.
Under three treaties with the United States-1833, 1843, and 1857-the Pawnee
ceded all of their lands to the United States Government except a reservation 10
miles wide by 30 miles long along the Loup River in Nebraska. This reservation
was sold and in 1876 the Pawnee Nation purchased 283,020 acres in what is now
Pawnee and Payne Counties in Oklahoma. By 1893 individual allotments of 160
acres had been made to 821 Tribal members. The remaining surplus lands,
169,320 acres were opened up for white settlement.
According to historical accounts, the Pawnee population was estimated to be
20,000-25,000 in the early part of the nineteenth century. After that, the population
underwent a steady decline, due in large part to warfare and newly introduced
diseases. In 1859 they had an estimated population of about 4,000; this dropped
to 2,477 in 1872. From their arrival in Oklahoma in 1876 until shortly after the turn
of the century, the population of the Pawnee Nation steadily declined. Few Tribal
members’ farmed and little income was received from the leasing of their lands.
These circumstances coupled with disease, a shortage of government supplies,
and poor crops, saw only 600-700 Tribal members still living at the start of the
twentieth century. The Pawnee population has subsequently rebounded to the
present day enrollment of 3,102 Tribal members. Nearly one-half of this number
has moved from the immediate original reservation area in Oklahoma. However,
though many Tribal members have moved away from the immediate vicinity of the
Pawnee reservation, they still maintain strong ties to the Pawnee Nation, its
culture, and homeland.

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1.4.2 Pawnee Nation Today
Today, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma represents a modern day sovereign tribal
government. The supreme governing body of the Pawnee Nation is the Pawnee
Business Council, an eight-member council.
Executive and legislative powers are vested in the
Business Council. The Pawnee Nation also has its
traditional council of Chiefs, the Nasharo Council,
comprised of two chiefs from each of the four bands.
The Nasharo Council’s duties are to review acts of
the Business Council that are related to: 1) treaty
rights protection, and 2) tribal membership.
The Pawnee Business Council and Pawnee Nation Executive Director oversees
forty departments and programs, including the Title VI Elderly Meals and Caregiver
Support Programs, that provide year-round programs and services to more than
1,000 tribal members who still reside within the Pawnee jurisdictional boundaries.
The Pawnee Nation has undergone unprecedented levels of growth and
development. From 1995 to present the Pawnee Nation tribal budget has
increased from $3 million to about $22 million. The number of tribal employees
has also increased from 40 employees in 1995 to around 125 employees currently,
the majority of which are Tribal members. In the last ten years, the Pawnee Nation
has constructed a new Wellness and Multi-Purpose Community Center; $19 million
IHS Clinic, the largest of its kind in the United States; a state-of-the art Travel
Plaza; and a Fitness and Child Care Facility, a new Law Enforcement Center 2010,
renovations to our Roundhouse 2011, a $2.1 million New Entry Bridge and
Roadway in 2012, new Elder’s Center 2014, new Resource Center 2016, new
Community Playground 2016, 2019 Pawnee Nation Safety & Enhancement
Projects using the Construction Manager/ General Contractor (CM/GC) method,
which consisted of 13 projects $6.1 million. The Nation will also pursue major
expansion and development of existing and new business enterprises. After more
than century of hardship, poverty, and underdevelopment the Pawnee Nation is
poised to fulfill its long held aspirations to provide sustainable economic
development, opportunities, cultural renewal, and an improved quality of life for our
Tribal members and those generations yet to come.

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1.5

REGIONAL CONTEXT

The Pawnee Nation jurisdictional area covers portions of Pawnee, Payne, and Kay
Counties in north central Oklahoma. The largest city in Pawnee jurisdiction is the
City of Pawnee with a population of 2,230. The City of Pawnee is also the County
Seat for Pawnee County. The total population for Pawnee County is estimated to
be 16,390 according to the 2018 US Census Bureau. There is a multitude of State
Highways that service this area, along with the turnpike (I-412) that is a major
thoroughfare through Oklahoma.

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1.6

THE PLANNING AREA

The area covered by this plan is limited to the roads and transportation facilities
within the Pawnee Nation jurisdictional area which includes portions of Pawnee,
Payne and Kay County.

1.7

THE PLANNING PROCESS

Transportation planning is a process that involves an in-depth and comprehensive
evaluation of many factors influencing the orderly growth and development of the
transportation system and surrounding land uses. The planning process objective
is to establish a definitive system for determining the needs of the transportation
system commensurate with social, environmental, and economic conditions. The
planning process should expand the narrow focus on roads, to include all modes
of travel, such as transit, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling and walking.

9

The planning process used this plan is outlined below:
1. Review of the existing transportation system.
A. Data collection
B. Review of planning efforts
C. Identify and inventory all IRR roads and bridges
D. Identify current goals, objectives and standards
2. Determine the deficiencies that exist.
A. Ascertain public needs
B. Determine needs for recreation, health and safety, fire control,
economic development, and tourism
3. Identify future problem areas
A. Consider the effect of transportation decisions on land use and
development
B. Determine the social, economic, energy, and environmental effects of
transportation decisions
4. Resolve the problems
A. Develop and evaluate alternatives
1. Include alternative modes of travel
B. Gather public and interagency input
C. Program and implement improvements
1.8

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

A notice was published on the Pawnee Nation website in accordance with 25 CFR
170.413 for the purpose of soliciting input for the preliminary Long Range
Transportation Plan and gaining interest from residents on May 8 through June 8,
2020. A copy of the Preliminary Plan was presented for review in our office at 301
Agency Rd., Pawnee, OK 74058.
1.9

PURPOSE, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

As stated in the IRR Final Rule, the purpose of the Indian Reservation Road
Program is to provide safe and adequate transportation and public road access to
and within Indian reservations, Indian lands, and communities for Indians and
Alaska Natives, visitors, recreational users, resource users, and others, while
contributing to economic development, self-determination, and employment of
Indians and Alaska Natives.
The Pawnee Nation’s transportation goal is to promote a transportation system
that supports existing and potential resource development and use that is balanced
with other resource qualities. The Pawnee Nation intends to balance the protection
of sensitive areas and other resource values with transportation development.
1.7.1.

Tribal Transportation Five-Year Objectives

 Pursue the opportunity to expand the Pawnee Nation IRR inventory by
adding all eligible roads and bridges within the Pawnee jurisdictional area.
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 Expand Geographical Information System (GIS) capabilities for future
planning, including placing all IRR routes and bridges in a GIS format.
 Continue to provide roads for the economic development of the Tribe
through construction.
 Continue to provide roads to assist with the expansion of the development
by the Pawnee Nation Tribal Development Corporation.
 Continue to improve and maintain roads infrastructure.
 Continue to maintain an ongoing pavement preservation program.
 Continue implementing the sign assessment and management method to
maintain minimum levels of road traffic sign retroreflectivity.
 Continue to contract cooperative transportation projects with the Counties
and the Cities within the Pawnee Nation boundary.
 Continue to increase the cooperative effort between the Pawnee Housing
Authority and the Pawnee Transportation Department through the
construction of new housing clusters around the Pawnee Nation.
 Seek funding to develop a Tribal Transit System to service the needs of
the residents residing within the Pawnee Nation service area.
 Use and seek funding through Grant’s to create better livability and
sustainability through walking and biking.
 Provide a Transportation Safety Management Plan to ensure safe access
into the tribal complex.
 Provide sidewalks into the tribal complex to enable and ensure safe access
by pedestrians and bicyclists into the tribal complex.
1.7.2.

Tribal Transportation Long-term Goals

 Identify and designate transportation and utility corridors to accommodate
future growth and help protect aesthetics and the environment.
 Pursue federal contract funds to operate the Tribal Transportation Program
for integrated planning of all transportation systems affecting Tribal
resources.
 Continue to promote alternate transportation modes (such as rail and bus
service) to provide a variety of services and reduce energy consumption.
 Continue with cooperative agreements with City, County, and State
agencies to help maximize the money spent on transportation related
projects.
 Continue to meet the needs of Tribal members by building clusters of homes
in various locations in the Pawnee Nation area.
 Encourage landscaping, buffering and construction designs for
transportation and facility projects that are compatible with the natural
features of the surrounding environment.
 Continue to require and participate in development of environmental studies
and road management plans to establish construction and maintenance
requirements that protect resource values and minimize environmental
damages.
 Promote a pavement management system that will ensure the infrastructure
is maintained after being reconstructed.

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 Promote livability and sustainability by creating new sidewalks and updating
our old ones to help create a healthy nation.

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2 THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Today, people have developed high expectations for mobility. The average
American drives or rides more than 12,000 – 15,000 miles per year. Most
Americans own at least one vehicle and many have more than one. The
willingness to pay for transportation suggests how integrated it has become into
our lifestyles. A relative high percent of income is spent on personal transportation.
The graphic below shows the cost of average annual expenses.

2019 Family Spending Habits

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In April, of 2017, AAA released the results of its annual ‘Your Driving Costs’ study
today, revealing a 1.96 percent increase in the cost to own and operate a sedan in
the U.S. The average cost rose 1.17 cents to 60.8 cents per mile, or $9,122 per
year, based upon 15,000 miles of annual driving.

If consumers paid the full cost of using their automobile by way of fuel prices, the
retail cost of fuel would have to be substantially higher than current rates. The full
cost would include traffic regulation, police and fire protection, highway
construction and maintenance, accidents and related health care costs,
environmental costs, and tax losses from land paved over for highways.
Current land use patterns are a major result of the increasing dependence upon
the automobile, which has resulted in larger sprawling cities with suburbs and
scattered rural development. Living many miles and even hours away from one’s
place of employment is possible.

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The movement of people and goods through time and space is the basis of a
transportation system. The key elements that make up a transportation system
can be grouped into:
 The mode of travel, i.e., automobile, train, walking.
 Time spent in travel.
 The transportation context, or one’s environment, i.e., traveling on a road,
water, air.
 The number of people or amount of goods moved.
 The energy needed to power mobility.

2.2

MODES OF TRAVEL

2.4.1

Automobiles and Trucks

The mode of travel is the type of transportation chosen to travel from point A to
point B, such as walking, driving or flying. The most often used mode of travel is
still the automobile as can be seen below.

Wikipedia - 2012

Most people and goods in the Pawnee Nation area move by means of an
automobile or truck. Single occupant vehicles account for an average of 75 % of
all modes of travel used.

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2.2.2 Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities
Bicycle and pedestrian traffic is mostly concentrated within areas of very low
volume intercommunity travel such as the housing areas, community centers, and
Tribal complex. At least one reason for this is the lack of and narrow shoulders
along the highways and the lack of pavement on most county roads. Plans for the
tribal complex and surrounding area are to create a better livability and
sustainability environment by creating sidewalks to accommodate both bicycles
and pedestrians to promote a health nation and community. The recently
completed 1st Street Safety Project created sidewalks from the Pawnee Nation
Housing Authority into the Pawnee Nation and Also provide Rapid Flashing
Beacons to assisted crossing the highway.
2.2.3 Railroads
The Burlington Northern Railroad services the Pawnee Nation area with a track
that runs east-west through Pawnee County. The track splits the Pawnee Nation
Tribal Complex and City of Pawnee and at times leaves the north side blocked to
restricting access for emergency services.
2.2.4 Airports
There are three airports in the Pawnee area, Pawnee Municipal Airport, Cleveland
Municipal Airport, and Westport Airport. Each airport is used for private planes
and does not service any commuter flights.
2.2.5 School Buses
There are 4 public school districts within the Pawnee Nation area. Each district
runs a number of buses that travel the City, State and County roads within their
districts. The condition of the roads and bridges plays a major factor in the
successful operation of each school districts requirement to transport the children
to their schools on a regular scheduled basis. Table 5 gives the name, location,
and number of students in each district.
TABLE 5
FY 17/18 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ENROLLMENT
DISTRICT
Cleveland
Jennings
Pawnee
Yale

LOCATION
PAWNEE COUNTY
City of Cleveland
City of Jennings
City of Pawnee
PAYNE COUNTY
City of Yale

NO. OF STUDENTS
1,719
215
694
408

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As can be seen by the number of school districts and students within the Pawnee
Nation area, the safety of the children riding the school buses is a top priority to all
those involved in the transportation field.
2.2.6 Public Transportation
There is one public transportation system in the Pawnee Nation. The Pawnee
Nation has developed a transit program for medical necessity only. They service
any Native American with a CDIB and referral from Doctor. They are limited to two
vehicles and service as far as 177 miles. (Pawnee to Lawton.)
The Pawnee Nation Department of Transportation & Safety (PNDOTS) is a
recipient of a $25,000 Planning Grant from the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) that was received in late 2012. In May of 2014, PNDOTS sent out a Request
for Proposal (RFP) for Consultant services to help in developing a Pawnee Nation
Assessment and Planning Document. With this document the PNDOTS will be
able to apply for FTA grants for the development of a Pawnee Nation Transit
Program.
2.2.7 Telecommuting
Due to the sophisticated telephone services, personal computers linked to the
internet and data systems, fax machines, and electronic mail services, people can
increasingly have a choice of where they can work. This technology is allowing a
migration of people to reside in more rural areas while working out of their homes,
connected by technology to their employer or clients hundreds or thousands of
miles away.
2.3

THE TRANSPORTATION CONTEXT

The largest and most commonly used facet of the transportation system is the
network of roads and highways. Roads are classified according to how they are
used or how they function.
2.4.1 Functional Classification Verify
Functional classification is the grouping of roads, streets, and highways into
integrated systems, each ranked by their importance to the general welfare, the
motorist, and the land-use structure.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) through the IRR Final Rule has developed a
hierarchy of roads within a transportation system. The IRR Final Rule defines
functional classifications as an analysis of a specific transportation facility taking
into account current and future traffic generators, and their relationship to
connecting or adjacent BIA, state, county, Federal, and/or local roads and other
intermodal facilities. Functional classification is used to delineate the difference
between the various road and/or intermodal transportation facility standards
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eligible for funding under the IRR Program. As a part of the IRR Inventory system
management, all IRR transportation facilities included on or added to the IRR
Inventory must be classified according to the following functional classifications:
Class 1: Major arterial roads providing an integrated network with characteristics
for serving traffic between large population centers, generally without stub
connections and having average daily traffic volumes of 10,000 vehicles per day
or more with more than two lanes of traffic.
Class 2: Rural minor arterial roads providing an integrated network having the
characteristics for serving traffic between large population centers, generally
without stub connections. They may also link smaller towns and communities to
major resort areas that attract travel over long distances and generally provide for
relatively high overall travel speeds with minimum interference to through traffic
movement. Generally provide for at least inter-county or inter-State service and
are spaced at intervals consistent with population density. This class of road will
have less than 10,000 vehicles per day.
Class 3: Streets that are located within communities serving residential areas.
Class 4: Rural Major collector Road is a collector to rural local roads.
Class 5: Rural Local Road is either a section line and/or stub type roads that collect
traffic for arterial type roads, make connections within the grid of the IRR System.
This class of road may serve areas around villages, into farming areas, to schools,
tourist attractions, or various small enterprises. Also included are roads and
motorized trails for administration of forest, grazing, mining, oil, recreation, or other
use purposes.
Class 6: City Minor Arterial Streets are located within communities, and serve as
access to major arterials.
Class 7: City Collector Streets are located within communities and serve as
collectors to the city local streets.
Class 8: This classification encompasses all non-road projects such as paths,
trails, walkways, or other designated types of routes for public use by foot traffic,
bicycles, trial bikes, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicles or other uses to provide for
the general access of non-vehicular traffic.
Class 9: This classification encompasses other transportation facilities such as
public parking facilities adjacent to IRR routes and scenic byways, rest areas, and
other scenic pullouts, ferry boat terminals, and transit terminals.
Class 10: This classification encompasses airstrips that are within the boundaries
of the IRR System grid and are open to the public. These airstrips are included for
inventory and maintenance purposes only.

18

Class 11: This classification indicates an overlapping of a previously inventoried
section or sections of a route and is used to indicate that it is not to be used for
accumulating needs data. This class is used for reporting and identification
purposes only.
2.5

ROAD INVENTORY -

The physical dimensions of roads and their conditions are recorded in a road
inventory. The surface condition should be inspected every two years based on
field observations.
The FHWA and the BIA officially established the first BIA road inventory in 1974.
Since that time the BIA has continued to revise and refine RIFDS for the Indian
Reservation Roads (IRR) inventory. Table 6 defines the number of miles and
number of bridges on the Pawnee Nation IRR inventory.
Table 6
Class

Total Road
Length (Miles)

Number of
Bridges

Total Bridge
Length (FT)

Class-3
Class-4
Class-5
Class-9
Total

1.0
114.4
236.1
11.5
363.0

0
34
6
0
40

0
2362
421
0
2,783

The roads on the Pawnee Nations existing inventory are classified according to
the BIA 5704 report (2014) (Appendix B). As the Pawnee Nation submits its TIP
each year, the roads will be reclassified according to the IRR Final Rule definitions.
2.6

SAFETY

Safety is the prevention of accidents and preparation of emergencies after an
accident. This can involve making physical improvements to a highway, programs
to reduce the number of drunk drivers, better law enforcement and driver’s
education programs, and better preparation for emergencies, i.e. medical facilities,
personnel, and hazardous materials teams. The Pawnee Nation Department of
Transportation staff has developed a safety plan that will help guide us on areas
of improvement for the safety of the Pawnee Nation and surrounding communities.
This plan has already helped in being awarded FHWA Safety grants for the
following: Emergency Services (Communications), Engineering (1st Street Safety
Project), and Education (Impaired Driving Outreach).
2.7

ACCIDENTS

Accidents are likely to occur when drivers are unable to respond properly, for
example, where a truck is descending a grade. Most accidents occur because of

19

driver error. Either the driver does not know what is required to operate a vehicle,
is unfamiliar with the area, is inattentive, falls asleep, has been drinking, is under
time pressure, or must make complex decisions.
The Pawnee Nation Department of Transportation has been setup as a user of the
SAFE-T database, maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation,
which collects and stores crash data reported from law enforcement agencies from
across the State of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Highway Safety Office crash data statistics for 2016:
Every day in 2018
...195 crashes occurred.
...89 persons were injured in a crash.
...1.8 fatalities occurred on Oklahoma roads.
On the clock
8 crashes occurred every hour.
1 crash occurred every 7.4 minutes.
1 fatality occurred every 13.4 hours.
MORE CRASHES OCCURRED
…on Friday than any other day of the week
…in October than any other month of the year.
...between 5:00pm and 5:59pm than any other hour of the day.
MORE FATALITIES OCCURRED
...on Friday than any other day of the week.
...In June than any other month of the year.
...between 1:00pm and 1:59pm,:00pm and 6:59 pm, than any other hour of the
day.
Pawnee County had 2 Fatal Crashes, 54 injury crashes and a total of 178 crashes
for 2018

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3 PAWNEE NATION TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
3.1 DEPARTMENT HISTORY
The Pawnee Nation first began their Transportation Program working with the
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in 1995.
The Pawnee transportation department began contracting with the BIA under the
PL93-638 program in 1996 with the Pawnee Agency Complex Road project. The
transportation program has been able to complete a number of projects under the
PL93-638 program and has used the profits from these projects for a number of
transportation related activities. These activities have included administrative
capacity building, roads construction equipment, roads maintenance, and as
matching funds for social and public projects such as the Community Wellness
Center/Gymnasium and the Pawnee Nation Fire Station.
From the start of the program in 1996 until the year 2000, the Pawnee
Transportation program was funded approximately $370,000 per year. From 2001
until 2004, the program was funded approximately $540,000 per year. The actual
amounts drawn down for PL93-638 projects (Design, Planning, and Construction)
varied from year to year depending on how many projects were on-going. Over
the course of the Pawnee Nation involvement in the IRR program, approximately
7% of the funding has been spent on Transportation Improvement Planning and
Capacity Building, 9% on design, 76% on construction, and 8% on roads related
activities and project support.
The Pawnee Business Council (PBC) established as the first priority of the Pawnee
Transportation Program, the reconstruction and improvement of the roads, streets,
and parking lots of the interior roads system of the Pawnee Nation Reservation.
This project, named Pawnee Agency Complex Roads, provided for the
improvement of existing roads and the construction of new facilities serving the
Pawnee Administration buildings, the Pawnee Indian Health Center, and Social
Program facilities and buildings.
The second major project provided paving of the entry road and interior roads of
the North Pawnee Indian Cemetery. The third project was a new construction
project providing streets and parking areas for the Pawnee Nation Social Services
Park. The Social Services Park includes four separate buildings housing the
Educations programs, TERO, Food Distribution, Community Health
Representatives, Elder Meal program and dining hall, a meeting center, After
School Program, Day Care, Headstart, a basketball gymnasium and family fitness
center. Other projects included providing entry and interior roads to the West and
South Cemeteries, a lagoon access road and fire station driveway.
Additional projects completed:
 Access road for the new Pawnee Health Center
21











Road/parking lot in support of the Pawnee Travel Plaza
Parking lot for Family Development Center at the Social Park
Bridge CN37 and reconstruction of road on IRR
Parking lot and driveway to Roam Chief Center and Food Distribution
services area
New daycare facility parking and driveway
Parking lot for New Law Enforcement Center
Parking lot for New Elders Center
Construction of New Entry Bridge and Roadway into the Tribal
Complex
2019 Pawnee Nation Safety & Enhancement Projects (CM/GC) -13
suite of projects

At the start of the Pawnee Nation participation in the Indian Reservation Roads
Program, the Pawnee inventory consisted of BIA roads only, approximately 39
miles. Since that time the Pawnee Nation has added to the inventory by adding
routes serving Tribal members and facilities. The Pawnee IRR inventory at the
present time consists of approximately 363 miles of roads and parking facilities.
In 2008, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Business Council made the decision to
terminate its relationship with the BIA transportation department and work directly
with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This decision would allow the
Pawnee Nation to receive funds directly from the FHWA and take a more active
part in developing its transportation department.
On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law P.L. 112-141, the Moving
Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Funding surface
transportation programs at over $105 billion for fiscal years (FY) 2013 and 2014,
MAP-21 is the first long-term highway authorization enacted since 2005.
MAP-21 also changed the name from “Indian Reservation Roads (IRR)” to “Tribal
Transportation Program (TTP).”
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Fixing America’s
Surface Transportation Act, or “FAST Act.” The FAST Act authorizes $305 billion
over fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for highway, highway and motor vehicle
safety, public transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety,
rail, and research, technology, and statistics programs. The FAST Act maintains
our focus on safety, keeps intact the established structure of the various
highway-related programs we manage, continues efforts to streamline project
delivery and, for the first time, provides a dedicated source of federal dollars for
freight projects. With the enactment of the FAST Act, states and local
governments are now moving forward with critical transportation projects with the
confidence that they will have a federal partner over the long term.
In short, the Pawnee Nation places pronounced emphasis on improving the
condition of the roads system supporting the infrastructure. Secondary emphasis

22

has been in support of new public, social and economic enterprises. A significant
part of the growth of the roads inventory has been adding Pawnee County roads.
These roads are used by Tribal members and City of Pawnee constituents for the
purpose of school routes, routes to health care facilities, mail routes, routes to
employment location, or routes for recreational purposes.
3.2 TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TODAY
The Pawnee Nation transportation department receives funds from the FHWA.
However, with the recent inflation of material cost the transportation department
has to keep looking for grant opportunities to receive more funds to be able to
complete more projects. We currently have 4 full time employees which have
allowed the department to do a lot of construction ourselves at a reduced cost.

3.3 PAWNEE NATION ROAD INVENTORY DATA SYSTEMThe Pawnee Nation inventory consists of 363.0 miles of roadway and 40 bridges.
Appendix B (IRR Inventory Data Sheet) identify each route and bridge presently
on the Pawnee Nation inventory according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA),
Roads Inventory Field Database (RIFDS).
FY13/14 130+ miles were assessed for update on RIFDS. Remaining routes will
be assessed for update in FY17 until the March 15th deadline. Any route not
updated in the prior two years will be assessed and added the next year. All routes
on the inventory will then be assed every other year. Additional routes will be
identified and assessed to be proposed.
Update all non-official routes listed on APPENDIX A so they become official for the
FY17/FY18 program year.

23

3 FUTURE IMPACTS AND SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
4.1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter describes impacts caused by transportation and, in turn, the impacts
to the transportation system from other factors. Effects that may result from
changes in transportation include community cohesion, culture, the availability of
public facilities and services, in-migration, employment, taxes and property values,
displacement of people and relocation of structures, impacts on land use,
farmland, historic structures, water quality, wetland, floodplains, air quality, noise,
threatened or endangered species, visual quality, and impacts during construction.
Impacts to the transportation system include changes in traffic volumes, and
surface wear from traffic and weather.
Population and traffic growth projections are estimated. Cultural, social, and
environmental impacts and potential mitigation measures are addressed.
4.2

CULTURAL IMPACTS

Historical and prehistoric cultural sites are investigated with every project. Direct
impacts to cultural sites from road projects can occur, especially when additional
right-of-way is required or when projects are located in Cemetery areas. The
Tribes’ Cultural Preservation Office is consulted and reviews each proposed
transportation project.
The Tribal culture in the Pawnee Nation area will have an impact on what projects
get done and how they get done. It will also have an impact on growth and
development and general attitudes of the residents.
Proposed construction activities can also impact sites that are formally recorded
on the National Register of Historic Places. Impacts to these and other eligible
properties need to be addressed when affected by a particular project.
4.3

SOCIAL/ECONOMIC IMPACTS

This section examines population growth and economic activity.
4.3.1 Population Growth
Population growth affects transportation by placing greater demands on
transportation systems. Oklahoma’s total population is estimated to grow by
approximately 19 percent between 2007 and 2035, the population of individuals
age 65 and over is predicted to increase by over 60 percent from 2007 to 2030.
The expected population growth would generate traffic growth on all roads in the
Pawnee Nation area, especially the arterials and collectors.

24

The rural lifestyle, the natural environment, and recreational opportunities attract
people into the area. Development in the rural areas is increasing at a much more
rapid pace than it is in the towns.
The U. S. Census shows population growth for the rural counties in Oklahoma and
the Pawnee Nation area in the following chart.

The following charts illustrate the race and ethnicity in Oklahoma and of Pawnee
County.
Oklahoma race by population percentage:

Pawnee County race by population percentage:
25

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

White alone -1,267 (57.7%)
American Indian alone – 669 (30.5%)
Two or more races – 143 (6.5%)
Black alone – 64 (2.9%)
Hispanic – 49 (2.2%)
Asian alone – (0.09%)
Other race alone – 2 (0.09%)

Wikipedia - 2012

26

Pawnee Nation tribal member population by age and gender located in the Pawnee
Nation jurisdiction:
Year 2000
85 years and over
75 to 79 years
67 to 69 years
62 to 64 years
55 to 59 years
45 to 49 years

Male

35 to 39 years

Female

25 to 29 years
21 years
18 and 19 years
10 to 14 years
Under 5 years
-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

Year 2010
85 years and over
75 to 79 years
67 to 69 years
62 to 64 years
55 to 59 years
45 to 49 years

Male

35 to 39 years

Female

25 to 29 years
21 years
18 and 19 years
10 to 14 years
Under 5 years
-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

27

4.3.2 Employment Growth
Table 3.3.2 shows the employment growth for Oklahoma from the year 2012 –
2013, a 1.2% increase.
TABLE 3.3.2

4.3.3 Land Use and Development Impacts
Transportation improvements such as highway widening and paving gravel roads
are one of many variables that may encourage more development. Development,
in turn, places greater demand on the transportation network, increasing
maintenance and improvement costs. Arterials and collectors are most affected
by development because traffic becomes more diffuse as it moves to roads of a
lower functional classification. Highway improvements most likely to have the
strongest impacts on rural lands are improvements made to roadways in or near
the rural fringe and areas attractive to non-residential development. A highway

28

improvement must substantially reduce the travel time from a rural area to an
urban area to have an impact. Highway projects have a larger impact on land of
relatively low value than on land of high value. Growth on the rural fringe may
encourage low densities and urban sprawl. The largest impact on rural land occurs
when an improvement project provides access to land desirable for commercial or
industrial users.
4.3.4 Economic Activity
One of the most important goals of transportation is to serve economic interests.
Economic growth is dependent on many factors, including availability of natural
resources, proximity to export markets, capital availability, and type of labor force.
However, transportation is often the factor that provides the means by which
economic growth can occur.
Transportation partners with the Indian Community Development Block Grant
(ICDBG) coordinator, Pawnee Nation Housing Authority, and Tribal Development
Corporation to coordinate economic growth of the Pawnee Nation.
4.3.5 Tourism and Recreation
The Pawnee Tribal Reserve, which is located adjacent to the City of Pawnee, is
not a tourist destination. It is not located in an area where people would travel
through on a regular basis, only people who live there or who have specific
business in Pawnee pass through this area.
However, with increased economic growth the Pawnee Nation can very well be
appealing and become an attraction for tourism and recreation.
4.4

TRAVEL FORECASTS AND ADT

Planning for future development of highway and road facilities within the Pawnee
Nation area is based, in part, on existing and projected traffic volume. Average
Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes on all Oklahoma State highways have historically
increased at approximately 2% to 3%. Traffic volumes differ by road type, level of
development, and the amount of tourists or through traffic.
An analysis of the traffic volume data suggests that growth is not happening
uniformly on all roads. Some are growing in volume much faster than the statewide
average while others are growing only slightly or none at all. Traffic volumes on
all major highways are highest near population centers and decrease relative to
the distance form population centers. This shows that travelers prefer certain
roads to reach their destination and increased development is happening along
these corridors.

29

4.5

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

All transportation projects that receive federal funding must comply with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Environmental Assessments prepared
for transportation projects should consider the following factors: System linkage,
existing capacity, ADT and future ADT, access management, traffic flow, safety,
roadway deficiencies, cumulative and indirect impacts.
A detailed analysis of cumulative and indirect impacts from projects proposed
herein requires substantial time and resources that are outside the purview of this
document. However, most proposed Tribal road projects are short in length and
would serve local residents. The cumulative, negative impacts to the environment
and the socio/cultural element should be minimal. Some projects are done for
safety reasons and the effects overall should be positive.

30

4.6 Energy and Commitment of Resources
Transportation projects are carried out to make travel easier, more convenient and
safe; however, there are other direct and indirect reasons and consequences.
Transportation improvements should normally lead to less travel time, fuel savings,
and a decrease in vehicle wear, which should result in a decrease in energy use.
To achieve more efficient and safe transportation objectives, certain commitments
in resources are necessary. Land used for a facility is an irreversible commitment.
Fuels used, labor and construction materials are generally irretrievable. Usually
materials are not in short supply and their use will have no adverse effect upon
their continued availability.
The commitment of resources is based on the idea that residents in the Pawnee
Nation area will benefit by the improved quality of the transportation system.
These benefits will consist of improved accessibility and safety, savings in time
and greater availability of services. These are anticipated to outweigh the
commitment of resources.

PUBLIC INPUT
5.1 Notice
Public input requested for the preparation of this Long Range Transportation Plan.
A public request notification was made on Pawnee Nation Web site per 25 CFR
170.413 requesting input on the LRTP and availability for review. Interested parties
could review, obtain a copy, ask questions and state or submit comments. Table
5.1 lists contacts and comments made during the review and comment period.
Table 5.1
5.2 Pawnee Nation Corporations, Commissions and Departments
5.2.1 Tribal Development Corporation
The Tribal Development Corporation plans for the future growth and expansion of
future business developments for the Pawnee Nation. The corporation is presently
working on several different business developments that will bring new revenue to
the Pawnee Nation and aid the Nation in becoming more self sufficient
5.2.2 Division of Planning
The Division of Planning is responsible for looking at the long term goals of the
Nation and working to coordinate the long range plans for each division,
department and program incorporating them into one long range plan for the

31

Pawnee Nation. The Planning Department is currently working on the following
items:
 In conjunction with the various departments, a master land use plan is being
developed to establish zoning, business codes, and a master land use map
for the Tribal Complex property.
 In conjunction with all Pawnee Nation Divisions and Public meeting create
a long range plan for Pawnee Nation
 Planning for a new youth center and Museum at the Tribal Complex.
 Continuous planning to develop economic enterprises that will provide
employment opportunities for Tribal members in the hopes that more Tribal
members will return to the area to work.
5.2.3 Gaming Commission
The Pawnee Nation Gaming Commission is a regulatory commission which
regulates Pawnee Nation gaming operations. This commission works closely with
the National Indian Gaming Commission to ensure Pawnee Nation gaming
facilities comply with all Nation, State Compact and Pawnee Nation Laws.
5.2.4 Division of Property
This department is responsibility for Indian Community Development Block Grant
(ICDBG) grants and the operation of the Academy. This department is currently
working on a number of different projects:
 Working with the planning department to apply for grants to rehabilitate all
of the existing buildings that will eventually be used as classrooms for the
Academy or office spaces.
5.2.5 Division of Law Enforcement
The Pawnee Nation Police Department has 5 full-time officers and 5 police
vehicles. The police officers patrol the Pawnee Nations Indian land located in
Pawnee, Payne, and Kay counties. The officers average approximately 4,000
miles (combined) per month.
5.2.6 Division of Health and Community Services Outreach in Home Care
Department
 CHR Program: The purpose of the Community Health
Representatives/Emergency Medical Services is to act as an advocate
and facilitator for families and individuals to gain access to comprehensive
health care services as well as provide opportunities to enhance the
quality of life for the people they serve. The target population is eligible
Indian residents living within the Pawnee Tribal Service Area in Pawnee
County and the city limits of Stillwater, OK in Payne County.

32

 Health Education: The purpose of the Health Education program is to
establish
identifiable health education components within the tribal health
department. The Health Education program strives to promote awareness,
guidance & counseling, and prevention of diseases and/or disability
among Indian people. The target population is eligible Indian people,
including the non-Indigenous share, within the Pawnee Service area.

5.2.7 Housing Authority
There are several Housing Authorities operating within in the original boundaries
of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. These authorities are responsible for their own
planning, purchasing, constructing, and operations of their housing units. The
Housing Authority has several units that are presently in operation.

5.2.8 Pawnee Nation College
The Pawnee Nation College seeks to meet the higher education and cultural
needs of the Pawnee Nation, other surrounding Indian nations, and all who have
the desire to engage in a life of learning. Pawnee Nation College is dedicated to
promoting social responsibility, service community, and research that contribute
to the cultural, social, and economic well-being of the Pawnee Nation, other
Indian nations, and surrounding communities.
5.2.9 Division of Natural Resources and Safety
The Pawnee Nation Division of Natural Resources and Safety was established
and implemented in 2010. It consists of four Departments:





Department of Environmental Conservation and Safety,
Department of Transportation and Safety,
Department of Fire and Rescue, and
Department of Emergency Management.

Although each Department within the Division has its own mission and service
objectives, each Department shares many common interest and overlapping
services concerning natural resources and safety. Placing these Departments
under a common Division enables direct collaboration and efficient services.

33

6

TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND PROJECTS

6.1 INTRODUCTION
While many transportation needs have been identified for the Pawnee Nation area,
the transportation plan is still fiscally constrained to fit projects into the
Transportation Improvement Program better. The process used to determine
projects is discussed below.
The TTIP is a five-year list of transportation projects that are eligible for federal
funds. The TTIP is revised annually to reflect changing priorities.
The Tribal TIP process begins with looking at areas that serve tribal members.
Input is gathered from various sources to further refine the project list by looking
at a variety of criteria to rank potential projects. Each potential project is analyzed
to figure out what rehabilitation, reconstruction or construction is needed, the leadtime required, and an estimated cost for each phase of each project. Once
completed, the list is taken before the Pawnee Business Council for final
prioritization and is approved by resolution.
After completion, the TTIP is sent to the Office of Federal Lands Highways, TTP
Program Tribal Coordinator. The TTP Program Coordinator then sends the control
schedule to the FHWA in Washington D. C. for their signatory approval and the
TIP projects are then sent to each respective FHWA regional and division office
and finally to the state DOT. Once a final TTIP document is finished at the Tribal
level, it may take another eight to twelve months before the state receives it and
places it in their Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).
Each Tribal project then goes through the following step-by-step process before
construction is completed.
1. Cultural clearance
2. Research of right-of-way (ROW) ownership
3. Consent to survey
4. Preliminary survey
5. National Environmental Policy Act compliance
a. Categorical Exclusion; or
b. Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact; or
c. Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision.
6. State Historic Preservation Office
7. Request Title Search Request (Tribal Land) or Memorandum of Title (fee
land)
8. Design Survey
9. Soils investigation
10. Maintenance consideration for design
11. Permits
12. Design
34

13. Construction document preparation
14. Submission of design documents to FHWA/BIA
15. BIA and FHWA approval
16. Prepare the documents and descriptions for ROW acquisitions
17. Appraisals if necessary
18. Purchase of ROW
19. Bidding of construction contract
20. Contract award to construction contractor
21. Preconstruction conference with contractor
22. Construction phase
23. Inspections during construction
24. Final inspection upon project completion
25. Contract closeout
Because all of the procedures entailed in getting a project to completion, having
adequate time before scheduling projects for construction is necessary. The time
required varies from one to two years.
6.2 RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES
Every project is designed with ROW issues in mind, due to the difficulty of securing
ROW on both fee land and Trust property. Each design is completed in such a
way as to require the least amount of ROW. In most construction contracts that
the Pawnee Nation has completed, the agreement has been that the County
Commissioner would acquire the fee land ROW and the Tribe, through the BIA,
would acquire any Trust property ROW. This system has worked well through the
years and very few projects have been held up due to ROW issues.
During the design phase the design engineer will prepare all ROW drawings and
easements for the ROW acquisition. On fee property the County Commissioner
has the right to negotiate with the land owners to secure the ROW without an
appraisal. On any Trust property, an appraisal has to be completed by a certified
and licensed appraiser before the BIA can negotiate with a land owner.
As of 2018 the Pawnee Nation Department of Transportation is beginning to
handle ROW access and permitting with the Pawnee Nation jurisdiction, in
conjunction with the BIA.
6.3 EXISTING IRR INVENTORY ROAD CONDITONS
Each of the roads on the Pawnee Nation IRR inventory has been evaluated to
determine the current conditions of the roads and to help in the prioritization
process. The Route Condition table in Appendix B lists the conditions for each
route.

35

6.4 IDENTIFIED TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND GOALS
With all of the economic development plans being undertaken at this point in time,
the Pawnee Nation is at a major turning point in the history of the Tribe. As each
future development is planned and executed, it is crucial how they will affect the
various departments in the Tribe and especially how they relate to the Pawnee
Transportation Department.
6.4.1 Land Use and Zoning Plan
The Transportation Department should be directly involved with the Pawnee
Nation Tribal Planner in the development of all plans to help analyze how and
where certain transportation systems could be constructed on the Pawnee Nation
Reserve.
To develop a truly useful land use planning document, the entire Pawnee Nation
Reserve should be surveyed. This would give the exact locations of all existing
building, roads, utilities, drainage systems and contours for site planning purposes.
This drawing can then be used to identify any restricted areas such as floodplains
or culturally sensitive areas. Once these areas have been identified the drawing
can be used to create areas for future uses. It will also be important to analyze the
utility requirements of each improvement on the Pawnee Reserve.
Future energy developments will definitely need the cooperation of the
Transportation Department to construct the roads that a project such as this would
require.
6.4.2 SHORT TERM GOALS
To serve the Tribal Community and create a more connected transportation
system, the Pawnee Nation has set the following short- term goals for the next 5
years.
 Pursue the opportunity to expand the Pawnee Nation IRR inventory by
adding all eligible roads and bridges within the Pawnee jurisdictional area.
 Expand Geographical Information System (GIS) capabilities for future
planning, including placing all IRR routes and bridges in a GIS format.
 Submit grants to improve infrastructure of roads, bridges and sidewalks for
safety.
 Maintain roads, parking lots, and sidewalks on Pawnee Nation Campus.
 Continue to update by way of projects as rules and regulations change.
 Continue to reconstruct as many road and bridge projects as the
transportation budget will allow.
 Continue to contract cooperative projects with the Counties.
 Continue to contract cooperative projects with the surrounding Cities.

36

 Continue to increase the cooperative effort between other Pawnee Nation
Departments and the Pawnee Transportation Department through the
construction and renovation around the Pawnee Nation Complex.
6.5 SPECIFIC PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE 20-YEAR PRIORITY

LIST
Table 6.5 identifies the projects that have been placed on the Tribes 20-year
priority list.
TABLE 6.5
PAWNEE NATION 20-YEAR PROJECT PRIORITY LIST
PRIORITY ROUTE NO.
PROJECT NAME
FY 2021 - 2040 Reoccurring activity
Existing Routes
Assessment of 1/3 routes on Roads Inventory Field
on TTP Inventory Database update with current assessment information

FY 2021
251

2065

Assessment,
Update, Propose

Pawnee County Routes to NTTFI

Assessment,
Update, Propose

Payne County Routes to NTTFI

Assessment,
Update, Propose

Town of Maramec Routes to NTTFI

Assessment,
Update, Propose

City of Pawnee to NTTFI

PC29
PC29/6055

Reconstruction Green Bridge
Harrison/Agency Rd. Planning and construction: lighting.

PC29/6055

Harrison/Agency Rd. Planning and construction: overlay,
sidewalk, & striping

6263

ICDBG FY20 Public Safety Center

Review and Update Pawnee Nation Safety Plan
2064

6266 ICDBG FY18 Greenhouse
SRTS, TAP Planning , Pre-construction, and Construction
StonewWolf new parking lot addition

FY 2022
ICDBG FY21

Existing Routes
on IRR Inventory

Assessment of 1/3 routes on Roads Inventory Field
Database and update information as needed

FY 2023

37

6269

Beck Drive: Planning reconstruction to include ADA
compliant sidewalks
ICDBG FY22

Existing Routes
on IRR Inventory

Assessment of 1/3 routes on Roads Inventory Field
Database and update information as needed

Existing Routes
on IRR Inventory

Assessment of 1/3 routes on Roads Inventory Field
Database and update information as needed

6269

Beck Drive: Planning reconstruction to include ADA
compliant sidewalks

FY 2024

ICDBG FY23

FY 2025
227

6269/6247/PC34

Beck Dr. – construction: grade, drain, base, sidewalk,
asphalt & striping

6247

N3490 - planning roadway reconstruction sidewalk/trail
construction

6105

E0450 - planning roadway reconstruction sidewalk/trail
construction

Existing Routes
on IRR Inventory

Assessment of 1/3 routes on Roads Inventory Field
Database and update information as needed
ICDBG FY24

FY 2026
IRR 6030/6243

9th St. - planning

PN Campus

PN Road Preservation Project

Existing Routes
on IRR Inventory

Assessment of 1/3 routes on Roads Inventory Field
Database and update information as needed

6104/6244

4th St. - planning

IRR 6030/6243

9th St. - construction

PN Campus

PN Road Preservation Project

IRR 6055
PN Campus

Evaluate curve to get to IHS
PN Road Reconstruction- planning

FY 2027
FY2028
FY 2029
FY 2030

FY 2031

38

6230

Lone Chimney Rd – Hwy 18 to 9th St - planning

6104/6244

4th St. - construction

City of Pawnee

Bridge Panning

City of Pawnee

Bridge replacement

PN Campus

PN Road Reconstruction overlay, striping, curb, gutter,
sidewalks

594

Overpass - planning

Prop. Route

Chilocco Roads and parking lots

6230

Lone Chimney Rd – Hwy 18 to 9th St grade, drain, base,
overlay

6230

Overpass - Construction

6230

Overpass - Construction

FY 2032
FY 2033
FY 2034
FY 2035

FY 2036
FY 2037
FY 2038

FY 2039
FY 2040

6.6 BRIDGE NEEDS
Bridges on the Pawnee Nations TTP inventory are in desperate need of repair. As
can be seen in the table in Appendix C, the majority of the bridges on the inventory
are load rated and a school bus could not legally cross a large number of them.
Oklahoma ranks last in the United States in the condition of its bridges. Many of
the bridges are over 50 years old and were not built for today’s traffic demands.
As can be seen in the photos of each bridge, a majority of them do not have any
type of guard rail and are very narrow. This presents a significant hazard to the
driving public especially at night. The Pawnee Nation has worked closely with the
County Commissioners in their area and has replaced a number of bridges with
IRR funds. In the future the Pawnee Nation intends to work with the
Commissioners to identify and replace as many bridges as possible using IRR
funds, special bridge funds and cooperative agreements with the County’s.

39

7 TRANSPORTATION FUNDING OPTIONS
INTRODUCTION

6.1

The Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) receives its funds from the Department
of Transportation (DOT) appropriation. The Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) reserves an amount specified in MAP-21 §1119; 23 USC 201, 202. The
BIA and the FHWA jointly administer the distribution of TTP funds under applicable
laws and regulations.
Funds will be allocated among the Tribes using a new statutory formula based on
tribal population, road mileage and average tribal shares of SAFETEA-LU TTP
funding. For the new formula, tribal shares are determined as follows, using FY
2012 national tribal transportation facility inventory data and the most recent
population data on American Indian/Alaska Native Reservation or Statistical
Area, as computed under the Native American Housing Assistance and SelfDetermination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA, 25 USC 4101 et seq.):
•
•
•

27% on eligible road miles
39% on tribal population
34% divided equally among the 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regions
and then distributed among Tribes in that region based on each Tribe's
average FY 2005-FY 2011 formula distribution compared to that region's
total FY 2005-FY 2011 distribution.

The MAP-21 formula is to be phased in over a 4-year transition period as follows:
•
•
•
•

FY 2013 – 80% of funds distributed based on tribal shares in FY 2011,
with remainder using the new formula.
FY 2014 – 60% of funds distributed based on tribal shares in FY 2011,
with remainder using the new formula.
FY 2015 – 40% of funds distributed based on tribal shares in FY 2011,
with remainder using the new formula.
FY 2016 and thereafter – 20% of funds distributed based on tribal shares
in FY 2011, with remainder using the new formula.

Prior to distribution to Tribes, the following amounts may be deducted:
•

•

•

Up to 6% for program administration, including funding for Tribal Technical
Assistance Centers (TTAPs). These funds may be used by the Secretary
or the Secretary of the Interior for program management and oversight
and project-related administrative expenses. [§1119; 23 USC 202(a)(6)]
Up to 2% per year for transportation planning, to be allocated among
Indian tribal governments that applies for transportation planning. [§1119;
23 USC 202(c)]
Up to 2% per year for a nationwide priority program for improving eligible
deficient bridges. [§1119; 23 USC 202(d)]
40

•

Up to 2% per year for safety projects, to be allocated to applicant tribal
governments for eligible projects. [§1119; 23 USC 202(e)]

Tribal supplemental funding -- The amount to be set aside is determined as
follows:
•
•

30% if the TTP funding level is ≤ $275 million.
If the TTP funding level is greater than $275 million, $82.5 million plus
12.5% of the excess over $275 million.

The FAST ACT, which was enacted on December 4, 2015, authorizes $305 billion
over fiscal years 2016 through 2020. The FAST Act authorizes a total combined
amount ($39.7 billion in FY 2016, $40.5 billion in FY 2017, $41.4 billion in FY 2018,
$42.4 billion in FY 2019, and $43.4 billion in FY 2020).
Fiscal year

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Authorization $465 M $475 M $485 M $495 M $505 M

As under MAP-21, the FAST Act allocates TTP funding among the Tribes through
a statutory formula based on tribal population, road mileage and average tribal
shares under the SAFETEA-LU Indian Reservation Road program. The FAST Act
continues this formula without modification. [23 U.S.C. 202(b)]

CONSTRUCTION & FUNDING OPTIONS

6.2

There are several funding options that can be used by the Tribe to fund projects
related to the Transportation Department.
 TTP funds
 Funds available for consultation, collaboration, and coordination activities:









Tribal Priority Allocation (TPA) funds
Administration for Native Americans (ANA) funds
Economic Development Administration (EDA) funds
United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development funds
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funds
Indian Health Service Tribal Management Grant (IHSTMG) fund
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other FHWA
safety funds for highway safety projects

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 Transit funding – Federal Transit Authority Regional Transit Assistance
Program (RTAP)
 TTP Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program
 TTP Safety Funds
 Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) funds
6.2.1 Construction alternatives
In 2018 the Pawnee Nation passed a Resolution recognizing the need and
importance to have a Construction Manager under a Construction Management
General Contractor contract involved during the planning, design and
Construction of eligible infrastructure projects to reduce time and cost.
The Pawnee Nation approved and authorized the procurement for construction
Manager services under a Construction Management General Contractor
Contract; and the bundling of identified infrastructure projects including the
repair, restoration and new construction of roads, bridges, and vertical
infrastructure contingent on available state and federal funds.
6.3

TRIBAL FUNDING SOURCES
 Motor Fuels Compact Revenues – A portion of these monies may be
allocated by the Pawnee Business Council in support of the Pawnee
Transportation Department.
 Pawnee Nation Tax Revenues – The Pawnee Nation Tax Ordinance
defines transportation as one of the programs that may be supported by tax
revenues. The revenues are transferred to the General Fund and are in
turn allocated by the Pawnee Business Council.
 Pawnee Nation Gaming Revenues – These funds are similar to tax
revenues, in that uses for these funds, when available, will be determined
by the Tax Ordinance and Pawnee Business Council allocation plan.

At present, the Pawnee Nation Department of Transportation and Safety currently
receives no funding from any of the above listed Tribal sources.
6.3.1 PARTNERSHIPS
City and County Partnerships – The PNDOTS will continue to build strong
working relationships with the cities and counties where the PNDOTS has
routes. The PNDOTS has and will enter into mutual aid projects with these
entities in order to stretch our roads monies and to build working relationships
between the local and tribal governments.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apawnee_oklahoma%3Accfda7e93c6b2ade. Public record. Not legal advice.