8 Systems of Intertribal Co-Management CORA provides a good example of how an intertribal treaty commission operates. In 2000, CORA’s Tribes negotiated a comprehensive 20-year agreement with the State of Michigan and the federal government to govern allocation and management of upper Great Lakes fishery resources. The agreement was approved by a federal court. It set forth specific regulatory and management responsibilities among all of the parties. The Tribes delegated CORA to assist in meeting these responsibilities. One key component was the formation of standing inter-agency committees tasked with addressing all pertinent fishery management issues, including the development of harvest limits for key species. Harvest limits are calculated using statistical catch- at-age computer modeling, and require extensive data collection and input from field assessments, commercial effort and harvest sampling, and other biological parameters. Tribal, state and federal biologists participate in data collection and in the annual harvest limit-setting process, with outside experts from universities and other agencies as needed. Treaty Programs in Action— Activities and Accomplishments Treaty rights protection and implementation programs are similarly structured yet appropriately tailored to address the specific needs of their respective Tribes. Intertribal treaty commissions operate only within specific delegated responsibilities. They are governed by bodies of tribal representatives and often use technical committees to address issues or species. Professional staff carry out programs in accordance with specific goals, deliverables, and outcomes. Program accomplishments are reported to governing bodies and funding sources.