The Cultural Resources Protection Program excels in the protection of cultural resources through the enforcement of Federal and State Laws and regulations within the tribal lands. Federal laws include the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and others.

1987 Memorandum of Understanding between Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Skagit County established the Land Use Program which provides a framework for conducting permitting activities withint the boundaries of the "checkerboarded" reservation and established a forum for resolving conflicts that might arise. It also created a 9-member Planning Advisory Board, comprised of four tribal appointees, four County appointees and a neutral facilitator.

1990 Draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan articulated land use goals, establishes policies to guide stewardship of the land and resources of the reservation and outlines an implementation strategy.