Bureau of Indian Affairs November 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for approval for the collection of information for Leases and Permits. The information collection is currently authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0155, which expires November 30, 2015.

Under Part 83 of Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations (25 CFR part 83), the Department of the Interior (Department) gives notice of three groups that have each filed a documented petition for Federal acknowledgment as an American Indian tribe with the Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs. The Department seeks comment and evidence from the public on the petitions listed below.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for renewal for the collection of information for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Application for Grants, authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0018, and the Tribal Colleges and Universities Annual Report Form, authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0105. Both of these information collections expire November 30, 2015.

This final rule comprehensively updates and streamlines the process for obtaining Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) grants of rights- of-way on Indian land, while supporting tribal self-determination and self-governance. This final rule further implements the policy decisions and approaches established in the leasing regulations, which BIA finalized in December 2012, by applying them to the rights-of-way context where applicable. The rule also applies to BIA land.

This notice informs the public that through the issuance of the Record of Decision on April 22, 2013 announcing the decision to acquire the subject property in trust, the Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs proclaimed such subject property as the initial reservation of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe of Washington on November 6, 2015. The subject property was accepted by the United States in trust for the Tribe on March 9, 2015. Now that the subject property is held in trust by the United States for the Tribe, the Department is implementing its 2013 decision to proclaim the subject property as the initial reservation of the Tribe.

On May 16, 2014, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Navajo Nation General Leasing Regulations under the Navajo Nation Trust Leasing Act of 2000. With this approval, the Tribe is authorized to enter into leases without BIA approval.

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is announcing its intent to establish an Accountability Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee). The Committee will recommend revisions to the existing regulations for BIE's accountability system. As required by applicable statutes, the Secretary will select representatives of Indian tribes for the Committee from among individuals nominated by tribes whose students attend BIE-funded schools operated by either the BIE or by the tribe through a contract or grant and who would be affected by a final rule. The BIE also solicits comments on the proposal to establish the Committee, including comments on additional interests not identified in this notice of intent, and invites tribes to nominate representatives for membership on the Committee.