Census Bureau April 1, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) defines American Indian areas (AIAs) as the geographic entities within the United States that are specifically defined for the collection, tabulation, and presentation of decennial census data for federally and/or state- recognized American Indian tribes. The AIAs will be used to collect, tabulate, and present data for the 2010 Census, period estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS) after 2010, and potentially other Census Bureau statistical data. More specifically, for the 2010 Census, AIAs consist of the following types of geographic entities: American Indian reservations (AIRs). Off-reservation trust lands (ORTLs). Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs). Tribal designated statistical areas (TDSAs). State designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSAs). Tribal census tracts (tribal tracts). Tribal block groups. Tribal subdivisions on AIRs, ORTLs, and OTSAs. Census designated places (CDPs) on AIRs, ORTLs, and OTSAs. The geographic entities listed above include both legal and statistical geographic entities (see ``Definitions of Key Terms'' section). The Census Bureau is not proposing any new types of AIAs for the 2010 Census. The Census Bureau is specifically seeking comments on the following proposed changes for the 2010 Census, but will consider all submitted comments: Change the term ``State Designated American Indian Statistical Areas'' (SDAISAs) to ``State Designated Tribal Statistical Areas'' or SDTSAs. Clarify the definition and purpose of OTSAs. In addition, because all former AIRs in Oklahoma were delineated as OTSAs for Census 2000, the Census Bureau proposes that no new OTSAs may be delineated for the 2010 Census, and to the extent possible, OTSA boundaries for the 2010 Census should be consistent with those defined for Census 2000. The Census Bureau also seeks to avoid defining joint use area OTSAs for the 2010 Census. Clarify the definition, purpose, and the criteria and guidelines for TDSAs and SDTSAs. Identify tribal census tracts and tribal block groups as separate statistical geographic entities distinct from ``standard'' county-based census tracts and block groups. The Census Bureau will provide responses to comments received as part of the publication of the final criteria in the Federal Register at a future date. The Census Bureau has three geographic partnership programs through which it collects updates to the inventory, boundaries, and attributes of AIAs for the 2010 Census: The annual Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS), the State Reservation Program, and the Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP). Both the BAS and the State Reservation Program provide the process for reviewing and updating those AIAs that are legal geographic entities: AIRs and ORTLs under the governmental authority of federally recognized American Indian tribes, tribal subdivisions within these federally recognized AIRs and ORTLs, and AIRs for state- recognized American Indian tribes. The TSAP provides the process for reviewing and updating those AIAs that are statistical geographic entities: OTSAs, tribal subdivisions within OTSAs, TDSAs, SDTSAs, tribal census tracts, tribal block groups, and CDPs. Each of these programs is discussed in more detail within the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Federal Register notice. For information regarding similar programs for Alaska Native Areas (ANAs), please refer to the Federal Register notice titled ``Alaska Native Areas (ANAs) for the 2010 CensusProposed Criteria and Guidelines'' (73 FR 14203; March 17, 2008).