Department of Education June 23, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary proposes to amend the definition of ``reservation'' under the regulations governing the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) program in one of two ways. The first proposed amendment, ``Alternative A,'' would conform the definition to the Department's current interpretation and practices. In order to be eligible for a grant, a federally or State recognized tribe must be located on a Federal or State reservation. The statutory definition of ``reservation'' includes Federal or State Indian reservations; public domain Indian allotments; former Indian reservations in Oklahoma; and land held by incorporated Native groups, regional corporations, and village corporations under the provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The Department's ``Alternative A'' definition would also include as a reservation ``defined areas of land recognized by a State or the Federal Government where there is a concentration of tribal members and on which the tribal government is providing structured activities and services.'' The second proposed amendment to the regulatory definition of ``reservation,'' ``Alternative B,'' would limit the areas of land the Department considers to be reservations to those that are listed in the statutory definition of ``reservation'': Federal or State Indian reservations; public domain Indian allotments; former Indian reservations in Oklahoma; or land held by incorporated Native groups, regional corporations, and village corporations under the provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The Secretary seeks comment on both alternatives.