Department of the Interior 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Pueblo Grande Museum (PGM) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Pueblo Grande Museum. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is revising regulations governing the annual Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest, also known as the Federal Duck Stamp Contest (Contest). We are instituting changes to design elements and judging requirements beginning with the 2020 Contest. Beginning in 2020, the Contest will include a permanent theme of ``celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage,'' and it will be mandatory that each entry include an appropriate waterfowl hunting scene and/or accessory.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency, in cooperation with the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Moapa Band), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and other agencies, intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation and storage projects on the Moapa River Indian Reservation (Reservation) and collector lines and access roads located on the Reservation, Reservation lands administered by BLM, and BLM lands. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify potential issues related to the EIS. It also announces that two live streaming events will be held where the project team will introduce the project and be available by internet and by phone to document and discuss potential issues, alternatives, and mitigation to be considered in the EIS.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. We also announce receipt of an application for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and receipt of a draft habitat conservation plan. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) (applicant) has applied for an incidental take permit under the ESA for the Dos Osos Reservoir Replacement Project in Contra Costa County, California. The permit would authorize the take of one species incidental to the construction of the project. Incidental take coverage is not being sought for operation and maintenance of the project, as these activities are covered, analyzed, and mitigated for under the existing EBMUD Low- Effect East Bay HCP. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are proposing to renew an information collection.

The plats of survey of the following described lands are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho, in 30 days from the date of this publication.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and Section 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Montana Miles City Field Office (MCFO) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and proposal to amend the 2015 MCFO Resource Management Plan (RMP), as amended. The EA is in response to Miles Community College's (MCC) request for a direct sale of the United States' (U.S.) reversionary interest in the Recreation and Public Purpose (R&PP) Act Patent No. 25-92-0078 for 11.83 acres at fair market value of $272,000, under the authority of FLPMA. By this notice, the BLM is announcing the opening of the comment period on the EA, realty action, and Draft RMP amendment.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register of January 2, 2020, that contained errors in the Paperwork Reduction Act statement. This document provides a corrected Paperwork Reduction Act statement and reopens the comment period for comments on the information collection described in that statement.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) and designate critical habitat. In total, approximately 812 acres (329 hectares) on the south end of San Juan Island, San Juan County, Washington, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation.

This notice informs the public that the Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs proclaimed approximately 5.88 acres, more or less, an addition to the reservation of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians on April 13, 2020.

On April 13, 2020, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Shingle Springs Rancheria (Verona Tract), California (Tribe) Business Leasing Regulations under the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act of 2012 (HEARTH Act). With this approval, the Tribe is authorized to enter into business leases without further BIA approval.

This notice announces the establishment of a categorical exclusion (CX) for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as directed by the amendment of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This establishment revises BLM policies and procedures for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended; other statutes; Executive Order 11514, as amended; Executive Order 12114; and the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations. These CXs, as well as others established by Congress, as described below, will be incorporated into the Departmental Manual (DM) and will be added to the Department of the Interior's (Department) Electronic Library of Interior Policies (ELIPS).

This rule would revise National Park Service regulations to comply with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Sturgeon v. Frost. In the Sturgeon decision, the Court held that National Park Service regulations apply exclusively to public lands (meaning federally owned lands and waters) within the external boundaries of National Park System units in Alaska. Lands which are not federally owned, including submerged lands under navigable waters, are not part of the unit subject to the National Park Service's ordinary regulatory authority.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is publishing this notice to announce that a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) will take place.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), provide a list to the public of permits issued under the ESA. With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that authorizes or exempts the taking under the ESA. We provide this list to the public as a summary of our permit issuances for candidate conservation agreements with assurances, safe harbor agreements, habitat conservation plans, and recovery activities for calendar year 2019.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are revising our proposed designation of critical habitat for the northern Mexican gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops) and narrow-headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 27,784 acres (11,244 hectares) in La Paz, Mohave, Yavapai, Gila, Cochise, Santa Cruz, and Pima Counties in Arizona, and in Grant County in New Mexico, fall within the boundaries of the revised proposed critical habitat designation for the northern Mexican gartersnake; and 18,701 acres (7,568 hectares) in Greenlee, Graham, Apache, Yavapai, Gila, and Coconino Counties in Arizona, as well as in Grant, Hidalgo, and Catron Counties in New Mexico, fall within the boundaries of the revised proposed critical habitat designation for the narrow-headed gartersnake. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the revised proposed designation of critical habitat for northern Mexican and narrow-headed gartersnakes. We request comments from all interested parties on this revised proposed rule and the associated draft economic analysis. Comments submitted on our July 10, 2013, proposed rule need not be resubmitted as they will be fully considered in the preparation of the final rule. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to these species' critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove Cumberland sandwort (Arenaria cumberlandensis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (List). We also announce the availability of a draft post-delisting monitoring (PDM) plan for the Cumberland sandwort. We seek information, data, and comments from the public on this proposed rule and on the associated draft PDM plan. If this proposal is finalized, the Cumberland sandwort will be removed from the List.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery (LNFH) Surface Water Intake Fish Screens and Fish Passage (SWISP) Project. Reclamation is requesting public and agency comment to identify significant issues or other alternatives to be considered in the EIS.

The plats of survey of the following described lands are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado State Office, Lakewood, Colorado, 30 calendar days from the date of this publication. The surveys, which were executed at the request of the U.S. Forest Service and the BLM, are necessary for the management of these lands.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are proposing a new information collection which is currently in use without approval.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is publishing this notice to announce a public meeting of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG).

The purpose of this notice is to request public nominations for five members to the Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee (BENM-MAC). The BENM-MAC provides information and advice regarding development of the management plan and, as appropriate, management of the Monument. The Monticello Field Office will accept public nominations for 30 days from the date this Notice is posted. Committee duties and responsibilities are solely advisory in nature.