Department of the Interior 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for meltwater lednian stonefly and western glacier stonefly, two insect species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies and the public.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service (USFS) will hold joint public meetings to provide opportunities for public comment on the USFS application to withdraw approximately 225,378 acres of National Forest System lands in the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota from disposition under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights. In addition, the public meetings will provide the public with an initial opportunity to participate in the environmental assessment being performed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as follows.

The Field Museum of Natural History (Field Museum), in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written request to the Field Museum. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural item to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (Museum) at the University of Oklahoma 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 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 purpose of this notice is to request public nominations to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC). This citizen-based committee advises the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the preparation and implementation of the San Juan Islands National Monument Management Plan.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office (BLM) 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 BLM. 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 Bureau of Reclamation is proposing to designate Canyon Ferry Reservoir as a new site under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which will authorize retention of recreation user fees for overnight camping, group use shelters, and special use permits.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on foreign or native species for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and foreign bird species covered under the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). With some exceptions, the MMPA and WBCA prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. These Acts also require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity they otherwise prohibit with respect to any species.

The National Park Service is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered for appointment to the National Park System Advisory Board (Board). The Board advises the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) and the Director of the National Park Service (Director) on matters relating to the National Park Service (NPS), the National Park System, and programs administered by the NPS; the designation of National Historic Landmarks and National Natural Landmarks; and the national historic significance of proposed National Historic Trails. The Board is regulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the National Park Service is hereby giving notice that the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission (Commission) will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially filed the plats of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho. The plats described in this notice were filed on June 28, 2021, and September 22, 2021. The surveys, which were executed at the request of the BLM and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, are necessary for the management of these lands.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of documents related to an application to amend an existing incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has applied for an amendment to their existing ITP, which, if granted, would add lands for coverage under their Forest Management Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and which would effectively extend the permit take coverage to these lands for three federally listed species, the grizzly bear, Canada lynx, and bull trout, and two unlisted species, the westslope cutthroat trout and Columbia redband trout. We invite comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.

In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS) and Record of Decision, and the Consent Decree, the Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group (MS TIG) have prepared the Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Habitat Projects on Federally Managed Lands; Sea Turtles; Marine Mammals; Birds; and Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities (Draft RP3/EA). In the Draft RP3/EA, the MS TIG proposes projects to partially restore injured habitats, sea turtles, marine mammals, birds, and to compensate for lost recreational use in the Mississippi Restoration Area as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The approximate cost to implement the MS TIG's proposed action (seven preferred alternatives) is $19,000,000. We invite public comments on the Draft RP3/EA.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon/Washington Burns District's Andrews Field Office intends to prepare the Bridge Creek Area (BCA) Allotment Management Plans (AMP) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and, by this notice, is announcing the beginning of the public scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, we, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing a new information collection.

The National Indian Gaming Commission proposes to amend its procedures for processing a request for approval of a management contract under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The proposed amendments make the following changes to the current regulations. The regulations will now require a background investigation of all persons who have 10 percent or more direct or indirect financial interest in a management contract. The regulations will also require a background investigation of all entities with 10 percent or more financial interest in a management contract. The regulations now require a background investigation of any other person or entity with a direct or indirect financial interest in a management contract otherwise designated by the Commission. The regulations authorize the Chair, either by request or unilaterally, to exercise discretion to reduce the scope of the information to be furnished and background investigation to be conducted for certain entities.

The plats of survey of the following described land are scheduled to be officially filed 30 days after the date of this publication in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona State Office, Phoenix, Arizona. The surveys announced in this notice are necessary for the management of lands administered by the agency indicated.

BOEM announces the availability of the joint ROD on the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the construction and operations plan (COP) submitted by South Fork Wind, LLC (South Fork Wind). The joint ROD includes the decisions of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and NMFS regarding the South Fork Wind COP. NMFS has adopted the Final EIS to support its decision to issue an incidental take authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The joint ROD concludes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for each agency and is available with associated information on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/ south-fork.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Financial Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior are proposing to renew an information collection.

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 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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the ``Service''), are extending the comment period on our October 27, 2021, proposed rule to rescind the final rule titled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat'' that published on December 18, 2020, and established regulations for exclusions from critical habitat. We are extending the comment period by 15 days.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Western Oregon Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as follows.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposes to renew an information collection.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Atlantic-Gulf & Mississippi Basin Unified Region (FWS Southeast Region), has completed an inventory of human remains 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 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 FWS Southeast Region. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.