Department of the Interior March 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Pala Band of Mission Indians Leasing Ordinance 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.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Pechanga Band of Indians Residential Leasing Ordinance under the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act of 2012 (HEARTH Act). With this approval, the Tribe is authorized to enter into residential leases without further BIA approval.

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (Michigan SHPO) 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 a 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 Michigan SHPO. 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.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Billings Field Office, Billings, Montana, intends to prepare an amendment to the Billings Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP) and an associated Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA will analyze a proposed change to the RMP's Management Decision Wild Horse (MD WH-7) with respect to managing genetic diversity in the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse herd. This notice initiates the EA scoping process for the RMP amendment to solicit public comments and identify issues and announces the opportunity for public review of the planning criteria.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary will seek Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of an emergency clearance of a new information collection.

Pinal County, AZ, filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to develop three parcels of BLM-managed land as part of a regional park that will help meet expanding recreational needs in the area near Maricopa, AZ. The BLM, Lower Sonoran Field Office, examined the three parcels consisting of approximately 497 acres of public land and determined that the parcels are suitable for classification under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended. The R&PP Act allows local governments to lease, develop, and subsequently acquire public lands for recreation and other public purposes if compliant with local government and BLM land use planning. The R&PP project is consistent with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, as amended, and associated BLM regulations and policies.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is implementing a future expanded amenity fee program for camping at Rabbit Valley campgrounds, located within McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) in Mesa County, Colorado. The fee program will allow the BLM to meet increasing demand for camping activities, protect resources, prevent further deterioration of the recreation setting, enforce existing rules and regulations, and provide for enhanced information and educational opportunities.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection in use without an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

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

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

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's (BLM) Western Oregon Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as follows.

This FSN contains information pertaining to the areas available for commercial wind energy leasing on the OCS in the Carolina Long Bay Area. Specifically, this FSN details certain provisions and conditions of the leases, auction details, the lease form, criteria for evaluating competing bids, award procedures, appeal procedures, and lease execution. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will offer two leases: Lease OCS-A 0545 and Lease OCS-A 0546. The issuance of any lease resulting from this sale would not constitute an approval of project-specific plans to develop offshore wind energy. Such plans, if submitted by the lessee, would be subject to subsequent environmental, technical, and public reviews prior to a decision on whether the proposed development should be authorized.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the National Park Service (NPS) are proposing to renew an information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we, the National Park Service (NPS) are proposing to renew an information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), a bat species found in all or portions of 37 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, and much of Canada, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The northern long- eared bat is currently listed as a threatened species with an accompanying rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule''). This document complies with a court order, which requires the Service to make a new listing decision for the northern long-eared bat. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that the northern long-eared bat meets the Act's definition of an endangered species. Accordingly, we propose to list the northern long- eared bat as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would reclassify this species as an endangered species on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and remove its species-specific 4(d) rule. Additionally, this proposed rule serves as our 5-year review of the species. We also are notifying the public that we have scheduled an informational meeting followed by a public hearing on the proposed rule.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information collection.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the BIA. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Department of the Interior (Department) gives notice that the group known as the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe has 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 petition.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the sand dune phacelia (Phacelia argentea), a plant species from coastal southern Oregon and northern California, as a threatened species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as our 12- month finding on a petition to list the sand dune phacelia. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the sand dune phacelia as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule''). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants and extend the Act's protections to the species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for the sand dune phacelia under the Act. In total, approximately 252 acres (102 hectares) in Coos and Curry Counties in Oregon, and Del Norte County in California, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for sand dune phacelia.

Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), which further amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (1990 Act), and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, this rule adjusts for inflation the level of civil monetary penalties assessed under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).

This final rule implements the 2022 inflation adjustments to the maximum daily civil monetary penalties contained in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regulations for violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (FCPIAA Improvements Act) and relevant Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance. The 2022 adjustment multiplier of 1.06222 accounts for 1 year of inflation from October 2020 through October 2021.

The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before March 5, 2022, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.

Diablo Valley College, a campus of Contra Costa Community College District, 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 Diablo Valley College. 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 Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is publishing this notice to announce that, consistent with direction from the U.S. District Court of Montana, it will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Navajo Transitional Energy Company's (NTEC) Federal mining plan modification for Federal Coal Lease MTM-94378 (the Project). With this notice, OSMRE also announces that it will hold a public scoping meeting, including a 30-day public scoping period to receive comments on the environmental issues that OSMRE should analyze in this EIS. The Spring Creek Mine (SCM) is located in Big Horn County, Montana, approximately 32 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming. The SCM started operation in 1974 and is expected to continue to operate until at least 2025 under the current approved mining plan. The proposed Project would allow 184.1 acres of additional surface disturbance and recovery of an additional 51.5 million tons (Mt) of Federal coal. Under the proposed Project, SCM would continue to mine approximately 13-18 million tons per year (Mtpy) and the production would extend for an additional 3-4 years, depending on production rates. OSMRE plans to analyze the environmental effects of an annual production rate of 18 Mtpy for 4 additional years of production, which is the maximum estimated future annual production rate. This rate is below the maximum permitted production rate of 30 Mtpy established by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)-Air Quality Division (AQD) Air Quality Permit MAQP #1120-12.