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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), propose to release (meaning introduce) the Guam kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus), known locally as the sihek, on Palmyra Atoll as an experimental population under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Currently, the sihek exists only in captivity and has been extinct in the wild for more than 30 years. The proposed introduction on Palmyra Atoll is outside the sihek's historical range because its primary habitat within its native range on Guam has been indefinitely altered by the accidental introduction of the predatory brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) in the mid-twentieth century. Tools to manage brown treesnakes at a landscape level are under development, but these tools are unlikely to be available for broad use within the foreseeable future. The introduction of sihek to Palmyra Atoll is not intended to be a permanent introduction that would support a self- sustaining population; rather, it is intended to facilitate the gathering of information and analysis to optimize efforts for reestablishment of the species on Guam once brown treesnakes can be sufficiently controlled at a landscape scale. The introduction of sihek to Palmyra Atoll is also likely to help increase the global population of this extinct-in-the-wild species in advance of a reintroduction effort on Guam. We propose to classify the population as a nonessential experimental population (NEP) under the Act and propose regulations for the take of sihek within the NEP area. The best available data indicate the introduction of sihek to Palmyra Atoll is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species. We are seeking comments on this proposal.

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.

The University of Alabama Museums has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects from the Moundville archeological site (1Tu500) in Hale County, AL, as well as adjacent archeological sites in Hale and Tuscaloosa Counties, AL. In consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes, the University of Alabama Museums has determined, pursuant to NAGPRA, that there is a cultural affiliation between these human remains and associated funerary objects and the present-day Muskogean-speaking Indian Tribes. 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 University of Alabama Museums. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian Tribes listed in this notice may proceed.

Michigan State University 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 should submit a written request to Michigan State University. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains 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), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA), and Presidential Proclamation 10285, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Director and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA Forest Service) Manti-La Sal National Forest Supervisor intend to revise a resource management plan (RMP) with an associated environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) and by this notice announce the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues, provide the planning criteria for public review, and issue a call for nominations for areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs) on lands managed by the BLM. The BLM is leading the NEPA process in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, which will make a decision for the USDA Forest Service-managed lands based on the analysis in the EIS. The Bears Ears Commission will play an integral role in the development of the EIS and RMP. The RMP revision would replace the BLM Indian Creek and Shash J[aacute]a Monument Management Plans (2020) and the Approved Plan Amendment for the Manti-La Sal National Forest Bears Ears National Monument Shash J[aacute]a Unit (2020). The RMP revision would also replace the applicable portions of the BLM's Monticello RMP (2008) and Moab RMP (2008) and Manti-La Sal National Forest's Land and Resource Management Plan (1986).

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 (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board (Board) will hold a public meeting.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received three separate applications for incidental take permits (ITPs) under the Endangered Species Act from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Minnesota DNR, and Wisconsin DNR. If approved, the permits would authorize incidental take of the Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, little brown bat, and tricolored bat. The applicants also have jointly submitted the Lake States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). We make available for public comment the applicants' HCP and announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment, which has been prepared in response to the permit applications in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these documents.

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is announcing that the Advisory Board for Exceptional Children will hold a two-day in-person and virtual meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to meet the mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) for Indian children with disabilities.

This final rule adjusts for inflation of certain service fees accruing to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as provided for in BOEM regulations.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Director intends to prepare a resource management plan (plan) amendment with an associated environmental assessment (EA) to propose the development of up to three recreational shooting ranges and closure of certain areas to recreational shooting. This notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues, provides the planning criteria for public review, and announces the comment period on the BLM's proposed target shooting closures.

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

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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona State Director intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated environmental assessment (EA) concerning recreational target shooting for the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM). By this notice the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues and is providing the planning criteria for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina venii), an arachnid, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (i.e., ``delisting'' the species) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), because of a taxonomic revision. This determination is based on our evaluation of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver is not a discrete taxonomic entity and does not meet the definition of a species as defined under the Act. The reason it does not meet the definition of a species is that the original data for classification of the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver when it was listed was in error. Braken Bat Cave meshweaver has been synonymized with Madla Cave meshweaver (Cicurina madla). Therefore, due to a taxonomic revision, Braken Bat Cave meshweaver is no longer a scientifically accepted species and cannot be listed under the Act. However, because individuals previously identified as Braken Bat Cave meshweaver have been synonymized under Madla Cave meshweaver, their status and protections under the Act remain the same because the Madla Cave meshweaver is listed as endangered under the Act.

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), New Mexico Office, Santa Fe, New Mexico. The surveys announced in this notice are necessary for the management of lands administered by the agency indicated.

The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), Division of Economic Development (DED), is soliciting proposals from eligible federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations for the Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP). The grant funding will be used to support Tribal tourism by providing Tribes and Tribal organizations funding to obtain technical assistance to perform feasibility studies or develop Tribal tourism business plans. The TTGP grant will provide Tribes resources to explore opportunities to increase Tribal capacity to plan, develop, and manage tourism and related infrastructure, in support of economic development and the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act or NATIVE Act. The feasibility study or business plan will empower Tribes to make informed decisions on potential tourism project(s).

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (applicant, NCWRC) for an enhancement of survival permit for take of aquatic species in North Carolina. The applicant also submitted a combined proposed programmatic safe harbor agreement (SHA) and candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) in support of the application. The Service has prepared an environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these documents.

The United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), will attend the nineteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) in Panama City, Panama, November 14-25, 2022. Currently, the United States is developing its negotiating positions on proposed resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals), as well as other agenda items that have been submitted by other Parties, the permanent CITES committees, and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP19. With this notice, we announce the provisional agenda for CoP19, solicit your comments on the items on the provisional agenda, and announce a virtual public meeting to discuss the items on the provisional agenda.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a joint draft environmental impact statement/ environmental impact report (DEIS/EIR) for the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II Phase I (TETRP II Phase I). The Service, in partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, is proposing coastal wetland restoration within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve on portions of both the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park, in San Diego County, California. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is participating in the National Environmental Policy Act process as a cooperating agency. This notice advises the public that the DEIS/EIR, which describes the coastal wetland restoration alternatives identified for TETRP II Phase I, is available for public review and comment.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issues this RFI to assess interest in, and to invite public comment on, possible commercial wind energy leasing on the Gulf of Maine OCS. BOEM will consider information received in response to this RFI to determine whether to schedule a competitive lease sale or to issue a noncompetitive lease for any portion of the area described in this RFI (RFI Area). Those interested in leasing within the RFI Area for a commercial wind energy project should provide detailed and specific information described in the section of this RFI entitled ``Required Information for Indication of Commercial Interest.'' BOEM also invites all interested and potentially affected parties to comment and provide informationincluding information on environmental issues and concernsthat may be useful in the consideration of the RFI Area for commercial wind energy leases. Developers and those interested in providing public comments and information regarding site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in close proximity to, or within, the RFI Area should provide information requested in the section of this RFI entitled ``Requested Information from Interested or Affected Parties.'' BOEM will process the information received in response to this RFI to determine if there is competitive interest to develop renewable energy on the OCS, understand ocean uses, identify conflicts, and deconflict, as appropriate. See the section of this RFI entitled ``BOEM's Planning and Leasing Process.''

Notice is hereby given of the availability of new North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)-based Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Provisional Official Protraction Diagrams (OPDs) and Provisional Official Protraction Aliquot Diagrams (OPADs) depicting geographic areas located in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and covering the extent of the area included in the ``Call for Information and Nominations Commercial Leasing for Wind Power Development on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico.''

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. 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.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing the noncompetitive (direct) sale of a parcel of public land in Colorado to resolve inadvertent and unauthorized use of public lands. The 6.62-acre parcel is located in Delta County and will be sold to Bud Hawkins and Cindy Hawkins at the appraised fair market value of $3,500. The sale will be subject to the applicable provisions of sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and BLM land sale regulations.

The U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, National Museum of Health and Medicine 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 should submit a written request to the National Museum of Health and Medicine. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

Bryn Mawr College 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 Bryn Mawr 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.

Eastern Washington University 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 Eastern Washington University. 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.