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

In compliance 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) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF), announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Husky 1 North Dry Ridge Phosphate Mine (Project).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon/Washington State Director is finalizing a supplementary rule prohibiting the use and possession of alcoholic beverages in the Lower Lake Creek Falls Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (together, the Services), have received two separate incidental take permit (ITP) applications from the Oregon Department of State Lands (ODSL; applicant), associated with ODSL's Elliott State Research Forest habitat conservation plan (HCP). The applications, including the HCP, have been submitted pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. ODSL is seeking authorization from the Services for the incidental take of three species (two under FWS jurisdiction, and one under NMFS jurisdiction), expected to result from research and management activities on the Elliott State Forest in Coos and Douglas Counties, Oregon. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this notice also announces the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). FWS is the lead Federal agency under NEPA, and NMFS is a cooperating agency. We invite public comments on the HCP and DEIS from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard 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 no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) has completed an inventory of human remains and an associated funerary object, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations and has determined the lineal descent of a present-day individual from the Native American individual whose human remains are described in this notice. 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 this associated funerary object should submit a written request to TARL. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and the associated funerary object to the lineal descendant stated in this notice may proceed.

Vassar College 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 Vassar College. 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 accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Arkansas Museum Collections has amended a Notice of Inventory Completion originally published in the Federal Register on November 13, 2018 and subsequently amended in a Notice of Inventory Completion Correction published in the Federal Register on May 20, 2022. This notice amends the minimum number of individuals and number of associated funerary objects in collections removed from Cross, Mississippi, and Poinsett Counties, AR.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Milwaukee Public Museum intends to repatriate a cultural item that meets the definitions of both a sacred object and an object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The cultural item was obtained in WI.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and Warren Anatomical Museum, Harvard University have completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and have determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University. 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.

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

As authorized under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is giving notice that certain public lands located near Johnson Valley, California, within the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, will be temporarily closed to all public use to enhance public safety during Hammerking Productions' annual King of the Hammers desert race authorized under a 5-year Special Recreation Permit (SRP).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or FWS), propose to revise the rule for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) promulgated under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The intended purposes are threefold: To increase protection for African elephants in light of the recent rise in international trade of live African elephants by establishing ESA enhancement permit requirements for international trade in live elephants and specific enhancement requirements for the import of wild- sourced elephants, as well as requirements to ensure that proposed recipients of live African elephants are suitably equipped to house and care for them; to clarify the existing enhancement requirement during our evaluation of an application for a permit to import African elephant sport-hunted trophies; and to incorporate a Party's designation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) National Legislation Project into the decision-making process for the import of live African elephants, African elephant sport-hunted trophies, and African elephant parts and products other than ivory and sport-hunted trophies. We anticipate these measures will affect implementation in foreign countries of management measures that enhance African elephant conservation.

The Secretary of the Interior has directed the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The Supplement is to the December 2007 Record of Decision entitled Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2007 Interim Guidelines). The Secretary is directing this action because the existing operating guidelines are insufficient given current hydrology and reservoir conditions and in light of plausible low runoff conditions in the Colorado River Basin over the next four years. Through this Federal Register notice, Reclamation is providing an overview of the purpose and need for the SEIS, as well as its anticipated approach and timeframe for decisions on revised operating guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits, permit renewals, and/or permit amendments 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.

This Public Land Order (PLO) extends the duration of the withdrawal created by PLO No. 7549, which would otherwise expire December 26, 2022, for an additional 20-year period. PLO No. 7549 withdrew 1,328.84 acres of National Forest System lands from location and entry under the United States mining laws, but not from the general land laws or mineral leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. PLO No. 7549 also states that an additional 176.45 acres would become subject to the terms and conditions of this withdrawal upon acquisition of the mineral estate by the United States.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to renew an information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to renew an information collection.

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC or Commission) issued a proposed rule revising its management contract regulations. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) provides that an Indian tribe may enter into a management contract for the operation of Class II or Class III gaming activity if such contract has been submitted to and approved by the NIGC Chairman. Collateral agreements to a management contract are also subject to the Chairman's approval. This final rule makes background investigations required of all persons who have 10 percent or more direct or indirect financial interest in a management contract, of all entities with 10 percent or more financial interest in a management contract, of any other person or entity with a direct or indirect financial interest in a management contract otherwise designated by the Commission, and authorizes the Chairman, 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 National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are jointly preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan to determine how to restore the grizzly bear to the North Cascades ecosystem (NCE), a portion of its historical range. As part of the planning and EIS process, the NPS and the FWS will evaluate various approaches for the restoration of a grizzly bear population to the NCE. Action is needed to restore grizzly bears to the NCE because they are functionally extirpated from the ecosystem, and restoration there will contribute to overall grizzly bear recovery.

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.

The C.H. Nash Memorial Museum/Chucalissa Archaeological Museum (Nash Museum) 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 no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 Nash Museum. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Arkansas Museum Collections has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The human remains were removed from Cross County, Arkansas.

Michigan State University has completed an inventory of human remains and an associated funerary object, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary object and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 object should submit a written request to Michigan State University. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary object to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Riverside (UCR) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Clark County, NV.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on 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.