Department of the Interior February 24, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule adjusts the level of civil monetary penalties contained in the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations governing onshore oil and gas operations and coal trespass as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This final rule is consistent with applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance. The penalty adjustments made by this final rule constitute the 2023 annual inflation adjustments, accounting for one year of inflation spanning the period from October 2021 through October 2022.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposes to offer one or more lease areas (Lease Areas) for commercial wind power development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The Lease Areas are located in the previously identified wind energy areas (WEA) offshore Lake Charles, LA, and Galveston, TX. This proposed sales notice (PSN) contains information pertaining to the areas available for leasing, certain lease provisions and conditions, auction details, criteria for evaluating competing bids, and procedures for lease award, appeals, and lease execution. BOEM proposes simultaneous auctions for the Lease Areas within each WEA using a multiple-factor bidding format. Any lease resulting from this sale does not constitute approval of any offshore wind energy facilities. Lessees must submit project-specific plans to BOEM for approval before starting construction of an OCS wind energy facility. BOEM will subject such plans to environmental, technical, and public reviews prior to deciding whether the proposed development should be authorized.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Broome County Historical Society 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 Broome County, NY.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Oregon, Museum of Natural and Cultural History 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 Curry County, Oregon.

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.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Bear River Watershed Conservation Area, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and its implementing regulations. The Service provides this notice in compliance with the Service's CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Native American Tribes, and the public of intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.