Department of the Interior April 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 temporary restrictions will be in effect on approximately 77 miles of routes crossing public lands administered by the Moab Field Office, to protect public land resources, reduce user conflicts, and minimize health and safety concerns during the Red Rock 4-Wheelers Incorporated's annual Easter Jeep Safari, approved under a 10-year Special Recreation Permit (SRP).

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

The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before March 25, 2023, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.

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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), are releasing (meaning introducing) 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, sihek exists only in captivity and has been extinct in the wild for more than 30 years. The introduction on Palmyra Atoll is outside 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 beginning to be deployed, but it will take time before these tools are effective enough for the reintroduction of sihek on Guam. We anticipate significant declines in sihek population that threaten the species' viability before reintroduction to Guam could occur. 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 classify this population as a nonessential experimental population (NEP) under the Act and provide 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.

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), John Day-Snake Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and the Planning Subcommittee will meet as indicated below.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 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 McKinley County, NM.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 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 Coconino and Apache Counties, AZ.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 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 Coconino County, AZ.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the M[uuml]tter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia has completed an inventory of human remains, 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 any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The human remains were removed from New Jersey.

On February 17, 2023, BOEM published a notice of availability (NOA) in the Federal Register announcing a public comment period regarding the DEIS for SouthCoast Wind Energy, LLC's (SouthCoast Wind) construction and operations plan (COP) for a proposed wind energy facility offshore Massachusetts. BOEM is extending the comment period on the DEIS. This notice announces a 15-day extension of the public comment period from April 3, 2023, to April 18, 2023. After BOEM addresses comments provided, BOEM will publish a final environmental impact statement (FEIS). The FEIS will inform BOEM's decision whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the COP.

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) Northern California District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet in 2023 as follows.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine threatened status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the northern distinct population segment (DPS), of the southern subspecies of scarlet macaw (Ara macao macao). Scarlet macaws are brilliantly colored parrots native to Mexico and Central and South America. This action affirms the 2019 listing of the scarlet macaw under the Act.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Self-Governance PROGRESS Act Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee), will hold the eighth public meeting to negotiate and advise the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on a proposed rule to implement the Practical Reforms and Other Goals To Reinforce the Effectiveness of Self-Governance and Self-Determination for Indian Tribes Act of 2019 (PROGRESS Act).

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin 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 agricultural, business, residential, wind and solar, public, religious, educational, recreational, cultural, and other purposes leases without further BIA approval.