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

The United States Department of Agriculture, United States Forest Service (USFS), has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting that the Secretary of the Interior extend Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7614 for an additional 20 years. PLO No. 7614 withdrew 646.40 acres of National Forest System land from location and entry under the United States mining laws for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights, to protect the Halliday Fen Research Natural Area (RNA). This notice advises the public of a 90-day opportunity to comment on this application for a withdrawal extension and to request a public meeting.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation 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 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation 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 leases without further BIA approval.

This notice informs the public that the Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs proclaimed approximately 20.06 acres, more or less, as an addition to the reservation of Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Kansas State University has amended a Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2006. This notice amends the minimum number of individuals.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Arizona State University, Center for Archaeology and Society Repository (acting in place of the Arizona State University, School of Human Evolution and Social Change) 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 Maricopa County, AZ.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the California State University, Chico (CSU Chico) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The cultural items were removed from Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties, CA.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any Indian Tribe. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Clark County, NV.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS or Service), propose to establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) within the U.S. portion of the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) in the State of Washington under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). Establishment of this NEP is intended to support reintroduction and recovery of grizzly bears within the NCE and provide the prohibitions and exceptions under the Act necessary and appropriate to conserve the species within a defined NEP area. The proposed NEP area includes most of the State of Washington except for an area in northeastern Washington that encompasses the Selkirk Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone. The best available data indicate that reintroduction of the grizzly bear to the NCE, within the NEP area, is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species. We are seeking comments on this proposed section 10(j) rule.

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) Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Council (RAC) is announcing its 2023 fall meeting.

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

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Detroit Institute of Arts has completed an inventory of associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The associated funerary objects were removed from Emmet County, MI.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any Indian Tribe. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from an unknown county or counties in California.

On behalf of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw 199.90 acres of public lands from appropriation under the public land laws, including location and entry under the United States mining laws, subject to valid existing rights, for up to 100 years to protect and reserve the land for management as part of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located in Harney County, Oregon. This notice temporarily segregates these lands for up to 2 years and announces to the public an opportunity to comment and request a public meeting on the proposed withdrawal.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the California State University, Chico (CSU Chico) 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 Sutter County, CA.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Berkeley 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 Sutter, Yuba, and western Placer Counties, CA.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Riverside intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. The cultural items were removed from Riverside, CA.

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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), withdraw the proposed rule to reclassify the Virgin Islands tree boa (listed as Epicrates monensis granti) from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. This withdrawal is based on new information we received during the proposed rule's public comment periods, specifically new survey results that indicate that the Virgin Islands tree boa is likely extirpated from Cayo Ratones. We also realized an error in calculations that reduced the resiliency of the Cayo Diablo population. After evaluating the status of the species following these changes, we find that the species still meets the Act's definition of an endangered species. We have, therefore, determined that reclassification of this species is not appropriate at this time. Accordingly, we also withdraw the proposed 4(d) rule for the Virgin Islands tree boa.

This notice publishes the approval by operation of law of the compact between the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California (Tribe) and the State of California (State) providing for the conduct of Tribal class III gaming by the Tribe.

This notice publishes the approval of the Eighth Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and the State of Washington.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (``PRA''), ONRR is proposing to renew an information collection. Through this Information Collection Request (``ICR''), ONRR seeks renewed authority to collect information necessary to determine net profit share payments due the United States pursuant to Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases.

Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is renewing the charter for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group. The purpose of the Adaptive Management Work Group is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary concerning the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and the exercise of other authorities pursuant to applicable Federal law.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit 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 this application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), notify the public that we are requesting new information to develop a species status assessment (SSA) for the Northern California-Southern Oregon (NCSO) distinct population segment (DPS) of fisher (Pekania pennanti). We plan to initiate a status review to determine whether the NCSO DPS of fisher is warranted for listing as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request new information since 2019 regarding the NCSO DPS of fisher to inform our SSA. Per a court-approved settlement agreement, we will submit a new final listing determination to the Federal Register on or before August 21, 2025.