Department of the Interior – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the public comment period on our December 20, 2023, proposed rule to list the West Virginia spring salamander (Gyrinophilus subterraneus), an amphibian species from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, as an endangered species and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are taking this action to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed listing of the species and the proposed critical habitat. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in our final determinations.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is publishing this notice to announce that it has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Navajo Transitional Energy Company's (NTEC) Lease by Application (LBA) 1 Federal Mining Plan Modification for Federal Lease MTM-94378 (the Project). With this notice, OSMRE also announces that it will hold a public meeting and 45- day public comment period to receive comments on the DEIS. Spring Creek Mine (SCM) is located in Big Horn County, Montana, approximately 32 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming. SCM started operation in 1974. The proposed Project would allow 162.5 acres of additional surface disturbance and recovery of an additional 39.9 million tons (Mt) of Federal coal.

The Department of the Interior (the Department or DOI), acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is finalizing regulatory amendments to require lessees and operators to submit an archaeological report with any oil and gas exploration or development plan they submit to BOEM for approval of proposed activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The previous regulations required an archaeological report only if the plan covered an area that a BOEM Regional Director had "reason to believe" may have contained an archaeological resource. This final rule will increase the protection of archaeological resources in compliance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) by acknowledging that there is a greater likelihood that such resources exist, thereby increasing the likelihood that these resources will be located and identified before they can be inadvertently damaged by an OCS operator. This rule defines the minimum level of survey information necessary to support the conclusions in the archaeological report, the procedures for reporting possible archaeological resources and continuing operations when a possible resource is present, and what to do if an unanticipated archaeological resource is discovered during operations.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College 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.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Science Museum of Minnesota 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.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Michigan 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.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Museum of Texas Tech University 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.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Hartwick College 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 remains were recovered from Oneonta, NY, and Hyndesville, NY, respectively.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District intends to carry out the disposition of human remains removed from Federal or Tribal lands to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization with priority for disposition in this notice.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Museum of Texas Tech University 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.

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

This rule prescribes the seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits for hunting migratory birds. Taking of migratory birds is prohibited unless specifically provided for by annual regulations. This rule permits the taking of designated species during the 2024-25 season.

The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is adding requirements for new or unusual technology, including equipment used in high pressure high temperature (HPHT) environments; revising and reorganizing the information submission requirements for a project's Conceptual Plans and Deepwater Operations Plan (DWOP); and requiring independent third parties to review certain information prior to submission to BSEE. This final rule will improve operational and environmental safety and human health, while providing consistency and clarity to industry regarding the equipment and operational requirements as well as the submissions that are necessary so that BSEE can review and consider for approval proposed projects that would use new or unusual technology.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are proposing to renew an information collection.

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 (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendments for Utility-scale Solar Energy Development and by this notice is announcing the start of a 30-day protest period.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of the Interior is announcing that the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS) Public Advisory Committee (PAC) will meet in person and by video teleconference as noted below.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) 17(d)(1) Withdrawals Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This ROD describes the decision rationale for the selection of the No Action Alternative. The ROD also describes the basis for Secretarial rescission of Public Land Order (PLO) Nos. 7899, 7900, 7901, 7902, and 7903. Any order rescinding these PLOs will be published separately.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking nominations for membership on the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC will advise the Secretary of the Interior through the BLM regarding the development of the management plan and management of the monument. This is a 30-day extension of the call for nominations published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2024.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), published a document in the Federal Register on March 18, 2024, approving in part, and not approving in part, amendments to the West Virginia regulatory program (the West Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a non- competitive (direct) sale of public lands near Barstow, San Bernardino County, California, to Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), LLC, a Delaware Corporation, under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and BLM land sale regulations. The purpose of the non-competitive land sale to BNSF is to support development of the Barstow International Gateway project, which would facilitate the transfer of goods between different modes of transportation throughout the United States, including rail, truck, and ocean carriers. The sale will be for no less than the appraised fair market value (FMV) of $98,000.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposes a new information collection request (ICR) to gather information regarding outdoor recreation and tourism in the Cook Inlet Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Planning Area and adjacent coastal areas.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) are proposing to renew an information collection.

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 Barstow, California, within the Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area will be temporarily closed to all public use to enhance public safety during Mad Media Productions' annual California 300 off-road race authorized under a Special Recreation Permit (SRP).

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approved the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, California 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 business leases without further BIA approval.