Department of the Interior – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and 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 the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the County of San Diego for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. If granted, the permit would authorize take of the Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino), federally listed as endangered, and the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii), an amphibian species federally proposed as threatened, incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with construction and operation of a 25-acre active recreation park and habitat restoration and management within mitigation areas associated with the project. We invite comments from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies on the applicant's draft habitat conservation plan and the draft environmental assessment, which we have prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. We will take comments into consideration before deciding whether to issue an incidental take permit.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing changes to the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. Subsistence harvest regulations allow for the continuation of customary and traditional subsistence uses of migratory birds in Alaska and establish when and where the harvesting of certain migratory birds may occur within each subsistence region. Subsistence harvest regulations, including these proposed changes, were developed under a co-management process involving the Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Alaska Native representatives.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on seven petitions to add species to, and one petition to remove a species from, the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions to list the Amargosa toad (Anaxyrus nelsoni), Carson Valley monkeyflower (Erythranthe carsonensis), large marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides) (including the large marble butterfly type subspecies (Euchloe ausonides ausonides)), Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis), Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni), Oasis Valley population of Amargosa speckled dace (Rhinichthys nevadensis nevadensis; hereafter referred to as "Oasis Valley speckled dace"), Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish (Barbicambarus simmonsi), and one petition to delist the golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we are initiating status reviews of these species to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, we request scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors that may affect their status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month petition findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act.

This proposed rule would establish regulations for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (hereafter referred to as "the Board") is on a schedule of completing the process of revising subsistence taking of wildlife regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence taking of fish and shellfish regulations in odd- numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable cycle. When final, the resulting rulemaking will replace the existing subsistence wildlife taking regulations. This proposed rule could also amend the general regulations on subsistence taking of fish and wildlife.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Clear Lake hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), a freshwater fish subspecies in the North American minnow family that is restricted to the Clear Lake watershed in Lake County, California, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the Clear Lake hitch. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the Clear Lake hitch is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Clear Lake hitch as a threatened species with protective regulations issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule"). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add the Clear Lake hitch to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to this subspecies.

We, the Department of the Interior (DOI), are revising regulations that govern DOI's internal real property acquisition policies for reservoir lands. This direct final rule adds a section to allow deviations for the acquisition of less than fee title realty interests in and around reservoirs owned by DOI and typically only those constructed before 1962, a relatively infrequent occurrence.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USDA Forest Service) (jointly "the Agencies") announce the availability of the Records of Decision (ROD) for the Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for BLM-administered portions of the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) and a ROD for the Approval of the Amendment to the 1986 Manti-La Sal National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) that adopts the Approved RMP for USDA Forest Service-administered portions of BENM located in southeastern Utah. The Department of the Interior Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management signed the BLM ROD, which constitutes the final decision of the BLM and makes the Approved RMP effective immediately on BLM-administered lands. The Manti-La Sal National Forest Supervisor signed the USDA Forest Service ROD approving an amendment to the LRMP to adopt the Approved RMP. The amendment to the LRMP will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

This notice announces a revision to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at Chapter 11 of part 516 of the Department of the Interior's Departmental Manual (516 DM 11). The revision adds a new categorical exclusion (CX) for geothermal resource confirmation activities on Federal geothermal resource leases.

In compliance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Jove Solar Project, located in La Paz County, Arizona. The Record of Decision signed on January 3, 2025, constitutes the decision of the BLM, as approved by the Department of the Interior.

The purpose of this notice is to request public nominations for the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council (RAC) for terms scheduled to expire. This RAC provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on land use planning and management of the National System of Public Lands within its geographic areas.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Chugach National Forest intends to carry out the disposition of unassociated funerary objects 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands intends to carry out the disposition of human remains and associated funerary objects 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 Longyear Museum of Anthropology (LMA) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Naval Weapons Station Yorktown (NWSY) 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 University of California, Riverside intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects or objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Northwestern 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), Michigan State University intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the California State University, Sacramento 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.

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

At the request of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw approximately 1,043.57 acres of public lands located in Clark County, Nevada, from location and entry under the United States mining laws and from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, but not from the disposal of mineral materials under the mineral materials disposal laws, for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights. The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to establish protection for a utility and transportation corridor to facilitate the orderly development of future infrastructure and public services while preventing conflicting land uses. Publication of this notice segregates these lands for up to 2 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws and from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, but not from the disposal of mineral materials under the mineral materials disposal laws, subject to valid existing rights. This notice initiates a 90-day public comment period and announces an opportunity to request a public meeting.

The Principal Deputy Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs, exercising authority by delegation of the Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs, made a final agency determination to acquire in trust 160.333 acres, more or less, of land known as the Vallejo Site in Solano County, California, for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians for gaming and other purposes.

The Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs made a final agency determination to acquire in trust 2.42 acres, more or less, of land known as the Medford Site in the City of Medford, Jackson County, Oregon, for gaming and other purposes.

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw 308,890 acres of Federal lands located in Nye County, Nevada, from location and entry under the United States mining laws, and from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights. The area also includes approximately 40,000 acres, more or less, of non-Federal lands that would be subject to the withdrawal if they are subsequently acquired by the United States. The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to protect the cultural, recreational, and biological resources of these lands. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws and leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. The lands will remain open to disposal under the mineral materials laws. This notice initiates a 90-day public comment period and announces a public meeting on the proposed withdrawal, including input related to ongoing mining activities for sepiolite, saponite, and bentonite within the study area related to projected development of valid existing rights.