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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Tri-state Fuel Breaks Project in southeastern Oregon. This project involves creating approximately 26,585 acres of fuel breaks along roads using different treatments such as mechanical and chemical methods. The selected plan, known as Alternative 5, combines elements from other options to benefit firefighters and minimize environmental impact. The ROD decision is final and approved by the Department of the Interior.

This notice from the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management announces a Public Land Order that withdraws 39.6 acres of National Forest System lands in Siskiyou County, California, from mining under U.S. mining laws for 20 years. This is done to protect cultural and historic resources at the Schwartz and Leff Administrative Site along the North Fork of the Salmon River in the Klamath National Forest. The withdrawal does not affect leasing under other mineral or geothermal leasing laws and will expire in 20 years unless extended.

The United States, on behalf of the Department of the Interior and the State of Iowa, is seeking public comments on a proposed settlement with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). This settlement addresses the damage to natural resources caused by an ethanol spill from a derailed CP train near the Mississippi River in 2015. CP has agreed to pay $282,391 for restoration efforts, and in return, will not face legal action from the trustees for these claims. The public has 30 days from the notice's publication date to submit comments, which can be sent via email or mail.

The Department of the Interior is informing the public about its decision to adopt certain categorical exclusions (CXs) for environmental reviews from the Department of Energy and the National Telecommunications Information Administration. These CXs will be used by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to streamline actions like setting up fences, roads, or communication towers without needing full environmental assessments if no special circumstances exist. This decision is aimed at improving efficiency in managing public and Tribal lands, while ensuring actions don't harm the environment. The adoption became effective on January 16, 2025.

The Department of the Interior has announced that the Tuskarora Nation of Moratoc Indians has submitted a petition to be officially recognized as an American Indian Tribe. The Department is inviting the public to provide comments and evidence regarding this petition, which must be received by April 15, 2025. Details about the petition and how to submit comments are available on the Bureau of Indian Affairs' website. This initiative is part of an effort to enhance transparency and public access to tribal acknowledgment processes.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has announced a decision to take 68.60 acres of land, known as the Shiloh Site in Sonoma County, California, into trust for the Koi Nation of Northern California. This land acquisition is intended for gaming and other purposes under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The decision was finalized on January 13, 2025, and the transfer will be completed once all departmental requirements are met. This action is authorized by various delegations within the Department of the Interior and follows necessary legal and regulatory procedures.

The Department of the Interior has approved the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) decision to allow a right-of-way for the Jove Solar Project in La Paz County, Arizona. This project involves building a large solar power facility on nearly 3,500 acres of public land, aiming to generate at least 600 megawatts of electricity with up to 1.2 million solar panels. The decision is part of an effort to efficiently utilize public lands for renewable energy and complies with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The Record of Decision was signed on January 3, 2025, and this approval cannot be appealed.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has made available the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho, which was approved by the Department of the Interior (DOI). This decision allows Magic Valley Energy to build and operate a wind-power facility with up to 231 turbines on public lands in Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka counties. The project will take place on a designated area managed by the BLM and will follow specific conditions and mitigation measures as outlined in the ROD. This approval is the final decision by the DOI and cannot be appealed.

The final rule from the United States Department of the Interior updates how the Federal government acknowledges Indian Tribes by allowing previously denied petitioners a chance to re-petition. This change responds to court decisions that found the prior re-petition ban to be arbitrary. Under the new rule, petitioners have five years to show new evidence or changes in regulations that could alter previous denial outcomes, though re-petitioning is still limited by certain conditions to balance fairness and finality interests. The rule aims to enhance fairness in recognizing Tribes while maintaining efficient administrative processes.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) plans to remove the National Park Service's (NPS) Privacy Act system of records known as INTERIOR/NPS-5, Retirement Record, from its inventory. This action is because these records are now covered under a broader DOI system, INTERIOR/DOI-85, which handles payroll, attendance, retirement, and leave records. The change aims to streamline record-keeping with no negative impact on individuals, as the necessary information will remain protected under the existing DOI system. Comments on this change are open until December 18, 2024, and can be submitted through various channels, including the Federal eRulemaking Portal and email.