Search Results for agency_names:"Indian Affairs Bureau"

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has published a notice listing 574 Tribal entities that are recognized by and eligible for services from the Bureau. This list is updated from a previous notice published in January 2020. It includes name changes and corrections to some of the listed Tribes. The recognized Tribes are acknowledged for their government-to-government relationship with the United States, granting them certain rights and responsibilities.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, a part of the Interior Department, has decided to take ownership of a 2.42-acre site in Medford, Oregon. This land will be held in trust for the Coquille Indian Tribe and used for gaming and other purposes. This decision is made under the authority of the Indian Reorganization Act and the Coquille Restoration Act. The transfer of the land title will happen once all departmental requirements are met.

The notice publishes an amendment to the Liquor Ordinance of the Chippewa Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in Montana. The amendment arises from an agreement between the Tribe and the State of Montana to have a consistent tax level for alcoholic beverage sales both inside and outside the reservation. This aims to minimize legal disputes and share tax revenue effectively between the Tribe and the State. The ordinance mandates the Tribe to impose taxes matching Montana's liquor excise and license taxes for alcoholic beverages sold within the reservation's boundaries.

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 United States Department of Interior, through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, has decided to take 397.77 acres of land in the City of Pine Island, Minnesota, into trust for the Prairie Island Indian Community. This area, known as the Elk Run Site, will be used for gaming and other purposes. The acquisition is being made under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and fulfills all necessary Departmental requirements. The legal details and descriptions of the land parcels involved are provided to comply with federal regulations.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has published a notice about amendments to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's Liquor Ordinance. These changes, effective from March 21, 2025, update the rules for selling alcohol within the community, covering both on-sale and off-sale transactions. The amendments provide regulations on licensing, operation, and management of liquor sales on Tribally-owned property, including compliance with state and federal laws. The Community's Business Council plays a key role in overseeing on-sale and off-sale liquor operations and reporting to the General Council.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the Cahuilla Band of Indians' Leasing Ordinance under the HEARTH Act, allowing the Tribe to engage in business and residential leases without needing further approval from the BIA. This measure supports the Tribe's autonomy by enabling a more efficient process for handling leases while protecting Tribal sovereignty by preempting state and local taxation on the leased lands. The Federal government maintains a role in overseeing and approving the overall framework to ensure compliance with established regulations.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has announced adjustments to the electric power rates for the Mission Valley Power Project (MVP), which will take effect in March 2025 and 2026. Despite an initial proposal for rate changes in 2024, those were delayed and won't be implemented. The public had the opportunity to comment on these changes, but no feedback was received. MVP provides electric services to areas in and around the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, and the adjustments were made following federal guidelines, including consultation with Tribal governments.

The Office of Self-Governance has announced a deadline of March 1, 2025, for Indian tribes or consortia to submit applications to start participating in the tribal self-governance program in fiscal year 2026 or calendar year 2026. To be eligible, tribes must have completed planning, shown fiscal stability, and meet specific audit requirements. The announcement provides guidance on the application process, anticipating that initial negotiations may take about two months, aiming to have agreements signed by July 1 for fiscal year arrangements and October 1 for calendar year agreements.

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.