Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing new hunting regulations for migratory game birds for the 2025-26 season. These regulations are part of an annual process where they set general guidelines, called frameworks, within which individual states can decide specifics like hunting season dates. The proposal includes various regulatory alternatives, particularly for duck hunting, and potential changes to the system of zones and split seasons. The Service is also exploring a new administrative process to streamline regulation, aiming to increase efficiency and save costs while maintaining conservation goals. Public comments are encouraged on all aspects of the proposal.

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs announced that an amendment to the Tribal-State compact for class III gaming between the Chitimacha Tribe and the State of Louisiana has been approved by law. This amendment extends the compact's term by seven years and raises the dollar amount for Tribal licensing and State certification of vendors to the Tribe's gaming facilities. The approval took effect automatically since the Secretary of the Interior did not act within the required 45-day review period set by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) has issued a final rule to adjust its maximum civil monetary penalties for inflation experienced from October 2019 to October 2020. This adjustment is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act and affects penalties related to violations under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act. The new rates are based on the Consumer Price Index and are effective immediately as of February 2, 2021. The rulemaking complies with various executive orders and acts, including the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized rules regarding salamanders to protect U.S. ecosystems from the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). These rules affirm the 2016 interim rule that listed 20 genera of salamanders as injurious and add 16 more genera to the list. The regulation prohibits the import and transport of these genera among certain U.S. jurisdictions, with exceptions for purposes like scientific research. This action aims to prevent the introduction and spread of Bsal, which can have devastating effects on native salamander populations.

On January 7, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule concerning the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) which aimed to exclude incidental take of migratory birds from prohibited activities. However, the rule's effective date, initially set for February 8, 2021, has been delayed to March 8, 2021. This decision follows the Congressional Review Act, ongoing litigation, and concerns from the Canadian government. The delay allows for further review and public comment on whether the rule should be amended, further delayed, or rescinded entirely.

The National Park Service has issued a final rule to regulate motor vehicle use in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The rule requires permits for operating vehicles off designated roads in certain areas and allows the superintendent to create closures and restrictions. It designates specific routes and areas for off-road vehicles and sets noise and speed limits. The rule aims to protect natural resources while providing recreational opportunities, and it becomes effective on February 16, 2021, with some provisions starting on April 15, 2021.

The Department of the Interior is changing its rules for buying land around reservoir areas. This new rule lets them use different kinds of ownership, like easements, instead of buying the land completely, especially for older reservoirs built before 1962. The rule aims to save money, reduce project completion time, and decrease conflicts with landowners. If there are no strong objections by March 17, 2025, the rule will take effect on April 16, 2025.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is asking for public comments on its plan to renew an information collection related to State regulatory authority on coal mining inspections. This is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to minimize the burden of reporting by the public. They are gathering feedback on whether the information collection is necessary, if it will be processed timely, and ways to improve its quality and clarity. Comments are due by February 4, 2025, and the information gathered will help ensure compliance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, part of the Interior Department, issued a final rule on inflation adjustments for civil monetary penalties, effective January 28, 2021. This rule is part of an annual process mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, which aims to keep penalties effective in deterring violations by adjusting for inflation. Using guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Bureau calculated the 2021 cost-of-living adjustment to be 1.01182%. These updated penalties apply to violations occurring after November 2, 2015.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Coeur d'Alene Field Office in Idaho will start charging day-use fees at Mica Bay Boater Park, Killarney Lake Campground and Access, and Huckleberry Campground, starting July 10, 2025. These fees will help maintain the facilities and improve services as a result of increased visitor use and operating costs. The fees will begin at $5 per day for a group of up to 10 individuals or one vehicle, and are set to increase gradually over the next four years, reaching $10 per day by 2029. The proposal was reviewed and approved by the BLM Idaho Resource Advisory Council, and fee details will be posted on-site and online.