Search Results for keywords:"Washoe Tribe of Nevada

The National Park Service has issued a new rule allowing bicycles on approximately 20.6 miles of trails in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, effective January 22, 2025. This decision came after a public feedback process and an environmental assessment that concluded the expansion of trails for bicycles would not harm the area’s natural resources. The amendments designate specific trails for bicycle use and give the Superintendent authority to manage bicycle access if needed. The changes aim to enhance visitor experiences while ensuring the trails are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to rules about hunting migratory birds in Alaska, focusing on subsistence harvest regulations. This includes introducing permits for hunters from excluded areas, closing the harvesting of emperor goose eggs statewide due to population concerns, and providing clarity on certain boundaries and regulations to ensure compliance and proper management. The proposals aim to involve Native representatives in managing these rules and ensure the sustainability of bird populations while balancing subsistence needs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the State of Washington's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions, ensuring they meet specific infrastructure requirements for air quality standards set in 2010 and 2015, particularly for sulfur dioxide and ozone. Despite some administrative issues and adverse public comments regarding resources and funding, the EPA found Washington's SIP compliant with necessary requirements. The rule, which does not impose additional federal requirements, will be effective on March 22, 2021. The SIP approval mainly applies to non-trust lands within specific Indian reservation areas as outlined by federal law.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a final rule to change how Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area boundaries are defined, making them more similar to those used for General Schedule (GS) locality pay areas. This rule, effective October 1, 2025, and impacting about 10% of FWS employees, aims to address pay disparities by reducing the number of FWS wage areas and aligning them more closely with GS locality pay areas. It is based on recommendations from the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) and is expected to result in pay increases for some workers while others may see little change or enter pay retention due to the restructuring.

The Department of Education has issued final regulations for the Professional Development program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The rules aim to support the retention of effective educators in schools serving Indian students by establishing priorities and requirements for program participants. These changes include incentives for retaining educators and addressing payback obligations for students receiving training. The regulations, effective February 18, 2025, emphasize benefits over minimal costs and include measures to support educator retention and better meet the program's educational goals.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule under the Federal Clean Water Act to amend the California Toxics Rule by establishing a revised selenium water quality criterion for certain freshwater bodies in California. This new criterion aims to protect aquatic life and wildlife that depend on these aquatic ecosystems from high selenium levels, which can be toxic. The EPA incorporated public feedback and scientific evidence into the rule, and it includes measures to account for site-specific conditions. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2025, unless California develops its own compliant standards.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed a rule affecting spearmint oil production in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and parts of Nevada and Utah. For the 2024-2025 marketing year, which started on June 1, 2024, they plan to increase the allowable quantity of Native spearmint oil that can be sold from 678,980 pounds to 731,220 pounds, and to raise the allotment percentage from 26 percent to 28 percent. This change is intended to better match supply with estimated demand and maintain market stability. The public has until December 19, 2024, to comment on this proposed adjustment.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) announced that it is adopting several categorical exclusions (CEs) from the Department of Energy under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These exclusions allow for certain proposed actions by EXIM that do not significantly impact the human environment, thereby speeding up project approvals and conserving resources by eliminating the need for detailed environmental assessments. This decision supports EXIM's Make More in America initiative by enabling quicker processing of transactions that promote U.S. business exports. EXIM consulted with the Department of Energy to ensure the appropriateness of these CEs for their proposed actions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the availability of funds for grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This notice of funding opportunity outlines the application process for both renewal and new applicants, specifying that operations funded by these grants will start on October 1, 2025. The main goal of the program is to provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families that are either currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The notice also details funding priorities, application submission instructions, and the eligibility criteria for organizations interested in applying for the grants.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) approved a program comment aimed at facilitating the ongoing use and preservation of historic properties from the Mission 66 era (1945-1972). This initiative, which supports the National Park Service (NPS), serves as an alternative procedure for meeting obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The program comment offers a streamlined review process, allowing superintendents to consider these properties as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, potentially reducing the need for extensive reviews. The ACHP collaborated on this initiative with various stakeholders, including State Historic Preservation Officers and Tribal representatives, to address concerns and incorporate feedback.