Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a draft recovery plan for Jones cycladenia, a plant listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The plan outlines specific criteria and management actions needed to conserve the plant and potentially remove it from the list. Public comments are requested by March 15, 2021, to aid in finalizing the plan. The aim is to maintain stable populations across its habitat while addressing threats like energy development, and enhancing genetic diversity through seed or tissue collections.

The National Park Service issued a correction to a rule originally published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2021, concerning motor vehicle use in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The correction specifies the effective date of the rule as February 16, 2021. Additionally, it clarifies that certain provisions regarding motor vehicle use and permit requirements will start on May 17, 2021. These corrections ensure accurate interpretation and application of the regulations.

The National Park Service has issued a notice regarding the Arizona Army National Guard's plan to return human remains and funeral objects found on federal or tribal land to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. These remains and objects, discovered in 2021 during an archaeological survey at Camp Navajo in Arizona, have been linked to Native American ancestry. The notice specifies that any claims should be submitted by January 20, 2026, and if no claims are received, the remains will be considered unclaimed. The Hopi Tribe has been given priority for the disposition, but other Native American tribes or related descendants may also submit claims if they believe they have a rightful claim.

The Yale Peabody Museum at Yale University has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They found a cultural connection between the remains and several Native American tribes, such as the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, among others. The remains and objects may be returned to identified tribes or descendants starting April 28, 2025. If multiple requests are made for the repatriation of these items, the museum will decide which request is appropriate.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate critical habitats for four species of freshwater mussels: the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. These designations spread across 17 states in the United States, covering approximately 3,974 river miles. The critical habitats are aimed at protecting key environmental features essential for the mussels' survival, such as suitable water flow, quality, and host fish presence. The agency is inviting comments on this proposal until February 11, 2025, and has also released an economic analysis regarding the designations.

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has completed an inventory of human remains and determined a cultural connection with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California. The remains, collected from various locations in California, represent at least 27 individuals of Native American ancestry. According to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), these remains are eligible for repatriation, which may begin on or after April 28, 2025. Interested parties, including tribes and lineal descendants, can submit written requests for repatriation.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comments on the renewal of an information collection related to permits for free use of vegetative and mineral materials. This action is in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and aims to minimize the public's burden. The permits are available for non-profit organizations and various government bodies, ensuring the materials are not used commercially. The BLM invites feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and potential improvements to this process, with comments due by March 4, 2025.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a notice detailing why the BLM Director rejected the Montana Governor's suggestions on the management plan for the Miles City Field Office. The Governor argued that the plan didn’t align with Montana’s policies on state trust lands, energy strategy, and coal revenue. However, the BLM Director found that the recommendations did not reasonably balance state and federal interests, partly because the plan does not affect state land decisions. The BLM ensures the plan complies with federal laws, considering both state and national interests.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to return human remains and cultural items to Native American tribes in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These items were found in Arizona and are linked to the Mogollon culture. The Hopi Tribe of Arizona and the Pueblo of Acoma and Zuni Tribe in New Mexico are given priority for these items, and they may claim them until March 17, 2026. If no claims are made by then, the items will be considered unclaimed.

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.