Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

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 National Park Service has finalized new regulations for motor vehicle use in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. These rules update the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs), including prohibiting certain vehicles from using specific roads to protect natural resources, cultural features, and improve visitor experiences. The regulations also address issues like lake access, by requiring closures of specific areas below certain water levels, and establish longer quiet hours in designated areas to reduce noise pollution. The rules result from settlements over previous legal challenges, aiming to balance recreation and conservation efforts in the park.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the release of the Record of Decision for the Approved Resource Management Plan for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico. This plan, which replaces the previous 1993 management guidance, aims to protect and conserve the land's natural and cultural resources. It was finalized after considering public input and aligns with various legal and environmental standards. The new plan also adopts updates on the social cost of greenhouse gases and includes guidelines for a future travel management plan.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Portland Maine Resident Agency (FBI Maine) has conducted an inventory of human remains and funerary objects, resulting in the identification of a cultural link to Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, specifically noting a connection to the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico. The items, which include a human scalp and a beaded pipe bag, were recovered after being put up for sale at a Maine auction house. Following forensic analysis, it was determined that the scalp displayed Native American ancestral characteristics. The FBI has opened a period for repatriation requests for these items beginning February 18, 2025, allowing recognized tribes or lineal descendants to claim them.

The National Park Service, in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands plans to return human remains found on Federal or Tribal lands to their rightful descendants or affiliated tribes. The remains, identified as belonging to a Native American individual, were discovered in the Zuni Mountains of New Mexico in 1992. The Hopi Tribe of Arizona, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Laguna, and the Zuni Tribe have priority in claiming these remains. If no claims are received by January 20, 2026, the remains will be deemed unclaimed.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, part of Harvard University, plans to return two sacred cultural items to the Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico. These items, a shield and a cover, were originally acquired from the community by Mr. Sprigelburg, then bought by Dr. Samuel Kirkland Lothrop in 1915, and donated to the museum in 1916. Requests for repatriation can be made by any individual or group who can prove they are related to the artefacts, and the repatriation process may start as early as January 17, 2025. The museum will handle requests and make determinations for the most appropriate recipient if there are multiple requests.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a 12-month finding regarding a petition from Wyoming to create and remove a distinct population segment for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear. After reviewing scientific data, they concluded that the grizzly bears in this area do not qualify as a separate listable population. Consequently, the petition to delist these grizzly bears is not warranted. The agency plans to conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of grizzly bear status in the lower-48 states by January 2026.

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is seeking public comments on a proposal to renew an information collection process with revisions. This process concerns collecting data on individuals interested in being nominated for the Advisory Board for Exceptional Children in line with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004. The BIE aims to improve clarity and functionality by incorporating changes such as correcting typographical errors and allowing self-nominations. Individuals wishing to comment have until February 10, 2021, and their feedback will be public record.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 3,224 oil and gas leases across seven states, including Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. This action follows multiple lawsuits challenging the leases based on environmental concerns, such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts. The BLM is initiating a public scoping process allowing individuals to submit comments and suggestions until March 17, 2025, which will help shape the EIS. The process is meant to ensure the leasing decisions comply with environmental laws and policies, and it includes opportunities for public input throughout different stages.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation has announced the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These remains and objects are culturally affiliated with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, specifically noting a connection to the Modoc Nation and the Klamath Tribes. The repatriation of these remains may occur on or after April 17, 2025. Reclamation invites written requests for repatriation from the tribes, organizations, or any lineal descendant who has evidence of cultural affiliation with the remains.