Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking to renew its information collection process for the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp contests without any changes. These programs, which began in the 1930s and 1990s respectively, help preserve habitats and promote conservation education through art contests that allow participants to submit duck-themed artwork. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is open to adults, while the Junior Duck Stamp Contest is for students in kindergarten to grade 12, and both programs have contributed significantly to wildlife habitat conservation efforts. The Service is requesting public comments on the collection process to ensure it minimizes burdens and serves its intended purpose.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has completed an inventory of human remains found in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, confirming their Native American ancestry. These remains are culturally affiliated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Interested parties, such as Indian Tribes or descendants, may request repatriation of the human remains starting January 13, 2025. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, alongside the National Park Service, is responsible for handling these requests and determining appropriate requestors in case of competing claims.

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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is starting 5-year status reviews for 14 species, including 4 plant and 10 animal species, under the Endangered Species Act. They are asking for public input by March 4, 2025, to help update the reviews with the latest scientific and commercial information about these species, such as their population trends and habitat conditions. Interested parties can submit their contributions and consult with the specified contacts for more guidance. The process ensures that the conservation measures remain effective and relevant.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced that the 2024 amendments to the Gaming Compact between the Ho Chunk Nation and the State of Wisconsin have been automatically approved by law. These amendments allow for new forms of gaming, such as event wagering and geofenced remote wagering, and introduce updated internal control standards and changes in payment deduction rules. This approval occurred because the Secretary of the Interior did not act within the required 45-day period, making the amendments effective starting January 8, 2025, as long as they comply with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has completed an inventory of human remains in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The remains, identified as belonging to a 20-year-old Native American individual from the Wailaki tribe, were collected from the Sherman Institute in California. Repatriation of these remains to the Grindstone Indian Rancheria of Wintun-Wailaki Indians of California may occur on or after April 17, 2025. The museum welcomes repatriation requests from any Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, or lineal descendants meeting the required criteria.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the U.S. Department of the Interior has announced the 2025 meeting dates for the Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Council (RAC). The meetings will be held virtually on February 13 and October 23, and in person with a virtual option on June 26 in Canon City, Colorado, with a field tour on June 27. The meetings are open to the public, and agendas will be available 30 days prior on the RAC's web page. Public comments can be submitted two weeks in advance, and accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request.

The National Park Service plans to evaluate lands in several parks to see if they can be included in the national wilderness preservation system. These parks include the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Everglades National Park, and others. The assessment starts on January 7, 2025, and will end a year later. People are encouraged to share information that might help decide which lands could become wilderness areas.

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 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a final supplementary rule for public lands in the Tres Rios and Gunnison Field Offices in Colorado. This rule affects how motorized and non-motorized vehicles can be used, designates day-use areas, and sets rules for wildlife habitat protection, camping, and campfires. It aims to protect visitor health and safety and prevent damage to natural and cultural resources. These rules are based on previous management plans and public input, and violations can lead to fines or imprisonment.