Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, identifying human remains with cultural ties to certain Indian Tribes. The remains, specifically hair clippings from a 15-year-old identified as "Concow," were collected in the early 1930s at the Sherman Institute in California and later donated to the museum. The museum confirms a cultural connection between the remains and the Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California and the Round Valley Indian Tribes. The repatriation of these remains may proceed after April 17, 2025, with requests accepted from affiliated tribes or other qualifying claimants.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University plans to return cultural items to Native American tribes and organizations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. These items include funerary objects, sacred objects, and items of cultural importance, linked to various tribes including the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana. Repatriation can start after May 12, 2025, and tribes not mentioned can still request the return of these items by proving their cultural connection. The museum will handle any competing claims to ensure the appropriate recipients are identified.

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 The delay allows for further review and public comment on whether the rule should be amended, further delayed, or rescinded entirely.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 Bureau of Indian Affairs published a notice about changes to the Liquor Ordinance for the Blackfeet Tribe on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. The amendment, effective January 21, 2025, updates regulations on the sale and control of alcoholic beverages. It aims to manage the sale of liquor to ensure public welfare and safety, with restrictions on who can sell alcohol and strict rules about when and where it can be sold. The ordinance also establishes penalties for violations and outlines conditions under which alcoholic beverage licenses can be granted or revoked.

The National Park Service, part of the Interior Department, is asking for public comments on the significance of certain properties nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places before January 4, 2025. Comments can be submitted electronically by January 28, 2025, and should mention the property or district name along with its county and state in the subject line. The notice lists various properties from states like Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and others, detailing their specific locations and significance. Additionally, there are requests for removal of some properties and the submission of additional documentation for others, indicating ongoing evaluations and updates to the registry.

The University of California, Berkeley has completed an inventory of funerary objects and determined they are culturally affiliated with several Native American tribes in California. These objects, found on San Nicolas Island, include tools, ornaments, and other artifacts. According to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the objects may be returned to the identified tribes or a rightful claimant starting May 19, 2025. The National Park Service published this notice but is not responsible for the affiliations; the determinations are the responsibility of the University.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, has identified a cultural connection between certain funerary objects and the Spokane Tribe of the Spokane Reservation, as part of its responsibilities under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The inventory consists of a cedar wood stake and a vial of wood fibers from site 45ST118 on federal land within the Spokane Indian Reservation. These objects, housed at Washington State University, are available for repatriation starting January 17, 2025. If multiple requests for repatriation are received, the Bureau's Region 9 will determine the most appropriate requestor.

The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new rules for wildlife hunting and trapping in Alaska for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 regulatory years. These rules would update the regulations for subsistence use, revise hunting seasons and harvest limits, and ensure that Alaska residents in rural areas have priority for taking fish and wildlife on federal lands. The proposed regulations would replace existing ones and are subject to public meetings for comments and suggestions on changes. Federal agencies, along with rural residents, are working together to manage the subsistence resources effectively.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Monterey Peninsula College is planning to reinter human remains identified in a previous inventory notice. The remains, which include a skull, teeth, and bones, might originate from areas near Monterey, CA, and were likely found by a student in the 1960s. The college has not identified any direct descendants or tribal affiliations linked to the remains but has consulted with various Native American groups. Requests for repatriation need to be submitted by January 6, 2025, if any affiliated tribe or descendant is identified.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, has announced a virtual public meeting of the Western Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC) scheduled for January 14, 2025. This meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time and is open to the public, requiring prior registration. The agenda will cover topics such as the Tribal Partnership and Reserved Treaty Rights Program and updates from field managers, with a public comment period set for 3:30 p.m. Attendees can participate virtually, and detailed minutes will be made available on the RAC's web page.