Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management is proposing to withdraw about 1,805 acres of public land in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, from settlement and sale under public land and mining laws for up to 20 years. This is to protect the natural and cultural resources associated with the Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians. The lands would remain managed by the Bureau of Land Management and are currently segregated from these activities for up to two years during the proposal's processing. The public has until April 14, 2025, to submit comments or request a public meeting on this withdrawal proposal.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has rescinded its previous notice to create an environmental impact statement for oil and gas leasing decisions in seven states, covering the period from February 2015 to December 2020. This decision aligns with Executive Order 14154 and Secretary's Order 3418, both titled "Unleashing American Energy." The original notice of intent was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2025. For more details, individuals can contact Janna Simonsen or John Ajak at the BLM.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new rule to update the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. This rule will clarify language on regional species closures, remove emperor geese from the harvest list due to population concerns, and update the names of specific bird species. It also eliminates the permit requirement for hunting in the Kodiak Island Roaded Area while keeping certain bird species protected. Public comments are being accepted until February 20, 2025.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for changes to the mining plan at the Rosebud Mine Area F in Montana, which aims to permit ongoing mining of around 71.3 million tons of coal over 4,288 acres. This draft addresses shortcomings identified by a district court, particularly around analyzing alternatives and the environmental impact of greenhouse gases and water. The public is invited to comment by January 21, 2025, and can attend a meeting on January 8, 2025. OSMRE will use these comments to refine the SEIS and recommend if the mining plan should be approved, disapproved, or conditionally approved by the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed removing Ute ladies'-tresses, a type of orchid, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. The decision is based on a review of scientific data indicating that the species has recovered enough and is no longer threatened by extinction. The proposal explains that conservation efforts and regulatory protections, along with the species' natural resilience to threats such as urban development and climate change, ensure its survival. If the rule is finalized, the legal protections under the Endangered Species Act for this plant would no longer apply, but post-delisting monitoring will be conducted to ensure the species remains secure.

The National Park Service is inviting electronic comments on historical properties nominated by January 30, 2021, for listing or actions related to the National Register of Historic Places. Comments should be submitted by February 25, 2021. Various properties across states such as Colorado, Illinois, and New York have been nominated, including notable sites like Denver County's CB&Q Denver Shops Powerhouse and New York County's Row Houses on West End Avenue. Submissions from State or Tribal Historic Preservation Officers have also been received for additional documentation.

The United States Forest Service has requested that the Secretary of the Interior withdraw over 264,000 acres of Federal land in the Ruby Mountains from leasing for minerals and geothermal energy for 20 years to protect the area's natural and cultural resources. This withdrawal request includes additional non-Federal lands that might be acquired by the U.S. in the future. During a two-year temporary segregation period from December 31, 2024, these lands will not be available for leasing, but public input is invited through a 90-day comment period, including a virtual meeting on February 14, 2025. The process for this application will follow existing regulations.

The Field Museum in Chicago plans to return 17 sacred cultural items to appropriate Native American Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, in line with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. These items, which include objects like baskets and a medicine charm, were originally collected in 1901 from California counties. Repatriation is scheduled to occur on or after January 13, 2025, unless challenges or competing requests arise. The National Park Service oversees the administrative processes under NAGPRA but is not responsible for the determinations made by the Field Museum.

The Department of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University (NIU) has completed an inventory of human remains under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They found that the remains, representing three Native American individuals, have a cultural connection with The Osage Nation. The National Park Service has outlined the process for repatriation, which can start after January 6, 2025. Requests for repatriation can be submitted by the identified tribes or other eligible claimants who can demonstrate a connection.

The University of California San Diego plans to return cultural items to the Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma and potentially other eligible groups under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These items, including three historical ledger books, are significant to the tribe and were originally collected in the late 1800s. Repatriation may begin on or after May 19, 2025, and requests must be submitted in writing. If multiple requests are received, the university will determine the most suitable recipient.