Search Results for keywords:"Department of the Interior"

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has announced a decision to take 68.60 acres of land, known as the Shiloh Site in Sonoma County, California, into trust for the Koi Nation of Northern California. This land acquisition is intended for gaming and other purposes under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The decision was finalized on January 13, 2025, and the transfer will be completed once all departmental requirements are met. This action is authorized by various delegations within the Department of the Interior and follows necessary legal and regulatory procedures.

The Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service, has officially nominated the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to be added to the prestigious World Heritage List. This process involves several steps, including a review of the refuge's unique natural features, such as its diverse ecosystems and rare species, which meet specific criteria for natural properties. The nomination is part of a broader effort to recognize U.S. sites that have significant environmental and cultural value. While being on the list does not impose any legal restrictions, it highlights the site's importance on an international level.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for the Rough Hat Clark Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada. This project involves constructing a 400-megawatt solar power facility and a 700-megawatt battery energy storage system on BLM-managed land. The Department of the Interior has approved the BLM's decision to issue a right-of-way grant for the project, which includes changing the visual resource management classification of the area. The RMPA faced public protests and a Governor's review, but these processes were resolved without objections to the plan.

The Department of the Interior and the Department of the Army have decided to delay the effective date of a rule related to reservoir project lands. This decision is in line with a directive from President Trump's administration to pause new regulations for review. Initially set to take effect on April 16, 2025, the rule's implementation is postponed to May 16, 2025. The delay allows further evaluation and is made without public comments, as it aims to ensure regulations are carefully considered.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, published a notice explaining why it denied Utah Governor's recommendations concerning the resource management plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The BLM decided some of the Governor's suggestions didn't align with the national interest, which focuses on protecting the monument's unique landscape and historical resources. The BLM concluded that the state's recommendations did not provide a reasonable balance between state and national interests and, therefore, could not be accepted.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has updated its regulations related to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to adjust civil penalties for inflation in compliance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. These adjustments ensure the penalties maintain their deterrent effect and further policy objectives. The rule also updates the mailing address for the NAGPRA Program. The final rule takes effect on January 16, 2025, and applies to penalties assessed after this date, including for violations since November 2, 2015.

The Department of the Interior is inviting nominations for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee. This Committee provides advice to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council on various issues such as planning, fund allocation, and restoration activities related to the 1989 oil spill. Nominations are open for certain positions representing interests like commercial fishing and public-at-large, and must be submitted by April 14, 2025. The Secretary of the Interior will select and appoint members for a four-year term.

The Department of the Interior proposes updates to the regulations governing the probate of property held in trust or restricted status for American Indians. These updates aim to make the probate process more efficient by introducing an expedited procedure for smaller estates, improving communication through electronic notices, and clarifying the reasons for reopening probate cases. Additionally, the updates seek to streamline the "purchase at probate" process and address various identified issues, such as gaps in intestacy distribution and the handling of minor estate inventory corrections. The public is invited to comment on the proposed changes, which are designed to close probate cases faster, bringing more certainty to the distribution of estates.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program. This decision, signed by the Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior, finalizes the plan to implement an oil and gas leasing program in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The decision follows the requirements set by a U.S. law to manage these leasing activities. Additional details, including the specific lands available for leasing and the rules for leasing operations, have been determined in the ROD.

The Department of the Interior is informing the public about its decision to adopt certain categorical exclusions (CXs) for environmental reviews from the Department of Energy and the National Telecommunications Information Administration. These CXs will be used by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to streamline actions like setting up fences, roads, or communication towers without needing full environmental assessments if no special circumstances exist. This decision is aimed at improving efficiency in managing public and Tribal lands, while ensuring actions don't harm the environment. The adoption became effective on January 16, 2025.