Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the availability of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Dry Creek Trona Mine project in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. This document follows the guidelines of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The final EIS evaluates the environmental impact of the project and selects Alternative D as the preferred option, which involves relocating the processing facilities and reducing the impact on nearby habitats. BLM will wait at least 30 days from the EPA's notice of the EIS publication in the Federal Register before making any decisions on the project.

The Bureau of Land Management of the Interior Department has issued an order to extend the protection of 140 acres of land in Lincoln County, New Mexico, for an additional 20 years. This extension is to continue safeguarding the Gallinas Peak and West Turkey Cone Electronic Sites from mining activities. Originally enacted on February 17, 2005, the order exempts these areas from being claimed under U.S. mining laws to ensure the electronic sites are preserved. The land's boundaries and purpose remain unchanged, and the order will need review before renewing it again in 20 years.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has identified cultural connections between certain human remains and Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. These remains, comprising hair clippings from four individuals, were collected at the Sherman Institute in California and the Carson Indian School in Nevada during the early 1930s. The museum is planning to repatriate the remains to the appropriate tribes starting April 16, 2025, following the guidelines of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Competing requests for the repatriation will be resolved by the museum, which will notify the relevant tribe or organization once the decision is made.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments on permit applications for activities aimed at recovering and enhancing the survival of endangered species. Under the Endangered Species Act, many activities that could affect endangered species are prohibited unless permitted by the federal government. The public has until February 18, 2021, to submit comments on these permit requests. These permits would allow activities such as capturing or collecting endangered animals or plants for scientific purposes that support their recovery or survival.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Sonoma State University is planning to return 88 cultural items to their rightful owners, the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, after April 16, 2025. These items, which include stone tools and faunal bones from archaeological sites near Kelseyville, California, hold significant cultural importance to the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Sonoma State University will determine the appropriate recipient if there are competing requests for repatriation. The National Park Service is overseeing this process but is not responsible for the determinations.

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing a new information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. They are introducing the Education Reservation Request Form, which will be used to manage educational program requests from school groups and other educational audiences. The form will be electronic, requiring details about the program, dates, technology available, and fee waiver eligibility. The public is invited to comment on this proposal by March 22, 2021.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, as Co-Lead Agencies, have announced an extension of the scoping period for the Columbia River System Operations environmental review. This period will now end on May 9, 2025, instead of the original March date. In addition, virtual public meetings have been rescheduled for the week of April 7, 2025, to engage with federal and state agencies, Native American Tribes, local governments, and the public about the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement process. Comments and input can be submitted via mail or email and will be made publicly available.

The University of Tennessee's Department of Anthropology and the Kansas State Historical Society have completed an inventory of human remains and artifacts linked to Native American tribes as part of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They determined that the remains, found in Meade County, Kansas, and the artifacts, belong to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma. The remains and artifacts may be repatriated to the identified tribes from April 17, 2025. Competing claims for repatriation will be assessed to determine the appropriate requestor.

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comments on a new information collection effort about visitors to national parks, as guided by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection aims to gather data on visitor demographics, spending behaviors, and experiences to help the NPS improve park management and services. Comments are invited especially on the necessity, impact, and methodologies of this data collection. Interested individuals can submit their feedback through specified channels until February 18, 2025.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), part of the Department of the Interior, is planning to renew the collection of bird count data as part of the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The data helps track bird species in North America and is shared with various stakeholders, including government agencies and the public. Interested parties are invited to submit comments about the data collection process by May 12, 2025, to ensure it meets necessary performance standards and minimizes burdens on respondents. Participation in this survey is voluntary, and the estimated cost related to the data collection, such as mileage for trips, is expected to average $182,000 annually.