Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has completed an inventory of Native American human remains, as per the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The museum determined that the remains, representing at least six individuals from Santa Barbara and nearby areas, have cultural ties to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians. Starting on May 12, 2025, the museum may return the remains to the Santa Ynez Band or other eligible claimants. Competing claims for repatriation will require the museum to decide on the most appropriate requestor.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Ranegras Plains Energy Center project in La Paz County, Arizona. This project involves constructing a large-scale solar energy facility on public lands and requires a right-of-way grant for its development. The BLM outlines several project alternatives, including a preferred option that minimizes soil impacts. They are seeking public comments on the Draft EIS within 45 days of its announcement, and they plan to host a virtual public meeting to discuss the project further.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the Interior Department, has issued a notice about renewing their information collection activities under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This renewal pertains to managing and protecting wild horses and burros, which involves collecting data from individuals interested in adopting or purchasing these animals. They have invited public comments on their proposed information collection requirements by March 29, 2021. The data collected helps the BLM ensure qualified individuals manage wild horse adoptions and transactions effectively.

The University of California, Riverside has inventoried human remains and funerary objects and identified that they belong to Native American tribes, specifically the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. These findings are in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The human remains and objects were discovered during a 1978 archaeological excavation and were misidentified as animal bones at first. Repatriation to the tribes will begin on or after January 29, 2025, and the university is responsible for managing any requests for repatriation details.

The Department of the Interior is announcing that the Mattaponi Indian Tribe and Reservation has submitted a petition to be recognized as an official American Indian Tribe. They are asking the public to provide comments and evidence regarding this petition by May 6, 2025. Interested individuals can access the narrative portion of the petition on the Office of Federal Acknowledgment's website and send their responses to the Department of the Interior either by mail or email. This notice aims to involve the public early in the process and improve transparency about petitions for tribal acknowledgment.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Imperial Beach plan to create a draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the Bayside Community Resiliency project. This project aims to transform a section of the Bayshore Bikeway corridor into a coastal resilience corridor to protect against flooding, improve public access, and enhance habitat areas around San Diego Bay. The proposal includes various alternatives such as constructing a "living levee" and creating a tidal channel to improve stormwater management and provide additional habitat space. Community input is being sought during the scoping period, which closes on February 24, 2025.

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 National Park Service has issued a notice regarding the disposition of certain Native American cultural items held by the Navy at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Detachment Fallbrook in California. These items, which include tourmaline crystals, a quartz crystal, ceramic pipe fragments, and shell beads, were collected from various historical sites. The notice outlines that these items are intended to be returned to appropriate lineal descendants or Native tribes, with several Native American groups given priority. Interested parties may claim these items by March 17, 2026; otherwise, they will become unclaimed cultural items. The process follows guidelines set by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to reclassify the rough popcornflower from "endangered" to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. This decision is based on scientific information indicating that while the species' condition has improved and it is not in immediate danger of extinction, it is still likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. The proposal also includes regulations under section 4(d) of the Act aimed at conserving the species. The public can submit comments on this proposed rule by February 10, 2025.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Interior Department announced amendments to the Pueblo of Santa Clara Liquor Code, which were adopted by the Tribal Council on December 13, 2024. These amendments aim to regulate the introduction, sale, and consumption of alcohol within Santa Clara Indian Lands to promote economic and social goals while protecting public health, safety, and welfare. The updated Liquor Code outlines various regulations, such as types of licenses, selling hours, and prohibitions against selling alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age. Additionally, a percentage of alcohol sales revenue will fund programs for alcoholism prevention and treatment. The changes will officially take effect on April 17, 2025.