Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Gila National Forest (GNF) plans to handle the disposition of human remains and associated funerary objects found on federal or tribal lands according to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The remains are identified as those of Native American ancestry. Priority for disposition is given to specific tribes, including the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Mescalero Apache Tribe, Pueblo of Acoma, and the Zuni Tribe. Written claims by eligible parties must be submitted by March 18, 2026; if no claims are received by then, the remains and objects may be deemed unclaimed.

The Culver-Stockton College plans to return six culturally significant items to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, as outlined by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These items include ceremonial pipes, a ceremonial axe, and a boatstone, which are considered sacred and crucial for traditional Native American religious practices. The college will proceed with the repatriation on or after April 18, 2025, unless other qualified tribes or individuals make competing requests. If such requests arise, the college will determine the most appropriate claimant before proceeding.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the Interior Department, has announced the release of a draft report called the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Regional Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. This report studies potential impacts of oil and gas leasing in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. BOEM is requesting public comments on this draft until January 27, 2025, and will hold virtual public meetings for further discussion. The draft considers various alternatives for oil and gas leasing and analyzes the possible effects on the environment and communities, balancing energy needs with environmental protection.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the availability of a Record of Decision for the Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Rock Springs Field Office in Wyoming. Signed on December 20, 2024, this decision makes the new management plan effective immediately and covers land in several counties. The plan updates how these lands are managed, balancing uses like energy development and resource protection. The proposal was subject to public commentary and protests, which resulted in no changes to the final approved plan.

In a notice published by the National Park Service, Marshall University announced that it has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects following the requirements of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The remains and artifacts were linked to several Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations and may be repatriated to these groups starting February 18, 2025. Interested parties, including identified Tribes or any potential descendants, can submit requests for the repatriation, which will be reviewed to determine the rightful claimants.

The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new regulations for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 hunting and trapping seasons on federal lands in Alaska, aiming to revise the rules for subsistence wildlife management. These regulations, which happen every two years for wildlife and every other year for fish and shellfish, involve setting harvest limits, seasons, and methods for taking wildlife. Public meetings and comments are scheduled throughout 2025 to gather input from local communities and stakeholders, ensuring that any changes consider the needs and traditions of local subsistence users. Once finalized, the new regulations will replace previous rules and ensure sustainable use of wildlife resources.

The University of California, Riverside has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) identifying human remains and funerary objects connected to Native American tribes. The inventory found cultural affiliation with several tribes in California, including the Campo Band of Diegueno Mission Indians and others. Repatriation, the process of returning these remains and objects to the tribes, could start on January 29, 2025. If there are conflicting claims, the university will decide the rightful requestor.

The Kikuchi Center at Kaua'i Community College has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They found human remains and associated cultural items belonging to Native Hawaiian individuals, along with 15 funerary objects such as fish hooks and tools. These items are linked to specific Native Hawaiian sites, indicating a cultural connection with local tribes and organizations. Repatriation of these remains and objects can begin on or after January 13, 2025, following requests from recognized tribes or lineal descendants.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a notice correcting a previous publication about the California Offshore Wind Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. The original document, published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2024, had mistakenly listed the wrong start date for the 90-day comment period. The notice clarifies that the comment period actually began on November 14, 2024. For further details, Lisa Gilbane at BOEM can be contacted.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it rejected the appeals from the Governors of California and Utah concerning proposed changes to the land use plans for large solar energy projects. The BLM determined that the recommendations from the governors did not demonstrate conflicts with existing state or local plans nor did they offer a reasonable balance between national interests and state interests. The BLM emphasized that the national interest in managing public lands for renewable energy development was a priority, and no significant changes to the solar development plans were warranted based on the appeals.