Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from the County of San Diego seeking permission to engage in certain activities that might affect two species: the Quino checkerspot butterfly, listed as endangered, and the western spadefoot, proposed as threatened. This permit would allow the county to develop a 25-acre recreation park while also focusing on conserving and managing habitats within the area. The public is encouraged to offer feedback on the draft habitat conservation plan and environmental assessment until February 20, 2025. This process aims to balance development with environmental protection under the guidelines of the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Presidential Memorandum titled “Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina” has been published. This memorandum directs the Secretary of the Interior to assist the Lumbee Tribe in obtaining full federal recognition, including access to federal benefits. The Secretary must submit a plan within 90 days, considering legal pathways such as congressional acts or judicial actions. The memorandum emphasizes the significance of the Lumbee Tribe and the U.S. policy to support their full federal recognition.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is extending the comment period for a proposed rule regarding the grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, in the lower 48 states. This proposal, initially released on January 15, 2025, intends to revise the bear's status under the Endangered Species Act. By giving an additional 60 days for comments, the agency aims to allow more public input. Prior comments will still be considered, and new ones can be submitted online or by mail until May 16, 2025.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has completed an inventory of human remains in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and has identified cultural affiliations with several Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The remains were collected from various locations, including the Fort Mohave Indian School in Arizona, the Pawnee Indian Reservation in Oklahoma, and the Sherman Institute in California, and consist mostly of hair clippings. Repatriation of these remains may begin after April 16, 2025, and requests for repatriation can be submitted by affiliated tribes, organizations, or individuals who provide sufficient evidence of a cultural connection.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued permits that allow certain activities with endangered and threatened species. These permits were issued under the Endangered Species Act after reviewing permit applications and considering public comments. Each permit applicant demonstrated good faith, ensured no disadvantage to the species, and aligned with the Act's purposes. Details and documents related to these permits are accessible online at regulations.gov.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is asking for public comments on its plan to renew an information collection related to State regulatory authority on coal mining inspections. This is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to minimize the burden of reporting by the public. They are gathering feedback on whether the information collection is necessary, if it will be processed timely, and ways to improve its quality and clarity. Comments are due by February 4, 2025, and the information gathered will help ensure compliance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is starting 5-year status reviews for 14 species, including 4 plant and 10 animal species, under the Endangered Species Act. They are asking for public input by March 4, 2025, to help update the reviews with the latest scientific and commercial information about these species, such as their population trends and habitat conditions. Interested parties can submit their contributions and consult with the specified contacts for more guidance. The process ensures that the conservation measures remain effective and relevant.

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 Field Museum in Chicago plans to return 54 cultural items to Native American tribes under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These items include 19 sacred objects and 35 objects of cultural importance originally taken from tribes in California in 1901. The Field Museum will begin repatriating the items on February 18, 2025, and has identified the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California as culturally affiliated with these items. Requests for repatriation can be made by tribes not mentioned in the notice, and efforts will be made to resolve any competing claims for these artifacts.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Interior Department announced the approval of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact for Class III Gaming between the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the State of Washington. This amendment, published in the Federal Register, allows the tribe to operate more player terminals, enhance its contribution to problem gambling efforts, and accept new forms of payment. It also designates the Cowlitz Tribal Court for certain legal purposes and incorporates state gaming regulations. The changes will officially go into effect on January 12, 2021.