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In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the California State University, Sacramento plans to return four cultural items to Native American tribes. These items, collected in the 1960s and 1970s from Yuba County, California, are flaked stone, ground stone, modified stone, and ochre, which hold significant cultural importance. The university has determined that the items should be repatriated to the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria of California. The repatriation may happen on or after April 18, 2025, but if other tribes also request the items, the university will decide which group is most appropriate to receive them.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Sonoma State University is planning to return cultural items to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. These items, referred to as unassociated funerary objects, were previously collected from various archaeological sites in Sonoma County, California. The university identified a cultural connection to the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, California, and has initiated the process for repatriation. Competing claims must be resolved by Sonoma State University, which will send the relevant notice to interested parties.

In compliance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is updating its rules to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation. These changes are designed to ensure penalties remain effective and serve as a deterrent. For 2021, the cost-of-living adjustment multiplier is 1.01182, raising the maximum penalty from $53,524 to $54,157 per violation. This adjustment applies to penalties assessed after February 1, 2021.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued a final rule that updates the maximum daily civil penalties for violations related to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA). These updates adjust for inflation, applying a 2025 multiplier set at 1.02598, which reflects inflation from October 2023 through October 2024. The adjusted penalties now stand at $55,764 for OCSLA and $59,114 for OPA violations. These changes, effective January 13, 2025, ensure BOEM penalties maintain their deterrent effect and comply with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. The adjustments are automatic and exempt from the usual rulemaking procedures like public commentary.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is delaying the effective date of a rule concerning the critical habitat of the northern spotted owl until April 30, 2021. This decision allows for further review due to concerns about legal and procedural issues with the rulemaking process, as well as significant changes in habitat exclusions made in the final rule. During this delay, the Service is opening a 30-day comment period for public input on the issues raised by the rule and whether an additional delay is necessary. The postponement is also intended to avoid possible legal challenges and to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

The National Park Service, under the Interior Department, has issued a notice about the Ohio History Connection finishing its inventory of human remains and related funerary objects as required by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This notice determines cultural affiliations between the remains and a specific list of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The human remains, representing a minimum of 1,399 individuals and over 4,600 associated objects, originate from various archaeological sites in Wood County, Ohio. Repatriation of these remains and objects to the affiliated tribes may begin on or after April 16, 2025, pending any written requests from descendant communities.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that they are canceling the Record of Decision for the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 257. This decision is in response to Executive Order 14008, which pauses new oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters until a comprehensive review is completed. The lease sale was initially planned to occur on March 17, 2021, but is now halted. BOEM may consider the lease sale again after the review and could issue a new decision in the future.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced the completion of an inventory of human remains and funerary objects, without identifying any cultural affiliation with current Indian Tribes. They consulted with several tribes, including the Chickasaw and Cherokee Nations. The remains and artifacts, mostly from sites in Tennessee, were excavated during the 1940s. If no other tribes request the transfer by March 11, 2021, the artifacts and remains will be handed over to The Chickasaw Nation, as the items were originally found on land linked to them through historical treaties.

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 Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) under the Interior Department is requesting public comments on a proposal to renew an information collection, as part of their efforts to reduce paperwork burdens. This notice is in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the information collection focuses on the maintenance and evaluation of State programs in relation to federal enforcement. The public is invited to share their views on the necessity, accuracy, and methods of this information collection by February 10, 2025. Comments may impact how the OSMRE evaluates state programs and could influence federal involvement if certain requirements are unmet.