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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 University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History plans to return a culturally significant coiled basket to the Pechanga Band of Indians, as per the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The basket, initially donated in 1937, is mistakenly labeled as connected to tribes near the Navajo but has been identified as "Mission style," belonging to Southern California Native peoples. The museum has confirmed its cultural importance to the Pechanga Band after consulting with the tribe. Repatriation of the basket is expected to happen after January 29, 2025, unless there are competing claims.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the termination of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Twin Metals Project, which was to evaluate the impacts of mining operations in Minnesota's Superior National Forest. This decision follows the cancellation of mineral leases by the Department of the Interior due to improper renewal and a withdrawal order that prohibits new mineral leasing for 20 years on the affected lands. As a result, Twin Metals no longer has the necessary land use authorization to proceed with its proposed project.

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 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.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) plans to return two culturally significant items to the Patwin Tribes. These items, a piece of travertine limestone and another lot of missing material, were linked to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, California, through traditional knowledge. The repatriation is scheduled to occur on or after April 18, 2025, and UC Davis will manage any competing requests for these items.

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.

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.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT has completed an inventory of two funerary objects. These objects are linked culturally to the Stockbridge Munsee Community, a federally recognized Tribe of Mohican and Munsee Lenape people. The nodules of red/orange ochre were taken from Native American graves at Fort Ticonderoga, NY before 1940. The museum is now in the process of potentially returning these items to the Tribe or any lineal descendants, with the repatriation possibly occurring on or after May 12, 2025.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), California State University, Sacramento plans to return cultural items that are considered unassociated funerary objects to certain Native American tribes. These items, numbering 20,052, were part of a collection donated in the 1950s and are linked to the Miwok/Nisenan sites. The university has identified a connection between these cultural items and the Ione Band of Miwok Indians and the Wilton Rancheria. Requests for repatriation can be made by related tribes or individuals, and these items may be returned after February 18, 2025.