Notice2021-19846
Protection and Restoration of Tribal Homelands
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 15, 2021
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentIndian Affairs Bureau
Abstract
The Department invites representatives of federally recognized Tribes to consult on several topics related to the protection and restoration of Tribal homelands, including but not limited to: the land-into-trust process, leasing and rights-of-way, and sacred sites and treaty rights.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51373-51374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19846]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Protection and Restoration of Tribal Homelands
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Tribal consultation sessions.
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SUMMARY: The Department invites representatives of federally recognized
Tribes to consult on several topics related to the protection and
restoration of Tribal homelands, including but not limited to: the
land-into-trust process, leasing and rights-of-way, and sacred sites
and treaty rights.
DATES: Please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice
for dates of the sessions. Tribes are also invited to submit written
input by 11:59 p.m. ET, Friday, November 5, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this
notice for links to register for each of the sessions. Tribes are also
invited to submit written input to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#52313d3c21273e2633263b3d3c12303b337c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5635393825233a2237223f393816343f3778313920">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Appel, Director, Office of
Regulatory Affairs & Collaborative Action--Indian Affairs, (202) 273-
4680, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#27424b4e5d464542534f09465757424b67454e4609404851"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d585154475c5f584955135c4d4d58517d5f545c135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Protecting and restoring Tribal homelands is a key priority of the
Department. While the importance of Tribal homelands undoubtedly
touches upon many facets critical to Tribal sovereignty and self-
determination, the consultation will focus on three specific topics:
The land-into-trust process;
[[Page 51374]]
leasing and rights-of-way; and sacred sites and treaty rights. As a
starting point to facilitate discussion, the Department poses the
questions stated below and organized by topic. The Department also
welcomes additional comments and suggestions from Tribes beyond the
questions listed.
A. Land-Into-Trust Process
1. Does the Department's land-into-trust process adequately allow
Tribes to consolidate landholdings in or near existing reservations?
2. Does the Department's land-into-trust process adequately allow
Tribes to establish homelands for landless Tribes?
3. How can the Department improve its land-into-trust process to
facilitate protection of sacred sites, conservation, and the exercise
of civil and criminal jurisdiction?
4. For Tribes in Alaska, how should the Department approach the
land-into-trust process to adequately account for factors that are
unique to Alaska?
B. Leasing and Rights-of-Way
5. Are the Department's existing regulations governing agricultural
leasing on Indian lands adequate to protect the interests of Tribes and
Indian landowners?
6. Are any changes needed to the Department's leasing and rights-
of-way procedures to clarify taxing jurisdiction in Indian country and
to promote economic development in Indian country?
C. Sacred Sites and Treaty Rights
7. What steps can the Department take to ensure that Tribes have
the ability to protect their sacred places and access those sites to
exercise religious rights?
8. What steps can the Department take to protect the exercise of
off-reservation treaty rights, including habitat for treaty resources?
9. What actions can the Department take in relation to other
agencies to ensure the protection of sacred sites and treaty rights?
D. Overall
10. What is the most pressing need for protection and restoration
of Tribal homelands that the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs can
help address?
Tribal Consultation Sessions
To best accommodate Tribes' locations and ensure everyone's safety,
we will be holding virtual sessions scheduled by time zone. Any Tribal
leader unable to make the session reserved for the time zone in which
his or her Tribe is located is welcome to join an alternate session.
<bullet> For Tribes in the Alaska Time Zone:
[cir] Monday, October 18, 2021
[cir] 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ADT
[cir] Please register in advance at: <a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-yopjoqHFybM7shIc8K5hb8oa0FJB4">https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-yopjoqHFybM7shIc8K5hb8oa0FJB4</a>
<bullet> For Tribes in the Eastern and Central Time Zones:
[cir] Thursday, October 21, 2021
[cir] 2 p.m.-4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m.-3 p.m. CDT
[cir] Please register in advance at: <a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscO6hpzwoHyTxxS4siXAZfsSB5ZixZRI">https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscO6hpzwoHyTxxS4siXAZfsSB5ZixZRI</a>
<bullet> For Tribes in the Mountain Daylight Time Zone:
[cir] Monday, October 25, 2021
[cir] 1 p.m.-3 p.m. MDT
[cir] Please register in advance at: <a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsduiuqjgsH74MwjdZpgw9uaCJVD_Uu_Y">https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsduiuqjgsH74MwjdZpgw9uaCJVD_Uu_Y</a>
<bullet> For Tribes in the Pacific and Mountain Standard Time Zones:
[cir] Tuesday, October 26, 2021
[cir] 10 a.m.-12 p.m. PDT
[cir] Please register in advance at: <a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-qvqT4rGagVja9wUUoFds41BDPgMYc">https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-qvqT4rGagVja9wUUoFds41BDPgMYc</a>
Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-19846 Filed 9-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
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