[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37795-37796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15011]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC726


Draft NOAA Procedures for Government to Government Consultation 
With Federally Recognized Indian Tribes

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NOAA announces the availability of and request for comments on 
the Draft NOAA Procedures for Government-to-Government Consultation 
With Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. This Draft Handbook is 
intended to assist NOAA staff in conducting effective government-to-
government consultations and fulfilling NOAA's obligations under 
Executive Order 13175 and Department Administrative Order (DAO) 218-8 
on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, and 
the Department of Commerce Tribal Consultation Policy adopted on May 
21, 2013 and published in the Federal Register on June 4, 2013.

[[Page 37796]]


DATES: Written comments must be received on or before 11:59 p.m., EST, 
on August 23, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Draft Handbook may also be obtained 
on the internet at: http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/.
    Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:
     Email to the following address: 
[email protected];
     Mail or hand deliver to Heather Sagar, Department of 
Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Room 51027, Washington, DC 20230. Mark the 
outside of the envelope ``Draft NOAA Tribal Handbook''; or
     Fax at (202) 482-1844.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information on the 
Draft Handbook, contact Heather Sagar by phone at (202) 482-1568 or by 
fax at (202) 482-1844.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 30, 1995, Secretary of Commerce Ron 
Brown signed DOC's first American Indian and Alaska Native Policy. That 
policy recognized the unique legal and political status of federally 
recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments, and 
the Federal Government's trust responsibility to American Indian 
tribes. The policy acknowledged the right of American Indian Tribes and 
Alaska Natives to self-government which flows from their inherent 
sovereignty and relationship with the Federal government. The goal of 
the policy was to ensure that tribal rights and concerns were addressed 
through consultation tribal governments prior to implementing any 
action when developing legislation, regulations, or policies that would 
affect tribal governments, their economic and social development 
activities, and their lands and resources.
    On April 26, 2012, Secretary of Commerce John Bryson issued DAO 
218-8 to implement the requirements of Executive Order 13175, 
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (November 
6, 2000), and the Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation 
(2009). On May 21, 2013, Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank issued a new 
Tribal Policy that builds upon and expands the 1995 DOC Policy. The 
2013 policy establishes the manner in which the Department works with 
tribes on a government-to-government basis when formulating or 
implementing policies that have tribal implications. This DOC policy 
outlines consultation procedures for all Department operating units 
when developing policies that have tribal implications.
    This Draft Handbook is intended to assist NOAA, including its 
regional and field staff, in conducting effective government-to-
government consultations and fulfilling NOAA's obligations under 
Executive Order 13175 and DAO 218-8 on Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments, and the Department of Commerce Tribal 
Consultation Policy.

    Authority:  Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 
FR 67249, November 9, 2000) and Presidential Memorandum of November 
5, 2009 ``Tribal Consultation'' (74 FR 57881, November 9, 2009).

    Dated: June 14, 2013.
Eric C. Schwaab,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-15011 Filed 6-21-13; 8:45 am]
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