[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 54 (Monday, March 21, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06269]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

25 CFR Part 169

[156A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900 253G]
RIN 1076-AF20


Rights-of-Way on Indian Land

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule; extension of effective date and compliance date.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is announcing the extension 
of the effective date of the final rule published November 19, 2015 
governing rights-of-way on Indian land, which was scheduled to take 
effect on December 21, 2015, and later extended to March 21, 2016. The 
final rule will now take effect on April 21, 2016. The BIA is also 
announcing an extension of the compliance date by which documentation 
of past assignments must be submitted from the extended date of July 
17, 2016, to August 16, 2016. The final rule comprehensively updates 
and streamlines the process for obtaining Bureau of Indian Affairs 
(BIA) grants of rights-of-way on Indian land and BIA land, while 
supporting tribal self-determination and self-governance.

DATES: The effective date of the final rule published on November 19, 
2015 (80 FR 72492) is extended until April 21, 2016. The compliance 
date for submission of documentation of past assignments is extended 
until August 16, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Appel, Director, Office 
of Regulatory Affairs & Collaborative Action, (202) 273-4680; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 19, 2015, BIA published a final 
rule addressing rights-of-way on Indian land and BIA land. See 80 FR 
72492. In a document published December 21, 2015, BIA extended the 
effective date of the rule to March 21, 2016, in response to requests 
from tribes and industry in order to provide additional time to prepare 
for implementation to ensure compliance. See 80 FR 79258. BIA is again 
extending the effective date of the final rule. This document extends 
the effective date of the final rule to April 21, 2016, and likewise 
extends the deadline for providing BIA with documentation of past 
assignments to August 16, 2016. The substance of the rule remains 
unchanged and this will be the final extension of the effective date.
    The BIA has determined that the extension of the effective date and 
compliance date without prior public notice and comment is in the 
public interest because it would allow more time for the public to 
comply with the rule. This is a rule of agency procedure or practice 
that is exempt from notice and comment rulemaking under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(A).

Correction

    In FR Rule Doc. No. 2015-28548, published November 19, 2015, at 80 
FR 72492, make the following corrections:


0
1. On page 72537, in the center and right columns, in revised Sec.  
169.7, remove the date ``December 21, 2015'' wherever it appears and 
add in its place ``April 21, 2016''.


0
2. On page 72537, in the right column, in paragraph (d) of revised 
Sec.  169.7, remove the date ``April 18, 2016'' and add in its place 
``August 16, 2016''.

    Dated: March 15, 2016.
Lawrence S. Roberts,
Acting Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-06269 Filed 3-18-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P