[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51373-51374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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 [email protected].

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

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.
 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: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-yopjoqHFybM7shIc8K5hb8oa0FJB4
 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: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscO6hpzwoHyTxxS4siXAZfsSB5ZixZRI
 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: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsduiuqjgsH74MwjdZpgw9uaCJVD_Uu_Y
 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: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-qvqT4rGagVja9wUUoFds41BDPgMYc

Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-19846 Filed 9-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P