The Department of the Interior has extended the comment period to September 30, 2014, for both the proposed rule which would reform the federal acknowledgment process found at 25 C.F.R. Part 83, “Procedures for Acknowledgment of Federally Recognized Indian Tribes,” and the proposed rule which would amend 43 C.F. R. Part 4, “Department Hearings and Appeals Procedures,” by adding a Subpart K titled “Hearing and Re-Petition Authorization Process Concerning Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes.” The Department of Interior has also scheduled two additional Tribal Consultations and two additional Public Meetings. Details are below.
Tribal Consultations & Public Meetings. Previously, in-person Tribal Consultations and Public Meetings were held across the country. These four additional events will be conducted via teleconference, all from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. EST with the same call-in number: (888) 323-4307 and passcode: 4823348. The Tribal Consultation calls (open only to representatives of federally recognized tribes) will be on August 18 and August 20. The Public Meeting calls will be on September 3 and September 5.
Further information. For a summary of the two proposed rules, see our General Memorandum 14-047 of July 2, 2014.
• Frequently asked questions, and other information about the first proposed rule is here: http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/ORM/83revise/index.htm.
• The FEDERAL REGISTER notice extending the comment period for the first proposed rule is here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-30/pdf/2014-17956.pdf
• The FEDERAL REGISTER notice extending the comment period for the second proposed rule is here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-30/pdf/2014-17954.pdf
Please let us know if we may provide additional information regarding these proposed rules or if we may be of assistance preparing comments.
