80_FR_18925 80 FR 18858 - Tribal Government To Government Consultation Policy: Solicitation of Public Comment

80 FR 18858 - Tribal Government To Government Consultation Policy: Solicitation of Public Comment

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 67 (April 8, 2015)

Page Range18858-18862
FR Document2015-08068

Consistent with Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation with Indian Tribal Governments,'' this notice requests public comment on HUD's tribal government-to-government consultation policy. The purpose of this tribal consultation policy is to enhance communication and coordination between HUD and federally recognized Indian tribes, and to outline guiding principles and procedures under which all HUD employees are to operate with regard to federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribes.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18858-18862]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08068]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5651-N-02]


Tribal Government To Government Consultation Policy: Solicitation 
of Public Comment

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Consistent with Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation with 
Indian Tribal Governments,'' this notice requests public comment on 
HUD's tribal government-to-government consultation policy. The purpose 
of this tribal consultation policy is to enhance communication and 
coordination between HUD and federally recognized Indian tribes, and to 
outline guiding principles and procedures under which all HUD employees 
are to operate with regard to federally recognized Indian or Alaska 
Native tribes.

DATES: Comment Due Date: June 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this document to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel,

[[Page 18859]]

Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 
10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Communications must refer to the 
docket number and title above. There are two methods for submitting 
public comments. All submissions must refer to the above docket number 
and title.
    1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by 
mail to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department 
of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10276, 
Washington, DC 20410-0500.
    2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit 
comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit 
comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments allows the 
commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, ensures timely 
receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make them immediately available to 
the public. Comments submitted electronically through the 
www.regulations.gov Web site can be viewed by other commenters and 
interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the 
instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically.

    Note: To receive consideration as public comments, comments must 
be submitted through one of the two methods specified above. Again, 
all submissions must refer to the docket number and title of the 
document.

    No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile comments are not acceptable.
    Public Inspection of Public Comments. All properly submitted 
comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for 
public inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weekdays, at 
the above address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters 
building, an appointment to review the public comments must be 
scheduled in advance by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-
3055 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech or 
hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-
free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Copies of all comments 
submitted are available for inspection and downloading at 
www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rodger Boyd, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Native American Programs, Office of Public and Indian 
Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, 
SW., Room 4126, Washington, DC 20410, telephone number 202-401-7914 
(this is not a toll-free number). Hearing- or speech-impaired 
individuals may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free 
Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, 
published November 9, 2000) recognizes the right of Indian tribes to 
self-government and supports tribal sovereignty and self-determination. 
Among other things, it requires that agencies have an accountable 
process to ensure meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in 
developing policies that have tribal implications. On November 5, 2009, 
President Obama reaffirmed the government-to-government relationship 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribal governments in a White 
House memorandum that acknowledges that Indian tribes exercise inherent 
sovereign powers over their members and territory. The November 5, 
2009, memorandum also acknowledges that the United States continues to 
work with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis to address 
issues concerning Indian tribal self-government, tribal trust 
resources, Indian tribal treaty and other rights. Today's notice, which 
requests public comment, supports these Presidential directives and 
builds upon and expands the principles expressed in the Department's 
previous ``Tribal Government-to-Government Consultation Policy,'' (66 
FR 49784, September 28, 2001).

I. Introduction

    A. The United States Government has a unique relationship with 
American Indian governments as set forth in the Constitution of the 
United States, treaties, statutes, judicial decisions, and Executive 
orders and memoranda.
    B. On April 29, 1994, a Presidential memorandum was issued 
reaffirming the Federal Government's commitment to operate within a 
government-to-government relationship with federally recognized 
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, and to advance self-
governance for such tribes.\1\ The Presidential memorandum directs each 
executive department and agency, to the greatest extent practicable and 
to the extent permitted by law, to consult with tribal governments 
prior to taking actions that have substantial direct effects on 
federally recognized tribal governments. In order to ensure that the 
rights of sovereign tribal governments are fully respected, all such 
consultations are to be open and candid so that tribal governments may 
evaluate for themselves the potential impact of relevant proposals.
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    \1\ See http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-1994-05-04/html/94-10877.htm.
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    On May 14, 1998, Executive Order 13084, ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' was issued.\2\ This 
executive order was revoked and superseded on November 6, 2000, by 
Executive Order 13175,\3\ which is identically titled to Executive 
Order 13084 and which sets forth guidelines for all federal agencies 
to: (1) Establish regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration 
with Indian tribal officials in the development of Federal policies 
that have tribal implications, (2) strengthen the United States 
government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes, and (3) 
reduce the imposition of unfunded mandates upon Indian tribes.
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    \2\ See http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-1998-05-19/pdf/98-13553.pdf.
    \3\ See http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2000-11-09/pdf/00-29003.pdf.
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    On November 5, 2009,\4\ President Obama issued a memorandum to the 
heads of all executive departments and agencies that reaffirmed that 
the United States has a unique legal and political relationship with 
Indian tribal governments, established through and confirmed by the 
Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, Executive 
orders, and judicial decisions. The memorandum stated that in 
recognition of that special relationship, pursuant to Executive Order 
13175 of November 6, 2000, executive departments and agencies are 
charged with engaging in regular and meaningful consultation and 
collaboration with tribal officials in the development of Federal 
policies that have tribal implications, and are responsible for 
strengthening the government-to-government relationship between the 
United States and Indian tribes. The memorandum stated that the 
Administration is committed to regular and meaningful consultation and 
collaboration with tribal officials in policy decisions that have 
tribal implications, and directed, among other things, as an initial 
step, complete and consistent implementation of Executive Order 13175.
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    \4\ See http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/memorandum-tribal-consultation-signed-president.
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    C. In recognition of the importance of consultation and consistent 
with Executive Order 13175, and the Presidential memorandum of November 
5, 2009, HUD requests public comment on this consultation policy 
statement. In January 2010, HUD held a series of HUD-tribal regional 
consultations to

[[Page 18860]]

discuss HUD's existing tribal consultation policy. Each consultation 
session was hosted by one of the six Office of Native American Programs 
(ONAP) Area Office Administrators. Prior to all meetings, ONAP Area 
Office sent out invitation letters to all tribes and tribally 
designated housing entities to inform them of the meetings. The 
invitation package included the President's memorandum, Executive Order 
13175, HUD's current tribal consultation policy, and a list of 
questions designed to prompt discussion and focus on the issues. HUD's 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for ONAP attended a Northwest ONAP and 
Eastern/Woodlands ONAP session, and HUD's Assistant Secretary for 
Public and Indian Housing participated in the initial session held in 
Suquamish, Washington. Participants at each of the consultation 
sessions were informed that an electronic mailbox had been established 
to receive their comments and that HUD's CODETALK Web site would be 
used to display all comments received.
    The comments from participants who attended these consultations, as 
well as all comments received by other means, were consolidated by 
ONAP. HUD carefully reviewed all comments received from all sources, 
responded, and made changes to the existing HUD consultation policy 
based on these comments, as appropriate.
    HUD conducted a second round of tribal consultation by sending the 
revised draft policy to all tribal leaders for their comment. On 
November 12, 2014, the Department provided all tribal leaders a draft 
version of HUD's revised tribal government-to-government consultation 
policy and requested their feedback and opinion on the draft. In 
response to the Department's November 12, 2014, request for comments, 
the Department received three comments from Indian tribes and a 
national organization that represents the housing interests of Native 
Americans. The Department appreciates and carefully considered the 
comments submitted. This notice incorporates several of the comments 
and recommendations provided.
    This consultation policy applies to all HUD programs and policies 
that have substantial direct effects on federally recognized Indian 
tribal governments. In formulating or implementing such policies, HUD 
will be guided by the fundamental principles set forth in section 2 of 
Executive Order 13175, to the extent applicable to HUD programs. 
Section 2 of the Executive Order provides as follows:

    Sec. 2. Fundamental Principles. In formulating or implementing 
policies that have tribal implications, agencies shall be guided by 
the following fundamental principles:
    (a) The United States has a unique legal relationship with 
Indian tribal governments as set forth in the Constitution of the 
United States, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, and court 
decisions. Since the formation of the Union, the United States has 
recognized Indian tribes as domestic dependent nations under its 
protection. The Federal Government has enacted numerous statutes and 
promulgated numerous regulations that establish and define a trust 
relationship with Indian tribes.
    (b) Our Nation, under the law of the United States, in 
accordance with treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, and judicial 
decisions, has recognized the right of Indian tribes to self-
government. As domestic dependent nations, Indian tribes exercise 
inherent sovereign powers over their members and territory. The 
United States continues to work with Indian tribes on a government-
to-government basis to address issues concerning Indian tribal self-
government, tribal trust resources, and Indian tribal treaty and 
other rights.
    (c) The United States recognizes the right of Indian tribes to 
self-government and supports tribal sovereignty and self-
determination.

II. Definitions

    A. ``Consultation'' means the direct and interactive (i.e., 
collaborative) involvement of tribes in the development of regulatory 
policies on matters that have tribal implications.
    Consultation is the proactive, affirmative process of (1) 
identifying and seeking input from appropriate Native American 
governing bodies, community groups and individuals; and (2) considering 
their interest as a necessary and integral part of HUD's decision-
making process.
    This definition adds to statutorily mandated notification 
procedures. The goal of notification is to provide an opportunity for 
comment; however, with consultation procedures, the burden is on the 
federal agency to show that it has made a good faith effort to elicit 
feedback.
    B. ``Exigent situation'' means an unforeseen combination of 
circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action in 
order to preserve tribal resources, rights, interests, or Federal 
funding.
    C. ``Indian tribe'' means an Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, 
nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the 
Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe pursuant to the 
Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a.
    D. ``Policies that have tribal implications'' refers to 
regulations, legislative proposals, and other policy statements or 
actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
tribe, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the 
Federal Government and Indian tribes.
    E. ``To the Extent Practicable and Permitted by Law'' refers to 
situations where the opportunity for consultation is limited because of 
constraints of time, budget, legal authority, etc.
    F. ``Tribal officials'' means elected or duly appointed officials 
of Indian tribal governments or authorized intertribal organizations.

III. Principles

    A. HUD respects tribal sovereignty and acknowledges the unique 
relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
    B. HUD recognizes and commits to a government-to-government 
relationship with federally recognized tribes.
    C. HUD recognizes tribes as the appropriate non-Federal parties for 
making policy decisions and managing programs for their constituents.
    D. HUD shall take appropriate steps to remove existing legal and 
programmatic impediments to working directly and effectively with 
tribes on programs administered by HUD.
    E. HUD shall encourage states and local governments to work with 
and cooperate with tribes to resolve problems of mutual concern.
    F. HUD shall work with other Federal departments and agencies to 
enlist their interest and support in cooperative efforts to assist 
tribes to accomplish their goals within the context of all HUD 
programs.
    G. HUD shall be guided by these policy principles in its planning 
and management activities, including its budget, operating guidance, 
legislative initiatives, management accountability system, and ongoing 
policy and regulation development processes for all programs effecting 
tribes.

IV. Tribal Consultation Process

    A. Applicability. HUD will apply this tribal consultation policy to 
all proposed policies that have tribal implications, to the greatest 
extent practicable and permitted by law. Based on a government-to-
government relationship and in recognition of the uniqueness of each 
tribe, the primary focus for consultation activities is with individual 
tribes. ONAP, within the Office of Public and Indian Housing, may 
serve, under the direction of the Secretary, as the lead HUD office for 
the implementation of this policy. Internal HUD policies and procedures 
are excluded from this policy.

[[Page 18861]]

    B. Methods of Communication. The methods of communication used will 
be determined by the significance of the consultation matter, the need 
to act quickly, and other relevant factors. Consultation can be 
accomplished through various methods of communication. While modern 
technology and group events should be utilized whenever possible to 
conserve funds and respect time constraints of all those involved, 
generally these methods of communication should not serve in the place 
of formal, face-to-face discussion.
    C. Consultation with Tribes When Drafting Policies That Have Tribal 
Implications. To the extent practicable and permitted by law, HUD shall 
make reasonable efforts to consult with tribal officials concerning 
proposed policies that have tribal implications before such policies 
are drafted, in order to facilitate greater tribal participation in 
development of the proposed policies. Such consultation shall include 
on the HUD Web site a notice of HUD's plans to develop such policies 
and an invitation for tribal officials to comment on items that should 
be included in such policies. HUD shall provide a specific deadline for 
comments, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of the 
notice. This timeline may be compressed in exigent situations.
    D. Notice of Proposed Policies That Have Tribal Implications. To 
the extent practicable and permitted by law, after proposed policies 
that have tribal implications have been drafted, HUD will notify the 
tribes of such proposed policies, and will include a copy of the 
proposed policies with the notice. The notice shall designate the lead 
office in HUD Headquarters. The lead office in HUD Headquarters shall 
be responsible for such notification, unless it has delegated such 
responsibility to another office. HUD shall provide a specific deadline 
for tribal comments, which shall not be less than 60 days from the date 
of the notice. This timeline may be compressed in exigent situations. 
Nothing herein shall affect the deadlines established by Federal law or 
regulation with regard to comments in the course of the formal agency 
rulemaking process for the promulgation of federal regulations.
    E. Tribal Response. Tribal officials may provide recommendations 
concerning proposed policies that have or that may have tribal 
implications to the lead office in HUD Headquarters no later than the 
deadline established in Part IV.D of this consultation policy. Such 
recommendations may be provided orally during meetings with HUD 
representatives or by written documents submitted to HUD 
representatives.
    F. Meetings. Tribes may facilitate regional meetings with HUD 
representatives to identify and address issues relevant to HUD policies 
that have tribal implications. HUD will convene at least one national 
tribal consultation meeting each year. To reduce costs and conserve 
resources to the greatest extent feasible, tribes and HUD will 
coordinate consultation meetings with other regularly scheduled 
meetings, such as multiagency and association meetings.
    G. Reporting Mechanisms. In all cases when a tribe or tribes have 
been involved in the consultation process, HUD will maintain an 
Internet Web site or Web page to address the informational needs of 
tribes and tribal leaders. Such Web site or Web page will include 
relevant HUD documents and other relevant documents, including comments 
submitted by other tribes. HUD shall notify the tribes of the 
finalization of proposed policies that have tribal implications, and 
provide such policies to the tribes.
    H. Tribal Advisory Organizations, Committees, and Workgroups. HUD 
will work with tribal organizations, committees, or workgroups, when 
appropriate, to assist in facilitating involvement of tribes in 
decisionmaking and policy development. The work with tribal 
organizations, committees, and workgroups will be in coordination with, 
and not to the exclusion of, consultation with individual tribes on a 
government-to-government basis.
    I. Joint Federal/Tribal Workgroups.
    1. A workgroup may be established by HUD and tribes to address 
specific issues or to draft specific policies that have tribal 
implications. Tribal representation should be consistent with the 
established standard of geographically diverse small, medium, and large 
tribes, whenever possible.
    2. Alternate workgroup members may be appointed by written 
notification signed by the member. Such alternates shall possess the 
authority of the workgroup member to make decisions on their behalf if 
such authority is so delegated to them in writing.
    3. The workgroup shall be chaired by at least one tribal workgroup 
member, selected by the tribal workgroup members, and one HUD 
representative.
    4. The workgroup may conduct its activities through various methods 
of communication, including in-person meetings, conference calls, and 
internet-based meeting platforms. Workgroup members may be accompanied 
by other individuals for advice as the members deem necessary.
    5. Whenever possible, workgroup products should be circulated to 
tribal leaders for review and comment.
    6. All final recommendations will be given serious consideration by 
HUD.

V. Tribal Standing Committee

    On issues relating to tribal self-governance, tribal trust 
resources, or treaty and other rights, HUD will explore and, where 
appropriate, use consensual mechanisms for developing regulations, 
including negotiated rulemaking. HUD may establish a standing 
committee, consisting of representatives of tribal governments, to 
consult on the appropriateness of using negotiated rulemaking 
procedures on particular matters. The procedures governing such a 
standing committee would be established through the mutual agreement of 
HUD and tribal governments.

VI. Unfunded Mandates

    To the extent practicable and permitted by law, HUD shall not 
promulgate any regulation that is not required by statute, that has 
tribal implications, and that imposes substantial direct compliance 
costs on such communities, unless:
    A. Funds necessary to pay the direct costs incurred by the Indian 
tribal government in complying with the regulation are provided by the 
Federal Government; or
    B. HUD, prior to the formal promulgation of the regulation:
    1. Consulted with tribal officials early in the process of 
developing the proposed regulation;
    2. In a separately identified portion of the preamble to the 
regulation as it is to be issued in the Federal Register, provides to 
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)a description 
of the extent of HUD's prior consultation with representatives of 
affected Indian tribal governments, a summary of the nature of their 
concerns and the agency's position supporting the need to issue the 
regulation; and
    3. Makes available to the Director of OMB any written 
communications submitted to HUD by such Indian tribal governments.

VII. Increasing Flexibility for Indian Tribal Waivers

    HUD shall review the processes under which Indian tribal 
governments apply for waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements 
and take appropriate steps to streamline those processes.
    A. HUD shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, 
consider any application by an Indian tribal government for a waiver of

[[Page 18862]]

statutory or regulatory requirements in connection with any program 
administered by HUD with a general view toward increasing opportunities 
for utilizing flexible policy approaches at the Indian tribal level in 
cases in which the proposed waiver is consistent with the applicable 
Federal policy objectives and is otherwise appropriate.
    B. HUD shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, 
render a decision upon a complete application for a waiver within 90 
days of receipt of such application by HUD. HUD shall provide the 
applicant with timely written notice of the decision and, if the 
application for a waiver is not granted, the reasons for such denial.
    C. This section applies only to statutory or regulatory 
requirements that are discretionary and subject to waiver by HUD. 
Applicable civil rights statutes and regulations are not subject to 
waiver.

VIII. Applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act

    The provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) (FACA) do not apply to consultations undertaken pursuant to this 
policy. In accordance with section 204(b) of the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, approved March 22, 1995), FACA is 
not applicable to consultations between the Federal Government and 
elected officers of Indian tribal governments (or their designated 
employees with authority to act on their behalf). As OMB stated in its 
guidelines implementing section 204(b):

    This exemption applies to meetings between Federal officials and 
employees and . . . tribal governments, acting through their elected 
officers, officials, employees, and Washington representatives, at 
which ``views, information or advice'' are exchanged concerning the 
implementation of intergovernmental responsibilities or 
administration, including those that arise explicitly or implicitly 
under statute, regulation, or Executive order.
    The scope of meetings covered by the exemption should be 
construed broadly to include any meetings called for any purpose 
relating to intergovernmental responsibilities or administration. 
Such meetings include, but are not limited to, meetings called for 
the purpose of seeking consensus; exchanging views, information, 
advice, and/or recommendations; or facilitating any other 
interaction relating to intergovernmental responsibilities or 
administration. (OMB Memorandum 95-20 (September 21, 1995), pp. 6-7, 
published at 60 FR 50651, 50653 (September 29, 1995)).

IX. General Provisions

    This document has been adopted for the purpose of enhancing 
government-to-government relationships, communications, and mutual 
cooperation between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development and tribes and is not intended to, and does not, create any 
right to administrative or judicial review, or any other right or 
benefit or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable 
by a party against the United States, its agencies or 
instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other persons. The 
provisions of the FACA are not applicable to this policy. This document 
is effective on the date it is signed.

    Dated: March 30, 2015.
 Juli[aacute]n Castro,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-08068 Filed 4-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P



                                                    18858                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Notices

                                                    other forms of information technology,                  ACTION:Notice of a Federal Advisory                   following email address: mhcc@
                                                    e.g., permitting electronic submission of               Committee Meeting: Manufactured                       homeinnovation.com; or mail to Home
                                                    responses.                                              Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC).                   Innovation, 400 Prince Georges Blvd.,
                                                                                                                                                                  Upper Marlboro, MD 20774; Attention:
                                                    Overview of This Information                            SUMMARY:    This notice sets forth the                Kevin Kauffman. Written comments are
                                                    Collection                                              schedule and proposed agenda for a                    encouraged. The MHCC strives to
                                                       (1) Type of Information Collection                   teleconference meeting of the MHCC,                   accommodate citizen comments to the
                                                    Request: Extension, Without Change, of                  General Subcommittee. The                             extent possible within the time
                                                    a Currently Approved Collection.                        teleconference meeting is open to the                 constraints of the meeting agenda.
                                                       (2) Title of the Form/Collection:                    public. The agenda provides an                        Advance registration is strongly
                                                    Application for Citizenship and                         opportunity for citizens to comment on                encouraged. The MHCC will also
                                                    Issuance of Certificate under Section                   the business before the MHCC.                         provide an opportunity for public
                                                    322.                                                    DATES: The teleconference meeting will                comment on specific matters before the
                                                       (3) Agency form number, if any, and                  be held on May 5, 2015, 1:00 p.m. to                  General Subcommittee.
                                                    the applicable component of the DHS                     4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
                                                    sponsoring the collection: N–600K;                      The teleconference numbers are: US                    Tentative Agenda
                                                    USCIS.                                                  toll-free: 1–877–336–1829, and Access                 May 5, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
                                                       (4) Affected public who will be asked                Code: 8764141.                                        Eastern Standard Time (EST)
                                                    or required to respond, as well as a brief              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      I. Call to Order and Roll Call
                                                    abstract: Primary: Individuals or                       Pamela Beck Danner, Administrator and                 II. Opening Remarks: Subcommittee
                                                    households. This form provides an                       Designated Federal Official (DFO),                          Chair and DFO
                                                    organized framework for establishing                    Office of Manufactured Housing                        III. Approve draft minutes from
                                                    the authenticity of an applicant’s                      Programs, Department of Housing and                         February 11, 2015 Teleconference
                                                    eligibility and is essential for providing              Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street                 IV. New Business—Multifamily Aspect
                                                    prompt, consistent and correct                          SW., Room 9166, Washington, DC                              of Manufactured Housing Task
                                                    processing of such applications for                     20410, telephone 202–708–6423 (this is                      Force Report by Dave Tompos
                                                    citizenship under section 322 of the                    not a toll-free number). Persons who                  V. Open Discussion
                                                    Immigration and Nationality Act.                        have difficulty hearing or speaking may               VI. Adjourn: 4:00 p.m.
                                                       (5) An estimate of the total number of               access this number via TTY by calling
                                                    respondents and the amount of time                      the toll-free Federal Information Relay                 Dated: April 3, 2015.
                                                    estimated for an average respondent to                  Service at 800–877–8339.                              Pamela Beck Danner,
                                                    respond: The estimated total number of                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of                  Administrator, Office of Manufactured
                                                    respondents for the information                         this meeting is provided in accordance                Housing Programs.
                                                    collection N–600K is 3,242 and the                      with the Federal Advisory Committee                   [FR Doc. 2015–08055 Filed 4–7–15; 8:45 am]
                                                    estimated hour burden per response is                   Act, 5. U.S.C. App. 10(a)(2) through                  BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
                                                    2.083 hours.                                            implementing regulations at 41 CFR
                                                       (6) An estimate of the total public                  102–3.150. The MHCC was established
                                                    burden (in hours) associated with the                   by the National Manufactured Housing                  DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
                                                    collection: The total estimated annual                  Construction and Safety Standards Act                 URBAN DEVELOPMENT
                                                    hour burden associated with this                        of 1974, (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.) as                  [Docket No. FR–5651–N–02]
                                                    collection is 6,753 hours.                              amended by the Manufactured Housing
                                                       (7) An estimate of the total public                  Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106–                 Tribal Government To Government
                                                    burden (in cost) associated with the                    569). According to 42 U.S.C. 5403, as                 Consultation Policy: Solicitation of
                                                    collection: The estimated annual cost                   amended, the purposes of the MHCC are                 Public Comment
                                                    burden is $397,145.                                     to:                                                   AGENCY:   Office of the Secretary, HUD.
                                                      Dated: April 2, 2015.                                    • Provide periodic recommendations
                                                    Laura Dawkins,                                          to the Secretary to adopt, revise, and                ACTION:   Notice.
                                                    Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division,                interpret the Federal manufactured                    SUMMARY:   Consistent with Executive
                                                    Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship         housing construction and safety                       Order 13175, ‘‘Consultation with Indian
                                                    and Immigration Services, Department of                 standards;                                            Tribal Governments,’’ this notice
                                                    Homeland Security.                                         • Provide periodic recommendations                 requests public comment on HUD’s
                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–08012 Filed 4–7–15; 8:45 am]              to the Secretary to adopt, revise, and                tribal government-to-government
                                                    BILLING CODE 9111–97–P                                  interpret the procedural and                          consultation policy. The purpose of this
                                                                                                            enforcement regulations, including                    tribal consultation policy is to enhance
                                                                                                            regulations specifying the permissible                communication and coordination
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND                               scope and conduct of monitoring; and                  between HUD and federally recognized
                                                    URBAN DEVELOPMENT                                          • Be organized and carry out its                   Indian tribes, and to outline guiding
                                                                                                            business in a manner that guarantees a                principles and procedures under which
                                                    [Docket No. FR–5849–N–02]
                                                                                                            fair opportunity for the expression and               all HUD employees are to operate with
                                                                                                            consideration of various positions and
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Notice of a Federal Advisory                                                                                  regard to federally recognized Indian or
                                                    Committee Meeting: Manufactured                         for public participation.                             Alaska Native tribes.
                                                    Housing Consensus Committee                                The MHCC is deemed an advisory
                                                                                                                                                                  DATES: Comment Due Date: June 8,
                                                    General Subcommittee Teleconference                     committee not composed of Federal
                                                                                                            employees.                                            2015.
                                                    AGENCY:  Office of the Assistant                           Public Comment: Citizens wishing to                ADDRESSES:   Interested persons are
                                                    Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing                   make oral comments on the business of                 invited to submit comments regarding
                                                    Commissioner, Department of Housing                     the MHCC are encouraged to register by                this document to the Regulations
                                                    and Urban Development (HUD).                            or before April 24, 2015 using the                    Division, Office of General Counsel,


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Notices                                                  18859

                                                    Department of Housing and Urban                         SW., Room 4126, Washington, DC                        are fully respected, all such
                                                    Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room                   20410, telephone number 202–401–7914                  consultations are to be open and candid
                                                    10276, Washington, DC 20410–0500.                       (this is not a toll-free number). Hearing-            so that tribal governments may evaluate
                                                    Communications must refer to the                        or speech-impaired individuals may                    for themselves the potential impact of
                                                    docket number and title above. There                    access this number via TTY by calling                 relevant proposals.
                                                    are two methods for submitting public                   the toll-free Federal Relay Service at                   On May 14, 1998, Executive Order
                                                    comments. All submissions must refer                    800–877–8339.                                         13084, ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
                                                    to the above docket number and title.                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive                  with Indian Tribal Governments’’ was
                                                      1. Submission of Comments by Mail.                    Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, published                   issued.2 This executive order was
                                                    Comments may be submitted by mail to                    November 9, 2000) recognizes the right                revoked and superseded on November
                                                    the Regulations Division, Office of                     of Indian tribes to self-government and               6, 2000, by Executive Order 13175,3
                                                    General Counsel, Department of                          supports tribal sovereignty and self-                 which is identically titled to Executive
                                                    Housing and Urban Development, 451                      determination. Among other things, it                 Order 13084 and which sets forth
                                                    7th Street SW., Room 10276,                             requires that agencies have an                        guidelines for all federal agencies to: (1)
                                                    Washington, DC 20410–0500.                              accountable process to ensure                         Establish regular and meaningful
                                                      2. Electronic Submission of                           meaningful and timely input by tribal                 consultation and collaboration with
                                                    Comments. Interested persons may                        officials in developing policies that have            Indian tribal officials in the
                                                    submit comments electronically through                  tribal implications. On November 5,                   development of Federal policies that
                                                    the Federal eRulemaking Portal at                       2009, President Obama reaffirmed the                  have tribal implications, (2) strengthen
                                                    www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly                       government-to-government relationship                 the United States government-to-
                                                    encourages commenters to submit                         between the Federal Government and                    government relationships with Indian
                                                    comments electronically. Electronic                     Indian tribal governments in a White                  tribes, and (3) reduce the imposition of
                                                    submission of comments allows the                       House memorandum that acknowledges                    unfunded mandates upon Indian tribes.
                                                    commenter maximum time to prepare                       that Indian tribes exercise inherent                     On November 5, 2009,4 President
                                                    and submit a comment, ensures timely                    sovereign powers over their members                   Obama issued a memorandum to the
                                                    receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to                      and territory. The November 5, 2009,                  heads of all executive departments and
                                                    make them immediately available to the                  memorandum also acknowledges that                     agencies that reaffirmed that the United
                                                    public. Comments submitted                              the United States continues to work                   States has a unique legal and political
                                                    electronically through the                              with Indian tribes on a government-to-                relationship with Indian tribal
                                                    www.regulations.gov Web site can be                     government basis to address issues                    governments, established through and
                                                    viewed by other commenters and                          concerning Indian tribal self-                        confirmed by the Constitution of the
                                                    interested members of the public.                       government, tribal trust resources,                   United States, treaties, statutes,
                                                    Commenters should follow the                            Indian tribal treaty and other rights.                Executive orders, and judicial decisions.
                                                    instructions provided on that site to                   Today’s notice, which requests public                 The memorandum stated that in
                                                    submit comments electronically.                         comment, supports these Presidential                  recognition of that special relationship,
                                                                                                            directives and builds upon and expands                pursuant to Executive Order 13175 of
                                                      Note: To receive consideration as public                                                                    November 6, 2000, executive
                                                    comments, comments must be submitted                    the principles expressed in the
                                                    through one of the two methods specified                Department’s previous ‘‘Tribal                        departments and agencies are charged
                                                    above. Again, all submissions must refer to             Government-to-Government                              with engaging in regular and meaningful
                                                    the docket number and title of the document.            Consultation Policy,’’ (66 FR 49784,                  consultation and collaboration with
                                                                                                            September 28, 2001).                                  tribal officials in the development of
                                                       No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile
                                                                                                                                                                  Federal policies that have tribal
                                                    comments are not acceptable.                            I. Introduction
                                                       Public Inspection of Public                                                                                implications, and are responsible for
                                                    Comments. All properly submitted                           A. The United States Government has                strengthening the government-to-
                                                                                                            a unique relationship with American                   government relationship between the
                                                    comments and communications
                                                                                                            Indian governments as set forth in the                United States and Indian tribes. The
                                                    submitted to HUD will be available for
                                                                                                            Constitution of the United States,                    memorandum stated that the
                                                    public inspection and copying between
                                                                                                            treaties, statutes, judicial decisions, and           Administration is committed to regular
                                                    8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weekdays, at the
                                                                                                            Executive orders and memoranda.                       and meaningful consultation and
                                                    above address. Due to security measures
                                                                                                               B. On April 29, 1994, a Presidential               collaboration with tribal officials in
                                                    at the HUD Headquarters building, an
                                                                                                            memorandum was issued reaffirming                     policy decisions that have tribal
                                                    appointment to review the public
                                                                                                            the Federal Government’s commitment                   implications, and directed, among other
                                                    comments must be scheduled in
                                                                                                            to operate within a government-to-                    things, as an initial step, complete and
                                                    advance by calling the Regulations
                                                                                                            government relationship with federally                consistent implementation of Executive
                                                    Division at 202–708–3055 (this is not a                                                                       Order 13175.
                                                    toll-free number). Individuals with                     recognized American Indian and Alaska
                                                                                                            Native tribes, and to advance self-                      C. In recognition of the importance of
                                                    speech or hearing impairments may                                                                             consultation and consistent with
                                                    access this number via TTY by calling                   governance for such tribes.1 The
                                                                                                            Presidential memorandum directs each                  Executive Order 13175, and the
                                                    the toll-free Federal Relay Service at                                                                        Presidential memorandum of November
                                                    800–877–8339. Copies of all comments                    executive department and agency, to the
                                                                                                            greatest extent practicable and to the                5, 2009, HUD requests public comment
                                                    submitted are available for inspection                                                                        on this consultation policy statement. In
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    and downloading at                                      extent permitted by law, to consult with
                                                                                                            tribal governments prior to taking                    January 2010, HUD held a series of
                                                    www.regulations.gov.                                                                                          HUD-tribal regional consultations to
                                                                                                            actions that have substantial direct
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        effects on federally recognized tribal
                                                    Rodger Boyd, Deputy Assistant                           governments. In order to ensure that the
                                                                                                                                                                    2 See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1998-05-

                                                    Secretary for Native American                                                                                 19/pdf/98-13553.pdf.
                                                                                                            rights of sovereign tribal governments                  3 See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2000-11-
                                                    Programs, Office of Public and Indian                                                                         09/pdf/00-29003.pdf.
                                                    Housing, Department of Housing and                        1 See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1994-05-        4 See http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/

                                                    Urban Development, 451 7th Street,                      04/html/94-10877.htm.                                 memorandum-tribal-consultation-signed-president.



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                                                    18860                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Notices

                                                    discuss HUD’s existing tribal                              Sec. 2. Fundamental Principles. In                 statements or actions that have
                                                    consultation policy. Each consultation                  formulating or implementing policies that             substantial direct effects on one or more
                                                    session was hosted by one of the six                    have tribal implications, agencies shall be           Indian tribe, or on the distribution of
                                                                                                            guided by the following fundamental
                                                    Office of Native American Programs                                                                            power and responsibilities between the
                                                                                                            principles:
                                                    (ONAP) Area Office Administrators.                         (a) The United States has a unique legal           Federal Government and Indian tribes.
                                                    Prior to all meetings, ONAP Area Office                 relationship with Indian tribal governments              E. ‘‘To the Extent Practicable and
                                                    sent out invitation letters to all tribes               as set forth in the Constitution of the United        Permitted by Law’’ refers to situations
                                                    and tribally designated housing entities                States, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders,         where the opportunity for consultation
                                                    to inform them of the meetings. The                     and court decisions. Since the formation of           is limited because of constraints of time,
                                                    invitation package included the                         the Union, the United States has recognized           budget, legal authority, etc.
                                                    President’s memorandum, Executive                       Indian tribes as domestic dependent nations              F. ‘‘Tribal officials’’ means elected or
                                                                                                            under its protection. The Federal
                                                    Order 13175, HUD’s current tribal                                                                             duly appointed officials of Indian tribal
                                                                                                            Government has enacted numerous statutes
                                                    consultation policy, and a list of                      and promulgated numerous regulations that             governments or authorized intertribal
                                                    questions designed to prompt                            establish and define a trust relationship with        organizations.
                                                    discussion and focus on the issues.                     Indian tribes.
                                                    HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for                                                                          III. Principles
                                                                                                               (b) Our Nation, under the law of the United
                                                    ONAP attended a Northwest ONAP and                      States, in accordance with treaties, statutes,           A. HUD respects tribal sovereignty
                                                    Eastern/Woodlands ONAP session, and                     Executive Orders, and judicial decisions, has         and acknowledges the unique
                                                    HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Public                    recognized the right of Indian tribes to self-        relationship between the Federal
                                                    and Indian Housing participated in the                  government. As domestic dependent nations,            Government and Indian tribes.
                                                                                                            Indian tribes exercise inherent sovereign
                                                    initial session held in Suquamish,                                                                               B. HUD recognizes and commits to a
                                                                                                            powers over their members and territory. The
                                                    Washington. Participants at each of the                 United States continues to work with Indian           government-to-government relationship
                                                    consultation sessions were informed                     tribes on a government-to-government basis            with federally recognized tribes.
                                                    that an electronic mailbox had been                     to address issues concerning Indian tribal               C. HUD recognizes tribes as the
                                                    established to receive their comments                   self-government, tribal trust resources, and          appropriate non-Federal parties for
                                                    and that HUD’s CODETALK Web site                        Indian tribal treaty and other rights.                making policy decisions and managing
                                                    would be used to display all comments                      (c) The United States recognizes the right         programs for their constituents.
                                                    received.                                               of Indian tribes to self-government and                  D. HUD shall take appropriate steps to
                                                       The comments from participants who                   supports tribal sovereignty and self-
                                                                                                            determination.
                                                                                                                                                                  remove existing legal and programmatic
                                                    attended these consultations, as well as                                                                      impediments to working directly and
                                                    all comments received by other means,                   II. Definitions                                       effectively with tribes on programs
                                                    were consolidated by ONAP. HUD                                                                                administered by HUD.
                                                                                                               A. ‘‘Consultation’’ means the direct
                                                    carefully reviewed all comments                                                                                  E. HUD shall encourage states and
                                                                                                            and interactive (i.e., collaborative)
                                                    received from all sources, responded,                                                                         local governments to work with and
                                                                                                            involvement of tribes in the
                                                    and made changes to the existing HUD                                                                          cooperate with tribes to resolve
                                                                                                            development of regulatory policies on
                                                    consultation policy based on these                                                                            problems of mutual concern.
                                                                                                            matters that have tribal implications.
                                                    comments, as appropriate.                                                                                        F. HUD shall work with other Federal
                                                                                                               Consultation is the proactive,
                                                       HUD conducted a second round of                      affirmative process of (1) identifying                departments and agencies to enlist their
                                                    tribal consultation by sending the                      and seeking input from appropriate                    interest and support in cooperative
                                                    revised draft policy to all tribal leaders              Native American governing bodies,                     efforts to assist tribes to accomplish
                                                    for their comment. On November 12,                      community groups and individuals; and                 their goals within the context of all HUD
                                                    2014, the Department provided all tribal                (2) considering their interest as a                   programs.
                                                    leaders a draft version of HUD’s revised                necessary and integral part of HUD’s                     G. HUD shall be guided by these
                                                    tribal government-to-government                         decision-making process.                              policy principles in its planning and
                                                    consultation policy and requested their                    This definition adds to statutorily                management activities, including its
                                                    feedback and opinion on the draft. In                   mandated notification procedures. The                 budget, operating guidance, legislative
                                                    response to the Department’s November                   goal of notification is to provide an                 initiatives, management accountability
                                                    12, 2014, request for comments, the                     opportunity for comment; however,                     system, and ongoing policy and
                                                    Department received three comments                      with consultation procedures, the                     regulation development processes for all
                                                    from Indian tribes and a national                       burden is on the federal agency to show               programs effecting tribes.
                                                    organization that represents the housing                that it has made a good faith effort to
                                                    interests of Native Americans. The                                                                            IV. Tribal Consultation Process
                                                                                                            elicit feedback.
                                                    Department appreciates and carefully                       B. ‘‘Exigent situation’’ means an                     A. Applicability. HUD will apply this
                                                    considered the comments submitted.                      unforeseen combination of                             tribal consultation policy to all
                                                    This notice incorporates several of the                 circumstances or the resulting state that             proposed policies that have tribal
                                                    comments and recommendations                            calls for immediate action in order to                implications, to the greatest extent
                                                    provided.                                               preserve tribal resources, rights,                    practicable and permitted by law. Based
                                                       This consultation policy applies to all              interests, or Federal funding.                        on a government-to-government
                                                    HUD programs and policies that have                        C. ‘‘Indian tribe’’ means an Indian or             relationship and in recognition of the
                                                    substantial direct effects on federally                 Alaska Native tribe, band, nation,                    uniqueness of each tribe, the primary
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    recognized Indian tribal governments. In                pueblo, village, or community that the                focus for consultation activities is with
                                                    formulating or implementing such                        Secretary of the Interior acknowledges                individual tribes. ONAP, within the
                                                    policies, HUD will be guided by the                     to exist as an Indian tribe pursuant to               Office of Public and Indian Housing,
                                                    fundamental principles set forth in                     the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe                 may serve, under the direction of the
                                                    section 2 of Executive Order 13175, to                  List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a.                     Secretary, as the lead HUD office for the
                                                    the extent applicable to HUD programs.                     D. ‘‘Policies that have tribal                     implementation of this policy. Internal
                                                    Section 2 of the Executive Order                        implications’’ refers to regulations,                 HUD policies and procedures are
                                                    provides as follows:                                    legislative proposals, and other policy               excluded from this policy.


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Notices                                            18861

                                                       B. Methods of Communication. The                     documents submitted to HUD                              5. Whenever possible, workgroup
                                                    methods of communication used will be                   representatives.                                      products should be circulated to tribal
                                                    determined by the significance of the                      F. Meetings. Tribes may facilitate                 leaders for review and comment.
                                                    consultation matter, the need to act                    regional meetings with HUD                              6. All final recommendations will be
                                                    quickly, and other relevant factors.                    representatives to identify and address               given serious consideration by HUD.
                                                    Consultation can be accomplished                        issues relevant to HUD policies that
                                                                                                            have tribal implications. HUD will                    V. Tribal Standing Committee
                                                    through various methods of
                                                    communication. While modern                             convene at least one national tribal                     On issues relating to tribal self-
                                                    technology and group events should be                   consultation meeting each year. To                    governance, tribal trust resources, or
                                                    utilized whenever possible to conserve                  reduce costs and conserve resources to                treaty and other rights, HUD will
                                                    funds and respect time constraints of all               the greatest extent feasible, tribes and              explore and, where appropriate, use
                                                    those involved, generally these methods                 HUD will coordinate consultation                      consensual mechanisms for developing
                                                    of communication should not serve in                    meetings with other regularly scheduled               regulations, including negotiated
                                                    the place of formal, face-to-face                       meetings, such as multiagency and                     rulemaking. HUD may establish a
                                                    discussion.                                             association meetings.                                 standing committee, consisting of
                                                       C. Consultation with Tribes When                        G. Reporting Mechanisms. In all cases              representatives of tribal governments, to
                                                    Drafting Policies That Have Tribal                      when a tribe or tribes have been                      consult on the appropriateness of using
                                                    Implications. To the extent practicable                 involved in the consultation process,                 negotiated rulemaking procedures on
                                                    and permitted by law, HUD shall make                    HUD will maintain an Internet Web site                particular matters. The procedures
                                                    reasonable efforts to consult with tribal               or Web page to address the                            governing such a standing committee
                                                    officials concerning proposed policies                  informational needs of tribes and tribal              would be established through the
                                                    that have tribal implications before such               leaders. Such Web site or Web page will               mutual agreement of HUD and tribal
                                                    policies are drafted, in order to facilitate            include relevant HUD documents and                    governments.
                                                    greater tribal participation in                         other relevant documents, including
                                                    development of the proposed policies.                   comments submitted by other tribes.                   VI. Unfunded Mandates
                                                    Such consultation shall include on the                  HUD shall notify the tribes of the                       To the extent practicable and
                                                    HUD Web site a notice of HUD’s plans                    finalization of proposed policies that                permitted by law, HUD shall not
                                                    to develop such policies and an                         have tribal implications, and provide                 promulgate any regulation that is not
                                                    invitation for tribal officials to comment              such policies to the tribes.                          required by statute, that has tribal
                                                    on items that should be included in                        H. Tribal Advisory Organizations,                  implications, and that imposes
                                                    such policies. HUD shall provide a                      Committees, and Workgroups. HUD will                  substantial direct compliance costs on
                                                    specific deadline for comments, which                   work with tribal organizations,                       such communities, unless:
                                                    shall not be less than 30 days from the                 committees, or workgroups, when                          A. Funds necessary to pay the direct
                                                    date of the notice. This timeline may be                appropriate, to assist in facilitating                costs incurred by the Indian tribal
                                                    compressed in exigent situations.                       involvement of tribes in decisionmaking               government in complying with the
                                                       D. Notice of Proposed Policies That                  and policy development. The work with                 regulation are provided by the Federal
                                                    Have Tribal Implications. To the extent                 tribal organizations, committees, and                 Government; or
                                                    practicable and permitted by law, after                 workgroups will be in coordination                       B. HUD, prior to the formal
                                                    proposed policies that have tribal                      with, and not to the exclusion of,                    promulgation of the regulation:
                                                    implications have been drafted, HUD                     consultation with individual tribes on a                 1. Consulted with tribal officials early
                                                    will notify the tribes of such proposed                 government-to-government basis.                       in the process of developing the
                                                    policies, and will include a copy of the                   I. Joint Federal/Tribal Workgroups.                proposed regulation;
                                                    proposed policies with the notice. The                     1. A workgroup may be established by                  2. In a separately identified portion of
                                                    notice shall designate the lead office in               HUD and tribes to address specific                    the preamble to the regulation as it is to
                                                    HUD Headquarters. The lead office in                    issues or to draft specific policies that             be issued in the Federal Register,
                                                    HUD Headquarters shall be responsible                   have tribal implications. Tribal                      provides to the Director of the Office of
                                                    for such notification, unless it has                    representation should be consistent                   Management and Budget (OMB)a
                                                    delegated such responsibility to another                with the established standard of                      description of the extent of HUD’s prior
                                                    office. HUD shall provide a specific                    geographically diverse small, medium,                 consultation with representatives of
                                                    deadline for tribal comments, which                     and large tribes, whenever possible.                  affected Indian tribal governments, a
                                                    shall not be less than 60 days from the                    2. Alternate workgroup members may                 summary of the nature of their concerns
                                                    date of the notice. This timeline may be                be appointed by written notification                  and the agency’s position supporting the
                                                    compressed in exigent situations.                       signed by the member. Such alternates                 need to issue the regulation; and
                                                    Nothing herein shall affect the deadlines               shall possess the authority of the                       3. Makes available to the Director of
                                                    established by Federal law or regulation                workgroup member to make decisions                    OMB any written communications
                                                    with regard to comments in the course                   on their behalf if such authority is so               submitted to HUD by such Indian tribal
                                                    of the formal agency rulemaking process                 delegated to them in writing.                         governments.
                                                    for the promulgation of federal                            3. The workgroup shall be chaired by
                                                    regulations.                                            at least one tribal workgroup member,                 VII. Increasing Flexibility for Indian
                                                       E. Tribal Response. Tribal officials                 selected by the tribal workgroup                      Tribal Waivers
                                                    may provide recommendations                             members, and one HUD representative.                     HUD shall review the processes under
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    concerning proposed policies that have                     4. The workgroup may conduct its                   which Indian tribal governments apply
                                                    or that may have tribal implications to                 activities through various methods of                 for waivers of statutory and regulatory
                                                    the lead office in HUD Headquarters no                  communication, including in-person                    requirements and take appropriate steps
                                                    later than the deadline established in                  meetings, conference calls, and internet-             to streamline those processes.
                                                    Part IV.D of this consultation policy.                  based meeting platforms. Workgroup                       A. HUD shall, to the extent
                                                    Such recommendations may be                             members may be accompanied by other                   practicable and permitted by law,
                                                    provided orally during meetings with                    individuals for advice as the members                 consider any application by an Indian
                                                    HUD representatives or by written                       deem necessary.                                       tribal government for a waiver of


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                                                    18862                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Notices

                                                    statutory or regulatory requirements in                 to-government relationships,                          requesting documents or submitting
                                                    connection with any program                             communications, and mutual                            comments.
                                                    administered by HUD with a general                      cooperation between the U.S.                            Æ U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
                                                    view toward increasing opportunities                    Department of Housing and Urban                       Service, Division of Endangered
                                                    for utilizing flexible policy approaches                Development and tribes and is not                     Species—HCP Permits, P.O. Box 1306,
                                                    at the Indian tribal level in cases in                  intended to, and does not, create any                 Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87103.
                                                    which the proposed waiver is consistent                 right to administrative or judicial
                                                                                                                                                                    Æ Electronically: fw2_hcp_permits@
                                                    with the applicable Federal policy                      review, or any other right or benefit or
                                                                                                                                                                  fws.gov.
                                                    objectives and is otherwise appropriate.                trust responsibility, substantive or
                                                       B. HUD shall, to the extent practicable              procedural, enforceable by a party                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    and permitted by law, render a decision                 against the United States, its agencies or            Marty Tuegel, Branch Chief, by U.S.
                                                    upon a complete application for a                       instrumentalities, its officers or                    mail at Environmental Review, P.O. Box
                                                    waiver within 90 days of receipt of such                employees, or any other persons. The                  1306, Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM
                                                    application by HUD. HUD shall provide                   provisions of the FACA are not                        87103; or by telephone at 505–248–
                                                    the applicant with timely written notice                applicable to this policy. This document              6651.
                                                    of the decision and, if the application                 is effective on the date it is signed.
                                                    for a waiver is not granted, the reasons                                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                              Dated: March 30, 2015.
                                                    for such denial.
                                                                                                            Julián Castro,                                       Introduction
                                                       C. This section applies only to
                                                    statutory or regulatory requirements that               Secretary.
                                                                                                                                                                     Under the Endangered Species Act, as
                                                    are discretionary and subject to waiver                 [FR Doc. 2015–08068 Filed 4–7–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                  amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act),
                                                    by HUD. Applicable civil rights statutes                BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
                                                                                                                                                                  we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
                                                    and regulations are not subject to                                                                            invite the public to comment on
                                                    waiver.                                                                                                       incidental take permit (ITP) applications
                                                    VIII. Applicability of the Federal                      DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                            for take of the federally listed American
                                                    Advisory Committee Act                                                                                        burying beetle (Nicrophorus
                                                                                                            Fish and Wildlife Service                             americanus) resulting from activities
                                                       The provisions of the Federal                                                                              associated with geophysical exploration
                                                    Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)                  [FWS–R2–ES–2015–N054;
                                                                                                            FXES11130200000–156–FF02ENEH00]                       (seismic) and construction,
                                                    (FACA) do not apply to consultations                                                                          maintenance, operation, repair, and
                                                    undertaken pursuant to this policy. In                  Receipt of Incidental Take Permit                     decommissioning of oil and gas well
                                                    accordance with section 204(b) of the                   Applications for Participation in the Oil             field infrastructure within Oklahoma. If
                                                    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995                    and Gas Industry Conservation Plan                    approved, the permits would be issued
                                                    (Pub. L. 104–4, approved March 22,                      for the American Burying Beetle in                    to the applicants under the Oil and Gas
                                                    1995), FACA is not applicable to                        Oklahoma                                              Industry Conservation Plan Associated
                                                    consultations between the Federal                                                                             with Issuance of Endangered Species
                                                    Government and elected officers of                      AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,                  Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permits for the
                                                    Indian tribal governments (or their                     Interior.                                             American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma
                                                    designated employees with authority to                  ACTION: Notice of availability; request               (ICP). The ICP was made available for
                                                    act on their behalf). As OMB stated in                  for public comments.                                  comment on April 16, 2014 (79 FR
                                                    its guidelines implementing section                                                                           21480), and approved on May 21, 2014
                                                    204(b):                                                 SUMMARY:   Under the Endangered                       (publication of the FONSI notice was on
                                                       This exemption applies to meetings                   Species Act, as amended (Act), we, the                July 25, 2014; 79 FR 43504). The ICP
                                                    between Federal officials and employees and             U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite                and the associated environmental
                                                    . . . tribal governments, acting through their          the public to comment on incidental                   assessment/finding of no significant
                                                    elected officers, officials, employees, and             take permit applications for take of the              impact are available on the Web site at
                                                    Washington representatives, at which                    federally listed American burying beetle
                                                    ‘‘views, information or advice’’ are                                                                          http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/
                                                                                                            resulting from activities associated with             oklahoma/ABBICP. However, we are no
                                                    exchanged concerning the implementation of              the geophysical exploration (seismic)
                                                    intergovernmental responsibilities or                                                                         longer taking comments on these
                                                    administration, including those that arise              and construction, maintenance,                        documents.
                                                    explicitly or implicitly under statute,                 operation, repair, and decommissioning
                                                    regulation, or Executive order.                         of oil and gas well field infrastructure              Applications Available for Review and
                                                       The scope of meetings covered by the                 within Oklahoma. If approved, the                     Comment
                                                    exemption should be construed broadly to                permits would be issued under the
                                                    include any meetings called for any purpose             approved Oil and Gas Industry                           We invite local, State, Tribal, and
                                                    relating to intergovernmental responsibilities          Conservation Plan Associated with                     Federal agencies, and the public to
                                                    or administration. Such meetings include,
                                                                                                            Issuance of Endangered Species Act                    comment on the following applications
                                                    but are not limited to, meetings called for the                                                               under the ICP, for incidental take of the
                                                    purpose of seeking consensus; exchanging                Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permits for the
                                                                                                            American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma                   federally listed ABB. Please refer to the
                                                    views, information, advice, and/or                                                                            appropriate permit number (e.g., TE–
                                                    recommendations; or facilitating any other              (ICP).
                                                                                                                                                                  123456), listed below, when requesting
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    interaction relating to intergovernmental               DATES:  To ensure consideration, written
                                                    responsibilities or administration. (OMB                                                                      application documents and when
                                                    Memorandum 95–20 (September 21, 1995),
                                                                                                            comments must be received on or before                submitting comments. Documents and
                                                    pp. 6–7, published at 60 FR 50651, 50653                May 8, 2015.                                          other information the applicants have
                                                    (September 29, 1995)).                                  ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of                   submitted with these applications are
                                                                                                            all documents and submit comments on                  available for review, subject to the
                                                    IX. General Provisions                                  the applicant’s ITP applications by one               requirements of the Privacy Act (5
                                                      This document has been adopted for                    of the following methods. Please refer to             U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of
                                                    the purpose of enhancing government-                    the specific permit number when                       Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).


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Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:06:38
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:06:38
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesComment Due Date: June 8, 2015.
ContactRodger Boyd, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Programs, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 4126, Washington, DC 20410, telephone number 202-401-7914 (this is not a toll-free number). Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
FR Citation80 FR 18858 

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