SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On July 31, 2015, the Department's revisions to 25 CFR part 83 became final and effective (80 FR 37861). A key goal of the revisions was to improve transparency through increased notice of petitions and providing improved public access to petitions. Today the Department informs the public that a complete documented petition has been submitted under the current regulations, that portions of that petition are publicly available on the website identified above for easy access, and that we are seeking public comment early in the process on this petition.

Under 25 CFR 83.22(b)(1), the Office of Federal Acknowledgement (OFA) publishes notice that the following group has filed a documented petition for Federal acknowledgment as an American Indian tribe to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs: Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico. The contact information for the petitioner is Mr. Manuel P. Sanchez, c/o Mr. Ruben Q. Leyva, 5690 Desert Star Road, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.

Also under 25 CFR 83.22(b)(1), OFA publishes on its website the following:

i. The narrative portion of the documented petition, as submitted by the petitioner (with any redactions appropriate under 25 CFR 83.21(b));

ii. The name, location, and mailing address of the petitioner and other information to identify the entity;

iii. The date of receipt;

iv. The opportunity for individuals and entities to submit comments and evidence supporting or opposing the petitioner's request for acknowledgment within 120 days of the date of the website posting; and

v. The opportunity for individuals and entities to request to be kept informed of general actions regarding a specific petitioner.

The Department publishes this notice and request for comment in the exercise of authority delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8.

89 FR 27447