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###### Department of the Interior

###### Office of the Secretary

# AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary, Interior

# ACTION:

Notice of availability and request for comments.

# SUMMARY:

The Department of the Interior is requesting comments on its draft policy on consultation with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporations.

# DATES:

Submit comments by April 27, 2012.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Send comments on the draft policy to: attn: Alaska Consultation Policy, Office of the Secretary, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240; Email:                         *consultation@doi.gov.*                         You can request copies of the draft policy by sending a letter or email to one of the above addresses or by calling 202-208-4503. You can also find the draft policy online at                         *www.doi.gov/​tribes/​tribal-consultation-policy.cfm*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Jennifer Sisk, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240. Email:                         *Jennifer_Sisk@ios.doi.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 13175 directs all Federal agencies to ensure consultation and coordination with Indian tribal governments on Federal actions that will affect tribal governments. Under Public Law 108-199, this consultation policy also applies to corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Federal agencies are therefore required to consult and coordinate with ANCSA corporations on the same basis as Indian tribes in developing policies that would affect these corporations and their tribal shareholders. To implement these requirements, the Department is proposing and seeking comments on a draft consultation policy to govern all activities that will affect ANCSA corporations. Copies of the draft policy are available at the address given in the                     **ADDRESSES**                     section of this notice.                

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

The Department of the Interior proposed policy on consultation with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Corporations is set forth below.

## Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation With Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations

## I. Preamble

                    In compliance with Congressional direction, this Policy creates a framework for consulting with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations. Pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, ANCSA Corporations were established to provide for the economic and social needs, including the health, education and welfare of their Native shareholders. Congress also required that “[t]he Director of the Office of Management and Budget [and all Federal agencies] shall hereafter consult with Alaska Native corporations on the same basis as Indian tribes under Executive Order No. 13175.” [1] 
      ( print page 13138)    
The Department of the Interior (Department) distinguishes the Federal relationship to ANCSA Corporations from the government-to-government relationship between the Federal government and each federally recognized Indian Tribe, and this Policy will not diminish in any way that relationship and the consultation obligations towards federally recognized Indian Tribes. Recognizing the distinction, the Department is committed to fulfilling its ANCSA Corporation consultation obligations by adhering to the framework described in this Policy. When taking departmental action that has a substantial direct affect on ANSCA Corporations, the Department will initiate consultation with ANSCA Corporations.

## II. Guiding Principles

This Policy broadly defines provisions for improving the Department's consultation processes with ANCSA Corporations to the extent that a conflict does not exist with applicable law or regulations. The Department recognizes and respects the distinct, unique, and individual cultural traditions and values of each Alaska Native person and the statutory relationship between ANCSA Corporations and the Federal Government. When concerns expressed by Indian Tribes and ANCSA Corporations substantively differ, Departmental officials shall be mindful of Indian Tribes' right to self-governance and Tribal sovereignty.

Consultation between the Department and ANCSA Corporations will involve appropriate Departmental officials and appropriate ANCSA Corporation officials. The appropriate Departmental officials are knowledgeable about the matters at hand, are authorized to speak for the Department, and exercise delegated authority in the disposition and implementation of an agency action. The appropriate Departmental officials will identify consulting parties early in the planning process and provide a meaningful opportunity for ANCSA Corporations to participate in the consultation policy as described in Section VII of this Policy. Department officials will make the effort to fully participate in the consultation process, ensure continuity, and demonstrate commitment to the process.

Consultation is a deliberative process that aims to create effective collaboration and informed Federal decision-making. The process creates an opportunity for equal input from all affected ANCSA Corporations. Federal consultation that is meaningful, effective, and conducted in good faith makes the Department's operation and governance practices more efficient. To that end, Bureaus and Offices will seek and promote cooperation and participation between agencies with overlapping jurisdiction, special expertise, or related responsibilities regarding a Departmental Action with ANCSA Corporation Implications. Efficiencies that derive from including ANCSA Corporations in the Department's decision-making processes through consultation will help to ensure that future Federal action is achievable, comprehensive, long-lasting, and reflective of ANCSA Corporation input.

## III. Definitions

Definitions of terms provided in the Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes apply to this Policy. Additional terms are defined in this section.

*Departmental Action with ANCSA Corporation Implications*                    —Any Departmental regulation, rulemaking, policy, guidance, legislative proposal, grant funding formula changes, or operational activity that may have a substantial direct effect on an ANCSA Corporation, including but not limited to:                

1. ANCSA Corporation land, water areas and resources;

2. The ability of an ANCSA Corporation to participate in Departmental programs for which it qualifies.

This term, however, does not include matters that are in litigation or in settlement negotiations, or matters for which a court order limits the Department's discretion to engage in consultation.

*ANCSA Corporation*                    —Any Alaska Native village corporation, urban corporation, or regional corporation as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.[2] 

*ANCSA Corporation Official or Designee*                    —An official designated in writing by an ANCSA Corporation.                

## IV. Accountability and Reporting

The provisions in Section IV, entitled Accountability and Reporting, of the Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes, shall apply to this Policy, with adjustments as necessary to account for the unique status, structure, and interests of ANCSA Corporations as appropriate and allowable.

## V. Training

The provisions in Section V, entitled Training, of the Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes shall apply to this Policy, with adjustments as necessary to account for the unique status, structure, and interests of ANCSA Corporations as appropriate and allowable.

## VI. Innovative and Effective Consultation Practices

The provisions in Section VI, entitled Innovative and Effective Consultation Practices, of the Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes shall apply to this Policy, with adjustments as necessary to account for the unique status, structure, and interests of ANCSA Corporations as appropriate and allowable.

## VII. Consultation Guidelines

The provisions in Section VII, entitled Consultation Guidelines, of the Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes, shall apply to this Policy, with adjustments as necessary to account for the unique status, structure, and interests of ANCSA Corporations as appropriate and allowable.

## VIII. Supplemental Policies

Bureaus and Offices, in collaboration with the Tribal Governance Officer (TGO), shall review existing policies that may be impacted by this Policy. All existing policies shall conform to this Policy and, where necessary, a Bureau or Office may develop a new policy in order to conform to this Policy.

Departmental entities that are not Bureaus and Offices may develop policies consistent with this Policy and in coordination with the TGO.

## IX. Disclaimer

Except to the extent already established by law, this Policy is intended only to improve the internal management of the Department, and is not intended to create any right, benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the Department or any person. The Department also does not waive by virtue of this Policy any applicable privilege that it may hold.

Dated: February 28, 2012.

David J. Hayes,

Deputy Secretary of the Interior.

# Footnotes

1.                             Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, Public Law 108-199, Div. H. § 161, 118 Stat. 3, 452 (2004) as amended by Consolidated Appropriations Act,                                                 2005, Public Law. 108-447, Div. H., Title V. § 518, 118 Stat. 2809, 3267 (2004).                    
        Back to Citation      

2.                             43 U.S.C. 1601*et seq.*
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[FR Doc. 2012-5282 Filed 3-2-12; 8:45 am]

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