Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 8707 

consider Northwest Florida to be part of 

the diamondback terrapin’s range, 

however new studies suggest that 

several relatively large populations 

inhabit this region. Since 2007, Florida 

Sea Grant has utilized citizen scientists 

to help locate terrapin nesting beaches 

in Northwest Florida. In 2017, the USGS 

partnered with Florida Sea Grant to 

expand these surveys. The new datacollection effort described here would 

support those surveys by providing an 

easily accessible, online data-collection 

method that would provide information 

on diamondback terrapin nesting 

activity and nesting habitat and 

potential anthropogenic threats at 

terrapin nesting sites. Citizens involved 

in the surveys receive training from 

Florida Sea Grant and the USGS prior to 

the start of the nesting season. 

Contributors are then assigned a survey 

route that is monitored weekly from 

April through October. When evidence 

of terrapin nesting activity is observed 

(e.g., a nesting terrapin, terrapin tracks, 

or eggshells), contributors would 

document the date, time, location, 

habitat, and environmental variables 

(including the presence of any invasive 

species), and the presence of predators 

and (or) potential anthropogenic threats 

(e.g., pets, garbage, or boats). Citizens 

also provide the date and time that their 

survey begins and ends, along with their 

initials and a way to contact them. 

Finally, monthly head count surveys are 

also conducted at each site which 

involves contributors sitting at the site 

for 30 minutes and documenting the 

number of terrapin heads that appear 

above the water’s surface during that 

time period. 

Title of Collection: Panhandle 

Terrapin Project. 

OMB Control Number: 1028–NEW. 

Form Number: None. 

Type of Review: New. 

Respondents/Affected Public: 

Individuals. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Respondents: 100. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Responses: 1,200. 

Estimated Completion Time per 

Response: 60 minutes. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Burden Hours: 1,200 hours. 

Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. 

Frequency of Collection: Weekly. 

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour 

Burden Cost: None. 

An agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, nor is a person required to 

respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a currently valid OMB 

control number. 

The authority for this action is the 

PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). 

Margaret M. Lamont, 

Research Biologist, USGS Wetland and 

Aquatic Research Center. 

[FR Doc. 2024–02591 Filed 2–7–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4338–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Indian Affairs 

[245A2100DD/AAKC001030/ 

A0A501010.999900] 

Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation 

Projects 

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs 

(BIA) owns or has an interest in 

irrigation projects located on or 

associated with various Indian 

reservations throughout the United 

States. We are required to establish 

irrigation assessment rates to recover the 

costs to administer, operate, maintain, 

and rehabilitate these projects. We 

request your comments on the proposed 

rate adjustments. 

DATES: Interested parties may submit 

comments on the proposed rate 

adjustments on or before April 8, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: All comments on the 

proposed rate adjustments must be in 

writing. You may send comments via 

email to comments@bia.gov. Please 

reference ‘‘Rate Adjustments for Indian 

Irrigation Projects’’ in the subject line. 

Or you may submit comments to the 

Program Specialist, Division of Water 

and Power, Office of Trust Services, 

2021 4th Avenue North, Billings, 

Montana 59101. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Leslie Underwood, Program Specialist, 

Division of Water and Power, Office of 

Trust Services, (406) 657–5985. For 

details about a particular irrigation 

project, please use the table in the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section to 

contact the BIA regional or local office 

where the project is located. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The first 

table in this notice provides contact 

information for individuals who can 

give further information about the 

irrigation projects covered by this 

notice. The second table provides the 

proposed rates for calendar year (CY) 

2025 for all irrigation projects. 

What is the meaning of the key terms 

used in this notice? 

In this notice: 

Administrative costs mean all costs 

we incur to administer our irrigation 

projects at the local project level and are 

a cost factor included in calculating 

your operation and maintenance 

assessment. Costs incurred at the local 

project level do not normally include 

agency, region, or central office costs 

unless we state otherwise in writing. 

Assessable acre means lands 

designated by us to be served by one of 

our irrigation projects, for which we 

collect assessments in order to recover 

costs for the provision of irrigation 

service. (See also ‘‘total assessable 

acres.’’) 

BIA means the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs. 

Bill means our statement to you of the 

assessment charges and/or fees you owe 

the United States for administration, 

operation, maintenance, and/or 

rehabilitation. The date we mail or 

hand-deliver your bill will be stated on 

it. 

Costs means the costs we incur for 

administration, operation, maintenance, 

and rehabilitation to provide direct 

support or benefit to an irrigation 

facility. (See administrative costs, 

operation costs, maintenance costs, and 

rehabilitation costs). 

Customer means any person or entity 

to whom or to which we provide 

irrigation service. 

Due date is the date on which your 

bill is due and payable. This date will 

be stated on your bill. 

I, me, my, you and your mean all 

persons or entities that are affected by 

this notice. 

Irrigation project means a facility or 

portion thereof for the delivery, 

diversion, and storage of irrigation water 

that we own or have an interest in, 

including all appurtenant works. The 

term ‘‘irrigation project’’ is used 

interchangeably with irrigation facility, 

irrigation system, and irrigation area. 

Irrigation service means the full range 

of services we provide customers of our 

irrigation projects. This includes our 

activities to administer, operate, 

maintain, and rehabilitate our projects 

in order to deliver water. 

Maintenance costs means costs we 

incur to maintain and repair our 

irrigation projects and associated 

equipment and is a cost factor included 

in calculating your operation and 

maintenance assessment. 

Operation and maintenance (O&M) 

assessment means the periodic charge 

you must pay us to reimburse costs of 

administering, operating, maintaining, 

and rehabilitating irrigation projects 

consistent with this notice and our 

supporting policies, manuals, and 

handbooks. 


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8708 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 

Operation or operating costs means 

costs we incur to operate our irrigation 

projects and equipment and is a cost 

factor included in calculating your O&M 

assessment. 

Past due bill means a bill that has not 

been paid by the close of business on 

the 30th day after the due date as stated 

on the bill. Beginning on the 31st day 

after the due date, we begin assessing 

additional charges accruing from the 

due date. 

Rehabilitation costs means costs we 

incur to restore our irrigation projects or 

features to original operating condition 

or to the nearest state which can be 

achieved using current technology and 

is a cost factor included in calculating 

your O&M assessment. 

Responsible party means an 

individual or entity that owns or leases 

land within the assessable acreage of 

one of our irrigation projects and is 

responsible for providing accurate 

information to our billing office and 

paying a bill for an annual irrigation rate 

assessment. 

Total assessable acres mean the total 

acres served by one of our irrigation 

projects. 

Water delivery is an activity that is 

part of the irrigation service we provide 

our customers when water is available. 

We, us, and our mean the United 

States Government, the Secretary of the 

Interior, the BIA, and all who are 

authorized to represent us in matters 

covered under this notice. 

Does this notice affect me? 

This notice affects you if you own or 

lease land within the assessable acreage 

of one of our irrigation projects or if you 

have a carriage agreement with one of 

our irrigation projects. 

Where can I get information on the 

regulatory and legal citations in this 

notice? 

You can contact the appropriate 

office(s) for the irrigation project that 

serves you. Please use the table in the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section to 

contact the regional or local office 

where the project is located. 

Why are you publishing this notice? 

We are publishing this notice to 

inform you that we propose to adjust 

our irrigation assessment rates. This 

notice is published in accordance with 

the BIA’s regulations governing its 

operation and maintenance of irrigation 

projects, found at 25 CFR part 171. This 

regulation provides for the 

establishment and publication of the 

proposed rates for annual irrigation 

assessments as well as related 

information about our irrigation 

projects. 

What authorizes you to issue this 

notice? 

Our authority to issue this notice is 

vested in the Secretary of the Interior by 

5 U.S.C. 301 and the Act of August 14, 

1914 (38 Stat. 583; 25 U.S.C. 385). The 

Secretary has in turn delegated this 

authority to the Assistant Secretary— 

Indian Affairs under part 209, Chapter 

8.1A, of the Department of the Interior’s 

Departmental Manual. 

When will you put the rate adjustments 

into effect? 

We will put the rate adjustments into 

effect for CY 2024. 

How do you calculate irrigation rates? 

We calculate annual irrigation 

assessment rates in accordance with 25 

CFR 171.500 by estimating the annual 

costs of operation and maintenance at 

each of our irrigation projects and then 

dividing by the total assessable acres for 

that particular irrigation project. The 

result of this calculation for each project 

is stated in the rate table in this notice. 

What kinds of expenses do you 

consider in determining the estimated 

annual costs of operation and 

maintenance? 

Consistent with 25 CFR 171.500, these 

expenses include the following: 

(a) Personnel salary and benefits for 

the project engineer/manager and 

project employees under the project 

engineer/manager’s management or 

control; 

(b) Materials and supplies; 

(c) Vehicle and equipment repairs; 

(d) Equipment costs, including lease 

fees; 

(e) Depreciation; 

(f) Acquisition costs; 

(g) Maintenance of a reserve fund 

available for contingencies or 

emergency costs needed for the reliable 

operation of the irrigation facility 

infrastructure; 

(h) Maintenance of a vehicle and 

heavy equipment replacement fund; 

(i) Systematic rehabilitation and 

replacement of project facilities; 

(j) Contingencies for unknown costs 

and omitted budget items; and 

(k) Other expenses we determine 

necessary to properly perform the 

activities and functions characteristic of 

an irrigation project. 

When should I pay my irrigation 

assessment? 

We will mail or hand deliver your bill 

notifying you (a) the amount you owe to 

the United States; and (b) when such 

amount is due. If we mail your bill, we 

will consider it as being delivered no 

later than five (5) business days after the 

day we mail it. You should pay your bill 

by the due date stated on the bill. 

What information must I provide for 

billing purposes? 

All responsible parties are required to 

provide the following information to the 

billing office associated with the 

irrigation project where you own or 

lease land within the project’s 

assessable acreage or to the billing office 

associated with the irrigation project 

with which you have a carriage 

agreement: 

(1) The full legal name of the person 

or entity responsible for paying the bill; 

(2) An adequate and correct address 

for mailing or hand delivering our bill; 

and 

(3) The taxpayer identification 

number or social security number of the 

person or entity responsible for paying 

the bill. 

Why are you collecting my taxpayer 

identification number or social security 

number? 

Public Law 104–134, the Debt 

Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 

requires that we collect the taxpayer 

identification number or social security 

number before billing a responsible 

party and as a condition to servicing the 

account. 

What happens if I am a responsible 

party but I fail to furnish the 

information required to the billing 

office responsible for the irrigation 

project within which I own or lease 

assessable land or for which I have a 

carriage agreement? 

If you are late paying your bill 

because of your failure to furnish the 

required information listed above, you 

will be assessed interest and penalties 

as provided below, and your failure to 

provide the required information will 

not provide grounds for you to appeal 

your bill or any penalties assessed. 

What can happen if I do not provide the 

information required for billing 

purposes? 

We can refuse to provide you 

irrigation service. 

If I allow my bill to become past due, 

could this affect my water delivery? 

Yes. 25 CFR 171.545(a) states: ‘‘We 

will not provide you irrigation service 

until: (1) Your bill is paid; or (2) You 

make arrangement for payment pursuant 

to § 171.550 of this part.’’ If we do not 

receive your payment before the close of 

business on the 30th day after the due 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 8709 

date stated on your bill, we will send 

you a past due notice. This past due 

notice will have additional information 

concerning your rights. We will 

consider your past due notice as 

delivered no later than five (5) business 

days after the day we mail it. We follow 

the procedures provided in 31 CFR 

901.2, ‘‘Demand for Payment,’’ when 

demanding payment of your past due 

bill. 

Are there any additional charges if I am 

late paying my bill? 

Yes. We are required to assess 

interest, penalties, and administrative 

costs on past due bills in accordance 

with 31 U.S.C. 3717 and 31 CFR 901.9. 

The rate of interest is established 

annually by the Secretary of the United 

States Treasury (Treasury) and accrues 

from the date your bill is past due. If 

your bill becomes more than 90 days 

past due, you will be assessed a penalty 

charge of no more than six percent per 

year, which accrues from the date your 

bill became past due. Each time we try 

to collect your past due bill, you will be 

charged an administrative fee of $12.50 

for processing and handling. 

What else will happen to my past due 

bill? 

If you do not pay your bill or make 

payment arrangements to which we 

agree, we are required to transfer your 

past due bill to Treasury for further 

action. Pursuant to 31 CFR 285.12, bills 

that are 120 days past due will be 

transferred to Treasury. 

Who can I contact for further 

information? 

The contact table below contains the 

regional and project/agency contacts for 

our irrigation facilities. 

Northwest Region Contacts 

Bryan Mercier, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232–4169. Telephone: (503) 231–6702. 

Flathead Indian Irrigation Project .... Eric Bruguier, Acting Irrigation Project Manager, 220 Project Drive, St. Ignatius, MT 59865. Telephone: 

(406) 745–2661. 

Fort Hall Irrigation Project ............... David Bollinger, Irrigation Project Manager, 36 Bannock Avenue, Fort Hall, ID 83203–0220. Telephone:(208) 238–1992. 

Wapato Irrigation Project ................ Pete Plant, Project Administrator, 413 South Camas Avenue, Wapato, WA 98951–0220. Telephone: (509) 

877–3155. 

Rocky Mountain Region Contacts 

Susan Messerly, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional Office, 2021 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101. Telephone: (406) 247–7943. 

Blackfeet Irrigation Project .............. Kenneth Bird, Superintendent, Greg Tatsey, Irrigation Project Manager, P.O. Box 880, Browning, MT 

59417. Telephones: Superintendent (406) 338–7544; Irrigation Project Manager (406) 338–7519. 

Crow Irrigation Project .................... Clifford Serawop, Superintendent, Jim Gappa, Acting Irrigation Project Manager (BIA), (Project O&M performed by Water Users Association), P.O. Box 69, Crow Agency, MT 59022. Telephones: Superintendent (406) 638–2672; Acting Irrigation Project Manager (406) 247–7998. 

Fort Belknap Irrigation Project ........ Mark Azure, Superintendent, Jim Gappa, Acting Irrigation Project Manager (BIA), (Project O&M contracted 

to Tribes under PL 93–638),158 Tribal Way, Suite B, Harlem, MT 59526. Telephones: Superintendent 

(406) 353–2901; Irrigation Project Manager, Tribal Office (406) 353–8454. 

Fort Peck Irrigation Project ............. Anna Eder, Superintendent, Jim Gappa, Acting Irrigation Project Manager (BIA), (Project O&M performed 

by Fort Peck Water Users Association), P.O. Box 637, Poplar, MT 59255. Telephones: Superintendent 

(406) 768–5312; Acting Irrigation Project Manager (406) 247–7998 

Wind River Irrigation Project ........... Leslie Shakespeare, Superintendent, Jim Gappa, Acting Irrigation Project Manager (BIA), (Project O&M for 

Little Wind, Johnstown, and Lefthand Units contracted to Tribes under PL 93–638; Little Wind-Ray and 

Upper Wind Units O&M performed by Ray Canal, A Canal, and Crowheart Water Users Associations), 

P.O. Box 158, Fort Washakie, WY 82514. Telephones: Superintendent (307) 332–7810; Acting Irrigation 

Project Manager (406) 247–7998. 

Southwest Region Contacts 

Patricia L. Mattingly, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 

87104. Telephone: (505) 563–3100. 

Pine River Irrigation Project ............ Priscilla Bancroft, Superintendent, Vickie Begay, Irrigation Project Manager, P.O. Box 315, Ignacio, CO 

81137–0315. Telephones: Superintendent (970) 563–4511; Irrigation Project Manager (970) 563–9484. 

Western Region Contacts 

Jessie Durham, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, 

AZ 85004. Telephone: (602) 379–6600. 

Colorado River Irrigation Project .... Davetta Ameelyenah, Superintendent, Gary Colvin, Irrigation Project Manager, 12124 1st Avenue, Parker, 

AZ 85344. Telephones: Superintendent (928) 669–7111; (928) 662–4392 Irrigation Project Manager. 

Duck Valley Irrigation Project ......... Phaline Conklin, Superintendent, (Project O&M compacted to Shoshone-Paiute Tribes under PL 93–638), 

2719 Argent Avenue, Suite 4, Gateway Plaza, Elko, NV 89801. Telephones: Superintendent (775) 738– 

5165; Tribal Office (208) 759–3100. 

Yuma Project, Indian Unit ............... Maureen Brown, Superintendent, (Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) owns the Project and is responsible for 

O&M), 256 South Second Avenue, Suite D, Yuma, AZ 85364. Telephones: Superintendent (928) 782– 

1202; BOR Area Office Manager (928) 343–8100. 


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8710 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 

San Carlos Irrigation Project (Indian 

Works and Joint Works).

Ferris Begay, Project Manager (BIA), Clarence Begay, Supervisory Civil Engineer (BIA), (Portions of Indian 

Works O&M compacted to Gila River Indian Community under PL 93–638; Joint Control Board is responsible for portions of Joint Works maintenance pursuant to Gila River Indian Community Water 

Rights Settlement Act of 2004, 118 Stat. 3499), 13805 North Arizona Boulevard, Coolidge, AZ 85128. 

Telephones: Project Manager (520) 723–6225; Supervisory Civil Engineer (520) 723–6203; Gila River 

Indian Irrigation & Drainage District (520) 562–6720; Joint Control Board (520) 562–9760, (520) 723– 

5408. 

Uintah Irrigation Project .................. Antonio Pingree, Superintendent, Ken Asay, Irrigation System Manager (BIA), (Project O&M performed by 

Uintah Indian Irrigation Project Operation and Maintenance Company), P.O. Box 130, Fort Duchesne, 

UT 84026. Telephones: Superintendent (435) 722–4300; Irrigation System Manager (435) 722–4344; 

Uintah Indian Irrigation Operation and Maintenance Company (435) 724–5200. 

Walker River Irrigation Project ........ Colleen Labelle, Superintendent, 311 East Washington Street, Carson City, NV 89701. Telephone: (775) 

887–3500. 

What irrigation assessments or charges 

are proposed for adjustment by this 

notice? 

The rate table below contains final CY 

2024 rates for irrigation projects where 

we recover costs of administering, 

operating, maintaining, and 

rehabilitating them. The table also 

contains proposed CY 2025 rates for all 

irrigation projects. An asterisk 

immediately following the rate category 

notes irrigation projects where rates are 

proposed for adjustment. 

Project name Rate category Final 

2024 rate 

Proposed 

2025 rate 

Northwest Region Rate Table 

Flathead Irrigation Project ......................................................................... Basic per acre—A ........................... $39.00 $39.00 

Basic per acre—B ........................... 19.50 19.50 

Minimum Charge per tract .............. 75.00 75.00 

Fort Hall Irrigation Project .......................................................................... Basic per acre * ............................... 65.50 66.50 

Minimum Charge per tract * ............ 41.00 43.00 

Fort Hall Irrigation Project—Minor Units .................................................... Basic per acre * ............................... 45.00 45.50 

Minimum Charge per tract * ............ 41.00 43.00 

Fort Hall Irrigation Project—Michaud Unit ................................................. Basic per acre * ............................... 75.00 75.50 

Pressure per acre * .......................... 116.50 117.00 

Minimum Charge per tract * ............ 41.00 43.00 

Wapato Irrigation Project—Toppenish/Simcoe Units ................................ Minimum Charge per bill ................. 28.00 28.00 

Basic per acre ................................. 28.00 28.00 

Wapato Irrigation Project—Ahtanum Units ................................................ Minimum Charge per bill ................. 35.00 35.00 

Basic per acre ................................. 35.00 35.00 

Wapato Irrigation Project—Satus Unit ....................................................... Minimum Charge per bill ................. 100.00 100.00 

‘‘A’’ Basic per acre .......................... 86.00 86.00 

‘‘B’’ Basic per acre .......................... 92.00 92.00 

Wapato Irrigation Project—Additional Works ............................................ Minimum Charge per bill ................. 100.00 100.00 

Basic per acre ................................. 87.00 87.00 

Wapato Irrigation Project—Water Rental .................................................. Minimum Charge per bill ................. 100.00 100.00 

Basic per acre ................................. 100.00 100.00 

Rocky Mountain Region Rate Table 

Blackfeet Irrigation Project ......................................................................... Basic-per acre ................................. 21.50 21.50 

Crow Irrigation Project—Willow Creek O&M (includes Agency, Lodge 

Grass #1, Lodge Grass #2, Reno, Upper Little Horn, and Forty Mile 

Units).

Basic-per acre ................................. 30.00 30.00 

Crow Irrigation Project—All Others (includes Bighorn, Soap Creek, and 

Pryor Units).

Basic-per acre ................................. 30.00 30.00 

Crow Irrigation Project—Two Leggins Unit ............................................... Basic-per acre ................................. 15.00 15.00 

Crow Irrigation Two Leggins Drainage District .......................................... Basic-per acre ................................. 3.00 3.00 

Fort Belknap Irrigation Project ................................................................... Basic-per acre ................................. 20.00 20.00 

Fort Peck Irrigation Project ........................................................................ Basic-per acre ................................. 29.00 29.00 

Wind River Irrigation Project—Units 2, 3 and 4 ........................................ Basic-per acre ................................. 26.00 26.00 

Wind River Irrigation Project—Unit 6 ........................................................ Basic-per acre ................................. 23.00 23.00 

Wind River Irrigation Project—LeClair District (See Note #1) .................. Basic-per acre ................................. 47.00 47.00 

Wind River Irrigation Project—Crow Heart Unit ........................................ Basic-per acre ................................. 16.50 16.50 

Wind River Irrigation Project—A Canal Unit ............................................. Basic-per acre ................................. 16.50 16.50 

Wind River Irrigation Project—Riverton Valley Irrigation District (See 

Note #1).

Basic-per acre ................................. 30.65 30.65 

Southwest Region Rate Table 

Pine River Irrigation Project ....................................................................... Minimum Charge per tract .............. 75.00 75.00 

Basic-per acre * ............................... 23.50 24.00 


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Project name Rate category Final 

2024 rate 

Proposed 

2025 rate 

Western Region Rate Table 

Colorado River Irrigation Project ............................................................... Basic per acre up to 5.75 acrefeet *.64.00 69.00 

Excess Water per acre-foot over 

5.75 acre-feet.

18.00 18.00 

Duck Valley Irrigation Project .................................................................... Basic per acre ................................. 5.30 5.30 

Yuma Project, Indian Unit (See Note #2) .................................................. Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre-feet * 184.00 ( + ) 

Excess Water per acre-foot over 

5.0 acre-feet.

35.00 ( + ) 

Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre-feet 

(Ranch 5).

184.00 ( + ) 

San Carlos Irrigation Project (Joint Works) (See Note #3) ....................... Basic per acre $26.00 ............ $26.00 

Proposed 2025 Construction Water Rate Schedule: 

Off project 

construction 

On project 

construction— 

gravity water 

On project 

construction— 

pump water 

Administrative 

Fee.

$300.00 ............ $300.00 .......... $300.00. 

Usage Fee ....... $250.00 per 

month.

No Fee ........... $100.00 per 

acre foot. 

Excess Water 

Rate †.

$5.00 per 1,000 

gal.

No Charge ..... No Charge. 

Project name Rate category Final 

2024 rate 

Proposed 

2025 rate 

San Carlos Irrigation Project (Indian Works) (See Note #4) ..................... Basic per acre ................................. $99.62 $93.85 

Uintah Irrigation Project ............................................................................. Basic per acre * ............................... 23.00 25.00 

Minimum Bill .................................... 25.00 25.00 

Walker River Irrigation Project ................................................................... Basic per acre * ............................... 31.00 32.00 

* Notes irrigation projects where rates are adjusted. 

+ These rates have not yet been determined. 

† The excess water rate applies to all water used in excess of 50,000 gallons in any one month. 

Note #1: O&M rates for LeClair and Riverton Valley Irrigation Districts apply to Trust lands that are serviced by each irrigation district. The annual O&M rates are based on budgets submitted by LeClair and Riverton Valley Irrigation Districts, respectively. 

Note #2: The O&M rate for the Yuma Project, Indian Unit has two components. The first component of the O&M rate is established by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the owner and operator of the Project. BOR’s rate, which is based upon the annual budget submitted by BOR is 

$180.00 for 2024 but has not been established for 2025. The second component of the O&M rate is established by BIA to cover administrative 

costs, which includes billing and collections for the Project. The final 2024 BIA rate component is $4.00 per acre. The proposed 2025 BIA rate 

component is $4.50 per acre. 

Note #3: The Construction Water Rate Schedule identifies fees assessed for use of irrigation water for non-irrigation purposes. 

Note #4: The O&M rate for the San Carlos Irrigation Project—Indian Works has three components. The first component is established by BIA

San Carlos Irrigation Project—Indian Works, the owner and operator of the Project; the final 2024 rate is $55.85 per acre, and proposed 2025 

rate is $55.85 per acre. The second component is established by BIA San Carlos Irrigation Project—Joint Works; the final 2024 rate is $26.00 

per acre, and proposed 2025 rate is $26.00 per acre. The third component is established by the San Carlos Irrigation Project Joint Control Board 

(comprised of representatives from the Gila River Indian Community and the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District); the 2024 rate is $17.77 

per acre, and 2025 rate is $12.00 per acre. 

Consultation and Coordination With 

Tribal Governments (Executive Order 

13175) 

The Department of the Interior strives 

to strengthen its government-togovernment relationship with Indian 

Tribes through a commitment to 

consultation with Indian Tribes and 

recognition of their right to selfgovernance and Tribal sovereignty. We 

have evaluated this notice under the 

Department’s consultation policy and 

under the criteria of Executive Order 

13175 and have determined there to be 

substantial direct effects on federally 

recognized Tribes because the irrigation 

projects are located on or associated 

with Indian reservations. To fulfill its 

consultation responsibility to Tribes and 

Tribal organizations, BIA 

communicates, coordinates, and 

consults on a continuing basis with 

these entities on issues of water 

delivery, water availability, and costs of 

administration, operation, maintenance, 

and rehabilitation of projects that 

concern them. This is accomplished at 

the individual irrigation project by 

project, agency, and regional 

representatives, as appropriate, in 

accordance with local protocol and 

procedures. This notice is one 

component of our overall coordination 

and consultation process to provide 

notice to, and request comments from, 

these entities when we adjust irrigation 

assessment rates. 

Actions Concerning Regulations That 

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use (Executive Order 

13211) 

The proposed rate adjustments are not 

a significant energy action under the 

definition in Executive Order 13211. A 

Statement of Energy Effects is not 

required. 

Regulatory Planning and Review 

(Executive Order 12866), as Amended 

by E.O. 14094) 

These proposed rate adjustments are 

not a significant regulatory action and 

do not need to be reviewed by the Office 

of Management and Budget under 

Executive Order 12866, as Amended by 

E.O. 14094. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
8712 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

These proposed rate adjustments are 

not a rule for the purposes of the 

Regulatory Flexibility Act because they 

establish ‘‘a rule of particular 

applicability relating to rates.’’ 5 U.S.C. 

601(2). 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 

1995 

These proposed rate adjustments do 

not impose an unfunded mandate on 

state, local, or Tribal governments in the 

aggregate, or on the private sector, of 

more than $130 million per year. They 

do not have a significant or unique 

effect on State, local, or Tribal 

governments or the private sector. 

Therefore, the Department is not 

required to prepare a statement 

containing the information required by 

the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 

Takings (Executive Order 12630) 

These proposed rate adjustments do 

not effect a taking of private property or 

otherwise have ‘‘takings’’ implications 

under Executive Order 12630. The 

proposed rate adjustments do not 

deprive the public, State, or local 

governments of rights or property. 

Federalism (Executive Order 13132) 

Under the criteria in section 1 of 

Executive Order 13132, these proposed 

rate adjustments do not have sufficient 

federalism implications to warrant the 

preparation of a federalism summary 

impact statement because they will not 

affect the States, the relationship 

between the national government and 

the States, or the distribution of power 

and responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. A federalism 

summary impact statement is not 

required. 

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 

12988) 

This notice complies with the 

requirements of Executive Order 12988. 

Specifically, in issuing this notice, the 

Department has taken the necessary 

steps to eliminate drafting errors and 

ambiguity, minimize potential litigation, 

and provide a clear legal standard for 

affected conduct as required by section 

3 of Executive Order 12988. 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

These proposed rate adjustments do 

not affect the collections of information 

which have been approved by the Office 

of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction 

Act of 1995. The OMB Control Number 

is 1076–0141 and expires March 31, 

2026. 

National Environmental Policy Act 

The Department has determined that 

these proposed rate adjustments do not 

constitute a major Federal action 

significantly affecting the quality of the 

human environment and that no 

detailed statement is required under the 

National Environmental Policy Act of 

1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4370(d), pursuant 

to 43 CFR 46.210(i). In addition, the 

proposed rate adjustments do not 

present any of the 12 extraordinary 

circumstances listed at 43 CFR 46.215. 

Bryan Newland, 

Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. 

[FR Doc. 2024–02596 Filed 2–7–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4337–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

National Park Service 

[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–NPS0037345; 

PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000] 

Notice of Inventory Completion: Ohio 

History Connection, Columbus, OH 

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native 

American Graves Protection and 

Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Ohio 

History Connection has completed an 

inventory of human remains and 

associated funerary objects and has 

determined that there is a cultural 

affiliation between the human remains 

and associated funerary objects and 

Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 

organizations in this notice. The human 

remains and associated funerary objects 

were removed from Fulton, Henry, and 

Williams Counties, Ohio. 

DATES: Repatriation of the human 

remains and associated funerary objects 

in this notice may occur on or after 

March 11, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Nekole Alligood, NAGPRA 

Specialist, Ohio History Connection, 

800 E 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 

43211, telephone (614) 297–2300, email 

nalligood@ohiohistory.org. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

notice is published as part of the 

National Park Service’s administrative 

responsibilities under NAGPRA. The 

determinations in this notice are the 

sole responsibility of the Ohio History 

Connection. The National Park Service 

is not responsible for the determinations 

in this notice. Additional information 

on the determinations in this notice, 

including the results of consultation, 

can be found in the inventory or related 

records held by the Ohio History 

Connection. 

Description 

The following were recovered from 

three counties in northwest Ohio, 

Fulton, Henry, and Williams Counties. 

33 FU 5, Patyi-Dowling Site, Fulton 

Township, Fulton County, Ohio. There 

are two individuals who were exhumed 

by Robert Cufr and reported by David 

Stothers with the University of Toledo 

in 1972. The remains were retained by 

the Firelands Archaeological Research 

Center and donated by them to the Ohio 

History Connection in 2021. There are 

three associated funerary objects 

included; one coral or shell piece with 

yellowish staining and two small animal 

long bone fragments. 

33 FU 101, Fish Site, Royalton 

Township, Fulton County, Ohio. One 

adult human tooth was found at this 

site. The 70 associated funerary objects 

consist of several components ranging 

from the Early Archaic to the Late 

Woodland period. Specific provenience 

of the objects is unknown, they were 

surface finds collected at the same 

location. 

Pioneer, Madison Township, 

Williams County, Ohio. This one 

individual was received from the Lucas 

County Coroner’s Office in 2020 and 

was brought to Ohio History Connection 

in 2021. 

33 HY 127, Brown Site No. 1, 

Damascus Township, Henry County, 

Ohio. There are two individuals who 

were likely exhumed in the early 1980s 

from a site along the Maumee River 

bank and were donated to the Firelands 

Archaeological Research Center who 

then donated them to the Ohio History 

Connection in 2021. There are eight lots 

of various affiliated objects consisting of 

ceramic sherds, faunal remains, shell 

fragments, debitage and soil. 

Ritter Park, Napoleon Township, 

Henry County, Ohio. The two 

individuals were exhumed from the 

Maumee River bank. The Lucas County 

Coroner’s Office transferred them to 

Ohio History Connection in 2019. 

Cultural Affiliation 

The human remains and associated 

funerary objects in this notice are 

connected to one or more identifiable 

earlier groups, tribes, peoples, or 

cultures. There is a relationship of 

shared group identity between the 

identifiable earlier groups, tribes, 

peoples, or cultures and one or more 

Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 

organizations. The following types of 

information were used to reasonably 

trace the relationship: archeological 


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