Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2024 / Notices 105089 

Once we grant our approval, a U.S. 

national nongovernmental organization 

is eligible to register with the Secretariat 

and must do so at least 6 weeks prior 

to the opening of CoP20 to participate 

in the meeting as an observer. 

Individuals who are not affiliated with 

an organization may not register as 

observers. An international 

nongovernmental organization with at 

least one office in the United States may 

register as a U.S. nongovernmental 

organization if it prefers. 

An organization seeking approval 

from our office to attend CoP20 as an 

observer must include in their request 

evidence of their technical 

qualifications in protection, 

conservation, or management of wild 

fauna or flora, for both the organization 

and the individual representative(s). 

The request must also include copies of 

the organization’s charter and any 

bylaws, and a list of representatives it 

intends to send to CoP20. 

Organizations seeking approval for 

the first time should detail their 

experience in the protection, 

conservation, or management of wild 

fauna or flora, as well as their purposes 

for wishing to participate in CoP20 as an 

observer. An organization that we have 

approved within the past 5 years as an 

observer to a meeting of the Conference 

of the Parties does not need to provide 

as much detailed information 

concerning its qualifications as an 

organization seeking approval for the 

first time. Requests should be sent to the 

Division of Management Authority at 

the address provided in ADDRESSES, 

above; via email to 

managementauthority@fws.gov; or via 

fax to 703–358–2276. 

Once we approve an organization as 

an observer, we will direct them to the 

location on the CITES website where 

they can obtain instructions for 

registering with the Secretariat and 

obtain logistical information about the 

meeting. A list of organizations 

approved for observer status at CoP20 

will be available upon request from the 

Division of Management Authority 

immediately prior to the start of CoP20. 

Future Actions 

The Secretariat will prepare a 

provisional agenda for CoP20 following 

the submission of documents for the 

meeting. We will publish the CoP20 

provisional agenda in the Federal 

Register and on our website at https:// 

www.fws.gov/international-affairs/cites/ 

cop20. 

The United States must submit any 

proposals to amend Appendix I or II and 

any draft resolutions, decisions, or 

agenda items for discussion at CoP20 to 

the Secretariat at least 150 days (i.e., by 

June 27, 2025) prior to the start of the 

meeting. In order to meet this deadline 

and to prepare for CoP20, we have 

developed a tentative U.S. schedule. We 

will consider all available information 

and comments we receive during the 

comment period for this Federal 

Register notice as we decide which 

species proposal items warrant 

submission by the United States for 

consideration by the Parties. 

Approximately 4 months prior to 

CoP20, we will post on our website an 

announcement of the species proposals, 

draft resolutions, draft decisions, and 

agenda items submitted by the United 

States to the Secretariat for 

consideration at CoP20. 

Through additional notices and 

website postings in advance of CoP20, 

we will inform you about preliminary 

negotiating positions on resolutions, 

decisions, and proposals to amend the 

Appendices proposed by other Parties 

for consideration at CoP20. We will also 

publish an announcement of a public 

meeting to be held approximately 2 to 

3 months prior to CoP20, to receive 

public input on our positions regarding 

CoP20 issues. The procedures for 

developing U.S. documents and 

negotiating positions for a meeting of 

the Conference of the Parties to CITES 

are outlined in 50 CFR 23.87. As noted 

in paragraph (c) of that section, we may 

modify or suspend the procedures 

outlined there if they would interfere 

with the timely or appropriate 

development of documents for 

submission to the CoP and of U.S. 

negotiating positions. 

Authors 

The primary authors of this notice are 

Thomas E.J. Leuteritz, Ph.D., Branch 

Chief, Division of Scientific Authority, 

and Anne St. John, Biologist, Division of 

Management Authority, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service. 

Authority 

The authority for this action is the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 

Martha Williams, 

Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–30698 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Geological Survey 

[GX25AC0000EXP00] 

Public Meetings of the Advisory 

Committee for Science Quality and 

Integrity 

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, 

Department of the Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of public meetings. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(FACA) of 1972, the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) is publishing this notice 

to announce that a meeting of the 

Advisory Committee on Scientific 

Quality and Integrity will take place and 

is open to members of the public. 

DATES: The following meetings will be 

held as a webinar: 

• January: Monday, January 13, 2025, 

from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time; 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 12 

p.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time 

• October: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 

from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time; 

Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 12 

p.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, 

October 9, 2025, from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. 

Eastern Time 

The following meeting will be held in 

person: 

• June: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 9 

a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time; 

Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 9 

a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time 

ADDRESSES: The January 13–14, 2025, 

and October 7–9, 2025, meetings will be 

held online and via teleconference. The 

June 17–18, 2025, meetings will be held 

at the USGS National Center, 12201 

Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia, 

20192. The meetings are open to the 

public. Members of the public may 

attend any of the meetings, whether in 

person on virtually. Registration 

instructions for both the online and inperson meetings will be posted at 

https://www.usgs.gov/office-of-sciencequality-and-integrity/federal-advisorycommittee-science-quality-and-integrity. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 

Maggie Hardy, Designated Federal 

Officer, by email at mhardy@usgs.gov or 

by telephone at 928–556–7235. 

Comments may be sent by email to: GSFACSQSI@usgs.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

meeting is being held under the 

provisions of the FACA of 1972 (5 

U.S.C. Ch. 10), the Government in the 

Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as 

amended), and 41 CFR part 102–3. 

Purpose of the Meeting: The Advisory 

Committee advises the Department of 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
105090 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2024 / Notices 

the Interior through the Director of the 

USGS on matters relating to the 

responsibilities of the Office of Science 

Quality and Integrity (OSQI) including 

monitoring and enhancing the integrity, 

quality, and health of all USGS science 

through executive oversight and 

development of strong practices, policy, 

and supporting programs. Functional 

areas in the OSQI include Scientific 

Integrity; Science Quality; Fundamental 

Science Practices; Office of Tribal 

Relations; Youth and Education in 

Science (YES); Science, Technology, 

Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); 

Laboratories; Postdoctoral Research; and 

Research and Equipment Development 

Grade Evaluations of USGS scientists. 

Additional information about the 

Advisory Committee is available at: 

Federal Advisory Committee for Science 

Quality and Integrity, U.S. Geological 

Survey. 

Agenda Topics: 

• Charter Focus Areas 

—Identification of key science quality 

and integrity processes to advance the 

USGS mission. 

—Effective mechanisms for engaging the 

next generation USGS workforce and 

others through the YES program and 

with other federal agencies in STEM 

and underserved communities. 

—The nature and effectiveness of 

mechanisms to provide oversight of 

science quality within USGS 

laboratories. 

—Mechanisms that may be employed by 

the USGS to ensure high standards of 

science quality and integrity in its 

programs and products. 

• Subcommittee: Recommendation to 

form a Subcommittee on Laboratory 

Quality. 

• Public Comment 

Meeting Accessibility/Special 

Accommodations: Please make requests 

in advance for sign language interpreter 

services, assistive listening devices, 

language translation services, or other 

reasonable accommodations. We ask 

that you contact the person listed in the 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section of this notice at least ten (10) 

business days prior to the meeting to 

give the USGS sufficient time to process 

your request. All reasonable 

accommodation requests are managed 

on a case-by-case basis. Seating for in 

person attendees may be limited due to 

room capacity. Webinar/conference line 

instructions will be provided to 

registered attendees prior to the 

meeting. 

Public Disclosure of Comments: There 

will be an opportunity for public 

comment during each day of the 

meeting. Depending on the number of 

people who wish to speak and the time 

available, the time for individual 

comments may be limited. Written 

comments may also be sent to the 

Advisory Committee for consideration. 

To allow for full consideration of 

information by Advisory Committee 

members, written comments must be 

provided to Maggie Hardy (see FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section) 

at least three (3) business days prior to 

the meeting. Any written comments 

received will be provided to Advisory 

Committee members before the meeting. 

Before including your address, phone 

number, email address, or other 

personally identifiable information (PII) 

in your comment, you should be aware 

that your entire comment—including 

your PII—may be made publicly 

available at any time. While you may 

ask us in your comment to withhold 

your PII from public review, we cannot 

guarantee we will be able to do so. 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. Ch. 10. 

Margaret Hardy, 

Designated Federal Officer, Advisory 

Committee for Science Quality and Integrity. 

[FR Doc. 2024–30746 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4338–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Indian Affairs 

[256A2100DD/AAKC001030/ 

A0A501010.999900] 

Indian Gaming; Approval by operation 

of Law Tribal-State Class III Gaming 

Compacts in the State of California 

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces the 

approval by operation of law of TribalState gaming compacts (Compacts) 

governing the operation and regulation 

of class III gaming activities between the 

State of California and the Campo Band 

of Diegueno Mission Indians of the 

Campo Indian Reservation, California; 

Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of 

the Sulphur Bank Rancheria, California; 

La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission 

Indians of the La Posta Indian 

Reservation, California; Table Mountain 

Rancheria, Timbisha Shoshone Tribe; 

Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule 

River Reservation, California. 

DATES: The Compacts takes effect on 

December 26, 2024. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Paula L. Hart, Director, Office of Indian 

Gaming, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary—Indian Affairs, Washington, 

DC 20240, IndianGaming@bia.gov; (202) 

219–4066. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, 

25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., (IGRA) provides 

the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) 

with 45 days to review and approve or 

disapprove any Tribal-State compact 

governing the conduct of class III 

gaming activity on the Tribe’s Indian 

lands. See 25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(8). If the 

Secretary does not approve or 

disapprove a Tribal-State compact 

within the 45 days, IGRA provides the 

Tribal-State compact is considered to 

have been approved by the Secretary, 

but only to the extent the compact is 

consistent with IGRA. See 25 U.S.C. 

2710(d)(8)(D). The IGRA also requires 

the Secretary to publish a notice in the 

Federal Register of the approved TribalState compacts for the purpose of 

engaging in Class III gaming activities 

on Indian lands. See 25 U.S.C. 

2710(d)(8)(D). The Department’s 

regulations at 25 CFR 293.4 require all 

compacts and amendments to be 

reviewed and approved by the Secretary 

prior to taking effect. 

The Secretary took no action on the 

Compacts between the State of 

California and the Campo Band of 

Diegueno Mission Indians of the Campo 

Indian Reservation, California; the Elem 

Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the 

Sulphur Bank Rancheria, California, the 

La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission 

Indians of the La Posta Indian 

Reservation, California; the Table 

Mountain Rancheria; the Timbisha 

Shoshone Tribe; and the Tule River 

Indian Tribe of the Tule River 

Reservation, California, within the 45- 

day statutory review period. Therefore, 

the Compacts are considered to have 

been approved, but only to the extent 

they are consistent with IGRA. See 25 

U.S.C. 2710(d)(8)(C). 

Bryan Newland, 

Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. 

[FR Doc. 2024–30744 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4337–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Indian Affairs 

[256A2100DD/AAKC001030/ 

A0A501010.999900] 

Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation 

Projects 

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1