[Federal Register: May 16, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 94)]
[Notices]
[Page 27589]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my07-97]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1813, Report to Congress
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of publication of report to Congress.
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SUMMARY: Section 1813 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58)
requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy
(Departments) to jointly consult with stakeholders and conduct a study
of issues related to energy rights-of-way (ROWs) on tribal lands. The
Act further directs the Departments to submit a report to Congress on
the findings of the study. The Report to Congress is available on the
Section 1813 Web site (http://1813.anl.gov). This Web site will remain
active until August 8, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darryl Francois (DOI, Office of Indian
Energy and Economic Development) at (202) 219-0740, or Kristen Ellis
(DOE, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs) at (202)
586-5810. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-
877-8339, to contact the above individuals during business hours. FIRS
is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 1813 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58)
requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy
(Departments) to jointly conduct a study of issues regarding grants,
expansions, and renewals of energy rights-of-way (ROWs) on tribal
lands. Section 1813 also requires the Departments to consult with
Indian tribes, the energy industry, appropriate governmental entities,
and affected businesses and consumers in the course of the study. The
Act further directs the Departments to submit a report to Congress on
the findings of the study, including: (1) An analysis of historic rates
of compensation paid for energy ROWs on tribal land; (2)
Recommendations for appropriate standards and procedures for
determining fair and appropriate compensation to Indian tribes for
grants, expansions, and renewals of energy ROWs on tribal land; (3) An
assessment of the tribal self-determination and sovereignty interests
implicated by applications for the grant, expansion, or renewal of
energy ROWs on tribal land; and (4) An analysis of relevant national
energy transportation policies relating to grants, expansions, and
renewals of energy ROWs on tribal land.
The Departments held a number of public meetings to seek input and
feedback from Indian tribes, the energy industry, appropriate
governmental entities, and affected businesses and consumers. In
addition the Departments held a number of government to government
consultations with Indian tribes. The Departments released two draft
reports and accepted comment about the content of both draft reports.
This final Report to Congress reflects the Departments' response to the
considered and substantial comments received. The Report to Congress is
available on the Section 1813 Web site (http://1813.anl.gov) until
August 8, 2007.
Dated: May 11, 2007.
Carl J. Artman,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-9431 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45 am]
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