🌊Extended Comment Period for Outer Continental Shelf Leasing in American Samoa
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces a 30- day extension of the comment period for the request for information and interest (RFI) for leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf minerals in and around an area offshore American Samoa, referred to as the RFI Area.
Learn More⛏️Commercial Leasing Opportunity for OCS Minerals Offshore American Samoa
On April 8, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) received an unsolicited request that Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) minerals be offered for lease in an area offshore American Samoa. After reviewing the request, BOEM decided to initiate the first steps that could potentially lead to a lease sale by publishing this request for information and interest (RFI). This RFI is not a final decision to lease and does not prejudge any future Secretarial decisions concerning leasing on the American Samoan OCS. This RFI requests information and comments on, and indications of interest in, the leasing of OCS minerals in and around the area submitted in the unsolicited lease sale request, hereby referred to as the RFI Area. BOEM will consider information and interest received in response to this RFI when considering whether to proceed with additional steps leading to the offer of OCS minerals for lease offshore American Samoa. Those interested in providing comments or information should provide the information requested in section 6, "Types of Information and Comments Requested," of this RFI. Those interested in leasing in and around the RFI Area for OCS mineral development should provide the information described in section 7, "Requested Information for Indications of Interest." BOEM may or may not offer a lease for commercial OCS mineral development offshore American Samoa after further consultations, public participation, and environmental analyses.
Learn More🐟Public Meetings on Fishery Management in American Samoa
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its American Samoa Council Advisors and its American Samoa Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee (REAC) meeting to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the western Pacific region.
Learn More🐟Economic Surveys Impacting Commercial Fisheries in Hawaii and American Samoa
The Department of Commerce submits a request for information collection regarding trip cost data for Hawaii and American Samoa's pelagic longline fisheries. This effort aims to assess economic performance and impacts in federally managed fisheries, crucial for conservation and management strategies. The agency invites public comments to refine data collection efforts.
Learn More📜Renewal of the American Samoa Advisory Committee Announced
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) is publishing this notice to announce the renewal of the American Samoa Advisory Committee (Committee). The Commission has determined that the renewal of the Committee is necessary and in the public's interest, and the Commission has consulted with the General Services Administration's Committee Management Secretariat regarding the Committee's renewal.
Learn More🐠NOAA Workshop Participant Registration for Protected Species
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Learn More🏘️Implications of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Revisions
This interim final rule revises HUD's regulation governing the Fair Housing Act's mandate that the Secretary administer HUD's program and activities in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing. This interim final rule returns to the original understanding of what the statutory AFFH certification was prior to 1994--a general commitment that grantees will take active steps to promote fair housing. Grantee AFFH certifications will be deemed sufficient provided they took any action during the relevant period rationally related to promoting fair housing, such as helping eliminate housing discrimination. This interim final rule does not, however, reinstate the obligation to conduct an Analysis of Impediments or mandate any specific fair housing planning mechanism; program participants must continue to affirmatively further fair housing as and to the extent required by the Fair Housing Act.
Learn More🏠HUD Updates HOME Investment Program Regulations for 2023
HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME program or HOME) provides formula grants to States and units of general local government to fund a wide range of activities to produce and maintain affordable rental and homeownership housing and provides tenant-based rental assistance for low-income and very low-income households. This final rule revises the current HOME regulations to update, simplify, or streamline requirements, better align the program with other Federal housing programs, and implement recent amendments to the HOME statute. This final rule also includes minor revisions to the regulations for the Community Development Block Grant and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs consistent with the implementation of the changes to the HOME program. This final rule follows the publication of a proposed rule on May 29, 2024, and takes into consideration the comments received in response to that proposed rule.
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