Rights-of-Way on Indian Land; Bond Exemption

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs 25 CFR Part 169 [190A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900 253G] RIN 1076-AF20; 1076-AF37 AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule exempts Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments from the requirement to obtain a bond, insurance, or alternative form of security for a right-of-way across Indian land and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) land where such governments are prohibited by law from obtaining security. DATES: This rule is effective on September 18, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Appel, Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs & Collaborative Action, (202) 273-4680; elizabeth.appel@bia.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 19, 2015, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) finalized revisions to the regulations governing rights-of-way on Indian land and BIA land at 25 CFR part 169 . See 80 FR 72492 . The regulations became effective on April 21, 2016 under Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1076-AF20. 81 FR 14976 . The final regulations established new requirements for bonding, insurance, or alternative form of security to cover the annual rental, estimated damages, operation and maintenance charges, and restoration. See 25 CFR 169.103(a) . The regulations allow for waiver of this requirement on a case-by-case basis. See 25 CFR 169.103(f) . Currently, a governmental entity applying for a right-of-way across Indian land or BIA land must seek a waiver (a…