This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning tribal affairs, the BIA, reservation lands, tribal statistical areas, and treaty rights. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power: Hearing on Water-Related Legislation: Scheduled for February 24, 2026, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold hearings in Dirksen 366 to examine S.1034, S.1242, S.2437, S.2753, and multiple other bills concerning watershed pilots, water supply forecasting, urban canal maintenance, hydropower reporting, Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System reauthorization, and water recycling and reuse grant programs.

Federal Government News

Tongass National Forest, Alaska: Initiation of Land Management Plan Revision

The U.S. Forest Service announced the start of the Tongass National Forest Land Management Plan revision process, including the preparation of an environmental impact statement. The notice invites public comment through March 20, 2026, and signals anticipated releases of a draft revised plan and EIS in fall 2026, with the final documents expected May 2027. The review will update the nearly 30-year-old plan, reflecting changes in economic, social, and ecological conditions, agency priorities, and scientific findings. Six preliminary goals are identified, including modernization of plan structure, prioritization of local and regional prosperity in Southeast Alaska, accommodation of recreation and tourism growth, and integration of indigenous knowledge and subsistence uses. The revision will consider the impacts of executive orders focused on resource development and timber production and address issues unique to the Tongass such as riparian buffer management under the Tongass Timber Reform Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Oregon/Washington: Notice of Intent to Revise Resource Management Plans for Northwestern, Coastal, and Southwestern Oregon

The Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington announced intentions to revise the Northwestern and Coastal Oregon and Southwestern Oregon Resource Management Plans, replacing current plans to address shifts in timber harvest levels and forest health threats such as wildfires and invasive species. The revision will consider management alternatives affecting sustained yield timber harvest, fire hazard mitigation, and wildlife habitat, with public comments on the scope due March 23, 2026. The planning area covers 2.46 million acres across several Oregon counties, mostly Revested O&C and CBWR lands. Preliminary alternatives include a no action scenario and increased timber harvests, as well as reconsideration of existing Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). The revision process also incorporates compliance with the Endangered Species Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and engagement with Tribal governments.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Initiates Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Contaminated Lands Assistance Program

EPA Region 10 has announced the start of a programmatic Environmental Assessment and Section 106 review for the ANCSA Contaminated Lands Assistance Program. The scoping process will assess the environmental and sociocultural effects of funding cleanup and remediation efforts on contaminated ANCSA-conveyed lands, and will seek input from Alaska Native corporations, Tribes, state and federal agencies, with emphasis on historic property preservation, subsistence resource protection, wetlands, and cultural landscape. Comments and requests for consulting party status are due March 20, 2026. The proposed Programmatic Agreement under Section 106 aims to establish procedures for identification, evaluation, and mitigation of impacts to historic properties. EPA anticipates the process will reduce regulatory burdens for cooperative agreement recipients.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Colorado: Receipt of Final Proposed Tribal Energy Resource Agreement

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has received a final proposed Tribal Energy Resource Agreement (TERA) from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for energy-related leases and business agreements on the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado. The TERA would allow the Tribe, at its discretion, to manage energy development activities without further Secretary approval. Public comments concerning the final proposed TERA and related NEPA reviews are due by March 23, 2026. Following regulatory timelines, the Secretary must approve or disapprove within 270 days of receipt; if not, the TERA takes effect on the 271st day.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NAGPRA Inventory Completion Notice: University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History

The Florida Museum of Natural History has identified human remains of 416 individuals and 21,895 funerary objects from 24 sites across Florida, affiliated with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The objects include beads, shells, pottery, lithics, and fauna. Repatriation is scheduled to begin on or after March 23, 2026, following written requests from eligible Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, or descendants. The notice outlines resolution procedures for competing requests and fulfills administrative requirements under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Liquor Control Ordinance Published: Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of Sulphur Bank Rancheria, California

The Bureau of Indian Affairs published the Liquor Control Ordinance, enacted August 2025 by the Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians' Business Committee, regulating liquor activities on the reservation and trust lands. The ordinance details licensing protocols, enforcement procedures, revenue allocation, and civil penalties for violations. Compliance with federal (18 U.S.C. 1161) and California state law is required. Amendments must be certified and published by the Secretary of the Interior.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Arizona: Alcoholic Beverage Control Ordinance Published

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's amended Alcoholic Beverage Control Ordinance took effect February 18, 2026. The ordinance replaces the previous liquor law published in 2016, authorizing the regulation of licensing, sale, possession, distribution, and enforcement of alcoholic beverages on the reservation. Licensing options cover hotel-motels, casinos, golf clubs, restaurants, government entities, business ancillary, special events, sports stadiums, entertainment venues, and retail stores. Compliance with Arizona state law and applicable federal statutes is specified, and sanctions for violations range from license suspension to civil and criminal penalties.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act: Land Conveyance Notice of Decision

The Bureau of Land Management issued a decision approving conveyance of approximately 1,085 acres near Flat, Alaska, to Doyon, Limited, under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. The conveyance includes public access easements reserved to the United States. Parties claiming property interests may appeal by March 20, 2026, following procedures described by 43 CFR Part 4.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Rural Utilities Service: Extension Request for Broadband Technical Assistance Information Collection

USDA's Rural Utilities Service has requested public comment on the extension of its approved information collection for the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program. The BTA Program funds technical assistance providers and rural communities, including Tribes, to expand broadband in unserved rural areas. Comments on the proposed extension are due by April 20, 2026, under Docket No. RUS-26-TELECOM-0001. Respondent types eligible for assistance include Tribes, governments, non-profits, and corporations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Justice: Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) Feedback Form Collection

The Department of Justice issued a notice requesting comment by April 20, 2026, on the proposed reinstatement of the OVC TTAC Feedback Form Package, designed to assess satisfaction and outcomes in victim services training and technical assistance. The feedback will inform future improvements. Estimated respondents total 32,700, with an average response time of 20 minutes. The collection supports monitoring, accountability, and the needs of the victim services field.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HHS Office of Minority Health: Think Cultural Health Information Collection Request

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health seeks public comment on a reinstatement of its previously approved information collection for the Think Cultural Health online training and resources. The platform offers courses in cultural and linguistic competency for health professionals, who may earn continuing education credits. Annual estimated burden will increase due to greater online usage, with a total of 249,940 respondents projected to complete registration, evaluations, follow-up surveys, focus groups, or interviews. Comments are due by April 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Census Bureau: Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation Comment Request

The Census Bureau announced a request for public comments on the reinstatement of the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) operation, allowing tribal, state, and local governments to review and update census address lists ahead of the 2030 Census. The program aims to ensure accurate enumeration through updates to addresses, group quarters, and transitory locations. Participation includes preparatory, review, feedback, and closeout phases, and utilizes web-based tools. Estimated burden is 713,915 hours for 40,000 respondents. Comments are due by April 20, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump climate health rollback likely to hit poor, minority areas hardest, experts say: The rollback of federal climate health regulations may disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities, according to recent analysis.

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