[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4601]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

25 CFR Ch. I

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Ch. II

Geological Survey

30 CFR Ch. IV

Bureau of Mines

30 CFR Ch. VI

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Ch. VII

National Park Service

36 CFR Ch. I

Office of the Secretary

43 CFR Subtitle A

48 CFR Ch. 14

Bureau of Reclamation

43 CFR Ch. I

Bureau of Land Management

43 CFR Ch. II

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Chs. I and IV

 

Review of Existing Significant Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent of periodic reviews of regulations; request 
for comment.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Executive Order 12866 (the ``Order''), the 
Department of the Interior (``DOI'') is announcing its intent to 
establish periodic reviews of all ``significant'' regulations published 
by the Department. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that all 
significant DOI regulations are efficient and effective, impose the 
least possible burden upon the public, and are tailored no broader than 
necessary to meet the objectives of the program being implemented. The 
purpose of this notice is to seek public comment on which DOI 
regulations should be reviewed, the best means for ensuring appropriate 
public involvement in the review process, and on mechanisms or 
processes to ensure that thorough reviews are conducted at appropriate 
intervals.

DATES: Written comments must be received by May 2, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments to Bill Vincent, Deputy 
Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, 
Mail Stop 6214 MIB, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bill Vincent, Deputy Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, phone 
(202) 208-5271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 5 of the Order requires all federal agencies to establish 
periodic reviews of all ``significant'' regulations currently published 
in the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of these reviews is to 
ensure that regulations help provide the highest possible quality 
services to the public, are tailored no broader than necessary to 
efficiently and effectively meet program objectives and Presidential 
priorities, and impose the least possible burden on the public.
    DOI is developing a methodology for conducting these reviews and is 
seeking public comment to help determine which regulations should be 
reviewed as part of this process, to develop a mechanism to encourage 
the fullest appropriate public involvement in the review process, and 
to develop schedules for conducting reviews at appropriate intervals. 
DOI intends to solicit public comment on the substance of the reviews 
at a later date by publishing in the Federal Register a listing of all 
rules subject to review and inviting public comments on those rules.

Review Plan

    To implement the Order, the Department first is seeking to 
determine which regulations should be reviewed within the next two 
years. Each bureau and office currently is identifying all 
``significant'' existing regulations within their respective program 
areas. The Order defines a ``significant'' regulation as any regulation

That is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual 
effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in 
a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, 
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or 
State, local, or tribal governments, or communities; (2) Create a 
serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or 
planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact 
of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights 
and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or 
policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's 
priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive order.

    In determining which existing regulations are significant, DOI 
plans to consider all regulations within their programmatic context. As 
a result, rules that are not ``significant'' standing alone may be 
significant as part of a broader programmatic scheme and, therefore, 
may be subject to review.
    Although the Order requires only the review of existing 
``significant'' regulations, DOI will consider reviewing any existing 
regulation that is identified as in need of review. Commenters 
therefore are encouraged to identify such regulations, and to explain 
briefly why review is important at this time.
    Commenters also may indicate how regulatory changes will improve 
the services we provide to our customers, the public. Service 
improvement includes better access to services, improved responsiveness 
to requests and applications, reduced waiting times for processing 
information and decisionmaking, and better mechanisms for including 
customers' needs and desires in the decisionmaking process. In 
achieving such service improvements, the Department is committed to 
using modern management techniques wherever practical. These techniques 
include: (1) Empowering managers and employees to achieve results 
rather than simply adhering to rigid bureaucratic procedures; (2) 
ensuring that authority, responsibility, and accountability are placed 
at the most appropriate levels; and (3) seeking methods to ensure 
continuous improvements in quality and program integrity while 
minimizing administrative expenses.
    The Department intends to encourage the fullest appropriate public 
involvement in the review process. Commenters should indicate the best 
means for ensuring appropriate public participation. The Department is 
willing to meet with industry, interest groups, and others to discuss 
their ideas on regulatory reform. The Department also intends to 
coordinate with other federal agencies and state, local, and tribal 
governments to ensure that regulatory policies are clear and consistent 
and to minimize unnecessary overlap and duplication.
    Commenters also may suggest mechanisms and processes they believe 
will help ensure that thorough reviews are conducted in a periodic and 
timely manner. Currently, the Department intends, wherever possible, to 
conduct periodic reviews concurrently with reviews required by statute 
or other competent legal authority. Where such mandated reviews do not 
exist, however, the Department intends to develop review schedules that 
are appropriate for particular program areas. Commenters should 
indicate the frequency with which reviews should be conducted. Although 
the timing of specific reviews may vary, the Department is considering 
requiring that the first cycle of reviews, including the implementation 
of any recommended changes, be completed by June 30, 1996.

    Dated: February 23, 1994.
Bill Vincent,
Deputy Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-4601 Filed 2-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-01-M