[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11634-11635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6062]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Parts 243, 250, and 290, and 43 CFR Part 4

RIN 1010-AC21 and AC08


Administrative Appeals Process and Policy for Release of Third-
Party Proprietary Information

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a public workshop.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is announcing a second 
public workshop to discuss plans to revise its regulations governing 
MMS's administrative appeals and alternative dispute resolution 
processes, including authority for disclosure of third-party 
proprietary information. The revisions are based in large part on a 
report and recommendations from the Royalty Policy Committee, which 
provides advice to the Secretary of the Interior under the authority of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Interested

[[Page 11635]]

parties are invited to attend and participate in the workshop and are 
requested to register in advance.

DATES: The public workshop will be held on Monday, March 30, 1998, 
10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held in the Building 85 Auditorium at 
the Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado. You also may mail comments 
to Hugh Hilliard, as listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hugh Hilliard, Chief, Appeals 
Division (MS 4230), or Ms. Charlotte Bennett, Appeals Division, (MS 
4230), Minerals Management Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, 
D.C., 20240, telephone number (202) 208-2622, fax number (202) 219-
5565, e:mail: Hugh.H[email protected] or Charlotte.B[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to the notice of proposed rule 
to amend regulations governing the administrative appeals process, 
published in the Federal Register on October 28, 1996 (61 FR 55607), 
MMS received as a comment a comprehensive report from the Royalty 
Policy Committee (RPC), which adopted a recommendation from its Appeals 
and Alternative Dispute Resolution Subcommittee. The RPC, which is 
composed of representatives from states, Indian tribes and allottees, 
the mineral industries, other Federal agencies, and the public, advises 
the Secretary of the Interior under a charter authorized by the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act. On March 27, 1997, the RPC sent its report to 
the Secretary and requested adoption of its proposal in lieu of the 
October 28, 1996, proposed rule.
    The Secretary sent a response to the RPC on September 22, 1997, 
stating that the Department planned to prepare revised proposed 
regulations to implement the RPC proposal, with several changes. The 
Secretary also stated that the public would have the opportunity to 
comment on these proposed regulations, which could change before they 
become final. MMS held its first public workshop on this matter on 
January 27, 1998 (see Federal Register notice at 62 FR 68244, December 
31, 1997, for additional background provided before the first meeting).
    The revised notice of proposed rule will affect not only appeals 
involving actions taken by officials of the MMS's Royalty Management 
Program, but also will affect appeals involving actions taken by the 
Offshore Minerals Management Program of MMS under the regulations at 30 
CFR Part 250. In addition, the rule will affect activities of the 
Office of Hearings and Appeals, Interior Board of Land Appeals, as set 
out at 43 CFR Part 4 (though these effects are expected to be limited 
to appeals generated by actions of the Minerals Management Service).
    We invite participation at the workshop by representatives of 
states, Indian tribes and allottees, the minerals industries, and the 
general public. We plan to present our initial views as to what will be 
in the revised proposed rule and to engage in open discussion with 
participants about any suggestions for improvement.
    In order to help us plan for a successful workshop, we would 
appreciate your pre-registration by March 16. If you plan to attend, 
please contact Ms. Charlotte Bennett, using the methods provided in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, and provide 
your name, address, and telephone and fax numbers. This will help us to 
ensure sufficient space for all and to provide you with any relevant 
information available in advance of the meeting. In particular, we 
intend to distribute in advance a draft version of the revised notice 
of proposed rule.

    Dated: March 3, 1998.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Associate Director for Policy and Management Improvement.
[FR Doc. 98-6062 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P