[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