[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 42597-42598] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-20157] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service 30 CFR Part 250 Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way; Correction AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Technical amendment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document makes technical amendments to regulations that were published in the Federal Register (July 24, 1997, 63 FR 39775; redesignated May 29, 1998, 63 FR 29479, 29486) and were codified in the July 1, 1998, edition of Title 30--Mineral Resources, Parts 200-699, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The regulations being corrected relate to the filing fee for applying for a pipeline right-of-way grant in the Outer Continental Shelf. This correction will reduce the filing fees required for converting existing lease term pipelines into right- of-way pipelines. EFFECTIVE DATE: August 5, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kumkum Ray (703) 787-1600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The final rules that we are correcting affect persons submitting applications to MMS for a pipeline right-of-way grant to convert existing lease term pipelines into right-of-way pipelines under 30 CFR 250.1010(a). In September 1997, MMS changed its regulations to raise the filing fee submitted with applications for pipeline right-of-way grants from $1,400 to $2,350. The filing fees MMS charges are based on our administrative costs in processing applications and documents that provide special benefits to non-Federal recipients above those that accrue to the public at large. Our regulations in Sec. 250.1010(a) state that ``* * * MMS periodically will amend the filing fee based on its experience with the costs for administering pipeline right-of-way applications. * * * MMS will amend the application fee * * * without notice and opportunity for comment.'' Since publishing this final regulation, we have determined that we incur only minimal expenses in administering applications to convert existing lease term pipelines into right-of-way pipelines and issue a pipeline right-of-way grant. Therefore, we are correcting the regulations at Sec. 250.1010(a) to reduce the pipeline right-of-way grant application filing fee for this type of application to $300, instead of the $2,350 application filing fee required for a pipeline right-of-way grant to install a new pipeline. The reduced amount reflects the average processing costs of these applications. Need for Correction As published, the final regulations contain the requirement for an application filing fee for a type of pipeline right-of-way grant that is higher than the administrative processing costs involved and needs to be corrected. List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250 Continental shelf, Environmental impact statements, Environmental protection, Geological and geophysical data, Government contracts, Incorporation by reference, Investigations, Mineral royalties, Oil and gas development and production, Oil and gas exploration, Oil and gas reserves, Penalties, Pipelines, Public lands--mineral resources, public lands--rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulphur development and production, Sulphur exploration, Surety bonds. Accordingly, 30 CFR part 250 is amended by making the following correcting technical amendment: PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 1. The authority citation for part 250 continues to read as follows: Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. Sec. 250.1010 [Corrected] 2. In Sec. 250.1010, the first five sentences in paragraph (a) are revised to read as follows: [[Page 42598]] Sec. 250.1010 Applications for a pipeline right-of-way grant. (a) You must submit an original and three copies of an application for a new or modified pipeline right-of-way grant to the Regional Supervisor. The application must address those items required by Sec. 250.1007 (a) or (b) of this subpart, as applicable. It must also state the primary purpose for which you will use the right-of-way grant. If the right-of-way has been used before the application is made, the application must state the date such use began, by whom, and the date the applicant obtained control of the improvement. When you file your application, you must pay the rental required under Sec. 250.1009(c)(2) of this subpart and a non-refundable filing fee of $2,350 for a pipeline right-of-way grant to install a new pipeline or a non-refundable filing fee of $300 for a pipeline right-of-way grant to convert an existing lease term pipeline into a right-of-way pipe- line. * * * * * * * * Dated: July 9, 1999. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Engineering and Operations Division. [FR Doc. 99-20157 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P