[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]


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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.

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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