[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3856-3857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1675]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Parts 251, 254, and 282

RIN 1010-AC32


Outer Continental Shelf Appeals Procedures

AGENCY:  Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION:  Technical amendments.

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SUMMARY:  This document makes technical changes to regulations that 
were published in various Federal Register documents and are codified 
in the July 1, 1999, edition of Title 30--Minerals Resources, Parts 
200-699. The changes are necessary to make the references to appeals 
procedures in various parts of our regulations consistent with the new 
MMS appeal procedures regulations.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  January 25, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Greg Gould, (703) 787-1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    These technical amendments affect all offshore operators, lessees, 
and permittees. On May 13, 1999 (64 FR 26240), MMS published final 
regulations, effective the same date, governing the appeal of orders 
and decisions from MMS's Royalty Management and Offshore Minerals 
Management Programs in 30 CFR parts 208, 241, 242, 243, 250, and 290. 
The final regulations neglected to amend several other sections of our 
Offshore Minerals Management regulations in parts 251, 254, and 282 to 
make them consistent with the MMS Appeals rule. This was an inadvertent 
oversight that we are now correcting.

Need for Correction

    As published, the final regulations contain inconsistencies with 
the intent of the appeals final rulemaking, which may prove to be 
misleading, and are in need of clarification.

List of Subjects

30 CFR Part 251

    Continental shelf, Freedom of information, Oil and gas exploration, 
Public lands--mineral resources, Public lands--rights-of-way, Report 
and recordkeeping requirements, Research.

30 CFR Part 254

    Continental shelf, Environmental protection, Oil and gas 
development and production, Oil and gas exploration, Pipelines, Public 
lands--mineral resources, Public lands--rights-of-way, Report and 
recordkeeping requirements.

30 CFR Part 282

    Continental shelf, Prospecting, Public lands--mineral resources, 
Public lands--rights-of-way, Report and recordkeeping requirements, 
Research.

    Accordingly, 30 CFR parts 251, 254, and 282 are amended by making 
the following technical amendments:

PART 251--GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL (G&G) EXPLORATIONS OF THE 
OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

    1. The authority citation for part 251 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.


Sec. 251.10  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 251.10, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 251.10  Penalties and appeals.

* * * * *
    (c) Procedures to appeal orders or decisions MMS issues. See 30 CFR 
part 290 for instructions on how to appeal any order or decision that 
we issue under this part.

PART 254--OIL-SPILL RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITIES LOCATED 
SEAWARD OF THE COAST LINE

    3. The authority citation for part 254 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321.


Sec. 254.8  [Amended]

    4. Section 254.8 and its title are revised to read as follows:

[[Page 3857]]

Sec. 254.8  May I appeal decisions under this part?

    See 30 CFR part 290 for instructions on how to appeal any order or 
decision that we issue under this part.

PART 282--OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF FOR MINERALS 
OTHER THAN OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR

    5. The authority citation for part 282 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.


Sec. 282.50  [Amended]

    6. Section 282.50 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 282.50  Appeals.

    See 30 CFR part 290 for instructions on how to appeal any order or 
decision that we issue under this part.

    Dated: January 11, 2000.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 00-1675 Filed 1-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-U