[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 43 (Friday, March 3, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11475-11476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5052]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

43 CFR Part 3500

[WO-320-1330-PB-24 A]
RIN 1004-AC49


Leasing of Solid Minerals Other Than Coal and Oil Shale; 
Correction

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Correcting amendments.

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SUMMARY: This document contains corrections to the final regulations 
for leasing of solid minerals other than coal and oil shale published 
in the Federal Register on October 1, 1999 (64 FR 53512).

DATES: Effective on November 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Allard, (202) 452-5195, or 
Chris Fontecchio, (202) 452-5012.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

Need for Correction

    The final regulations as published contained several errors which 
may

[[Page 11476]]

confuse or mislead the public. We need to correct these errors to 
clarify the regulations.
    In paragraph (b) of Sec. 3504.15, we have a table that has 
alphabetic identifiers. This results in citations such as 
Sec. 3504.15(b)(b) which could be confusing. Therefore, we are changing 
the alphabetic identifiers in the table from (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), 
(f), and (g) to the identifiers (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) 
respectively.
    In the newly redesignated paragraph (b)(3) of Sec. 3504.15 we are 
changing the word ``Potash'' to the word ``Potassium'' to be consistent 
with the use of the word ``potassium'' in other parts of the rule.
    In Sec. 3506.14(a) we used the word ``form'' instead of the word 
``from''. Therefore we are changing the word ``form'' to the word 
``from'.
    In one case we have two sections of the rule that address the same 
issue but contradict each other. The second sentence of 
Sec. 3504.12(a)(1) states that no filing fee is required with 
preference right lease applications; however, Sec. 3507.16 states that 
one must include a $25 nonrefundable filing fee with a preference right 
lease application. This is clearly contradictory. We did not intend to 
create any new filing fees when we issued this rule. In our previous 
rule we did not require a filing fee with preference right lease 
applications. See for example Secs. 3513.1-1, 3523.1-1, 3533.1-1, 
3543.1-1, 3553.1-1, and 3563.1-1 of the previous rule. Therefore, we 
are correcting Sec. 3507.16 to state that no filing fee is required 
when one applies for a preference right lease.
    In Sec. 3508.21 we have a subsection (b) but we have no subsection 
(a). We intended subsection (a) to begin at the first sentence. 
Therefore we are inserting the identifier ``(a)'' at the beginning of 
the first sentence of the section.

List of Subjects in 43 CFR Part 3500

    Government contracts, Mineral royalties, Public lands-mineral 
resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Surety bonds.

    Dated: February 25, 2000.
Carson W. Culp,
Assistant Director, Energy and Mineral Resources.


    Accordingly, BLM makes the following correcting amendments to 43 
CFR Part 3500:

PART 3500--LEASING OF SOLID MINERALS OTHER THAN COAL AND OIL SHALE

    1. The authority citation for part 3500 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 30 U.S.C. 189 and 192c; 43 U.S.C. 1733 
and 1740; and sec. 402, Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1946 (5 U.S.C. 
app.).


    2. Correct paragraph (b) of Sec. 3504.15 to read as follows:


Sec. 3504.15  How does BLM determine my rent?

* * * * *
    (b) Annual rental rates for leases for each commodity are shown in 
the table below. The rate shown is for each acre or fraction of an acre 
in the lease.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Year 6 to
                                                  Year 1     Year 2     Year 3     Year 4     Year 5      end
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Phosphate.................................      $0.25      $0.50      $0.50      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00
(2) Sodium....................................       0.25       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50       1.00
(3) Potassium.................................       0.25       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50       1.00
(4) Sulphur...................................       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50
(5) Gilsonite.................................       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50
(6) Hardrock..................................       1.00       1.00       1.00       1.00       1.00       1.00
(7) Asphalt...................................       0.25       0.50       0.50       0.50       0.50       1.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    3. Correct Sec. 3506.14(a) to read as follows:


Sec. 3506.14  May others participate in the exploration program?

    (a) If any person wants to participate in the exploration program, 
you and BLM must receive written notice from that person within 30 days 
after the later of the final newspaper publication or the end of the 
BLM 30-day posting period.
* * * * *
    4. Correct Sec. 3507.16 to read as follows:


Sec. 3507.16  Is there a fee or payment required with my application?

    Yes. You must submit the first year's rent with your application. 
Determine the first year's rent from the provisions in Sec. 3504.15 of 
this part. There is no filing fee.

    5. Correct the first sentence of Sec. 3508.21 to read as follows:


Sec. 3508.21  What happens if I am the successful bidder?

    (a) If you are the highest qualified bidder and we determine that 
your bid meets or exceeds fair market value, we will send you copies of 
the lease on the form attached to the detailed statement. * * *
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 00-5052 Filed 3-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P