[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 165 (Monday, August 25, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49943-49949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19373]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Parts 203, 250, 251, 256, 280, 281, and 290

[Docket ID: MMS-2007-OMM-0065]
RIN 1010-AD43


Electronic Payment of Fees for Outer Continental Shelf Activities

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule requires that all lessees, operators, 
permittees, and right-of-way holders pay all fees for processing plans, 
applications, and permits electronically. This rule will aid industry 
in payment processing and reduce payment processing errors. This rule 
will improve MMS processing efficiency and facilitate the correction of 
industry payment errors. The MMS will not accept checks, money orders, 
or cashier's checks for payment of fees after the effective date of 
this final rule. The final rule also adjusts certain cost recovery fees 
for inflation.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule becomes effective on September 24, 
2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirk Malstrom, Office of Offshore 
Regulatory Programs, Regulations and Standards Branch, (703) 787-1751.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The MMS published a proposed rule on December 21, 2007 (72 FR 
72648), that would require all lessees, operators, pipeline right-of-
way (ROW) holders, and permittees to submit payments for cost recovery 
service fees electronically. The comment period for the proposed rule 
closed February 19, 2008, and Chevron submitted the one and only 
comment on the proposed rule. The commenter supports the concept of 
submitting fees electronically through Pay.gov. The commenter stated 
concerns about only using Pay.gov and provided rule language to allow 
alternatives for a different payment portal if so needed. The MMS 
believes Pay.gov to be the best option for paying

[[Page 49944]]

electronically. Pay.gov is the U.S. Treasury's government-wide 
collection portal which was developed specifically for Federal agencies 
to process collections electronically using Internet technologies.
    The MMS proposed the rulemaking to improve the application and fee 
process and to alleviate industry payment errors associated with non-
electronic payments. Most errors encountered are associated with check 
payments. Examples of check payment errors include incorrect date, 
incorrect payment amount, check sent to a different address than 
application, and closing an account shortly after the check is sent to 
MMS. Check payment errors can result in delay or lead to denial of an 
application or permit due to non-payment. Rectifying a check payment 
error requires additional time and expense from industry, MMS, or both. 
Electronic payments are more efficient and less prone to mistakes than 
check payments.
    This final rule has the same requirements as the proposed rule, 
with the exception of updating the cost recovery fees for inflation as 
allowed by 30 CFR 250.125(a). The proposed rule clearly states that the 
final rule will contain the updated fees. The following explains the 
methodology used to update the fees for inflation.
    There are two sets of fees that are adjusted. The first set of fees 
is from the 2005 cost recovery rule published August 25, 2005 (70 FR 
49871), and the second set of fees is from the 2006 cost recovery rule 
published July 19, 2006 (71 FR 40904). The fees in the 2005 cost 
recovery rule have been adjusted with inflation rates from 2005-2007 as 
shown in the following formula:

 
                                                                                                                                                                             2005 Cost Recovery
  2005 Cost  Recovery Fee Amount        2005 Annual Inflation      Adjusted Fee for 2005                                  Adjusted Fee for                                    Fee Adjusted for
           (Current Fee)             +   Rate  (AIR) of 3.23%   =           AIR            +    2006 AIR of 3.16%    =        2006 AIR         +    2007 AIR of 2.66%    =    2007 AIR (Updated
                                                                                                                                                                                    Fee)
 
 
 

To update the 2005 cost recovery rule fees, we started with the 2005 
fee amount and increased it by the 2005 inflation rate of 3.23 percent. 
We then used that adjusted amount and increased it by the 2006 
inflation rate of 3.16 percent. Finally, we used that latest adjusted 
amount and increased it by the 2007 inflation rate of 2.66 percent. The 
results were rounded to the nearest dollar and are part of the new fee 
amounts in this rule. The 2005 cost recovery rule fees increase by 
approximately 9 percent.
    The fees in the 2006 cost recovery rule are updated with inflation 
rates from 2006 and 2007 as shown in the following formula:

 
                                                                                                    2006 Cost
                                    2006 Annual                                                    Recovery Fee
   2006 Cost Recovery Fee      +   Inflation Rate   =    Adjusted Fee    +    2007 AIR of     =    Adjusted for
    Amount (Current Fee)           (AIR) of 3.16%        for 2006 AIR            2.66%               2007 AIR
                                                                                                  (Updated Fee)
 
 
 

To update the 2006 cost recovery rule fees, we used the fee amount set 
in the 2006 rule and increased it by the 2006 inflation rate of 3.16 
percent. We then used that adjusted rate and increased it by the 2007 
inflation rate of 2.66 percent. The results were rounded to the nearest 
dollar and are part of the new fee amounts in this rule. The 2006 cost 
recovery rule fees increase by approximately 6 percent.
    The inflation rates are calculated from the percent difference 
between the gross domestic product for one year and the previous year 
as contained in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Table 1.1.9., 
Implicit Price Deflators for Gross Domestic Product. The 2007 inflation 
rate of 2.66 percent is current as of the March 27, 2008, BEA table. We 
expect BEA to revise the rate during future updates and, as in the last 
few years, we expect revisions to be upward. Even if BEA revises the 
inflation rate, MMS will retain the published fee schedule until the 
next update or fee recalculation. The MMS also made a few minor 
additional changes to the proposed rule for clarity.

Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order (E.O.) 12866)

    This final rule is not a significant rule as defined by E.O. 12866 
and is not subject to review under E.O. 12866.
    (1) This final rule will not have an annual effect of $100 million 
or more on the economy. It will not adversely affect in a material way 
the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities. This final rule will require all fees be paid 
electronically through Pay.gov and adjust certain cost recovery fees by 
inflation only. This rulemaking does slightly increase costs due to 
inflation of the cost recovery fees; however, the total annual increase 
in fees industry-wide is estimated at $800,000. No new equipment is 
required by this rulemaking.
    (2) This final rule will not create a serious inconsistency or 
otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. 
By requiring electronic payment through the Pay.gov system, MMS is 
supporting the President's Management Agenda of expanding electronic 
government or ``E-Government.''
    (3) This final rule will not alter the budgetary effects of 
entitlements, grants, user fees or loan programs, or the rights or 
obligations of their recipients.
    (4) This final rule will not raise novel legal or policy issues.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this final rule will 
not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
    The changes in the rule will affect lessees, operators of leases, 
pipeline right-of-way (ROW) holders in the OCS, and permittees. This 
could include about 130 active Federal oil and gas lessees, 88 pipeline 
ROW holders, and 10 geophysical companies. Small lessees that operate 
under this rule mostly fall under the Small Business Administration's 
(SBA) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes 
211111, Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction, and 213111, 
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells. For these NAICS code classifications, a 
small

[[Page 49945]]

company is one with fewer than 500 employees. Based on these criteria, 
an estimated 70 percent of these companies are considered small.
    A pipeline ROW holder (non-producer) is a small entity if it is a 
liquid pipeline company with fewer than 1,500 employees, or a natural 
gas pipeline company with gross annual receipts of $6.5 million or 
less. We estimate that 18 entities could be categorized as small 
independent pipeline companies in the sense that they provide 
transportation services for several non-major oil or gas producers. 
These companies are classified by NAICS codes 486110, Pipeline 
Transportation of Crude Oil, and 486210, Pipeline Transportation of 
Natural Gas.
    The SBA classifies geophysical surveying and mapping service 
companies under the NAICS Code 541360. The criteria for determining a 
small entity for this classification code is annual receipts of less 
than $4.5 million. All of the 10 geophysical companies potentially 
affected by this final rule have annual receipts greater than $4.5 
million.
    There are 228 companies affected by this proposed rule, of which 
109 would be considered small businesses. This rule, therefore, affects 
a substantial number of small entities.
    The changes in the rule will not have a significant economic effect 
on a substantial number of small entities. There is no credit card or 
automated clearing house (ACH) fee for using Pay.gov. We do not expect 
any company to incur significant other costs because no special 
software or other equipment is required to pay through Pay.gov or ACH. 
We have no information that any company will incur any costs associated 
with accounting processes, changes in business procedures, or other 
compliance costs.
    Also, the cost recovery fees are being updated with only a small 
percentage rate accounting for inflation only. In the fiscal year 2007, 
MMS collected approximately $12 million in cost recovery fees from 
industry. After a simple economic analysis, once the fees are adjusted 
for inflation there will only be an industry-wide estimated annual 
increase of $800,000. The increases in fees are negligible compared to 
the costs of operating on the OCS and will not stop a company of any 
size from operating on the OCS.
    Your comments are important. The Small Business and Agriculture 
Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards were 
established to receive comments from small businesses about Federal 
agency enforcement actions. The Ombudsman will annually evaluate the 
enforcement activities and rate each agency's responsiveness to small 
business. If you wish to comment on the actions of MMS, call 1-888-734-
3247. You may comment to the Small Business Administration without fear 
of retaliation.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The final rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2) of the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This final rule:
    a. Will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more.
    b. Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    c. Will not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This final rule will not impose an unfunded mandate on State, 
local, or tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 
million per year. The final rule will not have a significant or unique 
effect on State, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. A 
statement containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.

Takings Implication Assessment (E.O. 12630)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 12630, this rule does not have 
significant takings implications. The rule is not a governmental action 
capable of interference with constitutionally protected property 
rights. A Takings Implication Assessment is not required.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 13132, this rule does not have 
federalism implications. This rule will not substantially and directly 
affect the relationship between the Federal and State governments. To 
the extent that State and local governments have a role in OCS 
activities, this rule will not affect that role. A Federalism 
Assessment is not required.

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This final rule complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988. 
Specifically, this rule:
    (a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all 
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity, be written 
to minimize litigation, and promote simplification and burden 
reduction; and
    (b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all 
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal 
standards.

Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 13175, we have evaluated this rule and 
determined that it has no substantial direct effects on federally 
recognized Indian tribes. There are no Indian or tribal lands in the 
OCS.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The rule contains no new reporting or recordkeeping requirements, 
and an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) submission under section 
3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)) is not 
required. The PRA provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information and 
assigns a control number, you are not required to respond. The 
regulations will specify that all operators, lessees, and ROW holders 
must now use Pay.gov for every fee that will be submitted to MMS. The 
revisions in this rulemaking refer to, but do not change, information 
collection requirements in numerous current regulations. The OMB 
approved the referenced information collection requirements under OMB 
Control Numbers 1010-0071, 1010-0114, 1010-0151, 1010-0141, 1010-0067, 
1010-0043, 1010-0059, 1010-0149, 1010-0050, 1010-0051, 1010-0086, 1010-
0142, 1010-0048, 1010-0006, and 1010-0072, respectively.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This final rule does not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The MMS 
has analyzed this rule under the criteria of the National Environmental 
Policy Act, 516 Departmental Manual (DM) 2.3, and 516 DM 2, Appendix 1, 
and determined that it falls within the categorical exclusion for 
``regulations * * * that are of an administrative, financial, legal, 
technical, or procedural nature.'' The MMS Categorical Exclusion Review 
for this action concluded that the provisions of this rule are 
administrative. Furthermore, MMS concluded that the rulemaking does not 
involve an extraordinary circumstance set forth in 516 DM 2, Appendix 
2. For

[[Page 49946]]

these reasons, preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement is not required.

Data Quality Act

    In developing this rule we did not conduct or use a study, 
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act 
(Pub. L. 106-554, app. C Sec.  515, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-153-154).

Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)

    This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition 
in E.O. 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

Clarity of This Regulation

    We are required by E.O. 12866, E.O. 12988, and by the Presidential 
Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This 
means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that you find unclear, which sections or sentences are 
too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, 
etc.

List of Subjects

30 CFR Part 203

    Continental shelf, Mineral royalties, Oil and gas exploration, 
Public lands--mineral resources.

30 CFR Part 250

    Administrative practice and procedure, Continental shelf, 
Pipelines, Public lands--mineral resources, Public lands--rights-of-
way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

30 CFR Part 251

    Continental shelf, Public lands--mineral resources, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

30 CFR Part 256

    Administrative practice and procedure, Public lands--mineral 
resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

30 CFR Part 280

    Continental Shelf, Public lands--mineral resources, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

30 CFR Part 281

    Administrative practice and procedure, Continental shelf, Public 
lands--mineral resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

30 CFR Part 290

    Administrative practice and procedure.

    Dated: August 8, 2008.
C. Stephen Allred,
Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Minerals Management Service 
(MMS) amends 30 CFR parts 203, 250, 251, 256, 280, 281, and 290 as 
follows:

PART 203--RELIEF OR REDUCTION IN ROYALTY RATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 203 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396; 25 U.S.C. 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189, 241; 30 
U.S.C. 359; 30 U.S.C. 1023; 30 U.S.C. 1751; 31 U.S.C. 9701; and 43 
U.S.C. 1334.


0
2. Revise Sec.  203.3 and its heading to read as follows:


Sec.  203.3  Do I have to pay a fee to request royalty relief?

    When you submit an application or ask for a preview assessment, you 
must include a fee to reimburse us for our costs of processing your 
application or assessment. Federal policy and law require us to recover 
the cost of services that confer special benefits to identifiable non-
Federal recipients. The Independent Offices Appropriation Act (31 
U.S.C. 9701), Office of Management and Budget Circular A-25, and the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996) authorize us to collect these fees.
    (a) We will specify the necessary fees for each of the types of 
royalty relief applications and possible MMS audits in a Notice to 
Lessees. We will periodically update the fees to reflect changes in 
costs, as well as provide other information necessary to administer 
royalty relief.
    (b) You must file all payments electronically through the Pay.gov 
Web site and you must include a copy of the Pay.gov confirmation 
receipt page with your application or assessment. The Pay.gov Web site 
may be accessed through a link on the MMS Offshore Web site at: http://www.mms.gov/offshore/ homepage or directly through Pay.gov at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/.

PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER 
CONTINENTAL SHELF

0
3. The authority citation for part 250 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 43 U.S.C. 1334.


0
4. Revise the table in Sec.  250.125(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  250.125  Service fees.

    (a) * * *

                            Service Fee Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Service--processing of the
          following:                  Fee amount         30 CFR citation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Change in Designation of    $164..................  Sec.
 Operator.                                               250.143(d).
(2) Right-of-Use and Easement   $2,569................  Sec.   250.165.
 for State lessee.
(3) Suspension of Operations/   $1,968................  Sec.
 Suspension of Production (SOO/                          250.171(e).
 SOP) Request.
(4) Exploration Plan (EP).....  $3,442 for each         Sec.
                                 surface location; no    250.211(d).
                                 fee for revisions.
(5) Development and Production  $3,971 for each well    Sec.
 Plan (DPP) or Development       proposed; no fee for    250.241(e).
 Operations Coordination         revisions.
 Document (DOCD).
(6) Deepwater Operations Plan.  $3,336................  Sec.
                                                         250.292(p).
(7) Conservation Information    $25,629...............  Sec.
 Document.                                               250.296(a).

[[Page 49947]]

 
(8) Application for Permit to   $1,959 for initial      Sec.
 Drill (APD; Form MMS-123).      applications only; no   250.410(d);
                                 fee for revisions.      Sec.   250.411;
                                                         Sec.   250.460;
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.513(b);
                                                         Sec.   250.515;
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.1605; Sec.
                                                          250.1617(a);
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.1622.
(9) Application for Permit to   $116..................  Sec.   250.460;
 Modify (APM; Form MMS-124).                             Sec.
                                                         250.465(b);
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.513(b);
                                                         Sec.   250.515;
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.613(b);
                                                         Sec.   250.615;
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.1618(a);
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.1622; Sec.
                                                          250.1704(g).
(10) New Facility Production    $5,030 A component is   Sec.
 Safety System Application for   a piece of equipment    250.802(e).
 facility with more than 125     or ancillary system
 components.                     that is protected by
                                 one or more of the
                                 safety devices
                                 required by API RP
                                 14C (incorporated by
                                 reference as
                                 specified in Sec.
                                 250.198); $13,238
                                 additional fee will
                                 be charged if MMS
                                 deems it necessary to
                                 visit a facility
                                 offshore, and $6,884
                                 to visit a facility
                                 in a shipyard.
(11) New Facility Production    $1,218 Additional fee   Sec.
 Safety System Application for   of $8,313 will be       250.802(e).
 facility with 25-125            charged if MMS deems
 components.                     it necessary to visit
                                 a facility offshore,
                                 and $4,766 to visit a
                                 facility in a
                                 shipyard.
(12) New Facility Production    $604..................  Sec.
 Safety System Application for                           250.802(e).
 facility with fewer than 25
 components.
(13) Production Safety System   $561..................  Sec.
 Application--Modification                               250.802(e).
 with more than 125 components
 reviewed.
(14) Production Safety System   $201..................  Sec.
 Application--Modification                               250.802(e).
 with 25-125 components
 reviewed.
(15) Production Safety System   $85...................  Sec.
 Application--Modification                               250.802(e).
 with fewer than 25 components
 reviewed.
(16) Platform Application--     $21,075...............  Sec.
 Installation--Under the                                 250.905(k).
 Platform Verification Program.
(17) Platform Application--     $3,018................  Sec.
 Installation--Fixed Structure                           250.905(k).
 Under the Platform Approval
 Program.
(18) Platform Application--     $1,536................  Sec.
 Installation--Caisson/Well                              250.905(k).
 Protector.
(19) Platform Application--     $3,601................  Sec.
 Modification/Repair.                                    250.905(k).
(20) New Pipeline Application   $3,283................  Sec.
 (Lease Term).                                           250.1000(b).
(21) Pipeline Application--     $1,906................  Sec.
 Modification (Lease Term).                              250.1000(b).
(22) Pipeline Application--     $3,865................  Sec.
 Modification (ROW).                                     250.1000(b).
(23) Pipeline Repair            $360..................  Sec.
 Notification.                                           250.1008(e).
(24) Pipeline Right-of-Way      $2,569................  Sec.
 (ROW) Grant Application.                                250.1015(a).
(25) Pipeline Conversion of     $219..................  Sec.
 Lease Term to ROW.                                      250.1015(a).
(26) Pipeline ROW Assignment..  $186..................  Sec.
                                                         250.1018(b).
(27) 500 Feet From Lease/Unit   $3,608................  Sec.
 Line Production Request.                                250.1101(f).
(28) Gas Cap Production         $4,592................  Sec.
 Request.                                                250.1101(f).
(29) Downhole Commingling       $5,357................  Sec.
 Request.                                                250.1106(d).
(30) Complex Surface            $3,760................  Sec.
 Commingling and Measurement                             250.1202(a);
 Application.                                            Sec.
                                                         250.1203(b);
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.1204(a).
(31) Simple Surface             $1,271................  Sec.
 Commingling and Measurement                             250.1202(a);
 Application.                                            Sec.
                                                         250.1203(b);
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.1204(a).
(32) Voluntary Unitization      $11,698...............  Sec.
 Proposal or Unit Expansion.                             250.1303(d).
(33) Unitization Revision.....  $831..................  Sec.
                                                         250.1303(d).
(34) Application to Remove a    $4,342................  Sec.   250.1727.
 Platform or Other Facility.
(35) Application to             $1,059................  Sec.
 Decommission a Pipeline                                 250.1751(a) or
 (Lease Term).                                           Sec.
                                                         250.1752(a).
(36) Application to             $2,012................  Sec.
 Decommission a Pipeline (ROW).                          250.1751(a) or
                                                         Sec.
                                                         250.1752(a).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *


0
5. Revise Sec.  250.126 to read as follows:


Sec.  250.126  Electronic payment instructions.

    You must file all payments electronically through Pay.gov. This 
includes, but is not limited to, all OCS applications or filing fee 
payments. The Pay.gov Web site may be accessed through a link on the 
MMS Offshore Web site at: http://www.mms.gov/offshore/ homepage or 
directly through Pay.gov at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/.
    (a) If you submitted an application through eWell, you must use the 
interactive payment feature in that system, which directs you through 
Pay.gov.
    (b) For applications not submitted electronically through eWell, 
you must use credit card or automated clearing house (ACH) payments 
through the Pay.gov Web site, and you must include a copy of the 
Pay.gov confirmation receipt page with your application.

[[Page 49948]]


0
6. Revise Sec.  250.160(h) to read as follows:


Sec.  250.160  When will MMS grant me a right-of-use and easement, and 
what requirements must I meet?

* * * * *
    (h) You may make the rental payments required by paragraph (g)(1) 
and (g)(2) of this section on an annual basis, for a 5-year period, or 
for multiples of 5 years. You must make the first payment 
electronically through Pay.gov and you must include a copy of the 
Pay.gov confirmation receipt page with your right-of-use and easement 
application. You must make all subsequent payments before the 
respective time periods begin.
* * * * *

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

0
7. The authority citation for part 251 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 43 U.S.C. 1334.


0
8. Revise Sec.  251.5(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  251.5  Applying for permits or filing Notices.

    (a) Permits. You must submit a signed original and three copies of 
the MMS permit application form (Form MMS-327). The form includes names 
of persons; the type, location, purpose, and dates of activity; and 
environmental and other information. A nonrefundable service fee of 
$2,012 must be paid electronically through Pay.gov at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/, and you must include a copy of the Pay.gov 
confirmation receipt page with your application.
* * * * *

PART 256--LEASING OF SULPHUR OR OIL AND GAS IN THE OUTER 
CONTINENTAL SHELF

0
9. The authority citation for part 256 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 42 U.S.C. 6213, 43 U.S.C. 1334.


0
10. Revise the table in Sec.  256.63(a) to read as follows:
    (a) * * *

                            Service Fee Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              30 CFR
                 Service                    Fee amount       citation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Record Title/Operating Rights                   $186   Sec.   256.64
 (Transfer).............................
(2) Non-required Document Filing........              27   Sec.   256.64
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
11. Revise Sec.  256.64(a)(8) to read as follows:


Sec.  256.64  How to file transfers.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (8) You must pay electronically through Pay.gov at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/ the service fee listed in Sec.  256.63 of this 
subpart and you must include a copy of the Pay.gov confirmation receipt 
page with your application for approval of any instrument of transfer 
you are required to file (Record Title/Operating Rights (Transfer) 
Fee). Where multiple transfers of interest are included in a single 
instrument, a separate fee applies to each individual transfer of 
interest. For any document you are not required to file by these 
regulations but which you submit for record purposes, you must also pay 
electronically through Pay.gov the service fee listed in Sec.  256.63 
(Non-required Document Filing Fee) per lease affected, and you must 
include a copy of the Pay.gov confirmation receipt page with your 
document. Such documents may be rejected at the discretion of the 
authorized officer.
* * * * *

PART 280--PROSPECTING FOR MINERALS OTHER THAN OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR 
ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

0
12. The authority citation for part 280 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 43 U.S.C. 1334.


0
13. Revise Sec.  280.12(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  280.12  What must I include in my application or notification?

    (a) Permits. You must submit to the Regional Director a signed 
original and three copies of the permit application form (Form MMS-134) 
at least 30 days before the startup date for activities in the permit 
area. If unusual circumstances prevent you from meeting this deadline, 
you must immediately contact the Regional Director to arrange an 
acceptable deadline. The form includes names of persons; the type, 
location, purpose, and dates of activity; and environmental and other 
information. A nonrefundable service fee of $2,012 must be paid 
electronically through Pay.gov at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/, and you 
must include a copy of the Pay.gov confirmation receipt page with your 
application.
* * * * *

PART 281--LEASING OF MINERALS OTHER THAN OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR IN 
THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

0
14. The authority citation for part 281 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 43 U.S.C. 1334.


0
15. Revise Sec.  281.41(a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  281.41  Requirements for filing for transfers.

    (a) * * *
    (2) An application for approval of any instrument required to be 
filed will not be accepted unless a nonrefundable fee of $50 is paid 
electronically through Pay.gov at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/ and a 
copy of the Pay.gov confirmation receipt page is included with your 
application. For any document you are not required to file by these 
regulations but which you submit for record purposes, you must also pay 
electronically through Pay.gov a nonrefundable fee of $50 per lease 
affected, and you must include a copy of the Pay.gov confirmation 
receipt page with your document. Such documents may be rejected at the 
discretion of the authorized officer.
* * * * *

PART 290--APPEAL PROCEDURES

0
16. The authority citation for part 290 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 25 U.S.C. 396, 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189, 
359, 1023, 1701 et seq., 1751(a); 31 U.S.C. 3716, 9701; and 43 
U.S.C. 1334.


0
17. Revise Sec.  290.4(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  290.4  How do I file an appeal?

* * * * *
    (b) A nonrefundable processing fee of $150 paid with the Notice of 
Appeal.

[[Page 49949]]

    (1) You must pay electronically through Pay.gov at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/, and you must include a copy of the Pay.gov 
confirmation receipt page with your Notice of Appeal.
    (2) You cannot extend the 60-day period for payment of the 
processing fee.

[FR Doc. E8-19373 Filed 8-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P