[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77984-77987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30623]



[[Page 77983]]

Vol. 80

Tuesday,

No. 240

December 15, 2015

Part XI





Department of the Interior





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 77984]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

25 CFR Ch. I

30 CFR Chs. II and VII

36 CFR Ch. I

43 CFR Subtitle A, Chs. I and II

48 CFR Ch. 14

50 CFR Chs. I and IV

[XXXD4523WS DS6CS00000 DWS000000.000000 DP.6CS05 241A0]


Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides the semiannual agenda of rules scheduled 
for review or development between fall 2015 and fall 2016. The 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 require 
publication of the agenda.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, all agency contacts are located 
at the Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 
20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You should direct all comments and 
inquiries about these rules to the appropriate agency contact. You 
should direct general comments relating to the agenda to the Office of 
Executive Secretariat, Department of the Interior, at the address above 
or at 202-208-3181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this publication, the Department 
satisfies the requirement of Executive Order 12866 that the Department 
publish an agenda of rules that we have issued or expect to issue and 
of currently effective rules that we have scheduled for review.
    Simultaneously, the Department meets the requirement of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) to publish an agenda 
in April and October of each year identifying rules that will have 
significant economic effects on a substantial number of small entities. 
We have specifically identified in the agenda rules that will have such 
effects.
    This edition of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions includes The Regulatory Plan, which appears in 
both the online Unified Agenda and in part II of the Federal Register 
that includes the Unified Agenda. The Department's Statement of 
Regulatory Priorities is included in the Plan.

Mark Lawyer,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.

   Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement--Proposed Rule Stage
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                                                           Regulation
         Sequence No.                   Title            Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
312..........................  Cost Recovery                   1014-AA31
                                Adjustment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
313.......................  Production Safety Systems          1014-AA10
                             and Lifecycle Analysis.
314.......................  Blowout Prevention Systems         1014-AA11
                             and Well Control.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      United States Fish and Wildlife Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
315.......................  National Wildlife Refuge           1018-AX36
                             System; Oil and Gas
                             Regulations.
316.......................  Migratory Bird Permits;            1018-BA69
                             Incidental Take of
                             Migratory Birds; Notice
                             of Intent to Prepare an
                             Environmental Impact
                             Statement; Request for
                             Comments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


               National Park Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
317.......................  Non-Federal Oil and Gas            1024-AD78
                             Rights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
318.......................  Stream Protection Rule....         1029-AC63
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Bureau of Land Management--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
319.......................  Venting and Flaring: Waste         1004-AE14
                             Prevention and Use of
                             Produced Oil and Gas for
                             Beneficial Purposes.

[[Page 77985]]

 
320.......................  Onshore Oil and Gas Order          1004-AE16
                             4: Oil Measurement.
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

Proposed Rule Stage

312.  Cost Recovery Adjustment

    Legal Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This rule would update 31 cost recovery fees to allow the 
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to recover the full 
costs of the services it provides to the oil and gas industry. It 
complies with the Independent Office Appropriations Act of 1952 which 
established that government services should be self-sustaining to the 
extent possible. Rulemaking is the only method available to update 
these fees and comply with the intent of Congress to recover government 
costs when a special benefit is bestowed on an identifiable recipient. 
The practice of cost recovery is well-established and this rulemaking 
is not expected to be controversial.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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NPRM................................   02/00/16
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kimberly Monaco, Department of the Interior, Bureau 
of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, 
DC 20240, Phone: 703 787-1658.
    RIN: 1014-AA31

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

Final Rule Stage

313. Production Safety Systems and Lifecycle Analysis

    Legal Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 43 U.S.C. 1334
    Abstract: The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) 
will amend and update the regulations regarding offshore oil and 
natural gas production. It will address issues such as production 
safety systems, subsurface safety devices, and safety device testing. 
BSEE has expanded the rule to differentiate the requirements for 
operating dry tree and wet tree production systems on the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS). This rule will also expand use of life cycle 
analysis of critical equipment.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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NPRM................................   08/22/13  78 FR 52240
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/05/13
Final Action........................   01/00/16
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Lakeisha Harrison, Chief, Regulations and Standards 
Branch, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166, Phone: 703 787-
1552, Fax: 703 787-1555, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1014-AA10

314. Blowout Prevention Systems and Well Control

    Legal Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1751; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 43 U.S.C. 1334
    Abstract: The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) 
will amend and update regulations regarding offshore oil and natural 
gas production. This final rule will upgrade regulations related to the 
design, manufacture, and repair of blowout preventers (BOPs) in 
response to numerous recommendations. In addition to BOPs, the final 
rule will addresse well design, well control, safe drilling margins, 
casing, cementing, real-time monitoring, and subsea containment. The 
final rule will address many of the issues raised following the 
Deepwater Horizon incident and from experts through a public forum held 
May 22, 2012.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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NPRM................................   04/17/15  80 FR 21504
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   06/03/15  80 FR 31560
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/16/15
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   07/16/15
Final Action........................   01/00/16
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Lakeisha Harrison, Chief, Regulations and Standards 
Branch, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166, Phone: 703 787-
1552, Fax: 703 787-1555, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1014-AA11

BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Proposed Rule Stage

315. National Wildlife Refuge System; Oil and Gas Regulations

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 668dd to ee; 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; 16 
U.S.C. 1131 to 1136; 40 CFR 51.300 to 51.309
    Abstract: We propose regulations that ensure that all operators 
conducting oil or gas operations within a National Wildlife Refuge 
System unit do so in a manner that prevents or minimizes damage to 
National Wildlife Refuge System resources, visitor values, and 
management objectives. We do not intend these regulations to result in 
a taking of a property interest, but rather to impose reasonable 
controls on operations that affect federally owned or controlled lands, 
and/or waters.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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ANPRM...............................   02/24/14  79 FR 10080
ANPRM Comment Period End............   04/25/14
ANPRM Comment Period Reopened.......   06/09/14  79 FR 32903
ANPRM Comment Period Reopening End..   07/09/14
NPRM................................   12/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Brian Salem, Conservation Policy Analyst, 
Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: NWRS, Falls Church, VA 22041-3808, Phone: 703 
358-2397, Email: [email protected].

[[Page 77986]]

    Scott Covington, Refuge Energy Program Coordinator, Department of 
the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National 
Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS:NWRS, Falls Church, VA 
22041-3808, Phone: 703 358-2427, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1018-AX36

316. Migratory Bird Permits; Incidental Take of Migratory Birds; Notice 
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Request for 
Comments

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 712; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
    Abstract: We intend to prepare a programmatic environmental impact 
statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321-4347; NEPA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts 
of a proposal to authorize incidental take of migratory birds under the 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-711) and to conduct public 
scoping meetings. We invite input from other Federal and State 
agencies, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and members of the 
public on the scope of the proposed NEPA analysis, the pertinent issues 
we should address, and alternatives to our proposed approach for 
authorizing incidental take. We will hold public scoping open house 
meetings.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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Notice..............................   05/26/15  80 FR 30032
Comment Period End..................   07/27/15
NPRM; NOA for DEIS..................   06/00/16
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Charisa Morris, Chief, Branch of Bird Conservation, 
Division of Migratory Bird Management, Department of the Interior, 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: MB, 
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, Phone: 703 358-2558, Fax: 703 358-2217, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1018-BA69

BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

National Park Service (NPS)

Proposed Rule Stage

317. Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights

    Legal Authority: 54 U.S.C. 100101; 54 U.S.C. 100301; 54 U.S.C. 
100302; 54 U.S.C. 100731; 54 U.S.C. 100732
    Abstract: This rule would update National Park Service (NPS) 
regulations governing the exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights 
within NPS unit boundaries. It would accommodate new technology and 
industry practices, eliminate regulatory exemptions, update 
requirements, remove caps on bond amounts, and allow NPS to recover 
administrative costs. The changes make the regulations more effective 
and efficient and maintain the highest level of protection compatible 
with park resources and values.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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ANPRM...............................   11/25/09  74 FR 61596
ANPRM Comment Period End............   01/25/10
NPRM................................   10/26/15  80 FR 65571
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/28/15
Final Action........................   06/00/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Ed Kassman, Regulatory Specialist, Department of 
the Interior, National Park Service, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, 
Lakewood, CA 80225, Phone: 303 969-2146, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1024-AD78

BILLING CODE 4310-EJ-P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE)

Final Rule Stage

318. Stream Protection Rule

    Legal Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.
    Abstract: On August 12, 2009, the U.S. District Court for the 
District of Columbia denied the Government's request that the court 
vacate and remand the Excess Spoil/Stream Buffer Zone rule published on 
December 12, 2008. Therefore, the Department intends to initiate notice 
and comment rulemaking to address issues arising from previous 
rulemakings. The Agency also intends to prepare a new environmental 
impact statement.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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ANPRM...............................   11/30/09  74 FR 62664
ANPRM Comment Period End............   12/30/09
NPRM................................   07/27/15  80 FR 44436
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   09/10/15  80 FR 54590
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/26/15
Final Action........................   08/00/16
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dennis Rice, Regulatory Analyst, Department of the 
Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240, Phone: 202 208-2829, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1029-AC63

BILLING CODE 4310-05-P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Proposed Rule Stage

319. Venting and Flaring: Waste Prevention and Use of Produced Oil and 
Gas for Beneficial Purposes

    Legal Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396d; 25 U.S.C. 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189; 30 
U.S.C. 306; 30 U.S.C. 359; 30 U.S.C. 1751; 43 U.S.C. 1732(b); 43 U.S.C. 
1733; 43 U.S.C. 1740
    Abstract: The rule would update decades-old standards to reduce 
wasteful venting, flaring, and leaks of natural gas from onshore wells 
located on Federal and Indian oil and gas leases. The proposed 
standards would establish requirements and incentives to reduce waste 
of gas and clarify when royalties apply to lost gas. This action will 
enhance our energy security and economy by boosting America's natural 
gas supplies, ensuring that taxpayers receive the royalties due to them 
from development of public resources, and reducing emissions.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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NPRM................................   12/00/15
Final Action........................   06/00/16
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Steven Wells, Division Chief, Fluid Minerals 
Division, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Room 
2134 LM, 20 M Street SE., Washington, DC 20003, Phone: 202 912-7143, 
Fax: 202 912-7194, Email: [email protected].

[[Page 77987]]

    RIN: 1004-AE14

320. Onshore Oil and Gas Order 4: Oil Measurement

    Legal Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396(d); 25 U.S.C. 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189; 
30 U.S.C. 306; 30 U.S.C. 359; 30 U.S.C. 1751; 43 U.S.C. 1732(b); 43 
U.S.C. 1733; 43 U.S.C. 1740
    Abstract: Onshore Order 4 establishes minimum standards to ensure 
liquid hydrocarbons are accurately measured and reported. This Order 
was last updated in 1989, and since then changes in technology have 
allowed for more accurate fluid measurement. This order will 
incorporate current industry standards and allow for the use of new 
technology.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/15
Final Action........................   05/00/16
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Steven Wells, Division Chief, Fluid Minerals 
Division, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Room 
2134 LM, 20 M Street SE., Washington, DC 20003, Phone: 202 912-7143, 
Fax: 202 912-7194, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1004-AE16

[FR Doc. 2015-30623 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P