[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40305-40309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16923]



[[Page 40305]]

Vol. 82

Thursday,

No. 163

August 24, 2017

Part X





 Department of Interior





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 163 / Thursday, August 24, 2017 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 40306]]


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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

[167D0102DM; DS6CS00000; DLSN00000.00000; DX6CS25]


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 Department of 
the Interior (Department) rules scheduled for review or development 
between spring 2017 and spring 2018. 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: Please direct all comments and 
inquiries about these rules to the appropriate agency contact. Please 
direct general comments relating to the agenda to the Office of 
Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs, Department of the 
Interior, at the address above or at (202) 208-5257.

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.
    In some cases, the Department has withdrawn rules that were placed 
on previous agendas for which there has been no publication activity or 
for which a proposed or interim rule was published. There is no legal 
significance to the omission of an item from this agenda. Withdrawal of 
a rule does not necessarily mean that the Department will not proceed 
with the rulemaking. Withdrawal allows the Department to assess the 
action further and determine whether rulemaking is appropriate. 
Following such an assessment, the Department may determine that certain 
rules listed as withdrawn under this agenda are appropriate for 
promulgation. If that determination is made, such rules will comply 
with Executive Order 13771.

 Mark Lawyer,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.

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


      United States Fish and Wildlife Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
152.......................  Migratory Bird Hunting;            1018-BB73
                             2018-2019 Migratory Game
                             Bird Hunting Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       United States Fish and Wildlife Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
153.......................  National Wildlife Refuge           1018-AX36
                             System; Management of Non-
                             Federal Oil and Gas
                             Rights.
154.......................  Migratory Bird Permits;            1018-BA69
                             Incidental Take of
                             Migratory Birds.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                National Park Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
155.......................  Non-Federal Oil and Gas            1024-AD78
                             Rights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
156.......................  Stream Protection Rule....         1029-AC63
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[[Page 40307]]


              Bureau of Land Management--Completed Actions
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                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
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157.......................  Waste Prevention,                  1004-AE14
                             Production Subject to
                             Royalties, and Resource
                             Conservation.
158.......................  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

151. Cost Recovery Adjustment

    Legal Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This supplemental proposal will seek additional comments 
on the proposed adjustments to 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, and with OMB Circular A-25, which requires federal 
agencies to biannually review user charges and to determine whether new 
fees should be established for agency services. 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.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/17/16  81 FR 81033
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/16/17  82 FR 1284
Supplemental NPRM...................   08/00/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Proposed Rule Stage

152. Migratory Bird Hunting; 2018-2019 Migratory Game Bird Hunting 
Regulations

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 to 711; 16 U.S.C. 742a-j
    Abstract: We propose to establish annual hunting regulations for 
certain migratory game birds for the 2018-2019 hunting season. We 
annually prescribe outside limits (frameworks), within which States may 
select hunting seasons. This proposed rule provides the regulatory 
schedule, describes the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2018-
2019 duck hunting seasons, requests proposals from Indian tribes that 
wish to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on 
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands, and requests proposals for 
the 2018 spring and summer migratory bird subsistence season in Alaska. 
Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for 
recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and tribal governments 
in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at 
levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and 
habitat conditions.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/17
Supplemental........................   08/00/17
NPRM; Proposed Frameworks...........   12/00/17
NPRM; Proposed Tribal Regulations...   01/00/18
Final Rule; Final Frameworks........   03/00/18
Final Rule; Final Tribal Regulations   05/00/18
Final Rule; Final Season Selections.   05/00/18
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Ronald Kokel, Wildlife Biologist, Division of 
Migratory Bird Management, Department of the Interior, United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: MB, Falls Church, VA 
22041-3808, Phone: 703 358-1714, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1018-BB73

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Completed Actions

153. National Wildlife Refuge System; Management of Non-Federal Oil and 
Gas Rights

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 668dd to 668ee; 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; 
16 U.S.C. 1131 to 1136
    Abstract: We published 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. These regulations will not result in a taking of 
a property interest, but rather 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................................   12/11/15  80 FR 77200
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/09/16
NPRM; Final Environmental Impact       08/22/16  81 FR 56575
 Statement.
Supplemental NPRM...................   11/14/16  81 FR 79408
Final Action........................   11/14/16  81 FR 79948
Final Action Effective..............   12/14/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jillian Cohen, Conservation Policy Analyst, 
Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: NWRS, Falls Church, VA 22041, Phone: 703 358-
1764, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1018-AX36

[[Page 40308]]

154. Migratory Bird Permits; Incidental Take of Migratory Birds

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 to 712; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
    Abstract: This rule would establish regulations to govern the 
incidental take of migratory birds from activities under which 
migratory birds are killed incidental to otherwise lawful activities, 
including requirements for individual permits and programmatic 
agreements with Federal agencies. This agenda item is being withdrawn 
at the present time to allow the Department to assess the action 
further and determine whether rulemaking is appropriate. Following such 
an assessment, the Department may determine that certain rules listed 
as withdrawn under this agenda are appropriate for promulgation. If 
that determination is made, such rules will be included in a succeeding 
semiannual agenda under new RINs.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   05/26/15  80 FR 30032
Comment Period End..................   07/27/15
Withdrawn...........................   04/11/17
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Stephen Earsom, Biologist--Pilot, Regions 4 & 5 
Aviation Manager, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, MD 20708, Phone: 
301 980-8711, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1018-BA69

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

National Park Service (NPS)

Completed Actions

155. 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 outside of Alaska. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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........................   11/04/16  81 FR 77972
Final Action Effective..............   12/05/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Edward O. Kassman Jr., Geologic Resources Division, 
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, 
Denver, CO 80225, Phone: 303 969-2146, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1024-AD78

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE)

Final Rule Stage

156. Stream Protection Rule

    Legal Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.
    Abstract: The final rule published December 20, 2016 (81 FR 93066) 
and became effective January 19, 2017. The final rule was nullified by 
a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, 
signed by the President on February 16, 2017 (Pub. L. 115-5). This 
action conforms to Public Law 115-5 by changing the Code of Federal 
Regulations to reflect the regulations as they existed before the 
effective date of the final rule that was nullified under the 
Congressional Review Act.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.............   09/25/15
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   10/26/15
Final Action........................   12/20/16  81 FR 93066
Final Action Effective..............   01/19/17
Final Rule; CRA Revocation..........   07/00/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Completed Actions

157. Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource 
Conservation

    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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/08/16  81 FR 6616
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   04/04/16  81 FR 19110
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/08/16
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   04/22/16
Final Action........................   11/18/16  81 FR 83008
Final Action Effective..............   01/17/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-AE14

158. 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

[[Page 40309]]

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................................   09/30/15  80 FR 58952
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   11/23/15  80 FR 72943
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/30/15
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   12/14/15
Final Action........................   11/17/16  81 FR 81462
Final Action Effective..............   01/17/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. 2017-16923 Filed 8-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4334-63-P