[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11244-11248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02028]



[[Page 11243]]

Vol. 88

Wednesday,

No. 35

February 22, 2023

Part X





Department of the Interior





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 22, 2023 / 
UA: Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 11244]]


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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 Fall 2022 and Fall 2023. 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) 208-3181.

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.
    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.

Bivan R. Patnaik,
Deputy Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Executive Secretariat 
and Regulatory Affairs.

   Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
348.......................  Outer Continental Shelf            1014-AA57
                             Civil Penalties, Surety
                             Bond Requirements When
                             Filing an Appeal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
349.......................  Oil and Gas and Sulfur             1014-AA52
                             Operations in the Outer
                             Continental Shelf-Blowout
                             Preventer Systems and
                             Well Control Revisions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
350.......................  Revisions to                       1014-AA53
                             Decommissioning
                             Requirements on the OCS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
351.......................  Risk Management, Financial         1082-AA02
                             Assurance and Loss
                             Prevention--Decommissioni
                             ng Activities and
                             Obligations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      United States Fish and Wildlife Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
352.......................  Importation, Exportation           1018-BF16
                             and Transportation of
                             Wildlife; Updates to the
                             Regulations.
353.......................  Migratory Bird Hunting;            1018-BF64
                             2023-24 Migratory Game
                             Bird Hunting Regulations.

[[Page 11245]]

 
354.......................  Migratory Bird Hunting;            1018-BG63
                             2024-25 Migratory Game
                             Bird Hunting Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       United States Fish and Wildlife Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
355.......................  Migratory Bird Hunting;            1018-BF07
                             2022-23 Migratory Game
                             Bird Hunting Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                 National Park Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
356.......................  Commercial Visitor                 1024-AE57
                             Services; Concession
                             Contracts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Bureau of Ocean Energy Management--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
357.......................  Air Quality Rule..........         1010-AE09
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Bureau of Land Management--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
358.......................  Sustained Yield and Land           1004-AE92
                             Health (Section 610
                             Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


               Bureau of Land Management--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
359.......................  Helium Contracts (Section          1004-AE93
                             610 Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

Proposed Rule Stage

348.  Outer Continental Shelf Civil Penalties, Surety Bond 
Requirements When Filing an Appeal [1014-AA57]

    Legal Authority: Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 
U.S.C. 1331 to 1356a
    Abstract: This rulemaking would clarify BSEE's existing regulatory 
authority under 30 CFR 250.1409, which establishes criteria that must 
be met before a party may proceed with an appeal of a civil penalty 
pursuant to 30 CFR part 290. Before filing an appeal to the Interior 
Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), an operator must either submit a surety 
bond to BSEE's sister agency, BOEM, in the amount of the penalty, or 
notify BOEM that they want their lease bond to be used as the bond for 
the penalty amount.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/00/23  .......................
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/00/23  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/23  .......................
Final Action Effective..............   11/00/23  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kirk Malstrom, Chief, Regulations and Standards 
Branch, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166, Phone: 703 787-
1751, Fax: 703 787-1555, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1014-AA57

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

Final Rule Stage

349. Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-
Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Revisions [1014-AA52]

    Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined
    Abstract: This rulemaking would revise the Bureau of Safety and 
Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) regulations published in the 2019 
final rule entitled ``Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer 
Continental Shelf-Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control 
Revisions,'' 84 FR 21908 (May 15, 2019), for drilling, workover, 
completion and decommissioning operations. In accordance with Executive 
Order (E.O.) 13990 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and 
Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate

[[Page 11246]]

Crisis) and the E.O.'s accompanying ``President's Fact Sheet: List of 
Agency Actions for Review,'' BSEE reviewed the 2019 final rule and 
plans to propose updates to Subpart G of 30 CFR part 250 to ensure 
operations are conducted safely and in an environmentally responsible 
manner.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/14/22  87 FR 56354
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/14/22  .......................
Final Action........................   05/00/23  .......................
Final Action Effective..............   06/00/23  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kirk Malstrom, Chief, Regulations and Standards 
Branch, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166, Phone: 703 787-
1751, Fax: 703 787-1555, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1014-AA52

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

Long-Term Actions

350. Revisions to Decommissioning Requirements on the OCS [1014-AA53]

    Legal Authority: Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331 
to 1356a
    Abstract: This proposed rule would address issues relating to (1) 
idle iron by adding a definition of this term to clarify that it 
applies to idle wells and structures on active leases; (2) abandonment 
in place of subsea infrastructure by adding regulations addressing when 
BSEE may approve decommissioning-in-place instead of removal of certain 
subsea equipment; and (3) other operational considerations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/23  .......................
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/00/24  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kirk Malstrom, Chief, Regulations and Standards 
Branch, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166, Phone: 703 787-
1751, Fax: 703 787-1555, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1014-AA53

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management (ASLM)

Final Rule Stage

351. Risk Management, Financial Assurance and Loss Prevention--
Decommissioning Activities and Obligations [1082-AA02]

    Legal Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1334(a)
    Abstract: On October 12, 2020, the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement 
(BSEE) published the joint proposed rule in the Federal Register (85 FR 
65904). BSEE will continue to pursue this rulemaking as a BSEE-only 
final rule to revise policies and procedures concerning compliance with 
decommissioning obligations for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and 
gas. The final rule will clarify and streamline specific regulatory 
requirements associated with the operational and procedural aspects of 
applicable decommissioning responsibilities of OCS lessees and grant 
holders. BOEM will continue to evaluate and develop a comprehensive set 
of regulations to manage the risks and financial obligations associated 
with industry activities on the OCS and pursue these actions in a 
separate rulemaking under RIN 1010-AE14.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/16/20  85 FR 65904
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/15/20  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/22  .......................
Final Action Effective..............   12/00/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Bivan Patnaik, Deputy Director of Regulatory 
Affairs, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240, Phone: 202 
208-4582, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1082-AA02

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Proposed Rule Stage

352. Importation, Exportation and Transportation of Wildlife; Updates 
to the Regulations [1018-BF16]

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 33 8(d)-(f); 16 U.S.C. 668; 16 U.S.C. 
704; 16 U.S.C. 712; 16 U.S.C. 1382; 16 U.S.C. 1538(d)-(f); 16 U.S.C. 
1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 3371 to 3378; 16 U.S.C. 4223 to 4244; 16 U.S.C. 4901 
to 4916; 18 U.S.C. 42; 31 U.S.C. 42; 31 U.S.C. 9701; . . .
    Abstract: This proposed rule would revise FWS's regulations 
governing the importation and exportation of wildlife. In this 
rulemaking, FWS would review all sections of 50 CFR part 14 and provide 
necessary revisions.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/00/23  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Edward Grace, Assistant Director, Office of Law 
Enforcement, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: LEO, Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803, Phone: 703 358-1949, Fax: 703 358-1947, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1018-BF16

353. Migratory Bird Hunting; 2023-24 Migratory Game Bird Hunting 
Regulations [1018-BF64]

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 742a-j
    Abstract: This proposed rule would establish annual hunting 
regulations for certain migratory game birds. FWS annually prescribes 
the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and 
areas for migratory game bird hunting. After these frameworks are 
established, States and Tribes may select season dates, bag limits, and 
other regulatory options for their hunting seasons.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/03/22  87 FR 66247
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/05/22  .......................
Proposed Frameworks.................   02/00/23  .......................
Proposed Tribal Regulations.........   03/00/23  .......................
Final Frameworks....................   07/00/23  .......................
Final Tribal Regulations............   08/00/23  .......................

[[Page 11247]]

 
Seasons and Bag Limits..............   08/00/23  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dr. Eric L. Kershner, Chief, Division of 
Conservation, Permits, and Regulations, Department of the Interior, 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: MB, 
Falls Church, VA 22041, Phone: 703 358-2376, Fax: 703 358-2217, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1018-BF64

354. Migratory Bird Hunting; 2024-25 Migratory Game Bird Hunting 
Regulations [1018-BG63]

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 742a-j
    Abstract: This rulemaking action would establish annual hunting 
regulations for certain migratory game birds. FWS annually prescribes 
the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and 
areas for migratory game bird hunting. After these frameworks are 
established, States and Tribes may select season dates, bag limits, and 
other regulatory options for their hunting seasons.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/00/23  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dr. Eric L. Kershner, Chief, Division of 
Conservation, Permits, and Regulations, Department of the Interior, 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: MB, 
Falls Church, VA 22041, Phone: 703 358-2376, Fax: 703 358-2217, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1018-BG63

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Completed Actions

355. Migratory Bird Hunting; 2022-23 Migratory Game Bird Hunting 
Regulations [1018-BF07]

    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 to 712; 16 U.S.C. 742a-j
    Abstract: This rulemaking action established annual hunting 
regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2022-23 hunting 
season. FWS annually prescribes outside limits (frameworks) within 
which States and Tribes may select hunting seasons. This rulemaking 
action was conducted under the direction of the Service Migratory Bird 
Regulations Committee and the Flyway Councils.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Meeting...................   03/25/21  86 FR 15957
Meeting.............................   04/06/21  .......................
NPRM................................   08/31/21  86 FR 48649
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/30/21  .......................
NPRM--Proposed Frameworks...........   02/02/22  87 FR 5946
NPRM Comment Period End--Proposed      03/04/22  .......................
 Frameworks.
NPRM--Proposed Tribal Regulations...   06/14/22  87 FR 35942
NPRM Comment Period End--Proposed      07/14/22  .......................
 Tribal Regulations.
Final Action--Final Frameworks......   07/15/22  87 FR 42598
Final Action Effective..............   07/15/22  .......................
Final Action--Season Selections.....   08/19/22  87 FR 50965
Final Action Effective..............   08/19/22  .......................
Final Action--Final Tribal             08/31/22  87 FR 53404
 Regulations.
Final Action Effective..............   08/31/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jerome Ford, Assistant Director--Migratory Bird 
Program, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS-MB, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, Phone: 
703 358-1050, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1018-BF07

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

National Park Service (NPS)

Final Rule Stage

356. Commercial Visitor Services; Concession Contracts [1024-AE57]

    Legal Authority: 54 U.S.C. 101926
    Abstract: This final rule will revise regulations that govern the 
solicitation, award, and administration of concessions contracts to 
provide commercial visitor services at NPS units under the authority 
granted through the Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998. The 
changes will reduce administrative burdens and expand sustainable, high 
quality, and contemporary concessioner-provided visitor services in 
national parks.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/20/20  85 FR 43775
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/18/20  .......................
Final Rule..........................   12/00/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kurt M. Rausch, Chief, Contract Management, 
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20240, Phone: 202 513-7207, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1024-AE57

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

Long-Term Actions

357. Air Quality Rule [1010-AE09]

    Legal Authority: OCSLA sec. 5(a)(8)
    Abstract: This proposed rule would identify opportunities for 
clarifying air quality regulations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Karen Thundiyil, Department of the Interior, Bureau 
of Ocean Energy Management, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240, 
Phone: 202 208-3977.
    RIN: 1010-AE09

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Proposed Rule Stage

358.  Sustained Yield and Land Health (Section 610 Review) 
[1004-AE92]

    Legal Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1732(a)
    Abstract: The Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) is drafting a rule to clarify and support the 
principles of multiple use and sustained yield in the management of the 
public lands. This rule would incorporate climate resiliency and 
restoration through conservation and preservation in the management of 
the public lands pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and

[[Page 11248]]

Management Act (FLPMA) and other relevant authorities. This proposed 
rule rests within 43 CFR 6000, which includes Conservation and 
Preservation, and would provide an overarching framework governing 
multiple resource areas to ensure land health and sustained yield. This 
rule would affirm the important role of restoration and conservation 
actions in building and maintaining sustainable land management 
practices to ensure healthy and productive ecosystems for current and 
future generations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined.
    Agency Contact: Sheila Mallory, Acting Division Chief, Fluid 
Minerals Division, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land 
Management, 20 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, Phone: 775 287-3293, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1004-AE92

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Final Rule Stage

359.  Helium Contracts (Section 610 Review) [1004-AE93]

    Legal Authority: 50 U.S.C. seec. 167d (d)(1)
    Abstract: On October 2, 2013, Congress enacted the Helium 
Stewardship Act of 2013. This Act required the Department of the 
Interior (DOI), through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM), to begin offering helium for auction or sale on an annual basis. 
Additionally, the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 required BLM to 
dispose of the Federal Helium System (including the Federal Helium 
Reserve) as of September 30, 2021. Any excess helium and helium assets 
remaining on September 30, 2021, will be transferred to the General 
Services Administration (GSA), which will follow its statutory disposal 
process. Federal In-Kind users will continue to have access to helium 
until September 30, 2022, while the GSA completes its disposal process.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   12/00/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Amy Hay, Division Chief, Division of Business 
Resources, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 
Denver Federal Center, Building 50, Denver, CO 80225-0047, Phone: 703 
870-8844, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1004-AE93

[FR Doc. 2023-02028 Filed 2-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P