[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11634-11635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6062]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
30 CFR Parts 243, 250, and 290, and 43 CFR Part 4
RIN 1010-AC21 and AC08
Administrative Appeals Process and Policy for Release of Third-
Party Proprietary Information
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of a public workshop.
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SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is announcing a second
public workshop to discuss plans to revise its regulations governing
MMS's administrative appeals and alternative dispute resolution
processes, including authority for disclosure of third-party
proprietary information. The revisions are based in large part on a
report and recommendations from the Royalty Policy Committee, which
provides advice to the Secretary of the Interior under the authority of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Interested
[[Page 11635]]
parties are invited to attend and participate in the workshop and are
requested to register in advance.
DATES: The public workshop will be held on Monday, March 30, 1998,
10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time.
ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held in the Building 85 Auditorium at
the Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado. You also may mail comments
to Hugh Hilliard, as listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hugh Hilliard, Chief, Appeals
Division (MS 4230), or Ms. Charlotte Bennett, Appeals Division, (MS
4230), Minerals Management Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington,
D.C., 20240, telephone number (202) 208-2622, fax number (202) 219-
5565, e:mail: Hugh.Hilliard@mms.gov or Charlotte.Bennett@mms.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to the notice of proposed rule
to amend regulations governing the administrative appeals process,
published in the Federal Register on October 28, 1996 (61 FR 55607),
MMS received as a comment a comprehensive report from the Royalty
Policy Committee (RPC), which adopted a recommendation from its Appeals
and Alternative Dispute Resolution Subcommittee. The RPC, which is
composed of representatives from states, Indian tribes and allottees,
the mineral industries, other Federal agencies, and the public, advises
the Secretary of the Interior under a charter authorized by the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. On March 27, 1997, the RPC sent its report to
the Secretary and requested adoption of its proposal in lieu of the
October 28, 1996, proposed rule.
The Secretary sent a response to the RPC on September 22, 1997,
stating that the Department planned to prepare revised proposed
regulations to implement the RPC proposal, with several changes. The
Secretary also stated that the public would have the opportunity to
comment on these proposed regulations, which could change before they
become final. MMS held its first public workshop on this matter on
January 27, 1998 (see Federal Register notice at 62 FR 68244, December
31, 1997, for additional background provided before the first meeting).
The revised notice of proposed rule will affect not only appeals
involving actions taken by officials of the MMS's Royalty Management
Program, but also will affect appeals involving actions taken by the
Offshore Minerals Management Program of MMS under the regulations at 30
CFR Part 250. In addition, the rule will affect activities of the
Office of Hearings and Appeals, Interior Board of Land Appeals, as set
out at 43 CFR Part 4 (though these effects are expected to be limited
to appeals generated by actions of the Minerals Management Service).
We invite participation at the workshop by representatives of
states, Indian tribes and allottees, the minerals industries, and the
general public. We plan to present our initial views as to what will be
in the revised proposed rule and to engage in open discussion with
participants about any suggestions for improvement.
In order to help us plan for a successful workshop, we would
appreciate your pre-registration by March 16. If you plan to attend,
please contact Ms. Charlotte Bennett, using the methods provided in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, and provide
your name, address, and telephone and fax numbers. This will help us to
ensure sufficient space for all and to provide you with any relevant
information available in advance of the meeting. In particular, we
intend to distribute in advance a draft version of the revised notice
of proposed rule.
Dated: March 3, 1998.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Associate Director for Policy and Management Improvement.
[FR Doc. 98-6062 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P