[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42597-42598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20157]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
30 CFR Part 250
Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way; Correction
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Technical amendment.
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SUMMARY: This document makes technical amendments to regulations that
were published in the Federal Register (July 24, 1997, 63 FR 39775;
redesignated May 29, 1998, 63 FR 29479, 29486) and were codified in the
July 1, 1998, edition of Title 30--Mineral Resources, Parts 200-699,
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The regulations being corrected
relate to the filing fee for applying for a pipeline right-of-way grant
in the Outer Continental Shelf. This correction will reduce the filing
fees required for converting existing lease term pipelines into right-
of-way pipelines.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 5, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kumkum Ray (703) 787-1600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The final rules that we are correcting affect persons submitting
applications to MMS for a pipeline right-of-way grant to convert
existing lease term pipelines into right-of-way pipelines under 30 CFR
250.1010(a). In September 1997, MMS changed its regulations to raise
the filing fee submitted with applications for pipeline right-of-way
grants from $1,400 to $2,350. The filing fees MMS charges are based on
our administrative costs in processing applications and documents that
provide special benefits to non-Federal recipients above those that
accrue to the public at large.
Our regulations in Sec. 250.1010(a) state that ``* * * MMS
periodically will amend the filing fee based on its experience with the
costs for administering pipeline right-of-way applications. * * * MMS
will amend the application fee * * * without notice and opportunity for
comment.'' Since publishing this final regulation, we have determined
that we incur only minimal expenses in administering applications to
convert existing lease term pipelines into right-of-way pipelines and
issue a pipeline right-of-way grant.
Therefore, we are correcting the regulations at Sec. 250.1010(a) to
reduce the pipeline right-of-way grant application filing fee for this
type of application to $300, instead of the $2,350 application filing
fee required for a pipeline right-of-way grant to install a new
pipeline. The reduced amount reflects the average processing costs of
these applications.
Need for Correction
As published, the final regulations contain the requirement for an
application filing fee for a type of pipeline right-of-way grant that
is higher than the administrative processing costs involved and needs
to be corrected.
List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250
Continental shelf, Environmental impact statements, Environmental
protection, Geological and geophysical data, Government contracts,
Incorporation by reference, Investigations, Mineral royalties, Oil and
gas development and production, Oil and gas exploration, Oil and gas
reserves, Penalties, Pipelines, Public lands--mineral resources, public
lands--rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulphur
development and production, Sulphur exploration, Surety bonds.
Accordingly, 30 CFR part 250 is amended by making the following
correcting technical amendment:
PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER
CONTINENTAL SHELF
1. The authority citation for part 250 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.
Sec. 250.1010 [Corrected]
2. In Sec. 250.1010, the first five sentences in paragraph (a) are
revised to read as follows:
[[Page 42598]]
Sec. 250.1010 Applications for a pipeline right-of-way grant.
(a) You must submit an original and three copies of an application
for a new or modified pipeline right-of-way grant to the Regional
Supervisor. The application must address those items required by
Sec. 250.1007 (a) or (b) of this subpart, as applicable. It must also
state the primary purpose for which you will use the right-of-way
grant. If the right-of-way has been used before the application is
made, the application must state the date such use began, by whom, and
the date the applicant obtained control of the improvement. When you
file your application, you must pay the rental required under
Sec. 250.1009(c)(2) of this subpart and a non-refundable filing fee of
$2,350 for a pipeline right-of-way grant to install a new pipeline or a
non-refundable filing fee of $300 for a pipeline right-of-way grant to
convert an existing lease term pipeline into a right-of-way pipe-
line. * * *
* * * * *
Dated: July 9, 1999.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 99-20157 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
