95-22713. Notice of Draft Report and Comment Period

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 47587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22713]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WO-300-1310-00]


Notice of Draft Report and Comment Period

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability for review and comment of draft report 
on the Reinventing Government II (REGO II) proposal to transfer oil and 
gas Inspection and Enforcement (I&E) and Environmental Compliance 
responsibilities that are currently administered by the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) to individual States and Indian tribes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The onshore and gas program, administered by BLM, is one of 
the major mineral leasing programs in the Department of the Interior 
(DOI). At the end of 1994, more than 51,000 onshore oil and gas leases 
existed on Federal lands covering 39 million acres. About 19,500 leases 
were in producing status. The BLM is also responsible for operational 
management oversight of about 4,100 producing leases on Indian lands 
and supervision of drilling on nonproducing leases. Royalty income from 
onshore oil and gas production on Federal and Indian lands is over $600 
million per year.
    Under Vice President Gore's REGO II proposal, it has been proposed 
that the BLM transfer oil and gas inspection and enforcement 
responsibilities concerning production verification and environmental 
compliance to the individual States and Indian tribes. This proposal 
was initially intended as an unfunded transfer of the I&E and 
Environmental Compliance programs to States and Indian tribes. 
Subsequently, the DOI indicated that funding of these programs, 
commensurate with current BLM spending levels, may be made available to 
the States and Tribes if they elect to assume program responsibilities.
    The information contained in the draft REGO II Report is based on 
preliminary issues and recommendations identified by the REGO II Task 
Force comprised of Federal, State and Tribal representatives. The 
purpose of the report is to: (1) Provide information on the Bureau's 
I&E and Environmental Compliance programs, (2) identify opportunities 
and limitations associated with program transfers, and (3) address 
important considerations that must be taken into account in evaluating 
the feasibility of transfers.

DATES: Copies of the draft report may be obtained by contacting Mike 
Pool at the address or telephone number listed below. Written comments 
on the draft report must be received by October 16, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Mike Pool, Bureau of Land 
Management, Farmington District Office, 1235 La Plata Highway, 
Farmington, NM 87401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Pool, [phone].

    Dated: September 6, 1995.
Mike Pool,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 95-22713 Filed 9-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-M