2016-22841. Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees  

  • Start Preamble Start Printed Page 65558

    AGENCY:

    Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    This final rule updates the fees set forth in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mineral resources regulations for the processing of certain minerals program-related actions. It also adjusts certain filing fees for minerals-related documents. These updated fees include those for actions such as lease renewals and mineral patent adjudications.

    DATES:

    This final rule is effective October 1, 2016.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may send inquiries or suggestions to Director (630), Bureau of Land Management, 2134LM, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240; Attention: RIN 1004-AE47.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Steven Wells, Chief, Division of Fluid Minerals, 202-912-7143; Mitchell Leverette, Chief, Division of Solid Minerals, 202-912-7113; or Mark Purdy, Regulatory Affairs, 202-912-7635. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may leave a message for these individuals with the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Background

    The BLM has specific authority to charge fees for processing applications and other documents relating to public lands under section 304 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. 1734. In 2005, the BLM's minerals program published a final cost recovery rule (70 FR 58854) establishing or revising fees and service charges imposed in connection with the processing of certain minerals program-related actions (2005 Cost Recovery Rule). In addition to establishing the fees and charges, the 2005 Cost Recovery Rule also established the method the BLM would use to adjust those fees and service charges on an annual basis.

    At 43 CFR 3000.12(a), the regulations provide that the BLM will annually adjust fees established in Subchapter C (43 CFR parts 3000-3900) according to changes in the Implicit Price Deflator for Gross Domestic Product (IPD-GDP), which is published quarterly by the U.S. Department of Commerce. See also 43 CFR 3000.10. This final rule updates those fees and service charges consistent with that direction. The fee adjustments in this rule are based on the mathematical formula set forth in the 2005 Cost Recovery Rule. The public had an opportunity to comment on that adjustment procedure as part of the 2005 rulemaking. Accordingly, the Department of the Interior for good cause finds under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and (d)(3) that notice and public comment procedures are unnecessary and that the fee adjustments in this rule may be effective less than 30 days after publication. See 43 CFR 3000.10(c).

    II. Discussion of Final Rule

    The BLM's minerals program publishes a fee update rule each year, which becomes effective on October 1. As set forth in the 2005 Cost Recovery Rule, the fee updates are based on the change in the IPD-GDP from the 4th Quarter of one calendar year to the 4th Quarter of the following calendar year. In this case, the fee update rule is based on the change in the IPD-GDP from the 4th Quarter of 2014 to the 4th Quarter of 2015 and reflects the rate of inflation over four calendar quarters.

    The fee is calculated by applying the IPD-GDP to the base value from the previous year's rule, also known as the “existing value.” This calculation results in an updated base value. The updated base value is then rounded to the closest multiple of $5 for fees equal to or greater than $1, or to the nearest cent for fees under $1, to establish the new fee.

    Under this rule, 30 fees will remain the same and 18 fees will increase. Of the 18 fees that are being increased by this rule, 15 of the increases are equal to $5 each. The largest increase, $35, will be applied to the fee for adjudicating a mineral patent application containing more than 10 claims, which will increase from $3,075 to $3,110. The fee for adjudicating a patent application containing 10 or fewer claims will increase by $20, from $1,535 to $1,555. The “plus per acre nomination fee” for geothermal development will increase from $0.11 to $0.12.

    The calculations that resulted in the new fees are included in the table below:

    Fixed Cost Recovery Fees FY17

    Document/actionExisting fee 1Existing value 2IPD-GDP increase 3New value 4New fee 5
    Oil & Gas (parts 3100, 3110, 3120, 3130, 3150)
    Noncompetitive lease application$410$408.656$4.5770$413.2334$415
    Competitive lease application160158.5911.7762160.3668160
    Assignment and transfer of record title or operating rights9091.4861.024692.510695
    Overriding royalty transfer, payment out of production1012.1960.136612.332610
    Name change, corporate merger or transfer to heir/devisee215213.4672.3908215.8580215
    Lease consolidation450451.3375.0550456.3921455
    Lease renewal or exchange410408.6564.5770413.2334415
    Lease reinstatement, Class I8079.2790.887980.167280
    Leasing under right-of-way410408.6564.5770413.2334415
    Geophysical exploration permit application—Alaska 62525
    Renewal of exploration permit—Alaska 72525
    Geothermal (part 3200)
    Noncompetitive lease application410408.65654.5770413.2334415
    Competitive lease application160158.59061.7762160.3668160
    Assignment and transfer of record title or operating right9091.48591.024692.510695
    Start Printed Page 65559
    Name change, corporate merger or transfer to heir/devisee215213.46722.3908215.8580215
    Lease consolidation450451.33715.0550456.3921455
    Lease reinstatement8079.27930.887980.167280
    Nomination of lands115114.17841.2788115.4572115
    Plus per acre nomination fee0.110.114180.00130.11550.12
    Site license application6060.99060.683161.673760
    Assignment or transfer of site license6060.99060.683161.673760
    Coal (parts 3400, 3470)
    License to mine application1012.19600.136612.332610
    Exploration license application335335.45923.7571339.2163340
    Lease or lease interest transfer6567.10470.751667.856270
    Leasing of Solid Minerals Other Than Coal and Oil Shale (parts 3500, 3580)
    Applications other than those listed below3536.59870.409937.008635
    Prospecting permit amendment6567.10470.751667.856270
    Extension of prospecting permit110109.78531.2296111.0149110
    Lease modification or fringe acreage lease3030.50600.341730.847730
    Lease renewal525524.54515.8749530.4200530
    Assignment, sublease, or transfer of operating rights3030.50600.341730.847730
    Transfer of overriding royalty3030.50600.341730.847730
    Use permit3030.50600.341730.847730
    Shasta and Trinity hardrock mineral lease3030.50600.341730.847730
    Renewal of existing sand and gravel lease in Nevada3030.50600.341730.847730
    Multiple Use; Mining (Group 3700)
    Notice of protest of placer mining operations1012.19600.136612.332615
    Mining Law Administration (parts 3800, 3810, 3830, 3850, 3860, 3870)
    Application to open lands to location1012.19600.136612.332610
    Notice of Location2018.28860.204818.493520
    Amendment of location1012.19600.136612.332610
    Transfer of mining claim/site1012.19600.136612.332610
    Recording an annual FLPMA filing1012.19600.136612.332610
    Deferment of assessment work110109.78531.2296111.0149110
    Recording a notice of intent to locate mining claims on Stockraising Homestead Act lands3030.50600.341730.847730
    Mineral Patent adjudication
    (more than ten claims)3,0753,074.062634.42953108.49213,110
    (ten or fewer claims)1,5351,537.015317.21461,554.22981,555
    Adverse claim110109.78531.2296111.0149110
    Protest6567.10470.751667.856270
    Oil Shale Management (parts 3900, 3910, 3930)
    Exploration License Application320321.75613.6037325.3597325
    Assignment or sublease of record title or overriding royalty6565.44790.733066.180965
    Source for Implicit Price Deflator for Gross Domestic Product data: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis (March 25, 2016).

    III. How Fees Are Adjusted

    The figures in the Existing Fee column in the table above represent the base value of the existing fee (shown in the Existing Value column) rounded to the closest multiple of $5 for fees equal to or greater than $1, or to the nearest Start Printed Page 65560cent for fees under $1. In calculating the annual adjustment to the fee, however, the BLM begins with the unrounded base fee, represented in the Existing Value column. The Existing Value is the figure from the New Value column in the previous year's rule. In the case of fees that were not in the table the previous year, or that had no figure in the New Value column the previous year, the Existing Value is the same as the Existing Fee. Because the new fees are derived from rounding the new values to the closest multiple of $5 for fees equal to or greater than $1, or to the nearest cent for fees under $1, adjustments based on the figures in the Existing Fee column would lead to significantly over- or under-valued fees over time. Accordingly, fee adjustments are made by multiplying the annual change in the IPD-GDP by the figure in the Existing Value column. This calculation defines the New Value for this year, which is then rounded to the nearest $5 for fees equal to or greater than $1, or the nearest penny for fees under $1, to establish the New Fee.

    IV. Procedural Matters

    Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866)

    This document is not a significant rule, and the Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12866.

    The BLM has determined that the rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. It will not adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities. The changes in today's rule are much smaller than those in the 2005 final rule, which did not approach the threshold in Executive Order 12866. For instructions on how to view a copy of the analysis prepared in conjunction with the 2005 final rule, please contact one of the persons listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

    This rule will not create inconsistencies or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. This rule does not change the relationships of the onshore minerals programs with other agencies' actions. These relationships are included in agreements and memoranda of understanding that will not change with this rule.

    In addition, this final rule does not materially affect the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their recipients. This rule applies an inflationary adjustment factor to existing user fees for processing certain actions associated with the onshore minerals programs. However, most of these fee increases are less than 2 percent, and none of the increases materially affects the budgetary impact of any of the affected fees or charges.

    Finally, this rule will not raise novel legal or policy issues. As explained above, this rule simply implements an annual process to account for inflation that was adopted by and explained in the 2005 Cost Recovery Rule.

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). As a result a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required. The Small Business Administration defines small entities as individual, limited partnerships, or small companies considered to be at arm's length from the control of any parent companies if they meet the following size requirements as established for each North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code:

    • Iron ore mining (NAICS code 212210): 750 or fewer employees
    • Gold ore mining (NAICS code 212221): 1,500 or fewer employees
    • Silver ore mining (NAICS code 212222): 250 or fewer employees
    • Lead ore mining (NAICS code 212231): 750 or fewer employees
    • Copper ore mining (NAICS code 212234): 1,500 or fewer employees
    • Uranium-Radium-Vanadium ore mining (NAICS code 212291): 250 or fewer employees
    • All Other Metal ore mining (NAICS code 212299): 750 or fewer employees
    • Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface Mining (NAICS code 212111)—1,250 or fewer employees
    • Bituminous Coal Underground Mining (NAICS code 212112)—1,500 or fewer employees
    • Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction (NAICS code 211111)—1,250 or fewer employees
    • Natural Gas Liquid Extraction (NAICS code 211112)—750 or fewer employees
    • All Other Non-Metallic Mineral Mining (NAICS code 212399)—500 or fewer employees

    The SBA standards were adjusted as of February 26, 2016, per 13 CFR 121.104. The SBA would consider many, if not most, of the operators with whom the BLM works in the onshore minerals programs to be small entities. The BLM notes that this final rule does not affect service industries, for which the SBA has a different definition of “small entity.”

    The final rule may affect a large number of small entities because 18 fees for activities on public lands will be increased. However, most of the fee increases will be less than 2 percent. The adjustments result in no increase in the fees for processing 30 actions relating to the BLM's minerals programs. The highest adjustment, in dollar terms, is for adjudications of mineral patent applications involving more than 10 mining claims; that fee will increase by $35. Accordingly, the BLM has concluded that the economic effect of the rule's changes will not be significant, even for small entities. For the 2005 Cost Recovery Rule, the BLM completed a Regulatory Flexibility Act threshold analysis, which is available for public review in the administrative record for that rule. For instructions on how to view a copy of that analysis, please contact one of the persons listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above. The analysis for the 2005 rule concluded that the fees would not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. The fee increases implemented in today's rule are substantially smaller than those provided for in the 2005 rule.

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This final rule is not a “major rule” as defined at 5 U.S.C. 804(2). The final rule will not have an annual effect on the economy greater than $100 million; it will not result in major cost or price increases for consumers, industries, government agencies, or regions; and it will not have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. Accordingly, a Small Entity Compliance Guide is not required.

    Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    This final rule will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the BLM therefore finds that the final rule does not have federalism implications, and a federalism assessment is not required.Start Printed Page 65561

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements that require a control number from the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521). After the effective date of this rule, the new fees may affect the non-hour burdens associated with the following control numbers:

    Oil and Gas

    (1) 1004-0034 which expires July 31, 2018;

    (2) 1004-0137 which expires January 31, 2018;

    (3) 1004-0162 which expires October 31, 2018;

    (4) 1004-0185 which expires March 31, 2019;

    Geothermal

    (5) 1004-0132 which expires December 31, 2016;

    Coal

    (6) 1004-0073 which expires August 31, 2016; [8]

    Mining Claims

    (7) 1004-0025 which expires March 31, 2019;

    (8) 1004-0114 which expires October 31, 2016; and

    Leasing of Solid Minerals Other Than Oil Shale

    (9) 1004-0121 which expires August 31, 2016.8

    Takings Implication Assessment (Executive Order 12630)

    As required by Executive Order 12630, the BLM has determined that this rule will not cause a taking of private property. No private property rights will be affected by a rule that merely updates fees. The BLM therefore certifies that this final rule does not represent a governmental action capable of interference with constitutionally protected property rights.

    Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

    In accordance with Executive Order 12988, the BLM finds that this final rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Executive Order.

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    The BLM has determined that this final rule qualifies as a routine financial transaction and a regulation of an administrative, financial, legal, or procedural nature that is categorically excluded from environmental review under NEPA pursuant to 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210(c) and (i). The final rule does not meet any of the 12 criteria for exceptions to categorical exclusions listed at 43 CFR 46.215. Therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required in connection with the rule (40 CFR 1508.4).

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The BLM has determined that this final rule is not significant under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., because it will not result in State, local, private sector, or tribal government expenditures of $100 million or more in any one year, 2 U.S.C. 1532. This rule will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, the BLM is not required to prepare a statement containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

    Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments (Executive Order 13175)

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175, the BLM has determined that this final rule does not include policies that have tribal implications. Specifically, the rule would not have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes. Consequently, the BLM did not utilize the consultation process set forth in Section 5 of the Executive Order.

    Information Quality Act

    In developing this rule, the BLM did not conduct or use a study, experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Information Quality Act (Pub. L. 106-554).

    Effects on the Nation's Energy Supply (Executive Order 13211)

    In accordance with Executive Order 13211, the BLM has determined that this final rule is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. It merely adjusts certain administrative cost recovery fees to account for inflation.

    Author

    The principal author of this rule is Mark Purdy of the Division of Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Land Management.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 43 CFR Part 3000

    • Public lands—mineral resources
    • Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
    End List of Subjects Start Signature

    Amanda C. Leiter,

    Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

    End Signature

    For reasons stated in the preamble, the Bureau of Land Management amends 43 CFR part 3000 as follows:

    Start Part

    PART 3000—MINERALS MANAGEMENT: GENERAL

    End Part Start Amendment Part

    1. The authority citation for part 3000 continues to read as follows:

    End Amendment Part Start Authority

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq., 301-306, 351-359, and 601 et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 6508; 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; and Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 357.

    End Authority

    Subpart 3000—General

    Start Amendment Part

    2. Amend § 3000.12 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

    End Amendment Part
    What is the fee schedule for fixed fees?

    (a) The table in this section shows the fixed fees that you must pay to the BLM for the services listed for Fiscal Year 2017. These fees are nonrefundable and must be included with documents you file under this chapter. Fees will be adjusted annually according to the change in the Implicit Price Deflator for Gross Domestic Product (IPD-GDP) by way of publication of a final rule in the Federal Register and will subsequently be posted on the BLM Web site (http://www.blm.gov) before October 1 each year. Revised fees are effective each year on October 1.Start Printed Page 65562

    FY 2017 Processing and Filing Fee Table

    Document/actionFY 2017 fee
    Oil & Gas (parts 3100, 3110, 3120, 3130, 3150)
    Noncompetitive lease application$415.
    Competitive lease application$160.
    Assignment and transfer of record title or operating rights$95.
    Overriding royalty transfer, payment out of production$10.
    Name change, corporate merger or transfer to heir/devisee$215.
    Lease consolidation$455.
    Lease renewal or exchange$415.
    Lease reinstatement, Class I$80.
    Leasing under right-of-way$415.
    Geophysical exploration permit application—Alaska$25.
    Renewal of exploration permit—Alaska$25.
    Geothermal (part 3200)
    Noncompetitive lease application$415.
    Competitive lease application$160.
    Assignment and transfer of record title or operating rights$95.
    Name change, corporate merger or transfer to heir/devisee$215.
    Lease consolidation$455.
    Lease reinstatement$80.
    Nomination of lands$115.
    plus per acre nomination fee$0.12.
    Site license application$60.
    Assignment or transfer of site license$60.
    Coal (parts 3400, 3470)
    License to mine application$10.
    Exploration license application$340.
    Lease or lease interest transfer$70.
    Leasing of Solid Minerals Other Than Coal and Oil Shale (parts 3500, 3580)
    Applications other than those listed below$35.
    Prospecting permit application amendment$70.
    Extension of prospecting permit$110.
    Lease modification or fringe acreage lease$30.
    Lease renewal$530.
    Assignment, sublease, or transfer of operating rights$30.
    Transfer of overriding royalty$30.
    Use permit$30.
    Shasta and Trinity hardrock mineral lease$30.
    Renewal of existing sand and gravel lease in Nevada$30.
    Public Law 359; Mining in Powersite Withdrawals: General (part 3730)
    Notice of protest of placer mining operations$15.
    Mining Law Administration (parts 3800, 3810, 3830, 3850, 3860, 3870)
    Application to open lands to location$10.
    Notice of location*$20.
    Amendment of location$10.
    Transfer of mining claim/site$10.
    Recording an annual FLPMA filing$10.
    Deferment of assessment work$110.
    Recording a notice of intent to locate mining claims on Stockraising Homestead Act lands$30.
    Mineral patent adjudication$3,110 (more than 10 claims). $1,555 (10 or fewer claims).
    Adverse claim$110.
    Protest$70.
    Oil Shale Management (parts 3900, 3910, 3930)
    Exploration license application$325.
    Application for assignment or sublease of record title or overriding royalty$65.
    * To record a mining claim or site location, you must pay this processing fee along with the initial maintenance fee and the one-time location fee required by statute. 43 CFR part 3833.
    Start Printed Page 65563
    * * * * *
    End Supplemental Information

    Footnotes

    1.  The Existing Fee was established by the 2015 (Fiscal Year 2016) cost recovery fee update rule published September 30, 2015 (80 FR 58625), effective October 1, 2015.

    2.  The Existing Value is the figure from the New Value column in the previous year's rule.

    3.  From 4th Quarter 2014 (109.067) to 4th Quarter 2015 (110.286), the IPD-GDP increased by 1.12 percent. The value in the IPD-GDP Increase column is 1.12 percent of the Existing Value.

    4.  The sum of the Existing Value and the IPD-GDP Increase is the New Value.

    5.  The New Fee for Fiscal Year 2016 is the New Value rounded to the nearest $5 for values equal to or greater than $1, or to the nearest penny for values under $1.

    6.  Section 365 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58) directed in subsection (i) that “the Secretary shall not implement a rulemaking that would enable an increase in fees to recover additional costs related to processing drilling-related permit applications and use authorizations.” In the 2005 cost recovery rule, the BLM interpreted this prohibition to apply to geophysical exploration permits. 70 FR 58854-58855. While the $25 fees for geophysical exploration permit applications for Alaska and renewals of exploration permits for Alaska pre-dated the 2005 cost recovery rule and were not affected by the Energy Policy Act prohibition, the BLM interprets the Energy Policy Act provision as prohibiting it from increasing this $25 fee.

    7.  The BLM interprets the Energy Policy Act prohibition discussed in footnote 6, above, as prohibiting it from increasing this $25 fee, as well.

    Back to Citation

    8.  A request for renewal is pending with the Office of Management and Budget.

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2016-22841 Filed 9-22-16; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4310-84-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/1/2016
Published:
09/23/2016
Department:
Land Management Bureau
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
2016-22841
Dates:
This final rule is effective October 1, 2016.
Pages:
65558-65563 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
16X.LLWO310000.L13100000.PP0000
RINs:
1004-AE47: Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1004-AE47/minerals-management-adjustment-of-cost-recovery-fees
Topics:
Public lands-mineral resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
PDF File:
2016-22841.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Paleontological Resources Preservation
» Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment: Onshore Oil and Gas Operations and Coal Trespass
» Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees
» Alaska Native Vietnam-Era Veterans Allotment
» Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees
» Selected Public Lands in Gila, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai Counties, AZ
» Onshore Oil and Gas Operations: Annual Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustments
» Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees
» Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees
» Onshore Oil and Gas Operations: Annual Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustments
CFR: (1)
43 CFR 3000.12