Bureau of Land Management September 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule amends the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mineral resources regulations to update some fees that cover the BLM's cost of processing certain documents relating to its minerals programs and some filing fees for mineral-related documents. These updated fees include those for actions such as lease renewals and mineral patent adjudications.

This proposed rule would replace Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number 4, Measurement of Oil (Order 4) with new regulations that would be codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Order 4 establishes minimum standards for the measurement of oil produced from Federal and Indian (except Osage Tribe) leases to ensure that production is accurately measured and properly accounted for. Order 4 was issued in 1989. The changes contemplated as part of this proposed rule would strengthen the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) policies governing production accountability by updating its minimum standards for oil measurement to reflect the considerable changes in technology and industry practices that have occurred in the 25 years since Order 4 was issued. This proposed rule addresses the use of new oil meter technology, proper measurement documentation, and recordkeeping; establishes performance standards for oil measurement systems; and includes a mechanism for the BLM to review, and approve for use, new oil measurement technology and systems. The proposed rule expands the acts of noncompliance that would result in an immediate assessment under the existing regulations. Finally, it sets forth a process for the BLM to consider variances from these requirements.

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Alaska State Office hereby notifies the public it will hold a National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska oil and gas lease sale bid opening for tracts in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The United States reserves the right to withdraw any tract from this sale prior to issuance of a written acceptance of a bid.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the John Day- Snake and Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Councils (RAC) will meet as indicated below:

The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw approximately 17,486.90 acres of National Forest System lands from the mining laws to protect four Research Natural Areas and seven Botanical Areas within the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota and Wyoming. This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws while the application is being processed. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed withdrawal application, and announces dates, time and location of two public meetings.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments (ARMPAs) for the Great Basin Region Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) sub-regions of Idaho and Southwestern Montana, Nevada and Northeastern California, Oregon, and Utah. The Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior signed the ROD.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD); and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments (ARMPAs) for the Rocky Mountain Region Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) sub-regions of Lewistown, North Dakota, Northwest Colorado, and Wyoming; and Approved Resource Management Plans (ARMPs) for Billings, Buffalo, Cody, HiLine, Miles City, Pompeys Pillar National Monument, South Dakota, and Worland. The Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior signed the ROD.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) will meet as indicated below:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease under the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 860 et seq.), approximately 19.34 acres of public land in Chaffee County, Colorado. The BLM proposes to amend the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) existing R&PP Lease (COC-49757) to include the following 19.34 acres in the BLM Salida East Recreation area. The BLM and CPW jointly manage a number of recreation sites in the Arkansas River corridor under a cooperative management agreement. Public lands jointly managed by the BLM and CPW are designated as the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA). The lands requested in the CPW's lease amendment application are located on public lands within the river corridor and are currently managed by the BLM as a developed recreational facility. If the lease is approved the lands will become part of the AHRA. An R&PP lease to CPW will allow improvements in the Salida East facilities and enhance opportunities for public recreation and public safety.

Notice is hereby given that an appealable decision will be issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), approving conveyance of the surface estate in the lands described below to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., Successor in Interest to Deering Ipnatchiak Corporation, and Katyaak Corporation, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., when the surface estate is conveyed to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., as Successor in Interest to Deering Ipnatchiak Corporation, and Katyaak Corporation.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing its intention to request approval to continue the collection of information regarding leases of solid minerals other than coal and oil shale. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has assigned control number 1004-0121 to this information collection.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Jarbidge Field Office located in the Twin Falls District (Idaho and Nevada). The Idaho State Director signed the ROD on September 2, 2015, which constitutes the final decision of the BLM and makes the Approved RMP effective immediately.