Department of the Interior July 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is submitting two information collection requests for review and renewal by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The two collections are: Class III Gaming Procedures, 1076-0149, and Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans, 1076-0152.

This notice is published in accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463). Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior has renewed the Pinedale Anticline Working Group and Task Groups (PAWG). The purpose of the Working Group and Task Groups will be to advise the Bureau of Land Management, Pinedale Field Office Manager, regarding recommendations on matters pertinent to the Bureau of Land Management's responsibilities related to the Pinedale Anticline Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. Members to the PAWG will be appointed as follows: A representative from the State of Wyoming, Office of the Governor; a representative of the Town of Pinedale (Wyoming); a representative of the oil/gas operators active in the Pinedale Anticline area; a representative of the Sublette County Government (Wyoming); a representative of environmental groups; a representative of the landowners within or bordering the Pinedale Anticline area; a representative of local livestock operators operating within or bordering the Pinedale Anticline area; and two representatives from the public-at-large within or adjacent to the PAWG's jurisdiction.

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council is soliciting nominations for the Public Advisory Committee, which advises the Trustee Council on decisions related to the planning, evaluation, and conduct of injury assessment, restoration, long-term monitoring, and research activities using funds obtained as part of the civil settlement pursuant to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. Public Advisory Committee members will be selected to serve a 24-month term beginning in October 2006.

MMS is proposing to amend its regulations to require lessees, lease operators, and pipeline right-of-way (ROW) holders to submit assessment information on the structural integrity of their OCS platforms each year, and to submit an inspection program to MMS yearly. Also, a damage report would be required if a facility or pipeline was damaged by a hurricane or other natural phenomena. Lessees, lease operators, and pipeline ROW holders proposing to use unbonded flexible pipe for pipelines, or to install pipeline risers on floating platforms, would have to provide additional information on their projects. The proposed rule also would incorporate an industry- developed standard concerning the in-service inspection of mooring hardware for floating drilling units. These proposed changes would allow MMS to better regulate the safety of the oil and gas infrastructure, and to promptly assess damage resulting from hurricanes or other natural phenomena.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Pathfinder Energy and Wellstar Corporation for noncompetitive oil and gas lease WYW72473 for land in Campbell County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.