Department of the Interior July 15, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Linn Energy Holdings LLC, MBI Oil and Gas LLC, Montana Oil Properties Inc., Slawson Exploration Company Inc. and Stewart Geological Inc. have timely filed a petition for reinstatement of competitive oil and gas lease NDM 98943, which is located in Mountrail County, North Dakota. The petition was filed on time and consistent with the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920. The lessee has paid the required rentals accruing from the date of termination. No leases were issued that affect these lands.

The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared and approved a Record of Decision for the General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/ Final Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/WS/EIS) for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Approval of the GMP/WS/EIS culminates an extensive public engagement and environmental impact analysis effort that began in 2009.

The Department of the Interior (DOI or the Department), acting through BOEM and BSEE, is revising and adding new requirements to regulations for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) seaward of the State of Alaska. This final rule focuses solely on the OCS within the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas (Arctic OCS). The Arctic region is characterized by extreme environmental conditions, geographic remoteness, and a relative lack of fixed infrastructure and existing operations. This final rule is designed to help ensure the safe, effective, and responsible exploration of Arctic OCS oil and gas resources, while protecting the marine, coastal, and human environments, and Alaska Natives' cultural traditions and access to subsistence resources.