[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 245 (Friday, December 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77836-77837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30139]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS-2008-MRM-0027]
Notice of Establishment of the Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated
Rulemaking Committee
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.
ACTION: Establishment of Advisory Committee.
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SUMMARY: As required by section 9 (a) (2) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), the Department of the
Interior (Department) is giving notice of the establishment of the
Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee) to
develop specific recommendations regarding Indian oil valuation. The
Department has determined that the establishment of this Committee is
in the public interest and will assist the Minerals Management Service
(MMS) in performing its duties under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty
Management Act of 1982 (FOGRMA) (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). Copies of the
Committee's charter will be filed with the appropriate committees of
Congress and the Library of Congress in accordance with section 9 (c)
of FACA.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following methods:
Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the
``Comment or Submission'' column, enter ``MMS-2008-MRM-0027'' to view
supporting and related materials for this notice. Click on ``Send a
comment or submission'' link to submit public comments. Information on
using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents,
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the
comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' link. All
comments submitted will be posted to the docket.
Mail comments to Hyla Hurst, Regulatory Specialist,
Minerals Management Service, Minerals Revenue Management, P.O. Box
25165, MS 302B2, Denver, Colorado 80225.
Hand-carry comments or use an overnight courier service.
Our courier address is Building 85, Room A-614, Denver Federal Center,
West 6th Ave. and Kipling St., Denver, Colorado 80225.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Donald T. Sant, Senior Policy
Advisor, Minerals Management Service, Minerals Revenue Management, P.O.
Box 25165, MS 300B2, Denver, Colorado 80225-
[[Page 77837]]
0165, telephone number (303) 231-3899, fax number (303) 231-3409.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On April 28, 2008, the Department published a notice of intent to
establish an Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (73
FR 22970). In that notice, the Department requested interested parties
to nominate representatives for membership on the Committee. The
Department received 1 comment opposing the establishment of a
negotiated rulemaking committee and 10 responses nominating individuals
to serve on the Committee. The Department believes that using a
negotiated rulemaking committee to make specific recommendations
regarding valuation of oil from Indian leases would help the agency in
developing a rulemaking. Therefore, the Department is establishing the
Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.
II. Statutory Provisions
The Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996 (NRA) (5 U.S.C. 561 et seq.
); the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2, section 1
et seq. ); the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982
(FOGRMA) (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. ); the Indian Mineral Development Act
of 1982 (25 U.S.C. 2101-2108; and 25 U.S.C. 2 and 9); 30 CFR part 206;
25 CFR part 225; and Indian oil and gas lease and agreement terms.
III. The Committee and Its Process
In a negotiated rulemaking, a proposed rule is developed by a
committee composed of representatives of government and the interests
that will be significantly affected by the rule. Decisions are made by
``consensus.''
``[C]onsensus'' means unanimous concurrence among the interests
represented on a negotiated rulemaking committee established under
this subchapter, unless such committee (A) agrees to define such
term to mean a general but not unanimous concurrence; or (B) agrees
upon another specified definition.
5 U.S.C. 562(2) (A) and (B).
The negotiated rulemaking process is initiated by the Agency's
identification of interests potentially affected by the rulemaking
under consideration. Those interests were identified by the comments
received regarding the Federal Register notice published on April 28,
2008.
IV. Membership of the Committee
The MMS believes that the interests significantly affected by this
rule will be represented by the representatives listed below:
A representative of the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes of the Wind
River Reservation;
A representative of the Ute Indian Tribe;
A representative of the allottees at Fort Berthold, North Dakota;
A representative of the allottees of Oklahoma Indian Land/Mineral
Owners of Associated Nations;
A representative of the Blackfeet Nation;
A representative of the Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies
(COPAS) Revenue Committee;
A representative of the Independent Petroleum Association of
Mountain States;
A representative of Peak Energy Resources;
A representative of Resolute Natural Resources;
A representative of Chesapeake Energy;
Two representatives of the Minerals Management Service; and
A representative of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.
If anyone believes their interests will not be adequately
represented by these organizations, they must demonstrate and document
that assertion through an application submitted no later than 10
calendar days following publication of this notice. You may fax your
documentation to (303) 231-3409.
The first meeting date will be published in a Federal Register
notice. Future meetings will be determined at this first meeting and
notice of the dates published in the Federal Register.
Certification
I hereby certify that the Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated
Rulemaking Committee is in the public interest.
Dated: December 10, 2008.
Foster L. Wade,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. E8-30139 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P