80_FR_81704 80 FR 81454 - Allocation and Disbursement of Royalties, Rentals, and Bonuses-Oil and Gas, Offshore

80 FR 81454 - Allocation and Disbursement of Royalties, Rentals, and Bonuses-Oil and Gas, Offshore

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Office of Natural Resources Revenue

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 250 (December 30, 2015)

Page Range81454-81463
FR Document2015-32787

In this final rule, the Department of the Interior moves the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006's Phase I regulations from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) chapter V to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue's (ONRR) title 30 CFR chapter XII and clarifies and adds minor definition changes to these current revenue- sharing regulations. Additionally, ONRR amends these regulations concerning the distribution and disbursement of qualified revenues from certain leases on the Gulf of Mexico's Outer Continental Shelf, under the provisions of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. These regulations set forth formulas and methodologies for calculating and allocating revenues to the States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; their eligible coastal political subdivisions; the Land and Water Conservation Fund; and the United States Treasury.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81454-81463]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32787]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

30 CFR Part 519

RIN 1010-AD65

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

30 CFR Part 1219

[Docket ID: ONRR-2011-0024; DS63610000 DR2PS0000.CH7000 156D0102R2]
RIN 1012-AA11


Allocation and Disbursement of Royalties, Rentals, and Bonuses--
Oil and Gas, Offshore

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Office of Natural 
Resources Revenue, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this final rule, the Department of the Interior moves the 
Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006's Phase I regulations from 
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) title 30 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) chapter V to the Office of Natural Resources 
Revenue's (ONRR) title 30 CFR chapter XII and clarifies and adds minor 
definition changes to these current revenue-

[[Page 81455]]

sharing regulations. Additionally, ONRR amends these regulations 
concerning the distribution and disbursement of qualified revenues from 
certain leases on the Gulf of Mexico's Outer Continental Shelf, under 
the provisions of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. These 
regulations set forth formulas and methodologies for calculating and 
allocating revenues to the States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
and Texas; their eligible coastal political subdivisions; the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund; and the United States Treasury.

DATES: Effective: January 29, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions, contact Karen Osborne, 
Supervisory Management & Program Analyst, Office of the Deputy 
Director, ONRR, at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    President George W. Bush signed the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security 
Act of 2006 (GOMESA or Act) into law on December 20, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-
432, 120 Stat. 2922; 43 U.S.C. 1331 note), as part of H.R. 6111, The 
Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006. With regard to the Gulf of 
Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) provisions (Division C, 
Title 1, 120 Stat. 3000), GOMESA:
     Provided for sharing of leasing revenues with Gulf 
producing States, coastal political subdivisions (CPSs) within those 
States, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), for coastal 
protection, conservation, and restoration projects.
     Lifted the congressional moratorium on oil and gas leasing 
and development in a portion of the Eastern and Central GOM.
     Mandated lease sales for 8.3 million acres in the Eastern 
and Central GOM, including 5.8 million acres in the Central GOM 
previously under Congressional moratoria.
     Barred, until June 30, 2022, oil and gas leasing within 
125 miles of the Florida coastline in the Eastern Planning Area, and 
100 miles of the Florida coastline in the Central Planning Area, as 
well as in all areas in the GOM east of the Military Mission Line 
(86[deg]41' W. longitude).
     Established a process for lessees to exchange with the 
Federal Government certain existing leases in moratorium areas for 
bonus or royalty credits to use on other GOM leases.
    This final rule sets forth the Department of the Interior's (DOI, 
hereafter ``We'') plan to implement the second phase of GOMESA revenue 
sharing in fiscal year 2017 and beyond. In addition, we add several 
clarifications and conforming modifications to the GOMESA Phase I 
revenue-sharing regulations, currently available in BOEM's regulations 
at part 519, subpart D, of 30 CFR chapter V. We add these changes to 
differentiate between the two GOMESA revenue-sharing phases. We also 
move the Phase I regulations from 30 CFR chapter V, part 519, subpart 
D, to ONRR's regulations at 30 CFR chapter XII.
    We published a final rule (73 FR 78622, December 23, 2008) in the 
Federal Register on the allocation and disbursement of qualified 
revenues from two designated areas in the Gulf of Mexico, known as the 
181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area and the 181 South Area. That 
final rule addressed such allocation and disbursement for each of 
fiscal years 2007 through 2016, to which we refer as ``GOMESA Phase I'' 
revenue sharing. You can find depictions of the 181 Area and the 181 
South Area on the map available at www.boem.gov/Map-Gallery. The 
majority of this new final rule covers revenue sharing from the 181 
Area, the 181 South Area, and the 2002-2007 Planning Area subject to 
GOMESA--for fiscal year 2017 and thereafter--to which we refer as 
``GOMESA Phase II'' revenue sharing. To avoid confusion between the two 
GOMESA revenue-sharing phases, we are adding a new subpart E in the 
regulations for GOMESA Phase II. The differences between GOMESA Phase I 
and Phase II include the calculation methodology, revenue-sharing 
areas, and the imposition of a cap on shared revenues in Phase II. 
Moving the GOMESA Phase I regulations to 30 CFR chapter XII and 
modifying the definitions does not change the existing revenue-sharing 
methodology applicable to GOMESA Phase I.
    We have drawn on the experience that we gained during the first few 
years of GOMESA Phase I revenue sharing, along with comments and 
questions that we received, to refine the definitions. We have worked 
to eliminate any uncertainty, consistent with the Secretary's authority 
under GOMESA.
    For each of the fiscal years 2017 and thereafter, GOMESA directs 
the Secretary of the Interior to deposit 50 percent of qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II) that we receive on or after October 1, 2016, from 
certain OCS oil and gas leases in the 181 Area, the 181 South Area, and 
the 2002-2007 Planning Area, into a special account in the U.S. 
Treasury. From that account, we distribute 25 percent of the qualified 
revenues to the LWCF and distribute the remaining 75 percent to the 
States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas (which we 
collectively identify as the ``Gulf producing States'') and their 
eligible CPSs. Under GOMESA Phase II, we share the revenues from leases 
that the Department issued on or after December 20, 2006, in the 181 
Area, the 181 South Area, and the 2002-2007 Planning Area. You can find 
the definition of these Phase II revenue-sharing areas in Section 102 
of GOMESA, and you can also locate them on the map available at 
www.boem.gov/Map-Gallery.
    We allocate the GOMESA Phase II qualified OCS revenues among the 
Gulf producing States based upon proportional inverse distance 
calculations from applicable leased tracts (Phase II) in the 181 Area 
and the 181 South Area, as well as historical lease sites in the 2002-
2007 Planning Area, in accordance with GOMESA. The result of this 
inverse distance calculation is that States closest to the most 
applicable leased tracts (Phase II)--as well as historical lease 
sites--will receive the greatest share of revenues. In determining each 
individual Gulf producing State's share of the GOMESA Phase II 
qualified OCS revenues, GOMESA provides that no State receives less 
than 10 percent of the revenues that we disburse to the Gulf producing 
States, regardless of the amount that the application of the 
proportional inverse distance formula establishes. Additionally, the 
shared revenues from certain GOMESA Phase II areas are subject to a cap 
of $500 million for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2055.
    The CPSs located in the States' coastal zone and within 200 
nautical miles of the geographic center of any OCS leased tract receive 
20 percent of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) that GOMESA 
allocates to the State. We allocate revenues to the CPSs based upon 
their in-State relative population, coastline length, and proportional 
inverse distance from applicable leased tracts (Phase II) in the 181 
Area and historical lease sites in the 2002-2007 Planning Area.
    There are a few substantive differences between GOMESA Phase I and 
Phase II revenue sharing. First, the GOM acreage and resulting 
qualified revenues will be greater in GOMESA Phase II because Phase II 
acreage consists of the entire 181 Area, the 181 South Area, and the 
2002-2007 Planning Area, whereas Phase I acreage consists of only the 
181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area and the 181 South Area. Second, 
GOMESA Phase II requires that the proportional inverse

[[Page 81456]]

distance calculations be from both applicable leased tracts in the 181 
Area and the 181 South Area and historical lease sites in the 2002-2007 
Planning Area, rather than only from applicable leased tracts. 
Additionally, under GOMESA Phase II, we must update the group of 
historical lease sites in the 2002-2007 Planning Area once every five 
years. The result of the five-year periods between updates is that each 
Gulf producing State's subset of inverse distances to historical lease 
sites remains static for five years following each update. Third, 
GOMESA Phase I ends with the disbursement of fiscal year 2016 qualified 
OCS revenues. GOMESA Phase II begins with the disbursement of fiscal 
year 2017 qualified OCS revenues. Fourth, for Phase II, GOMESA directs 
a $500 million annual cap on the majority of shared revenues, which 
equates to a $375 million annual cap among the four Gulf producing 
States and their eligible CPSs, and a $125 million annual cap to the 
LWCF for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2055.

Revenues Shared Under GOMESA Phase II

    Qualified OCS revenues under GOMESA Phase II are revenues from 
leases that the Department issued after the passage of GOMESA (December 
20, 2006) in the 181 Area, the 181 South Area, and the 2002-2007 
Planning Area, as GOMESA delineates.

Excluded Acreage

    Selected acreage in the De Soto Canyon Protraction Area does not 
fall within the 181 Area, the 181 South Area, or the 2002-2007 Planning 
Area, as defined by GOMESA. You can locate the 21 blocks in the De Soto 
Canyon Protraction area bordering the Eastern Planning Area and not 
covered under GOMESA on the ``Call for Information and Nominations Map, 
Central Planning Area Lease Sale 213,'' available at www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/Regional-Leasing/Gulf-of-Mexico-Region/Lease-Sales/213/index.aspx.

II. Comments on the Proposed Amendments

    ONRR and BOEM published the proposed rule on March 31, 2014 (79 FR 
17948), with a 60-day comment period. We received two comment letters 
on the proposed rule: One from a Gulf producing State, and one from a 
coastal political subdivision. We have analyzed the comments contained 
in the letters and discuss them below:

Specific Comments on 30 CFR Part 1219--Subpart E--Offshore Oil and Gas, 
GOMESA Phase II Revenue Sharing

(1) Definition of ``Qualified Outer Continental Shelf Revenues'' 
(Section 1219.511)
    (a) Public Comment: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, commented that the 
exclusion in the proposed regulation of (1) user fees and (2) lease 
revenues explicitly excluded from GOMESA revenue sharing by statute or 
appropriations law is contrary to GOMESA's requirements.
    ONRR Response: As we discussed in the preamble of the proposed 
rule, the definition of ``qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues 
(Phase II)'' is consistent with the regulations that we published for 
GOMESA Phase I revenue sharing (RIN 1010-AD46). In addition, this 
definition is consistent with other laws that appropriate OCS leasing 
revenues and fees by excluding any leasing revenues and fees that 
Congress may authorize DOI to retain in appropriations legislation or 
that are otherwise precluded from GOMESA revenue sharing.
    Beginning in Fiscal Year 2009, the Appropriations Acts for the 
Department of the Interior have contained language that excludes 
certain rental receipts from GOMESA qualified OCS revenues, which 
Congress has appropriated to fund certain Departmental operations. 
Appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year 2012 made that exclusion 
permanent.
    Additionally, we collect fees for cost recovery of special 
services, such as the transfer of a record title, based on the cost of 
providing those services. We collect these fees under the authority of 
the Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701) and the 
Office of Management and Budget's Circular A-25. We do not derive these 
fees from the lease. For these reasons, Congress designates such fees 
as part of the Department's appropriation, and they do not qualify as 
qualified OCS revenues under GOMESA. See Pub. L. 111-88, October 30, 
2009.
    (b) Public Comment: The State of Louisiana commented that we should 
revise the definition of qualified OCS revenues to include all funds 
due and payable to the United States, rather than only funds that ONRR 
receives. Louisiana expressed concern that including only funds 
received as qualified OCS revenues suggests that the United States (and 
therefore the Gulf-producing States and their CPSs) may not receive 
monies owed, and that ONRR may be perceived as having no obligation to 
collect monies owed.
    ONRR Response: ONRR's mission is ``to collect, disburse and verify 
Federal and Indian energy and other natural resource revenues on behalf 
of all Americans.'' The Secretary entrusts ONRR with a fiduciary role, 
and we ensure timely receipt of all revenues that payors owe. All 
qualified rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums that ONRR 
receives within a fiscal year and subsequently transfers to the 
appropriate receipt account establish the amount of revenues due and 
payable for that fiscal year. We believe that this definition is 
consistent with the intent of the GOMESA provisions and other 
applicable laws.
(2) GOMESA $500,000,000 Cap and ONRR Disbursement of Qualified OCS 
Revenues (Phase II) (Section 1219.512)
    Public Comments: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, commented that it is 
concerned with what it believes is an arbitrary annual cap of five 
hundred million dollars ($500,000,000.00) per year.
    The State of Louisiana requested that States and their CPSs be 
allowed to direct all or a specified portion of their payments directly 
to a trustee.
    ONRR Response: GOMESA is explicit about the annual cap. GOMESA 
states that, for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2055, the total 
amount that the Department shares with the States, CPSs, and the LWCF 
cannot exceed $500,000,000 annually. ONRR does not have the authority 
to alter the application of the cap.
    GOMESA specifically enumerates the four States, CPSs, and the LWCF 
as the recipients of GOMESA revenue-sharing funds. ONRR's standard 
practice is to disburse revenue-sharing funds to the Government entity 
with which the Department shares the revenues. In order to maintain 
consistency between this standard practice and the revenue sharing 
under GOMESA, ONRR will disburse revenues to the States, CPSs, and the 
LWCF, and not directly to trustees.
(3) ONRR Allocates the Qualified OCS Revenues (Phase II) to Coastal 
Political Subdivisions Within the Gulf Producing States (Section 
1219.514)
    Public Comment: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, commented that the 
portion of the allocation formula based upon proportionate coastline 
lengths for CPSs in Louisiana results in an inequity for Jefferson 
Parish, since parishes without a coastline in Louisiana receive greater 
allocations than Jefferson Parish, which has a coastline.
    ONRR Response: GOMESA specifically states in Section

[[Page 81457]]

105(b)(3)(B) that allocations to coastal political subdivisions will be 
made in accordance with paragraphs (B), (C), and (E) of section 
31(b)(4) of the OCSLA. Paragraph (B) specifies that 25 percent of the 
allocation be based on the number of miles of coastline a CPS has in 
proportion to the total number of miles of coastline of all CPSs within 
each State. For the State of Louisiana, paragraph (C) specifies a proxy 
coastline length for CPSs without a coastline. GOMESA does not provide 
an option to adjust the coastline length of any CPSs in Louisiana that 
have a coastline shorter than the proxy coastline length. Although 
Jefferson Parish does receive a smaller portion of revenues relative to 
CPSs without a coastline, GOMESA does not provide the Department with 
the authority to address this issue without a legislative change.
(4) ONRR Disbursement of Funds to Gulf Producing States and Eligible 
Coastal Political Subdivisions (Section 1219.516)
    Public Comment: The State of Louisiana commented that we should 
make the disbursement of allocated funds as quickly as practicable, but 
not later than March 31st of the year following the fiscal year of 
qualified OCS revenues.
    ONRR Response: ONRR intends to disburse funds as quickly as 
practicable, but we cannot guarantee that we will do so before March 
31st of the following fiscal year. GOMESA requires that ONRR disburse 
funds within the following fiscal year--or by September 30th. ONRR's 
intent is to make the disbursements as soon as possible, but the 
disbursements may depend on factors outside of ONRR's authority. ONRR 
has modified the final rule to include language that states that we 
will disburse as soon as authorized and practicable each year.
    This final rule also makes non-substantive technical or clarifying 
changes to the proposed rule. In the interim, between development of 
the proposed rule and the final rule, we made a technical update in 
Sec.  1219.102 due to the United States Department of the Treasury 
disbursing monies only by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

III. Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) will review all significant rulemakings. OIRA 
determined that this rule is not significant.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866, while 
calling for improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability; to reduce uncertainty; and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
E.O. 13563 directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that 
reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the 
public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent 
with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that 
regulations must be based on the best available science and that the 
rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DOI certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic 
effect on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). This rule specifies the 
formulas and methodologies for distributing DOI-collected shared 
revenues to the qualified Gulf producing States, their CPSs, and the 
LWCF. This rule has no effect on the amount of royalties, rents, or 
bonuses that lessees, operators, or payors owe, regardless of size and, 
consequently, does not have a significant economic effect on offshore 
lessees or operators, including those classified as small businesses. 
Small entities may be the beneficiaries of contracts that GOMESA 
revenues fund and that Gulf producing States or CPSs manage for coastal 
protection, conservation, or restoration services, but that is solely 
at the local government entity's discretion rather than the Federal 
Government's discretion. It is not possible to estimate GOMESA's 
ultimate effect on small entities since, under the statute, States and 
CPSs will be the entities disbursing the shared revenues for one or 
more of the five GOMESA-authorized uses.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rulemaking is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq. of 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
    (a) Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more. This rule's provisions specify how we will allocate qualified 
OCS revenues to States and CPSs during the second phase of GOMESA 
revenue sharing. This rule has no effect on the amount of royalties, 
rents, or bonuses that lessees, operators, or payors owe, regardless of 
size and, consequently, does not have a significant adverse economic 
effect on offshore lessees or operators, including those classified as 
small businesses. The Gulf producing States and CPS recipients of the 
revenues will likely fund contracts that will benefit the local 
economies, small entities, and the environment. We believe that these 
annual effects will be less than $100 million.
    (b) Does not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    (c) Does not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based 
enterprises. We project that the effects, if any, of distributing 
revenues to the States and CPSs, will be beneficial.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This rule does not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or 
Tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 million per 
year. This rule does not have a significant or unique effect on State, 
local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. We are not required 
to provide a statement containing the information that the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) requires because this rule 
is not a mandate. This rule merely provides the formulas and methods to 
implement an allocation of revenue to certain States and eligible CPSs, 
as Congress directed.

Takings (E.O. 12630)

    Under the criteria in section 2 of E.O. 12630, this rule does not 
have significant takings implications. This rule will not be a 
governmental action capable of interference with constitutionally 
protected property rights. This rule does not require a Takings 
Implication Assessment.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    Under the criteria in section 1 of E.O. 13132, this rule does not 
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
Federalism summary impact statement. This rule does not substantially 
and directly affect the relationship between the Federal and State 
governments. To the extent that State and local governments have a role 
in OCS activities, this rule does not affect that role.

[[Page 81458]]

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This rule complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988. 
Specifically, this rule:
    a. Meets the criteria of section 3(a), which requires that all 
regulations undergo review to eliminate errors and ambiguity and are 
written to minimize litigation.
    b. Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2), which requires that we 
write regulations in clear language using clear legal standards.

Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)

    The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its 
government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes through a 
commitment to consultation with Indian Tribes and recognition of their 
right to self-governance and Tribal sovereignty. Under the Department's 
consultation policy and the criteria in E.O. 13175, we have evaluated 
this rule and determined that it has no substantial direct effects on 
Federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule:
    (1) Does not contain any information collection requirements.
    (2) Does not require a submission under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment. We are not required to 
provide a detailed statement under the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (NEPA) because this rule qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under 43 CFR 46.210(c) and (i) and the DOI Departmental 
Manual, part 516, section 15.4.D: ``(c) Routine financial transactions 
including such things as . . . audits, fees, bonds, and royalties . . . 
(i) Policies, directives, regulations, and guidelines: That are of an 
administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature.'' We 
have also determined that this rule is not involved in any of the 
extraordinary circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that require 
further analysis under NEPA. This rule does not alter, in any material 
way, natural resources exploration, production, or transportation.

Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)

    This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition 
in E.O. 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

List of Subjects

30 CFR Part 519

    Government contracts, Mineral royalties, Oil and gas exploration, 
Public lands--mineral resources.

30 CFR Part 1219

    Government contracts, Mineral royalties, Oil and gas exploration, 
Public lands--mineral resources.

Janice M. Schneider,
Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.
Kristen J. Sarri,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Policy, Management and Budget.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, under the authority 
provided by the Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1262) and 
Secretarial Order Nos. 3299, 3302, and 3306, the Department of the 
Interior amends part 519 of title 30 CFR chapter V and part 1219 of 30 
CFR chapter XII as follows:

Chapter V--Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the 
Interior

Subchapter A--Minerals Revenue Management

PART 519 [REMOVED AND RESERVED]

0
1. Remove and reserve part 519

Chapter XII--Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Department of the 
Interior

Subchapter A--Natural Resources Revenue

0
2. Revise part 1219 to read as follows:

PART 1219--DISTRIBUTION AND DISBURSEMENT OF ROYALTIES, RENTALS, AND 
BONUSES

Subpart A--[Reserved]
Subpart B--[Reserved]
Subpart C--Oil and Gas, Onshore
Sec.
1219.100 What is ONRR's timing of payment to the States?
1219.101 What receipts are subject to an interest charge?
1219.102 What is ONRR's method of payment to the States?
1219.103 How will ONRR manage payments to Indian accounts?
1219.104 What are Explanation of Payments to the States and Indian 
Tribes?
1219.105 What definitions apply to this subpart?
Subpart D--Oil and Gas, Offshore, GOMESA Phase I Revenue Sharing
1219.410 What does this subpart contain?
1219.411 What definitions apply to this subpart?
1219.412 How will ONRR divide the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I)?
1219.413 How will ONRR determine each Gulf producing State's share 
of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) from leases in the 181 Area 
in the Eastern Planning Area and the 181 South Area?
1219.414 How will ONRR allocate the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) 
to coastal political subdivisions within the Gulf producing States?
1219.415 How will ONRR allocate qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) to 
the coastal political subdivisions if, during any fiscal year, there 
are no applicable leased tracts in the 181 Area in the Eastern Gulf 
of Mexico Planning Area?
1219.416 When will ONRR disburse funds to Gulf producing States and 
eligible coastal political subdivisions?
Subpart E--Oil and Gas, Offshore, GOMESA Phase II Revenue Sharing
1219.510 What does this subpart contain?
1219.511 What definitions apply to this subpart?
1219.512 How will ONRR divide the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II)?
1219.513 How will ONRR determine each Gulf producing State's share 
of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) from leases in the 181 
Area, the 181 South Area, and the 2002-2007 Planning Area?
1219.514 How will ONRR allocate the qualified OCS revenues (Phase 
II) to coastal political subdivisions within the Gulf producing 
States?
1219.515 How will ONRR update the group of ``historical lease 
sites'' and ``applicable leased tracts (Phase II)'' used for 
determining the allocation of shared revenues?
1219.516 When will ONRR disburse funds to Gulf producing States and 
eligible coastal political subdivisions?

    Authority: Section 104, Pub. L. 97-451, 96 Stat. 2451 (30 U.S.C. 
1714), Pub. L. 109-432, Div. C, Title I, 120 Stat. 3000.

Subpart A--[Reserved]

Subpart B--[Reserved]

Subpart C--Oil and Gas, Onshore


Sec.  1219.100  What is ONRR's timing of payment to the States?

    ONRR will pay a State's share of mineral leasing revenues to the 
State not later than the last business day of the month in which the 
U.S. Treasury issues a warrant authorizing the disbursement, except for 
any portion of such revenues which is under challenge and placed in a 
suspense account pending resolution of a dispute.


Sec.  1219.101  What receipts are subject to an interest charge?

    (a) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Office of 
Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) will pay the

[[Page 81459]]

State its proportionate share of any interest charge for royalty and 
related monies that are placed in a suspense account pending resolution 
of any matters that may disallow distribution and disbursement. Such 
monies not disbursed by the last business day of the month following 
receipt by ONRR will accrue interest until paid.
    (b) Upon resolution of any matters that may disallow distribution 
and disbursement, ONRR will disburse the suspended monies found due in 
paragraph (a) of this section, plus interest, to the State, under the 
provisions of Sec.  1219.100.
    (c) ONRR will apply paragraph (a) of this section to revenues that 
ONRR cannot disburse to the State because the payor/lessee provided to 
ONRR incorrect, inadequate, or incomplete information, which prevented 
ONRR from identifying the proper recipient of the payment.


Sec.  1219.102  What is ONRR's method of payment to the States?

    ONRR will disburse monies to a State by Electronic Funds Transfer 
(EFT).


Sec.  1219.103  How will ONRR manage payments to Indian accounts?

    ONRR will transfer mineral revenues received from Indian leases to 
the appropriate Indian accounts that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 
manages for allotted and Tribal revenues. These accounts are 
specifically designated Treasury accounts. ONRR will transfer these 
revenues to the Indian accounts at the earliest practicable date after 
such funds are received, but in no case later than the last business 
day of the month in which ONRR receives these revenues.


Sec.  1219.104  What are Explanation of Payments to the States and 
Indian Tribes?

    (a) ONRR will describe the payments to States and BIA, on behalf of 
Indian Tribes or Indian allottees, discussed in this part, in ONRR-
prepared Explanation of Payment reports. ONRR will prepare these 
reports at the lease level and will include a description of the type 
of payment made, the period covered by the payment, the source of the 
payment, sales amounts upon which the payment is based, the royalty 
rate, and the unit value. If any State or Indian Tribe needs additional 
information pertaining to mineral revenue payments, the State or Tribe 
may request this information from ONRR.
    (b) ONRR will provide these reports to:
    (1) States, not later than the 10th day of the month following the 
month in which ONRR disburses the State's share of royalties and 
related monies.
    (2) BIA, on behalf of Tribes and Indian allottees, not later than 
the 10th day of the month following the month in which ONRR disburses 
the funds.
    (c) ONRR will not include in these reports revenues that we cannot 
distribute to States, Tribes, or Indian allottees because the payor/
lessee provided incorrect, inadequate, or incomplete information about 
the proper recipient of the payment, until the payor/lessee has 
submitted to ONRR the missing information.


Sec.  1219.105  What definitions apply to this subpart?

    Terms that ONRR uses in this subpart will have the same meaning as 
in 30 U.S.C. 1702.

Subpart D--Oil and Gas, Offshore, GOMESA Phase I Revenue Sharing


Sec.  1219.410  What does this subpart contain?

    (a) The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) directs 
the Secretary of the Interior to disburse a portion of the rentals, 
royalties, bonus bids, and other sums derived from certain Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) leases in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to the 
States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas (collectively 
identified as the Gulf producing States); to eligible coastal political 
subdivisions (CPSs) within those States; and to the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund (LWCF). Shared GOMESA revenues are reserved for the 
following purposes:
    (1) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, 
including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and 
infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetland losses;
    (2) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources;
    (3) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or 
comprehensive conservation management plan;
    (4) Mitigation of the impact of OCS activities through the funding 
of onshore infrastructure projects; and
    (5) Planning assistance and administrative costs not-to-exceed 3 
percent of the amounts received.
    (b) This subpart sets forth the formula and methodology ONRR uses 
to determine the amount of revenues allocated and disbursed to each 
Gulf producing State and each eligible CPS for each of fiscal years 
2007 through 2016. Leasing revenues disbursed under this subpart 
originate from leases issued on or after December 20, 2006, in the 181 
Area in the Eastern Planning Area and the 181 South Area, subject to 
restrictions identified in GOMESA. We collectively refer to the revenue 
sharing from these areas for these fiscal years as GOMESA Phase I 
revenue sharing. For questions related to the revenue-sharing 
provisions in this subpart, please contact: Program Manager, Financial 
Management, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, P.O. Box 25165, Denver 
Federal Center, Building 85, Denver, CO 80225-0165.


Sec.  1219.411  What definitions apply to this subpart?

    For purposes of this subpart:
    181 Area means the area identified in map 15, page 58, of the 
``Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 
for 1997-2002,'' dated August 1996, excluding the area offered in OCS 
Lease Sale 181, held on December 5, 2001.
    181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area is comprised of the area of 
overlap of the two geographic areas defined as the ``181 Area'' and the 
``Eastern Planning Area.''
    181 South Area means any area--
    (1) Located:
    (i) South of the 181 Area;
    (ii) West of the Military Mission Line; and
    (iii) In the Central Planning Area;
    (2) Excluded from the ``Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil 
and Gas Leasing Program for 1997-2002,'' dated August 1996, of the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; and
    (3) Included in the areas considered for oil and gas leasing, as 
identified in map 8, page 84, of the document entitled, ``Revised Outer 
Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2007-2012,'' approved 
December 2010.
    Applicable leased tract (Phase I) means a tract that is subject to 
a lease under section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1337, for the purpose of drilling for, developing, 
and producing oil or natural gas resources, issued on or after December 
20, 2006, and located fully or partially in either the 181 Area in the 
Eastern Planning Area or in the 181 South Area.
    Central Planning Area means the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning 
Area of the Outer Continental Shelf, as designated in the document 
entitled, ``Revised Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 
2007-2012,'' approved December 2010.
    Coastal political subdivision means a political subdivision of a 
Gulf producing State, any part of which is:
    (1) Within the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the 
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453)) of the Gulf 
producing State as of December 20, 2006; and

[[Page 81460]]

    (2) Not more than 200 nautical miles from the geographic center of 
any leased tract.
    Coastline means the line of ordinary low water along that portion 
of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line 
marking the seaward limit of inland waters. This is the same definition 
used in section 2 of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301).
    Distance means the minimum great circle distance.
    Eastern Planning Area means the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning 
Area of the Outer Continental Shelf, as designated in the document 
entitled, ``Revised Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 
2007-2012,'' approved December 2010.
    Gulf producing State means each of the States of Alabama, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
    Leased tract means any tract that is subject to a lease under 
section 6 or 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for the purpose 
of drilling for, developing, and producing oil or natural gas 
resources.
    Military Mission Line means the north-south line at 86[deg]41' W. 
longitude.
    Qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) means--
    (1) In the case of each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2016, all 
rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums received by the United 
States from leases issued on or after December 20, 2006, located:
    (i) In the 181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area.
    (ii) In the 181 South Area.
    (2) For applicable leased tracts intersected by the planning area 
administrative boundary line (e.g., separating the GOM Central Planning 
Area from the Eastern Planning Area), only the percent of revenues 
equivalent to the percent of surface acreage in the 181 Area in the 
Eastern Planning Area will be considered qualified OCS revenues (Phase 
I).
    (3) Exclusions from the term qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) are:
    (i) Revenues from the forfeiture of a bond or other surety securing 
obligations other than royalties;
    (ii) Civil penalties;
    (iii) Royalties ``taken by the Secretary in-kind and not sold.'' 
(Pub. L. 109-432, Dec. 20, 2006);
    (iv) Revenues generated from leases subject to section 8(g) of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(g));
    (v) User fees; and
    (vi) Lease revenues explicitly excluded from GOMESA revenue sharing 
by statute or appropriations law.


Sec.  1219.412  How will ONRR divide the qualified OCS revenues (Phase 
I)?

    For each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2016, the Secretary of 
the Treasury will deposit 50 percent of the qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase I) into a special U.S. Treasury account, from which ONRR will 
disburse 75 percent to the Gulf producing States and 25 percent to the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Of the revenues disbursed to a 
Gulf producing State, we will disburse 20 percent directly to the CPSs 
within that State. Each Gulf producing State will receive at least 10 
percent of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) available for 
allocation to the Gulf producing States each fiscal year. The following 
table summarizes the resulting revenue shares (adding to 100 percent):

   Revenue Distribution of Qualified OCS Revenues Under GOMESA Phase I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Percentage of
          Recipient of qualified OCS revenues             qualified OCS
                                                             revenues
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Treasury (General Fund)...........................             50
Land and Water Conservation Fund.......................             12.5
Gulf Producing States..................................             30
Gulf Producing State Coastal Political Subdivisions....              7.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  1219.413  How will ONRR determine each Gulf producing State's 
share of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) from leases in the 181 
Area in the Eastern Planning Area and the 181 South Area?

    (a) ONRR will determine the great circle distance between:
    (1) The geographic center of each applicable leased tract (Phase 
I); and
    (2) The point on the coastline of each Gulf producing State that is 
closest to the geographic center of each applicable leased tract (Phase 
I).
    (b) Based on these distances, we will calculate the qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase I) to disburse to each Gulf producing State as follows:
    (1) For each Gulf producing State, we will calculate and total, 
over all applicable leased tracts (Phase I), the mathematical inverses 
of the distances between the points on the State's coastline that are 
closest to the geographic centers of the applicable leased tracts 
(Phase I), and the geographic centers of the applicable leased tracts 
(Phase I). For applicable leased tracts intersected by the planning 
area administrative boundary line, we will use the geographic center of 
the entire lease for the inverse distance determination.
    (2) For each Gulf producing State, we will divide the sum of each 
State's inverse distances from all applicable leased tracts (Phase I) 
calculated under paragraph (1), by the sum of the inverse distances 
from all applicable leased tracts (Phase I) across all four Gulf 
producing States. In the formulas below, IAL, ILA, IMS, and ITX 
represent the sum of the inverses of the shortest distances between 
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and all applicable leased 
tracts (Phase I), respectively. We will multiply the result by the 
amount of shareable, qualified OCS revenues (Phase I).

Alabama Share = (IAL / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase I)
Louisiana Share = (ILA / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase I)
Mississippi Share = (IMS / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase I)
Texas Share = (ITX / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase I)

    (3) If, in any fiscal year, this calculation results in less than a 
10-percent allocation of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) to any 
Gulf producing State, we will recalculate the distribution. We will 
allocate 10 percent of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) to the 
affected State and recalculate the other States' shares of the 
remaining qualified OCS revenues (Phase I), omitting from the 
calculation the State receiving the 10-percent minimum share.


Sec.  1219.414  How will ONRR allocate the qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase I) to coastal political subdivisions within the Gulf producing 
States?

    (a) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, ONRR will allocate 25 percent based on the 
proportion that each CPS's population bears to the population of all 
CPSs in the State.
    (b) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, we will allocate 25 percent based on the 
proportion that each CPS's miles of coastline bears to the total miles 
of coastline across all CPSs in the State. However, for the State of 
Louisiana, we will deem CPSs without a coastline to each have a 
coastline one-third the average length of the coastline of all CPSs 
within Louisiana that have a coastline.
    (c)(1) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent in amounts that are 
inversely

[[Page 81461]]

proportional to the respective distances between:
    (i) The point in each CPS that is closest to the geographic center 
of each applicable leased tract (Phase I); and
    (ii) The geographic center of each applicable leased tract (Phase 
I).
    (2) However, we will exclude distances to an applicable leased 
tract (Phase I) from this calculation if any portion of the tract is 
located in a geographic area that was subject to a leasing moratorium 
on January 1, 2005, unless the leased tract was in production on that 
date.


Sec.  1219.415  How will ONRR allocate qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) 
to the coastal political subdivisions if, during any fiscal year, there 
are no applicable leased tracts in the 181 Area in the Eastern Gulf of 
Mexico Planning Area?

    If, during any fiscal year, there are no applicable leased tracts 
in the 181 Area in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, ONRR will 
allocate revenues to the CPSs in accordance with the following 
criteria:
    (a) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent based on the 
proportion that each CPS's population bears to the population of all 
CPSs in the State.
    (b) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent based on the 
proportion that each CPS's miles of coastline bears to the total miles 
of coastline across all CPSs within the State. However, for the State 
of Louisiana, we will deem CPSs without a coastline to each have a 
coastline one-third the average length of the coastline of all CPSs 
within Louisiana that have a coastline.


Sec.  1219.416  When will ONRR disburse funds to Gulf producing States 
and coastal political subdivisions?

    ONRR will disburse GOMESA revenues as soon as authorized and 
practicable within the fiscal year following the year that we collect 
qualified OCS revenues (Phase I).

Subpart E--Oil and Gas, Offshore, GOMESA Phase II Revenue Sharing


Sec.  1219.510  What does this subpart contain?

    (a) GOMESA directs the Secretary of the Interior to disburse a 
portion of the rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums derived 
from certain OCS leases in the GOM to the States of Alabama, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, and Texas (collectively identified as the Gulf producing 
States); to eligible CPSs within those States; and to the LWCF. GOMESA 
directs the Gulf producing States and CPSs to use the shared revenues 
for the following purposes:
    (1) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, 
including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and 
infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetland losses;
    (2) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources;
    (3) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or 
comprehensive conservation management plan;
    (4) Mitigation of the impact of OCS activities through the funding 
of onshore infrastructure projects; and
    (5) Planning assistance and administrative costs not-to-exceed 3 
percent of the amounts received.
    (b) This subpart sets forth the formula and methodology ONRR will 
use to determine the amount of revenues allocated and disbursed to each 
Gulf producing State and each eligible CPS for fiscal year 2017 and 
each fiscal year thereafter. Leasing revenues disbursed under this 
subpart (also referred to as GOMESA Phase II) originate from leases 
issued on or after December 20, 2006, in the 181 Area, the 181 South 
Area, and the GOM 2002-2007 Planning Area, subject to restrictions and 
caps identified in GOMESA. For questions related to the revenue-sharing 
provisions in this subpart, please contact: Program Manager, Financial 
Management, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, P.O. Box 25165, Denver 
Federal Center, Building 85, Denver, CO 80225-0165, or at (303) 231-
3217.


Sec.  1219.511  What definitions apply to this subpart?

    For purposes of this subpart:
    181 Area is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    181 South Area is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    ``181 Area in the Central Planning Area'' is comprised of the area 
of overlap of the two geographic areas defined at Sec.  1219.411 as the 
``181 Area'' and the ``Central Planning Area.''
    2002-2007 Planning Area means any area--
    (1) Located in--
    (i) The Eastern Planning Area, as designated in the ``Proposed 
Final Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program 2002-2007,'' dated April 
2002;
    (ii) The Central Planning Area, as designated in the ``Proposed 
Final Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program 2002-2007,'' dated April 
2002; or
    (iii) The Western Planning Area, as designated in the ``Proposed 
Final Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program 2002-2007,'' dated April 
2002; and
    (2) Not located in--
    (i) An area in which no funds may be expended to conduct offshore 
preleasing, leasing, and related activities under sections 104 through 
106 of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-54; 119 Stat. 521) (as 
in effect on August 2, 2005);
    (ii) An area withdrawn from leasing under the ``Memorandum on 
Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental 
Shelf from Leasing Disposition,'' from 34 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1111, 
dated June 12, 1998; or
    (iii) The 181 Area or 181 South Area.
    Applicable leased tract (Phase II) means a tract that is subject to 
a lease under section 8 of the OCSLA, for the purpose of drilling for, 
developing, and producing oil or natural gas resources, issued on or 
after December 20, 2006, and located fully or partially in either the 
181 Area or the 181 South Area.
    Central Planning Area is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Coastal political subdivision is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Coastline is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Distance is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Eastern Planning Area is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Gulf producing State is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Historical lease site means any tract in the 2002-2007 Planning 
Area leased on or after October 1, 1982, under section 8 of the OCSLA, 
for the purpose of drilling for, developing, and producing oil or 
natural gas resources.
    Leased tract is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Military Mission Line is defined at Sec.  1219.411.
    Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) means--
    (1) In the case of fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, all rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums received 
by the United States from leases that lessees enter(ed) into on or 
after December 20, 2006, located:
    (i) In the 181 Area;
    (ii) In the 181 South Area;
    (iii) In the 2002-2007 Planning Area.
    (2) Exclusions from the term ``Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II)'' 
are:
    (i) Revenues from the forfeiture of a bond or other surety 
instrument securing obligations other than royalties;
    (ii) Civil penalties;
    (iii) Royalties ``taken by the Secretary in-kind and not sold'' 
(Pub. L. 109-432, Dec 20, 2006);
    (iv) Revenues generated from leases subject to section 8(g) of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(g));

[[Page 81462]]

    (v) User fees; and
    (vi) Lease revenues explicitly excluded from GOMESA revenue sharing 
by statute or appropriations law.
    (3) The term ``Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II)'' consists wholly 
of the two subsets defined as ``Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--
capped)'' and ``Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--uncapped).''
    (i) Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--capped) means, in the case of 
fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, the subset of 
qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) received by the United States from 
leases that lessees enter(ed) into on or after December 20, 2006, 
located:
    (A) In the 181 Area in the Central Planning Area; or
    (B) In the 2002-2007 Planning Area.
    (ii) Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--uncapped) means, in the case 
of fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, the subset of 
qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) received by the United States from 
leases that lessees enter(ed) into on or after December 20, 2006, 
located:
    (A) In the 181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area, or
    (B) In the 181 South Area.


Sec.  1219.512  How will ONRR divide the qualified OCS revenues (Phase 
II)?

    (a) For fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
Secretary of the Treasury will deposit 50 percent of the qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--uncapped) into a special U.S. Treasury account, 
from which ONRR will disburse 75 percent to the Gulf producing States 
and 25 percent to the LWCF. Of the revenues disbursed to a Gulf 
producing State, we will disburse 20 percent directly to the CPSs 
within that State. Each Gulf producing State will receive at least 10 
percent of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--uncapped) available 
for allocation to the Gulf producing States each fiscal year. The 
following table summarizes the resulting revenue shares (adding to 100 
percent):

   Revenue Distribution of Qualified OCS Revenues (Phase II--Uncapped)
                          Under GOMESA Phase II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Percentage of
          Recipient of qualified OCS revenues             qualified OCS
                                                             revenues
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Treasury (General Fund)...........................             50
Land and Water Conservation Fund.......................             12.5
Gulf Producing States..................................             30
Gulf Producing State Coastal Political Subdivisions....              7.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) For fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
Secretary of the Treasury will deposit 50 percent of the qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--capped) into a special U.S. Treasury account. The 
total amount of qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--capped) deposited in 
the special U.S. Treasury account and available for allocation to the 
Gulf producing States, the CPSs and the LWCF, under this subpart, 
cannot exceed $500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2017 through 
2055. After applying the cap, if applicable, ONRR will disburse 75 
percent to the Gulf producing States and 25 percent to the LWCF. Of the 
revenues disbursed to a Gulf producing State, we will disburse 20 
percent directly to the CPSs within that State. Each Gulf producing 
State will receive at least 10 percent of the qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase II--capped) available for allocation to the Gulf producing 
States each fiscal year.


Sec.  1219.513  How will ONRR determine each Gulf producing State's 
share of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) from leases in the 181 
Area, the 181 South Area and the 2002-2007 Planning Area?

    (a) ONRR will determine the great circle distance between:
    (1) The geographic center of each applicable leased tract (Phase 
II) or historical lease site; and
    (2) The point on the coastline of each Gulf producing State that is 
closest to the geographic center of each applicable leased tract (Phase 
II) or historical lease site.
    (b) Based on a specific subset of these distances, we will 
calculate the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--uncapped) to disburse 
to each Gulf producing State as follows:
    (1) For each Gulf producing State, we will calculate and total, 
over all applicable leased tracts (Phase II) located in the 181 Area in 
the Eastern Planning Area or the 181 South Area, the mathematical 
inverses of the distances between the points on the State's coastline 
that are closest to the geographic centers of the applicable leased 
tracts (Phase II) located in the 181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area 
or the 181 South Area, and the geographic centers of the applicable 
leased tracts (Phase II) located in the 181 Area in the Eastern 
Planning Area or the 181 South Area.
    (2) For each Gulf producing State, we will divide the sum of each 
State's inverse distances from all applicable leased tracts (Phase II) 
located in the 181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area or the 181 South 
Area calculated under paragraph (1), by the sum of the inverse 
distances from all applicable leased tracts (Phase II) located in the 
181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area or the 181 South Area across all 
four Gulf producing States. In the formulas below, IAL, ILA, IMS, and 
ITX represent the sum of the inverses of the shortest distances between 
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and all applicable leased 
tracts (Phase II), respectively. We will multiply the result by the 
amount of shareable, qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--uncapped).

Alabama Share = (IAL / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--uncapped)
Louisiana Share = (ILA / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--uncapped)
Mississippi Share = (IMS / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--uncapped)
Texas Share = (ITX / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase II--uncapped)

    (3) If, in any fiscal year, this calculation results in less than a 
10-percent allocation of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--
uncapped) to any Gulf producing State, we will recalculate the 
distribution. We will allocate 10 percent of the qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase II--uncapped) to the affected State and recalculate the other 
States' shares of the remaining qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--
uncapped), omitting from the calculation the State receiving the 10-
percent minimum share.
    (c) Based on a specific subset of these distances, we will 
calculate the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--capped) to disburse to 
each Gulf producing State as follows:
    (1) For each Gulf producing State, we will calculate and total, 
over all applicable leased tracts (Phase II) located in the 181 Area in 
the Central Planning Area and historical lease sites, the mathematical 
inverses of the distances between the points on the State's coastline 
that are closest to the geographic centers of the applicable leased 
tracts (Phase II) located in the 181 Area in the Central Planning Area 
and historical lease sites, and the geographic centers of the 
applicable leased tracts (Phase II) located in the 181 Area in the 
Central Planning Area and historical lease sites.
    (2) For each Gulf producing State, we will divide the sum of each 
State's inverse distances from all applicable leased tracts (Phase II) 
located in the 181 Area in the Central Planning Area and historical 
lease sites calculated under paragraph (1), by the sum of the inverse 
distances from all applicable leased tracts (Phase II) located in the

[[Page 81463]]

181 Area in the Central Planning Area and historical lease sites across 
all four Gulf producing States. In the formulas below, IAL, ILA, IMS, 
and ITX represent the sum of the inverses of the shortest distances 
between Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and all applicable 
leased tracts (Phase II) and historical lease sites, respectively. We 
will multiply the result by the amount of shareable, qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--capped).

Alabama Share = (IAL / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--capped)
Louisiana Share = (ILA / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--capped)
Mississippi Share = (IMS / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS 
revenues (Phase II--capped)
Texas Share = (ITX / (IAL + ILA + IMS + ITX)) x qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase II--capped)

    (3) If, in any fiscal year, this calculation results in less than a 
10-percent allocation of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--capped) 
to any Gulf producing State, we will recalculate the distribution. We 
will allocate 10 percent of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--
capped) to the affected State and recalculate the other States' shares 
of the remaining qualified OCS revenues (Phase II--capped), omitting 
from the calculation the State receiving the 10-percent minimum share.


Sec.  1219.514  How will ONRR allocate the qualified OCS revenues 
(Phase II) to coastal political subdivisions within the Gulf producing 
States?

    (a) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, ONRR will allocate 25 percent based on the 
proportion that each CPS's population bears to the population of all 
CPSs in the State.
    (b) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, we will allocate 25 percent based on the 
proportion that each CPS's miles of coastline bears to the total miles 
of coastline across all CPSs in the State. However, for the State of 
Louisiana, we will deem CPSs without a coastline to each have a 
coastline one-third the average length of the coastline of all CPSs 
within Louisiana that have a coastline.
    (c)(1) Of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) allocated to a Gulf 
producing State's CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent in amounts that are 
inversely proportional to the respective distances between:
    (i) The point in each CPS that is closest to the geographic center 
of the applicable leased tract (Phase II) or historical lease site; and
    (ii) The geographic center of each applicable leased tract (Phase 
II) or historical lease site.
    (2) However, we will exclude distances to an applicable leased 
tract (Phase II) from this calculation if any portion of the tract is 
located in a geographic area that was subject to a leasing moratorium 
on January 1, 2005, unless the leased tract was in production on that 
date.


Sec.  1219.515  How will ONRR update the group of ``historical lease 
sites'' and ``applicable leased tracts (Phase II)'' used for 
determining the allocation of shared revenues?

    (a) As GOMESA directs, ONRR will update the group of historical 
lease sites in the 2002-2007 Planning Area as follows:
    (1) On December 31, 2015, we will freeze the group of historical 
lease sites, subject to the adjustment under paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section.
    (2) Beginning January 1, 2022, and every fifth year thereafter, we 
will extend the ending date for determining the group of historical 
lease sites for an additional five calendar years by adding any new 
historical lease sites to the existing group.
    (b) Each year we will update the group of applicable leased tracts 
(Phase II) to include only leases that were in effect at any time 
during the previous fiscal year.


Sec.  1219.516  When will ONRR disburse funds to Gulf producing States 
and coastal political subdivisions?

    ONRR will disburse GOMESA revenues as soon as authorized and 
practicable within the fiscal year following the year that we collect 
qualified OCS revenues (Phase II).

[FR Doc. 2015-32787 Filed 12-29-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4335-30-P



                                                81454        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                run. Round the final value for flow rate                purposes of this standard, a commercial                 Accordingly, 17 CFR Part 242 is
                                                to two decimal places and record that                   prerinse spray valve is a handheld                    corrected by making the following
                                                value.                                                  device designed and marketed for use                  correcting amendment:
                                                   (2) Spray force. Test each unit in                   with commercial dishwashing and ware
                                                accordance with the test requirements                   washing equipment that sprays water on                PART 242—REGULATIONS M, SHO,
                                                specified in sections 6.2 and 6.4 through               dishes, flatware, and other food service              ATS, AC, NMS AND SCI AND
                                                6.9 (Apparatus), 9.1 through 9.5.3.2                    items for the purpose of removing food                CUSTOMER MARGIN REQUIREMENTS
                                                (Preparation of Apparatus), and 10.3.1                  residue before cleaning the items.                    FOR SECURITY FUTURES—
                                                through 10.3.8 (Procedure) of ASTM                      [FR Doc. 2015–32805 Filed 12–29–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                              [CORRECTED]
                                                F2324–13. In section 9.1 of ASTM                        BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
                                                F2324–13, the second instance of                                                                              ■ 1. The authority citation for Part 242
                                                ‘‘prerinse spray valve’’ refers to the                                                                        continues to read as follows:
                                                spring-style deck-mounted prerinse unit                                                                         Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77g, 77q(a), 77s(a),
                                                                                                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               78b, 78c, 78g(c)(2), 78i(a), 78j, 78k–1(c), 78l,
                                                defined in section 6.8. In lieu of using
                                                                                                        COMMISSION                                            78m, 78n, 78o(b), 78o(c), 78o(g), 78q(a),
                                                manufacturer installation instructions or
                                                                                                                                                              78q(b), 78q(h), 78w(a), 78dd–1, 78mm, 80a–
                                                packaging, always connect the                           17 CFR Part 242                                       23, 80a–29, and 80a–37.
                                                commercial prerinse spray valve to the
                                                flex tubing for testing. Record the water               [Release No. 34–73639A; File No. S7–01–               § 242.1000   [Amended]
                                                temperature (°F) and dynamic water                      13]
                                                                                                                                                              ■ 2. Amend § 242.1000 in paragraph (3)
                                                pressure (psi) once at the start for each               RIN 3235–AL43                                         of the definition of SCI alternative
                                                run of the test. In order to calculate the                                                                    trading system or SCI ATS, by revising
                                                mean spray force value for the unit                     Regulation Systems Compliance and                     the phrase ‘‘until six months after
                                                under test, there are two measurements                  Integrity; Correction                                 satisfying any of paragraphs (a) or (b) of
                                                per run and there are three runs per test.                                                                    this section’’ to read ‘‘until six months
                                                For each run of the test, record a                      AGENCY:  Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                        Commission.                                           after satisfying any of paragraphs (1) or
                                                minimum of two spray force                                                                                    (2) of this definition’’.
                                                measurements and calculate the mean of                  ACTION: Final rule; correction.
                                                the measurements over the 15-second                                                                             Dated: December 22, 2015.
                                                time period of stabilized flow during                   SUMMARY:    The Securities and Exchange               Brent J. Fields,
                                                spray force testing. Record the time                    Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is making                 Secretary.
                                                (min) once at the end of each run of the                a technical correction to its rules                   [FR Doc. 2015–32646 Filed 12–29–15; 8:45 am]
                                                test. Record spray force measurements                   concerning Regulation Systems                         BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                at the resolution of the test                           Compliance and Integrity (‘‘Regulation
                                                instrumentation. Conduct three runs on                  SCI’’) under the Securities Exchange Act
                                                each unit, as specified in section 10.3.8               of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) and
                                                                                                                                                              DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                of ASTM F2324–13, but disregard any                     conforming amendments to Regulation
                                                references to Annex A1. Ensure the unit                 ATS under the Exchange Act, which                     Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
                                                has been stabilized separately during                   applies to certain self-regulatory
                                                each run. Then for each unit, calculate                 organizations (including registered                   30 CFR Part 519
                                                and record the mean of the spray force                  clearing agencies), alternative trading
                                                                                                        systems (‘‘ATSs’’), plan processors, and              RIN 1010–AD65
                                                values determined from each run.
                                                Round the final value for spray force to                exempt clearing agencies (collectively,
                                                                                                                                                              Office of Natural Resources Revenue
                                                one decimal place.                                      ‘‘SCI entities’’).
                                                   (c) Testing and calculations for a unit              DATES: Effective December 30, 2015.                   30 CFR Part 1219
                                                with multiple spray settings. If a unit                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara
                                                has multiple user-selectable spray                                                                            [Docket ID: ONRR–2011–0024; DS63610000
                                                                                                        Hawkins, Special Counsel, Office of
                                                settings, or includes multiple spray                                                                          DR2PS0000.CH7000 156D0102R2]
                                                                                                        Market Supervision, at (202) 551–5523
                                                faces that can be installed, for each                   and Alexander Zozos, Attorney-Adviser,                RIN 1012–AA11
                                                possible spray setting or spray face:                   Office of Market Supervision, at (202)
                                                   (1) Measure both the flow rate and                   551–6932, Division of Trading and                     Allocation and Disbursement of
                                                spray force according to paragraphs                     Markets, Securities and Exchange                      Royalties, Rentals, and Bonuses—Oil
                                                (b)(1) and (2) of this section (including               Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                         and Gas, Offshore
                                                calculating the mean flow rate and mean                 Washington, DC 20549–7010.                            AGENCY:  Bureau of Ocean Energy
                                                spray force) for each spray setting; and                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                        Management and Office of Natural
                                                   (2) Record the mean flow rate for each               Commission is making a technical                      Resources Revenue, Interior.
                                                spray setting, rounded to two decimal                   correction to final rules that were                   ACTION: Final rule.
                                                places. Record the mean spray force for                 published in the Federal Register on
                                                each spray setting, rounded to one                      December 5, 2014 (79 FR 72251) as part                SUMMARY:   In this final rule, the
                                                decimal place.                                          of Regulation SCI under the Exchange                  Department of the Interior moves the
                                                ■ 7. Section 431.266 is revised to read                 Act and conforming amendments to                      Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of
                                                as follows:                                             Regulation ATS under the Exchange                     2006’s Phase I regulations from the
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                                                                                                        Act.                                                  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s
                                                § 431.266 Energy conservation standards                                                                       (BOEM) title 30 of the Code of Federal
                                                and their effective dates.                              List of Subjects in 17 CFR 242                        Regulations (CFR) chapter V to the
                                                  Commercial prerinse spray valves                        Brokers; Confidential business                      Office of Natural Resources Revenue’s
                                                manufactured on or after January 1,                     information; Reporting and                            (ONRR) title 30 CFR chapter XII and
                                                2006, shall have a flow rate of not more                recordkeeping requirements; and                       clarifies and adds minor definition
                                                than 1.6 gallons per minute. For the                    Securities.                                           changes to these current revenue-


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         81455

                                                sharing regulations. Additionally, ONRR                 sharing in fiscal year 2017 and beyond.               remaining 75 percent to the States of
                                                amends these regulations concerning                     In addition, we add several                           Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and
                                                the distribution and disbursement of                    clarifications and conforming                         Texas (which we collectively identify as
                                                qualified revenues from certain leases                  modifications to the GOMESA Phase I                   the ‘‘Gulf producing States’’) and their
                                                on the Gulf of Mexico’s Outer                           revenue-sharing regulations, currently                eligible CPSs. Under GOMESA Phase II,
                                                Continental Shelf, under the provisions                 available in BOEM’s regulations at part               we share the revenues from leases that
                                                of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security                   519, subpart D, of 30 CFR chapter V. We               the Department issued on or after
                                                Act of 2006. These regulations set forth                add these changes to differentiate                    December 20, 2006, in the 181 Area, the
                                                formulas and methodologies for                          between the two GOMESA revenue-                       181 South Area, and the 2002–2007
                                                calculating and allocating revenues to                  sharing phases. We also move the Phase                Planning Area. You can find the
                                                the States of Alabama, Louisiana,                       I regulations from 30 CFR chapter V,                  definition of these Phase II revenue-
                                                Mississippi, and Texas; their eligible                  part 519, subpart D, to ONRR’s                        sharing areas in Section 102 of
                                                coastal political subdivisions; the Land                regulations at 30 CFR chapter XII.                    GOMESA, and you can also locate them
                                                and Water Conservation Fund; and the                       We published a final rule (73 FR                   on the map available at www.boem.gov/
                                                United States Treasury.                                 78622, December 23, 2008) in the                      Map-Gallery.
                                                DATES: Effective: January 29, 2016.
                                                                                                        Federal Register on the allocation and                   We allocate the GOMESA Phase II
                                                                                                        disbursement of qualified revenues from               qualified OCS revenues among the Gulf
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                                                                        two designated areas in the Gulf of                   producing States based upon
                                                questions, contact Karen Osborne,                       Mexico, known as the 181 Area in the                  proportional inverse distance
                                                Supervisory Management & Program                        Eastern Planning Area and the 181                     calculations from applicable leased
                                                Analyst, Office of the Deputy Director,                 South Area. That final rule addressed                 tracts (Phase II) in the 181 Area and the
                                                ONRR, at karen.osborne@onrr.gov.                        such allocation and disbursement for                  181 South Area, as well as historical
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016,               lease sites in the 2002–2007 Planning
                                                I. Background                                           to which we refer as ‘‘GOMESA Phase                   Area, in accordance with GOMESA. The
                                                                                                        I’’ revenue sharing. You can find                     result of this inverse distance
                                                  President George W. Bush signed the                   depictions of the 181 Area and the 181                calculation is that States closest to the
                                                Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of                   South Area on the map available at                    most applicable leased tracts (Phase
                                                2006 (GOMESA or Act) into law on                        www.boem.gov/Map-Gallery. The                         II)—as well as historical lease sites—
                                                December 20, 2006 (Pub. L. 109–432,                     majority of this new final rule covers                will receive the greatest share of
                                                120 Stat. 2922; 43 U.S.C. 1331 note), as                revenue sharing from the 181 Area, the                revenues. In determining each
                                                part of H.R. 6111, The Tax Relief and                   181 South Area, and the 2002–2007                     individual Gulf producing State’s share
                                                Health Care Act of 2006. With regard to                 Planning Area subject to GOMESA—for                   of the GOMESA Phase II qualified OCS
                                                the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer                          fiscal year 2017 and thereafter—to                    revenues, GOMESA provides that no
                                                Continental Shelf (OCS) provisions                      which we refer as ‘‘GOMESA Phase II’’                 State receives less than 10 percent of the
                                                (Division C, Title 1, 120 Stat. 3000),                  revenue sharing. To avoid confusion                   revenues that we disburse to the Gulf
                                                GOMESA:                                                 between the two GOMESA revenue-                       producing States, regardless of the
                                                  • Provided for sharing of leasing                     sharing phases, we are adding a new                   amount that the application of the
                                                revenues with Gulf producing States,                    subpart E in the regulations for                      proportional inverse distance formula
                                                coastal political subdivisions (CPSs)                   GOMESA Phase II. The differences                      establishes. Additionally, the shared
                                                within those States, and the Land and                   between GOMESA Phase I and Phase II                   revenues from certain GOMESA Phase II
                                                Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), for                     include the calculation methodology,                  areas are subject to a cap of $500 million
                                                coastal protection, conservation, and                   revenue-sharing areas, and the                        for each of fiscal years 2016 through
                                                restoration projects.                                   imposition of a cap on shared revenues                2055.
                                                  • Lifted the congressional                            in Phase II. Moving the GOMESA Phase                     The CPSs located in the States’ coastal
                                                moratorium on oil and gas leasing and                   I regulations to 30 CFR chapter XII and               zone and within 200 nautical miles of
                                                development in a portion of the Eastern                 modifying the definitions does not                    the geographic center of any OCS leased
                                                and Central GOM.                                        change the existing revenue-sharing                   tract receive 20 percent of the qualified
                                                  • Mandated lease sales for 8.3 million                methodology applicable to GOMESA                      OCS revenues (Phase II) that GOMESA
                                                acres in the Eastern and Central GOM,                   Phase I.                                              allocates to the State. We allocate
                                                including 5.8 million acres in the                         We have drawn on the experience that               revenues to the CPSs based upon their
                                                Central GOM previously under                            we gained during the first few years of               in-State relative population, coastline
                                                Congressional moratoria.                                GOMESA Phase I revenue sharing, along                 length, and proportional inverse
                                                  • Barred, until June 30, 2022, oil and                with comments and questions that we                   distance from applicable leased tracts
                                                gas leasing within 125 miles of the                     received, to refine the definitions. We               (Phase II) in the 181 Area and historical
                                                Florida coastline in the Eastern                        have worked to eliminate any                          lease sites in the 2002–2007 Planning
                                                Planning Area, and 100 miles of the                     uncertainty, consistent with the                      Area.
                                                Florida coastline in the Central Planning               Secretary’s authority under GOMESA.                      There are a few substantive
                                                Area, as well as in all areas in the GOM                   For each of the fiscal years 2017 and              differences between GOMESA Phase I
                                                east of the Military Mission Line (86°41′               thereafter, GOMESA directs the                        and Phase II revenue sharing. First, the
                                                W. longitude).                                          Secretary of the Interior to deposit 50               GOM acreage and resulting qualified
                                                  • Established a process for lessees to                percent of qualified OCS revenues                     revenues will be greater in GOMESA
                                                exchange with the Federal Government                    (Phase II) that we receive on or after                Phase II because Phase II acreage
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                                                certain existing leases in moratorium                   October 1, 2016, from certain OCS oil                 consists of the entire 181 Area, the 181
                                                areas for bonus or royalty credits to use               and gas leases in the 181 Area, the 181               South Area, and the 2002–2007
                                                on other GOM leases.                                    South Area, and the 2002–2007                         Planning Area, whereas Phase I acreage
                                                  This final rule sets forth the                        Planning Area, into a special account in              consists of only the 181 Area in the
                                                Department of the Interior’s (DOI,                      the U.S. Treasury. From that account,                 Eastern Planning Area and the 181
                                                hereafter ‘‘We’’) plan to implement the                 we distribute 25 percent of the qualified             South Area. Second, GOMESA Phase II
                                                second phase of GOMESA revenue                          revenues to the LWCF and distribute the               requires that the proportional inverse


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                                                81456        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                distance calculations be from both                      Specific Comments on 30 CFR Part                         ONRR Response: ONRR’s mission is
                                                applicable leased tracts in the 181 Area                1219—Subpart E—Offshore Oil and                       ‘‘to collect, disburse and verify Federal
                                                and the 181 South Area and historical                   Gas, GOMESA Phase II Revenue Sharing                  and Indian energy and other natural
                                                lease sites in the 2002–2007 Planning                                                                         resource revenues on behalf of all
                                                                                                        (1) Definition of ‘‘Qualified Outer
                                                Area, rather than only from applicable                                                                        Americans.’’ The Secretary entrusts
                                                                                                        Continental Shelf Revenues’’ (Section
                                                leased tracts. Additionally, under                                                                            ONRR with a fiduciary role, and we
                                                                                                        1219.511)
                                                GOMESA Phase II, we must update the                                                                           ensure timely receipt of all revenues
                                                group of historical lease sites in the                     (a) Public Comment: Jefferson Parish,              that payors owe. All qualified rentals,
                                                2002–2007 Planning Area once every                      Louisiana, commented that the                         royalties, bonus bids, and other sums
                                                five years. The result of the five-year                 exclusion in the proposed regulation of               that ONRR receives within a fiscal year
                                                periods between updates is that each                    (1) user fees and (2) lease revenues                  and subsequently transfers to the
                                                Gulf producing State’s subset of inverse                explicitly excluded from GOMESA                       appropriate receipt account establish
                                                distances to historical lease sites                     revenue sharing by statute or                         the amount of revenues due and payable
                                                remains static for five years following                 appropriations law is contrary to                     for that fiscal year. We believe that this
                                                                                                        GOMESA’s requirements.                                definition is consistent with the intent
                                                each update. Third, GOMESA Phase I
                                                                                                           ONRR Response: As we discussed in                  of the GOMESA provisions and other
                                                ends with the disbursement of fiscal                    the preamble of the proposed rule, the
                                                year 2016 qualified OCS revenues.                                                                             applicable laws.
                                                                                                        definition of ‘‘qualified Outer
                                                GOMESA Phase II begins with the                         Continental Shelf revenues (Phase II)’’ is            (2) GOMESA $500,000,000 Cap and
                                                disbursement of fiscal year 2017                        consistent with the regulations that we               ONRR Disbursement of Qualified OCS
                                                qualified OCS revenues. Fourth, for                     published for GOMESA Phase I revenue                  Revenues (Phase II) (Section 1219.512)
                                                Phase II, GOMESA directs a $500                         sharing (RIN 1010–AD46). In addition,                   Public Comments: Jefferson Parish,
                                                million annual cap on the majority of                   this definition is consistent with other              Louisiana, commented that it is
                                                shared revenues, which equates to a                     laws that appropriate OCS leasing                     concerned with what it believes is an
                                                $375 million annual cap among the four                  revenues and fees by excluding any                    arbitrary annual cap of five hundred
                                                Gulf producing States and their eligible                leasing revenues and fees that Congress               million dollars ($500,000,000.00) per
                                                CPSs, and a $125 million annual cap to                  may authorize DOI to retain in                        year.
                                                the LWCF for each of fiscal years 2016                  appropriations legislation or that are                  The State of Louisiana requested that
                                                through 2055.                                           otherwise precluded from GOMESA                       States and their CPSs be allowed to
                                                Revenues Shared Under GOMESA                            revenue sharing.                                      direct all or a specified portion of their
                                                                                                           Beginning in Fiscal Year 2009, the                 payments directly to a trustee.
                                                Phase II
                                                                                                        Appropriations Acts for the Department                  ONRR Response: GOMESA is explicit
                                                  Qualified OCS revenues under                          of the Interior have contained language               about the annual cap. GOMESA states
                                                GOMESA Phase II are revenues from                       that excludes certain rental receipts                 that, for each of fiscal years 2016
                                                leases that the Department issued after                 from GOMESA qualified OCS revenues,                   through 2055, the total amount that the
                                                the passage of GOMESA (December 20,                     which Congress has appropriated to                    Department shares with the States,
                                                2006) in the 181 Area, the 181 South                    fund certain Departmental operations.                 CPSs, and the LWCF cannot exceed
                                                Area, and the 2002–2007 Planning Area,                  Appropriations legislation for Fiscal                 $500,000,000 annually. ONRR does not
                                                as GOMESA delineates.                                   Year 2012 made that exclusion                         have the authority to alter the
                                                                                                        permanent.                                            application of the cap.
                                                Excluded Acreage                                           Additionally, we collect fees for cost               GOMESA specifically enumerates the
                                                                                                        recovery of special services, such as the             four States, CPSs, and the LWCF as the
                                                  Selected acreage in the De Soto                       transfer of a record title, based on the
                                                Canyon Protraction Area does not fall                                                                         recipients of GOMESA revenue-sharing
                                                                                                        cost of providing those services. We                  funds. ONRR’s standard practice is to
                                                within the 181 Area, the 181 South                      collect these fees under the authority of
                                                Area, or the 2002–2007 Planning Area,                                                                         disburse revenue-sharing funds to the
                                                                                                        the Independent Offices Appropriations                Government entity with which the
                                                as defined by GOMESA. You can locate                    Act (31 U.S.C. 9701) and the Office of
                                                the 21 blocks in the De Soto Canyon                                                                           Department shares the revenues. In
                                                                                                        Management and Budget’s Circular A–                   order to maintain consistency between
                                                Protraction area bordering the Eastern                  25. We do not derive these fees from the
                                                Planning Area and not covered under                                                                           this standard practice and the revenue
                                                                                                        lease. For these reasons, Congress                    sharing under GOMESA, ONRR will
                                                GOMESA on the ‘‘Call for Information                    designates such fees as part of the
                                                and Nominations Map, Central Planning                                                                         disburse revenues to the States, CPSs,
                                                                                                        Department’s appropriation, and they                  and the LWCF, and not directly to
                                                Area Lease Sale 213,’’ available at                     do not qualify as qualified OCS
                                                www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-                                                                              trustees.
                                                                                                        revenues under GOMESA. See Pub. L.
                                                Program/Leasing/Regional-Leasing/                       111–88, October 30, 2009.                             (3) ONRR Allocates the Qualified OCS
                                                Gulf-of-Mexico-Region/Lease-Sales/213/                     (b) Public Comment: The State of                   Revenues (Phase II) to Coastal Political
                                                index.aspx.                                             Louisiana commented that we should                    Subdivisions Within the Gulf Producing
                                                                                                        revise the definition of qualified OCS                States (Section 1219.514)
                                                II. Comments on the Proposed
                                                Amendments                                              revenues to include all funds due and                    Public Comment: Jefferson Parish,
                                                                                                        payable to the United States, rather than             Louisiana, commented that the portion
                                                  ONRR and BOEM published the                           only funds that ONRR receives.                        of the allocation formula based upon
                                                proposed rule on March 31, 2014 (79 FR                  Louisiana expressed concern that                      proportionate coastline lengths for CPSs
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                                                17948), with a 60-day comment period.                   including only funds received as                      in Louisiana results in an inequity for
                                                We received two comment letters on the                  qualified OCS revenues suggests that the              Jefferson Parish, since parishes without
                                                proposed rule: One from a Gulf                          United States (and therefore the Gulf-                a coastline in Louisiana receive greater
                                                producing State, and one from a coastal                 producing States and their CPSs) may                  allocations than Jefferson Parish, which
                                                political subdivision. We have analyzed                 not receive monies owed, and that                     has a coastline.
                                                the comments contained in the letters                   ONRR may be perceived as having no                       ONRR Response: GOMESA
                                                and discuss them below:                                 obligation to collect monies owed.                    specifically states in Section


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                          81457

                                                105(b)(3)(B) that allocations to coastal                OIRA determined that this rule is not                 This rule has no effect on the amount of
                                                political subdivisions will be made in                  significant.                                          royalties, rents, or bonuses that lessees,
                                                accordance with paragraphs (B), (C), and                  Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the                 operators, or payors owe, regardless of
                                                (E) of section 31(b)(4) of the OCSLA.                   principles of E.O. 12866, while calling               size and, consequently, does not have a
                                                Paragraph (B) specifies that 25 percent                 for improvements in the Nation’s                      significant adverse economic effect on
                                                of the allocation be based on the number                regulatory system to promote                          offshore lessees or operators, including
                                                of miles of coastline a CPS has in                      predictability; to reduce uncertainty;                those classified as small businesses. The
                                                proportion to the total number of miles                 and to use the best, most innovative,                 Gulf producing States and CPS
                                                of coastline of all CPSs within each                    and least burdensome tools for                        recipients of the revenues will likely
                                                State. For the State of Louisiana,                      achieving regulatory ends. E.O. 13563                 fund contracts that will benefit the local
                                                paragraph (C) specifies a proxy coastline               directs agencies to consider regulatory               economies, small entities, and the
                                                length for CPSs without a coastline.                    approaches that reduce burdens and                    environment. We believe that these
                                                GOMESA does not provide an option to                    maintain flexibility and freedom of                   annual effects will be less than $100
                                                adjust the coastline length of any CPSs                 choice for the public where these                     million.
                                                in Louisiana that have a coastline                      approaches are relevant, feasible, and                   (b) Does not cause a major increase in
                                                shorter than the proxy coastline length.                consistent with regulatory objectives.                costs or prices for consumers,
                                                Although Jefferson Parish does receive a                E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that                    individual industries, Federal, State,
                                                smaller portion of revenues relative to                 regulations must be based on the best                 local government agencies, or
                                                CPSs without a coastline, GOMESA                        available science and that the                        geographic regions.
                                                does not provide the Department with                    rulemaking process must allow for                        (c) Does not have significant adverse
                                                the authority to address this issue                     public participation and an open                      effects on competition, employment,
                                                without a legislative change.                           exchange of ideas. We have developed                  investment, productivity, innovation, or
                                                                                                        this rule in a manner consistent with                 the ability of United States-based
                                                (4) ONRR Disbursement of Funds to                       these requirements.                                   enterprises to compete with foreign-
                                                Gulf Producing States and Eligible                                                                            based enterprises. We project that the
                                                Coastal Political Subdivisions (Section                 Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                                                                                                                              effects, if any, of distributing revenues
                                                1219.516)                                                 DOI certifies that this rule will not               to the States and CPSs, will be
                                                                                                        have a significant economic effect on a               beneficial.
                                                   Public Comment: The State of                         substantial number of small entities
                                                Louisiana commented that we should                      under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5               Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                make the disbursement of allocated                      U.S.C. 601 et seq.). This rule specifies                This rule does not impose an
                                                funds as quickly as practicable, but not                the formulas and methodologies for                    unfunded mandate on State, local, or
                                                later than March 31st of the year                       distributing DOI-collected shared                     Tribal governments or the private sector
                                                following the fiscal year of qualified                  revenues to the qualified Gulf producing              of more than $100 million per year. This
                                                OCS revenues.                                           States, their CPSs, and the LWCF. This                rule does not have a significant or
                                                   ONRR Response: ONRR intends to                       rule has no effect on the amount of                   unique effect on State, local, or Tribal
                                                disburse funds as quickly as practicable,               royalties, rents, or bonuses that lessees,            governments or the private sector. We
                                                but we cannot guarantee that we will do                 operators, or payors owe, regardless of               are not required to provide a statement
                                                so before March 31st of the following                   size and, consequently, does not have a               containing the information that the
                                                fiscal year. GOMESA requires that                       significant economic effect on offshore               Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2
                                                ONRR disburse funds within the                          lessees or operators, including those                 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) requires because
                                                following fiscal year—or by September                   classified as small businesses. Small                 this rule is not a mandate. This rule
                                                30th. ONRR’s intent is to make the                      entities may be the beneficiaries of                  merely provides the formulas and
                                                disbursements as soon as possible, but                  contracts that GOMESA revenues fund                   methods to implement an allocation of
                                                the disbursements may depend on                         and that Gulf producing States or CPSs                revenue to certain States and eligible
                                                factors outside of ONRR’s authority.                    manage for coastal protection,                        CPSs, as Congress directed.
                                                ONRR has modified the final rule to                     conservation, or restoration services, but
                                                include language that states that we will               that is solely at the local government                Takings (E.O. 12630)
                                                disburse as soon as authorized and                      entity’s discretion rather than the                      Under the criteria in section 2 of E.O.
                                                practicable each year.                                  Federal Government’s discretion. It is                12630, this rule does not have
                                                   This final rule also makes non-                      not possible to estimate GOMESA’s                     significant takings implications. This
                                                substantive technical or clarifying                     ultimate effect on small entities since,              rule will not be a governmental action
                                                changes to the proposed rule. In the                    under the statute, States and CPSs will               capable of interference with
                                                interim, between development of the                     be the entities disbursing the shared                 constitutionally protected property
                                                proposed rule and the final rule, we                    revenues for one or more of the five                  rights. This rule does not require a
                                                made a technical update in § 1219.102                   GOMESA-authorized uses.                               Takings Implication Assessment.
                                                due to the United States Department of                  Small Business Regulatory Enforcement                 Federalism (E.O. 13132)
                                                the Treasury disbursing monies only by                  Fairness Act
                                                Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).                                                                                 Under the criteria in section 1 of E.O.
                                                                                                          This rulemaking is not a major rule                 13132, this rule does not have sufficient
                                                III. Procedural Matters                                 under 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq. of the Small               federalism implications to warrant the
                                                Regulatory Planning and Review                          Business Regulatory Enforcement                       preparation of a Federalism summary
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                                                (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)                      Fairness Act. This rule:                              impact statement. This rule does not
                                                                                                          (a) Does not have an annual effect on               substantially and directly affect the
                                                  Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides                 the economy of $100 million or more.                  relationship between the Federal and
                                                that the Office of Information and                      This rule’s provisions specify how we                 State governments. To the extent that
                                                Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office                 will allocate qualified OCS revenues to               State and local governments have a role
                                                of Management and Budget (OMB) will                     States and CPSs during the second                     in OCS activities, this rule does not
                                                review all significant rulemakings.                     phase of GOMESA revenue sharing.                      affect that role.


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                                                81458        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)                       13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is               1219.411 What definitions apply to this
                                                                                                        not required.                                             subpart?
                                                   This rule complies with the                                                                                1219.412 How will ONRR divide the
                                                requirements of E.O. 12988.                             List of Subjects                                          qualified OCS revenues (Phase I)?
                                                Specifically, this rule:                                                                                      1219.413 How will ONRR determine each
                                                                                                        30 CFR Part 519                                           Gulf producing State’s share of the
                                                   a. Meets the criteria of section 3(a),
                                                which requires that all regulations                       Government contracts, Mineral                           qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) from
                                                undergo review to eliminate errors and                  royalties, Oil and gas exploration,                       leases in the 181 Area in the Eastern
                                                                                                                                                                  Planning Area and the 181 South Area?
                                                ambiguity and are written to minimize                   Public lands—mineral resources.                       1219.414 How will ONRR allocate the
                                                litigation.                                                                                                       qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) to
                                                                                                        30 CFR Part 1219
                                                   b. Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2),                                                                      coastal political subdivisions within the
                                                which requires that we write regulations                  Government contracts, Mineral                           Gulf producing States?
                                                in clear language using clear legal                     royalties, Oil and gas exploration,                   1219.415 How will ONRR allocate qualified
                                                standards.                                              Public lands—mineral resources.                           OCS revenues (Phase I) to the coastal
                                                                                                                                                                  political subdivisions if, during any
                                                Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O.                   Janice M. Schneider,                                      fiscal year, there are no applicable leased
                                                13175)                                                  Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals                     tracts in the 181 Area in the Eastern Gulf
                                                                                                        Management.                                               of Mexico Planning Area?
                                                  The Department of the Interior strives
                                                                                                        Kristen J. Sarri,                                     1219.416 When will ONRR disburse funds
                                                to strengthen its government-to-                                                                                  to Gulf producing States and eligible
                                                government relationship with Indian                     Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Policy,
                                                                                                                                                                  coastal political subdivisions?
                                                Tribes through a commitment to                          Management and Budget.
                                                consultation with Indian Tribes and                                                                           Subpart E—Oil and Gas, Offshore, GOMESA
                                                                                                        Authority and Issuance                                Phase II Revenue Sharing
                                                recognition of their right to self-
                                                governance and Tribal sovereignty.                        For the reasons stated in the                       1219.510 What does this subpart contain?
                                                Under the Department’s consultation                     preamble, under the authority provided                1219.511 What definitions apply to this
                                                                                                        by the Reorganization Plan No. 3 of                       subpart?
                                                policy and the criteria in E.O. 13175, we
                                                                                                        1950 (64 Stat. 1262) and Secretarial                  1219.512 How will ONRR divide the
                                                have evaluated this rule and determined                                                                           qualified OCS revenues (Phase II)?
                                                that it has no substantial direct effects               Order Nos. 3299, 3302, and 3306, the
                                                                                                        Department of the Interior amends part                1219.513 How will ONRR determine each
                                                on Federally recognized Indian Tribes.                                                                            Gulf producing State’s share of the
                                                                                                        519 of title 30 CFR chapter V and part                    qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) from
                                                Paperwork Reduction Act                                 1219 of 30 CFR chapter XII as follows:                    leases in the 181 Area, the 181 South
                                                  This rule:                                            Chapter V—Bureau of Ocean Energy                          Area, and the 2002–2007 Planning Area?
                                                  (1) Does not contain any information                  Management, Department of the Interior                1219.514 How will ONRR allocate the
                                                collection requirements.                                                                                          qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) to
                                                                                                        Subchapter A—Minerals Revenue                             coastal political subdivisions within the
                                                  (2) Does not require a submission                     Management                                                Gulf producing States?
                                                under the Paperwork Reduction Act of                                                                          1219.515 How will ONRR update the group
                                                1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).                          PART 519 [REMOVED AND                                     of ‘‘historical lease sites’’ and
                                                National Environmental Policy Act                       RESERVED]                                                 ‘‘applicable leased tracts (Phase II)’’ used
                                                                                                                                                                  for determining the allocation of shared
                                                   This rule does not constitute a major                ■   1. Remove and reserve part 519                        revenues?
                                                Federal action significantly affecting the              Chapter XII—Office of Natural Resources
                                                                                                                                                              1219.516 When will ONRR disburse funds
                                                quality of the human environment. We                                                                              to Gulf producing States and eligible
                                                                                                        Revenue, Department of the Interior
                                                are not required to provide a detailed                                                                            coastal political subdivisions?
                                                statement under the National                            Subchapter A—Natural Resources Revenue                  Authority: Section 104, Pub. L. 97–451, 96
                                                Environmental Policy Act of 1969                        ■   2. Revise part 1219 to read as follows:           Stat. 2451 (30 U.S.C. 1714), Pub. L. 109–432,
                                                (NEPA) because this rule qualifies for                                                                        Div. C, Title I, 120 Stat. 3000.
                                                categorical exclusion under 43 CFR                      PART 1219—DISTRIBUTION AND
                                                46.210(c) and (i) and the DOI                           DISBURSEMENT OF ROYALTIES,                            Subpart A—[Reserved]
                                                Departmental Manual, part 516, section                  RENTALS, AND BONUSES
                                                15.4.D: ‘‘(c) Routine financial                                                                               Subpart B—[Reserved]
                                                transactions including such things as                   Subpart A—[Reserved]
                                                . . . audits, fees, bonds, and royalties                Subpart B—[Reserved]                                  Subpart C—Oil and Gas, Onshore
                                                . . . (i) Policies, directives, regulations,            Subpart C—Oil and Gas, Onshore                        § 1219.100 What is ONRR’s timing of
                                                and guidelines: That are of an                                                                                payment to the States?
                                                administrative, financial, legal,                       Sec.
                                                                                                        1219.100 What is ONRR’s timing of                        ONRR will pay a State’s share of
                                                technical, or procedural nature.’’ We                        payment to the States?                           mineral leasing revenues to the State not
                                                have also determined that this rule is                  1219.101 What receipts are subject to an              later than the last business day of the
                                                not involved in any of the extraordinary                     interest charge?                                 month in which the U.S. Treasury
                                                circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215                   1219.102 What is ONRR’s method of                     issues a warrant authorizing the
                                                that require further analysis under                          payment to the States?                           disbursement, except for any portion of
                                                NEPA. This rule does not alter, in any                  1219.103 How will ONRR manage                         such revenues which is under challenge
                                                material way, natural resources                              payments to Indian accounts?
                                                                                                                                                              and placed in a suspense account
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                                                exploration, production, or                             1219.104 What are Explanation of Payments
                                                                                                             to the States and Indian Tribes?                 pending resolution of a dispute.
                                                transportation.
                                                                                                        1219.105 What definitions apply to this               § 1219.101 What receipts are subject to an
                                                Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O.                           subpart?                                         interest charge?
                                                13211)                                                  Subpart D—Oil and Gas, Offshore,                        (a) Subject to the availability of
                                                  This rule is not a significant energy                 GOMESA Phase I Revenue Sharing                        appropriations, the Office of Natural
                                                action under the definition in E.O.                     1219.410 What does this subpart contain?              Resources Revenue (ONRR) will pay the


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                            81459

                                                State its proportionate share of any                       (2) BIA, on behalf of Tribes and                   restrictions identified in GOMESA. We
                                                interest charge for royalty and related                 Indian allottees, not later than the 10th             collectively refer to the revenue sharing
                                                monies that are placed in a suspense                    day of the month following the month                  from these areas for these fiscal years as
                                                account pending resolution of any                       in which ONRR disburses the funds.                    GOMESA Phase I revenue sharing. For
                                                matters that may disallow distribution                     (c) ONRR will not include in these                 questions related to the revenue-sharing
                                                and disbursement. Such monies not                       reports revenues that we cannot                       provisions in this subpart, please
                                                disbursed by the last business day of the               distribute to States, Tribes, or Indian               contact: Program Manager, Financial
                                                month following receipt by ONRR will                    allottees because the payor/lessee                    Management, Office of Natural
                                                accrue interest until paid.                             provided incorrect, inadequate, or                    Resources Revenue, P.O. Box 25165,
                                                   (b) Upon resolution of any matters                   incomplete information about the                      Denver Federal Center, Building 85,
                                                that may disallow distribution and                      proper recipient of the payment, until                Denver, CO 80225–0165.
                                                disbursement, ONRR will disburse the                    the payor/lessee has submitted to ONRR
                                                                                                                                                              § 1219.411   What definitions apply to this
                                                suspended monies found due in                           the missing information.                              subpart?
                                                paragraph (a) of this section, plus
                                                                                                        § 1219.105    What definitions apply to this             For purposes of this subpart:
                                                interest, to the State, under the                                                                                181 Area means the area identified in
                                                                                                        subpart?
                                                provisions of § 1219.100.                                                                                     map 15, page 58, of the ‘‘Proposed Final
                                                   (c) ONRR will apply paragraph (a) of                   Terms that ONRR uses in this subpart
                                                                                                        will have the same meaning as in 30                   Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
                                                this section to revenues that ONRR                                                                            Leasing Program for 1997–2002,’’ dated
                                                cannot disburse to the State because the                U.S.C. 1702.
                                                                                                                                                              August 1996, excluding the area offered
                                                payor/lessee provided to ONRR                                                                                 in OCS Lease Sale 181, held on
                                                                                                        Subpart D—Oil and Gas, Offshore,
                                                incorrect, inadequate, or incomplete                                                                          December 5, 2001.
                                                                                                        GOMESA Phase I Revenue Sharing
                                                information, which prevented ONRR                                                                                181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area
                                                from identifying the proper recipient of                § 1219.410    What does this subpart                  is comprised of the area of overlap of
                                                the payment.                                            contain?                                              the two geographic areas defined as the
                                                § 1219.102 What is ONRR’s method of
                                                                                                           (a) The Gulf of Mexico Energy                      ‘‘181 Area’’ and the ‘‘Eastern Planning
                                                payment to the States?                                  Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) directs                 Area.’’
                                                                                                        the Secretary of the Interior to disburse                181 South Area means any area—
                                                  ONRR will disburse monies to a State                  a portion of the rentals, royalties, bonus               (1) Located:
                                                by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).                     bids, and other sums derived from                        (i) South of the 181 Area;
                                                                                                        certain Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)                    (ii) West of the Military Mission Line;
                                                § 1219.103 How will ONRR manage
                                                payments to Indian accounts?                            leases in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to                 and
                                                                                                        the States of Alabama, Louisiana,                        (iii) In the Central Planning Area;
                                                  ONRR will transfer mineral revenues                                                                            (2) Excluded from the ‘‘Proposed
                                                received from Indian leases to the                      Mississippi, and Texas (collectively
                                                                                                                                                              Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil and
                                                appropriate Indian accounts that the                    identified as the Gulf producing States);
                                                                                                                                                              Gas Leasing Program for 1997–2002,’’
                                                Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) manages                  to eligible coastal political subdivisions
                                                                                                                                                              dated August 1996, of the Bureau of
                                                for allotted and Tribal revenues. These                 (CPSs) within those States; and to the
                                                                                                                                                              Ocean Energy Management; and
                                                accounts are specifically designated                    Land and Water Conservation Fund                         (3) Included in the areas considered
                                                Treasury accounts. ONRR will transfer                   (LWCF). Shared GOMESA revenues are                    for oil and gas leasing, as identified in
                                                these revenues to the Indian accounts at                reserved for the following purposes:                  map 8, page 84, of the document
                                                the earliest practicable date after such                   (1) Projects and activities for the                entitled, ‘‘Revised Outer Continental
                                                funds are received, but in no case later                purpose of coastal protection, including              Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
                                                than the last business day of the month                 conservation, coastal restoration,                    2007–2012,’’ approved December 2010.
                                                in which ONRR receives these revenues.                  hurricane protection, and infrastructure                 Applicable leased tract (Phase I)
                                                                                                        directly affected by coastal wetland                  means a tract that is subject to a lease
                                                § 1219.104 What are Explanation of                      losses;                                               under section 8 of the Outer Continental
                                                Payments to the States and Indian Tribes?                  (2) Mitigation of damage to fish,                  Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C.
                                                  (a) ONRR will describe the payments                   wildlife, or natural resources;                       1337, for the purpose of drilling for,
                                                to States and BIA, on behalf of Indian                     (3) Implementation of a federally-                 developing, and producing oil or natural
                                                Tribes or Indian allottees, discussed in                approved marine, coastal, or                          gas resources, issued on or after
                                                this part, in ONRR-prepared                             comprehensive conservation                            December 20, 2006, and located fully or
                                                Explanation of Payment reports. ONRR                    management plan;                                      partially in either the 181 Area in the
                                                will prepare these reports at the lease                    (4) Mitigation of the impact of OCS                Eastern Planning Area or in the 181
                                                level and will include a description of                 activities through the funding of                     South Area.
                                                the type of payment made, the period                    onshore infrastructure projects; and                     Central Planning Area means the
                                                covered by the payment, the source of                      (5) Planning assistance and                        Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area of
                                                the payment, sales amounts upon which                   administrative costs not-to-exceed 3                  the Outer Continental Shelf, as
                                                the payment is based, the royalty rate,                 percent of the amounts received.                      designated in the document entitled,
                                                and the unit value. If any State or Indian                 (b) This subpart sets forth the formula            ‘‘Revised Outer Continental Shelf Oil
                                                Tribe needs additional information                      and methodology ONRR uses to                          and Gas Leasing Program 2007–2012,’’
                                                pertaining to mineral revenue payments,                 determine the amount of revenues                      approved December 2010.
                                                the State or Tribe may request this                     allocated and disbursed to each Gulf                     Coastal political subdivision means a
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                                                information from ONRR.                                  producing State and each eligible CPS                 political subdivision of a Gulf
                                                  (b) ONRR will provide these reports                   for each of fiscal years 2007 through                 producing State, any part of which is:
                                                to:                                                     2016. Leasing revenues disbursed under                   (1) Within the coastal zone (as defined
                                                  (1) States, not later than the 10th day               this subpart originate from leases issued             in section 304 of the Coastal Zone
                                                of the month following the month in                     on or after December 20, 2006, in the                 Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C.
                                                which ONRR disburses the State’s share                  181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area                 1453)) of the Gulf producing State as of
                                                of royalties and related monies.                        and the 181 South Area, subject to                    December 20, 2006; and


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                                                81460        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                   (2) Not more than 200 nautical miles                 § 1219.412 How will ONRR divide the                         (2) For each Gulf producing State, we
                                                from the geographic center of any leased                qualified OCS revenues (Phase I)?                        will divide the sum of each State’s
                                                tract.                                                     For each of the fiscal years 2007                     inverse distances from all applicable
                                                   Coastline means the line of ordinary                 through 2016, the Secretary of the                       leased tracts (Phase I) calculated under
                                                low water along that portion of the coast               Treasury will deposit 50 percent of the                  paragraph (1), by the sum of the inverse
                                                which is in direct contact with the open                qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) into a                  distances from all applicable leased
                                                sea and the line marking the seaward                    special U.S. Treasury account, from                      tracts (Phase I) across all four Gulf
                                                limit of inland waters. This is the same                which ONRR will disburse 75 percent to producing States. In the formulas below,
                                                definition used in section 2 of the                     the Gulf producing States and 25                         IAL, ILA, IMS, and ITX represent the sum
                                                Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301).                   percent to the Land and Water                            of the inverses of the shortest distances
                                                   Distance means the minimum great                     Conservation Fund (LWCF). Of the                         between Alabama, Louisiana,
                                                circle distance.                                        revenues disbursed to a Gulf producing                   Mississippi, and Texas and all
                                                   Eastern Planning Area means the                      State, we will disburse 20 percent                       applicable leased tracts (Phase I),
                                                Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area of                 directly to the CPSs within that State.                  respectively. We will multiply the result
                                                the Outer Continental Shelf, as                         Each Gulf producing State will receive                   by the amount of shareable, qualified
                                                designated in the document entitled,                    at least 10 percent of the qualified OCS                 OCS revenues (Phase I).
                                                ‘‘Revised Outer Continental Shelf Oil                   revenues (Phase I) available for                         Alabama Share = (IAL ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS
                                                and Gas Leasing Program 2007–2012,’’                    allocation to the Gulf producing States                     + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues
                                                approved December 2010.                                 each fiscal year. The following table                       (Phase I)
                                                   Gulf producing State means each of                   summarizes the resulting revenue shares Louisiana Share = (I ÷ (I + I + I
                                                                                                                                                                                         LA    AL    LA   MS
                                                the States of Alabama, Louisiana,                       (adding to 100 percent):                                    + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues
                                                Mississippi, and Texas.                                                                                             (Phase I)
                                                   Leased tract means any tract that is                   REVENUE DISTRIBUTION OF QUALIFIED Mississippi Share = (I ÷ (I + I +
                                                                                                                                                                                           MS     AL   LA
                                                subject to a lease under section 6 or 8                     OCS REVENUES UNDER GOMESA                               IMS + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues
                                                of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands                        PHASE I                                                 (Phase I)
                                                Act for the purpose of drilling for,                                                                             Texas Share = (ITX ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS +
                                                developing, and producing oil or natural                                                         Percentage of      ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues (Phase
                                                                                                         Recipient of qualified OCS
                                                gas resources.                                                                                   qualified OCS
                                                                                                                    revenues                                        I)
                                                                                                                                                   revenues
                                                   Military Mission Line means the
                                                                                                                                                                    (3) If, in any fiscal year, this
                                                north-south line at 86°41′ W. longitude.                U.S. Treasury (General                                   calculation results in less than a 10-
                                                   Qualified OCS revenues (Phase I)                        Fund) ...............................            50
                                                                                                                                                                 percent allocation of the qualified OCS
                                                means—                                                  Land and Water Conserva-
                                                   (1) In the case of each of the fiscal                   tion Fund .........................              12.5 revenues (Phase I) to any Gulf
                                                                                                        Gulf Producing States ........                      30   producing State, we will recalculate the
                                                years 2007 through 2016, all rentals,
                                                                                                        Gulf Producing State Coast-                              distribution. We will allocate 10 percent
                                                royalties, bonus bids, and other sums
                                                                                                           al Political Subdivisions ..                      7.5 of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase I)
                                                received by the United States from
                                                                                                                                                                 to the affected State and recalculate the
                                                leases issued on or after December 20,
                                                2006, located:                                          § 1219.413 How will ONRR determine each other States’ shares of the remaining
                                                                                                        Gulf producing State’s share of the                      qualified OCS revenues (Phase I),
                                                   (i) In the 181 Area in the Eastern
                                                                                                        qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) from                    omitting from the calculation the State
                                                Planning Area.                                          leases in the 181 Area in the Eastern                    receiving the 10-percent minimum
                                                   (ii) In the 181 South Area.                          Planning Area and the 181 South Area?                    share.
                                                   (2) For applicable leased tracts                        (a) ONRR will determine the great
                                                intersected by the planning area                        circle distance between:                                 § 1219.414 How will ONRR allocate the
                                                administrative boundary line (e.g.,                        (1) The geographic center of each                     qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) to coastal
                                                separating the GOM Central Planning                     applicable leased tract (Phase I); and                   political subdivisions within the Gulf
                                                Area from the Eastern Planning Area),                                                                            producing States?
                                                                                                           (2) The point on the coastline of each
                                                only the percent of revenues equivalent                 Gulf producing State that is closest to                     (a) Of the qualified OCS revenues
                                                to the percent of surface acreage in the                the geographic center of each applicable (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf producing
                                                181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area                   leased tract (Phase I).                                  State’s CPSs, ONRR will allocate 25
                                                will be considered qualified OCS                           (b) Based on these distances, we will                 percent based on the proportion that
                                                revenues (Phase I).                                     calculate the qualified OCS revenues                     each CPS’s population bears to the
                                                   (3) Exclusions from the term qualified               (Phase I) to disburse to each Gulf                       population of all CPSs in the State.
                                                OCS revenues (Phase I) are:                             producing State as follows:                                 (b) Of the qualified OCS revenues
                                                   (i) Revenues from the forfeiture of a                   (1) For each Gulf producing State, we                 (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf producing
                                                bond or other surety securing                           will calculate and total, over all                       State’s CPSs, we will allocate 25 percent
                                                obligations other than royalties;                       applicable leased tracts (Phase I), the                  based on the proportion that each CPS’s
                                                   (ii) Civil penalties;                                mathematical inverses of the distances                   miles of coastline bears to the total
                                                   (iii) Royalties ‘‘taken by the Secretary             between the points on the State’s                        miles of coastline across all CPSs in the
                                                in-kind and not sold.’’ (Pub. L. 109–432,               coastline that are closest to the                        State. However, for the State of
                                                Dec. 20, 2006);                                         geographic centers of the applicable                     Louisiana, we will deem CPSs without
                                                   (iv) Revenues generated from leases                  leased tracts (Phase I), and the                         a coastline to each have a coastline one-
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                                                subject to section 8(g) of the Outer                    geographic centers of the applicable                     third the average length of the coastline
                                                Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C.                  leased tracts (Phase I). For applicable                  of all CPSs within Louisiana that have
                                                1337(g));                                               leased tracts intersected by the planning a coastline.
                                                   (v) User fees; and                                   area administrative boundary line, we                       (c)(1) Of the qualified OCS revenues
                                                   (vi) Lease revenues explicitly                       will use the geographic center of the                    (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf producing
                                                excluded from GOMESA revenue                            entire lease for the inverse distance                    State’s CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent
                                                sharing by statute or appropriations law.               determination.                                           in amounts that are inversely


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                            81461

                                                proportional to the respective distances                  GOMESA directs the Gulf producing                        (2) Not located in—
                                                between:                                                  States and CPSs to use the shared                        (i) An area in which no funds may be
                                                  (i) The point in each CPS that is                       revenues for the following purposes:                  expended to conduct offshore
                                                closest to the geographic center of each                     (1) Projects and activities for the                preleasing, leasing, and related activities
                                                applicable leased tract (Phase I); and                    purpose of coastal protection, including              under sections 104 through 106 of the
                                                  (ii) The geographic center of each                      conservation, coastal restoration,                    Department of the Interior,
                                                applicable leased tract (Phase I).                        hurricane protection, and infrastructure              Environment, and Related Agencies
                                                  (2) However, we will exclude                            directly affected by coastal wetland                  Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109–
                                                distances to an applicable leased tract                   losses;                                               54; 119 Stat. 521) (as in effect on August
                                                (Phase I) from this calculation if any                       (2) Mitigation of damage to fish,                  2, 2005);
                                                portion of the tract is located in a                      wildlife, or natural resources;                          (ii) An area withdrawn from leasing
                                                geographic area that was subject to a                        (3) Implementation of a federally-                 under the ‘‘Memorandum on
                                                leasing moratorium on January 1, 2005,                    approved marine, coastal, or                          Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the
                                                unless the leased tract was in                            comprehensive conservation                            United States Outer Continental Shelf
                                                production on that date.                                  management plan;                                      from Leasing Disposition,’’ from 34
                                                                                                             (4) Mitigation of the impact of OCS                Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1111, dated
                                                § 1219.415 How will ONRR allocate                         activities through the funding of                     June 12, 1998; or
                                                qualified OCS revenues (Phase I) to the                   onshore infrastructure projects; and                     (iii) The 181 Area or 181 South Area.
                                                coastal political subdivisions if, during any                (5) Planning assistance and                           Applicable leased tract (Phase II)
                                                fiscal year, there are no applicable leased               administrative costs not-to-exceed 3
                                                tracts in the 181 Area in the Eastern Gulf
                                                                                                                                                                means a tract that is subject to a lease
                                                                                                          percent of the amounts received.                      under section 8 of the OCSLA, for the
                                                of Mexico Planning Area?                                     (b) This subpart sets forth the formula            purpose of drilling for, developing, and
                                                  If, during any fiscal year, there are no                and methodology ONRR will use to                      producing oil or natural gas resources,
                                                applicable leased tracts in the 181 Area                  determine the amount of revenues                      issued on or after December 20, 2006,
                                                in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning                    allocated and disbursed to each Gulf                  and located fully or partially in either
                                                Area, ONRR will allocate revenues to                      producing State and each eligible CPS                 the 181 Area or the 181 South Area.
                                                the CPSs in accordance with the                           for fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year                Central Planning Area is defined at
                                                following criteria:                                       thereafter. Leasing revenues disbursed                § 1219.411.
                                                  (a) Of the qualified OCS revenues                       under this subpart (also referred to as                  Coastal political subdivision is
                                                (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf producing                   GOMESA Phase II) originate from leases                defined at § 1219.411.
                                                State’s CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent                 issued on or after December 20, 2006, in                 Coastline is defined at § 1219.411.
                                                based on the proportion that each CPS’s                   the 181 Area, the 181 South Area, and                    Distance is defined at § 1219.411.
                                                population bears to the population of all                 the GOM 2002–2007 Planning Area,                         Eastern Planning Area is defined at
                                                CPSs in the State.                                        subject to restrictions and caps                      § 1219.411.
                                                  (b) Of the qualified OCS revenues                       identified in GOMESA. For questions                      Gulf producing State is defined at
                                                (Phase I) allocated to a Gulf producing                   related to the revenue-sharing                        § 1219.411.
                                                State’s CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent                 provisions in this subpart, please                       Historical lease site means any tract in
                                                based on the proportion that each CPS’s                   contact: Program Manager, Financial                   the 2002–2007 Planning Area leased on
                                                miles of coastline bears to the total                     Management, Office of Natural                         or after October 1, 1982, under section
                                                miles of coastline across all CPSs within                 Resources Revenue, P.O. Box 25165,                    8 of the OCSLA, for the purpose of
                                                the State. However, for the State of                      Denver Federal Center, Building 85,                   drilling for, developing, and producing
                                                Louisiana, we will deem CPSs without                      Denver, CO 80225–0165, or at (303)                    oil or natural gas resources.
                                                a coastline to each have a coastline one-                 231–3217.                                                Leased tract is defined at § 1219.411.
                                                third the average length of the coastline                                                                          Military Mission Line is defined at
                                                of all CPSs within Louisiana that have                    § 1219.511    What definitions apply to this          § 1219.411.
                                                                                                          subpart?                                                 Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II)
                                                a coastline.
                                                                                                            For purposes of this subpart:                       means—
                                                § 1219.416 When will ONRR disburse                          181 Area is defined at § 1219.411.                     (1) In the case of fiscal year 2017 and
                                                funds to Gulf producing States and coastal                  181 South Area is defined at                        each fiscal year thereafter, all rentals,
                                                political subdivisions?                                   § 1219.411.                                           royalties, bonus bids, and other sums
                                                  ONRR will disburse GOMESA                                 ‘‘181 Area in the Central Planning                  received by the United States from
                                                revenues as soon as authorized and                        Area’’ is comprised of the area of                    leases that lessees enter(ed) into on or
                                                practicable within the fiscal year                        overlap of the two geographic areas                   after December 20, 2006, located:
                                                following the year that we collect                        defined at § 1219.411 as the ‘‘181 Area’’                (i) In the 181 Area;
                                                qualified OCS revenues (Phase I).                         and the ‘‘Central Planning Area.’’                       (ii) In the 181 South Area;
                                                                                                            2002–2007 Planning Area means any                      (iii) In the 2002–2007 Planning Area.
                                                Subpart E—Oil and Gas, Offshore,                          area—                                                    (2) Exclusions from the term
                                                GOMESA Phase II Revenue Sharing                             (1) Located in—                                     ‘‘Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II)’’ are:
                                                                                                            (i) The Eastern Planning Area, as                      (i) Revenues from the forfeiture of a
                                                § 1219.510       What does this subpart                   designated in the ‘‘Proposed Final Outer              bond or other surety instrument
                                                contain?                                                  Continental Shelf Leasing Program                     securing obligations other than
                                                  (a) GOMESA directs the Secretary of                     2002–2007,’’ dated April 2002;                        royalties;
                                                the Interior to disburse a portion of the                   (ii) The Central Planning Area, as                     (ii) Civil penalties;
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                                                rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other                 designated in the ‘‘Proposed Final Outer                 (iii) Royalties ‘‘taken by the Secretary
                                                sums derived from certain OCS leases in                   Continental Shelf Leasing Program                     in-kind and not sold’’ (Pub. L. 109–432,
                                                the GOM to the States of Alabama,                         2002–2007,’’ dated April 2002; or                     Dec 20, 2006);
                                                Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas                           (iii) The Western Planning Area, as                    (iv) Revenues generated from leases
                                                (collectively identified as the Gulf                      designated in the ‘‘Proposed Final Outer              subject to section 8(g) of the Outer
                                                producing States); to eligible CPSs                       Continental Shelf Leasing Program                     Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
                                                within those States; and to the LWCF.                     2002–2007,’’ dated April 2002; and                    1337(g));


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                                                81462        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                   (v) User fees; and                                      (b) For fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal           tracts (Phase II) located in the 181 Area
                                                   (vi) Lease revenues explicitly                       year thereafter, the Secretary of the                 in the Eastern Planning Area or the 181
                                                excluded from GOMESA revenue                            Treasury will deposit 50 percent of the               South Area across all four Gulf
                                                sharing by statute or appropriations law.               qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—                     producing States. In the formulas below,
                                                   (3) The term ‘‘Qualified OCS revenues                capped) into a special U.S. Treasury                  IAL, ILA, IMS, and ITX represent the sum
                                                (Phase II)’’ consists wholly of the two                 account. The total amount of qualified                of the inverses of the shortest distances
                                                subsets defined as ‘‘Qualified OCS                      OCS revenues (Phase II—capped)                        between Alabama, Louisiana,
                                                revenues (Phase II—capped)’’ and                        deposited in the special U.S. Treasury                Mississippi, and Texas and all
                                                ‘‘Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—                     account and available for allocation to               applicable leased tracts (Phase II),
                                                uncapped).’’                                            the Gulf producing States, the CPSs and               respectively. We will multiply the result
                                                   (i) Qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—                the LWCF, under this subpart, cannot                  by the amount of shareable, qualified
                                                capped) means, in the case of fiscal year               exceed $500,000,000 for each of the                   OCS revenues (Phase II—uncapped).
                                                2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, the               fiscal years 2017 through 2055. After                 Alabama Share = (IAL ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS
                                                subset of qualified OCS revenues (Phase                 applying the cap, if applicable, ONRR                    + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues
                                                II) received by the United States from                  will disburse 75 percent to the Gulf                     (Phase II—uncapped)
                                                leases that lessees enter(ed) into on or                producing States and 25 percent to the                Louisiana Share = (ILA ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS
                                                after December 20, 2006, located:                       LWCF. Of the revenues disbursed to a                     + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues
                                                   (A) In the 181 Area in the Central                   Gulf producing State, we will disburse                   (Phase II—uncapped)
                                                Planning Area; or                                       20 percent directly to the CPSs within                Mississippi Share = (IMS ÷ (IAL + ILA +
                                                   (B) In the 2002–2007 Planning Area.                  that State. Each Gulf producing State                    IMS + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues
                                                   (ii) Qualified OCS revenues (Phase                   will receive at least 10 percent of the                  (Phase II—uncapped)
                                                II—uncapped) means, in the case of                      qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—                     Texas Share = (ITX ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS +
                                                fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year                   capped) available for allocation to the                  ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues (Phase
                                                thereafter, the subset of qualified OCS                 Gulf producing States each fiscal year.                  II—uncapped)
                                                revenues (Phase II) received by the                                                                              (3) If, in any fiscal year, this
                                                                                                        § 1219.513 How will ONRR determine each
                                                United States from leases that lessees                  Gulf producing State’s share of the                   calculation results in less than a 10-
                                                enter(ed) into on or after December 20,                 qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) from                percent allocation of the qualified OCS
                                                2006, located:                                          leases in the 181 Area, the 181 South Area            revenues (Phase II—uncapped) to any
                                                   (A) In the 181 Area in the Eastern                   and the 2002–2007 Planning Area?                      Gulf producing State, we will
                                                Planning Area, or                                           (a) ONRR will determine the great                 recalculate the distribution. We will
                                                   (B) In the 181 South Area.                            circle distance between:                             allocate 10 percent of the qualified OCS
                                                § 1219.512 How will ONRR divide the                         (1) The geographic center of each                 revenues (Phase II—uncapped) to the
                                                qualified OCS revenues (Phase II)?                       applicable leased tract (Phase II) or                affected State and recalculate the other
                                                                                                         historical lease site; and                           States’ shares of the remaining qualified
                                                   (a) For fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal
                                                                                                            (2) The point on the coastline of each            OCS revenues (Phase II—uncapped),
                                                year thereafter, the Secretary of the
                                                                                                         Gulf producing State that is closest to              omitting from the calculation the State
                                                Treasury will deposit 50 percent of the
                                                                                                         the geographic center of each applicable             receiving the 10-percent minimum
                                                qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—
                                                                                                         leased tract (Phase II) or historical lease          share.
                                                uncapped) into a special U.S. Treasury
                                                                                                         site.                                                   (c) Based on a specific subset of these
                                                account, from which ONRR will
                                                                                                            (b) Based on a specific subset of these           distances, we will calculate the
                                                disburse 75 percent to the Gulf
                                                                                                         distances, we will calculate the                     qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—
                                                producing States and 25 percent to the
                                                                                                         qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—                    capped) to disburse to each Gulf
                                                LWCF. Of the revenues disbursed to a
                                                                                                         uncapped) to disburse to each Gulf                   producing State as follows:
                                                Gulf producing State, we will disburse                                                                           (1) For each Gulf producing State, we
                                                                                                         producing State as follows:
                                                20 percent directly to the CPSs within                                                                        will calculate and total, over all
                                                                                                            (1) For each Gulf producing State, we
                                                that State. Each Gulf producing State                                                                         applicable leased tracts (Phase II)
                                                                                                         will calculate and total, over all
                                                will receive at least 10 percent of the                                                                       located in the 181 Area in the Central
                                                                                                         applicable leased tracts (Phase II)
                                                qualified OCS revenues (Phase II—                                                                             Planning Area and historical lease sites,
                                                                                                         located in the 181 Area in the Eastern
                                                uncapped) available for allocation to the                                                                     the mathematical inverses of the
                                                                                                         Planning Area or the 181 South Area,
                                                Gulf producing States each fiscal year.                                                                       distances between the points on the
                                                                                                         the mathematical inverses of the
                                                The following table summarizes the                                                                            State’s coastline that are closest to the
                                                                                                         distances between the points on the
                                                resulting revenue shares (adding to 100                                                                       geographic centers of the applicable
                                                                                                         State’s coastline that are closest to the
                                                percent):                                                                                                     leased tracts (Phase II) located in the
                                                                                                         geographic centers of the applicable
                                                                                                         leased tracts (Phase II) located in the              181 Area in the Central Planning Area
                                                 REVENUE DISTRIBUTION OF QUALIFIED 181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area                                      and historical lease sites, and the
                                                    OCS REVENUES (PHASE II—UN- or the 181 South Area, and the                                                 geographic centers of the applicable
                                                    CAPPED) UNDER GOMESA PHASE II geographic centers of the applicable                                        leased tracts (Phase II) located in the
                                                                                                         leased tracts (Phase II) located in the              181 Area in the Central Planning Area
                                                                                         Percentage of   181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area                and historical lease sites.
                                                 Recipient of qualified OCS              qualified OCS
                                                            revenues                                     or the 181 South Area.                                  (2) For each Gulf producing State, we
                                                                                           revenues
                                                                                                            (2) For each Gulf producing State, we             will divide the sum of each State’s
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                                                U.S. Treasury (General                                   will divide the sum of each State’s                  inverse distances from all applicable
                                                   Fund) ...............................            50   inverse distances from all applicable                leased tracts (Phase II) located in the
                                                Land and Water Conserva-                                 leased tracts (Phase II) located in the              181 Area in the Central Planning Area
                                                   tion Fund .........................              12.5 181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area                and historical lease sites calculated
                                                Gulf Producing States ........                      30   or the 181 South Area calculated under               under paragraph (1), by the sum of the
                                                Gulf Producing State Coast-
                                                   al Political Subdivisions ..                      7.5
                                                                                                         paragraph (1), by the sum of the inverse             inverse distances from all applicable
                                                                                                         distances from all applicable leased                 leased tracts (Phase II) located in the


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         81463

                                                181 Area in the Central Planning Area                   applicable leased tract (Phase II) or                 Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service), is
                                                and historical lease sites across all four              historical lease site; and                            amending its regulation governing the
                                                Gulf producing States. In the formulas                    (ii) The geographic center of each                  offset of tax refund payments to collect
                                                below, IAL, ILA, IMS, and ITX represent the             applicable leased tract (Phase II) or                 past-due support obligations. This rule
                                                sum of the inverses of the shortest                     historical lease site.                                will limit the time period during which
                                                distances between Alabama, Louisiana,                     (2) However, we will exclude                        Treasury may recover certain tax refund
                                                Mississippi, and Texas and all                          distances to an applicable leased tract               offset collections from States, when the
                                                applicable leased tracts (Phase II) and                 (Phase II) from this calculation if any               States have already forwarded such
                                                historical lease sites, respectively. We                portion of the tract is located in a                  funds to custodial parents as required or
                                                will multiply the result by the amount                  geographic area that was subject to a                 as authorized by applicable laws. This
                                                of shareable, qualified OCS revenues                    leasing moratorium on January 1, 2005,                change will limit the time period during
                                                (Phase II—capped).                                      unless the leased tract was in                        which Treasury may require States to
                                                Alabama Share = (IAL ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS                 production on that date.                              return the offset funds to six months
                                                  + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues                                                                            from the date of such collection, if
                                                                                                        § 1219.515 How will ONRR update the                   Treasury has determined that the
                                                  (Phase II—capped)                                     group of ‘‘historical lease sites’’ and
                                                Louisiana Share = (ILA ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS               ‘‘applicable leased tracts (Phase II)’’ used
                                                                                                                                                              underlying refund was not due to the
                                                  + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues                      for determining the allocation of shared              taxpayer.
                                                  (Phase II—capped)                                     revenues?                                             DATES:  Effective Date. This interim final
                                                Mississippi Share = (IMS ÷ (IAL + ILA +                    (a) As GOMESA directs, ONRR will                   rule is effective January 1, 2016.
                                                  IMS + ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues                  update the group of historical lease sites               Comment date. Comments must be
                                                  (Phase II—capped)                                     in the 2002–2007 Planning Area as                     received by February 29, 2016.
                                                Texas Share = (ITX ÷ (IAL + ILA + IMS +                 follows:                                              ADDRESSES: You can download this
                                                  ITX)) × qualified OCS revenues (Phase                    (1) On December 31, 2015, we will                  interim rule at the following Web site:
                                                  II—capped)                                            freeze the group of historical lease sites,           http://www.fms.treas.gov/debt. You may
                                                  (3) If, in any fiscal year, this                      subject to the adjustment under                       also inspect and copy this interim rule
                                                calculation results in less than a 10-                  paragraph (a)(2) of this section.                     at: Treasury Department Library,
                                                percent allocation of the qualified OCS                    (2) Beginning January 1, 2022, and                 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                                                revenues (Phase II—capped) to any Gulf                  every fifth year thereafter, we will                  Collection, Room 1428, Main Treasury
                                                producing State, we will recalculate the                extend the ending date for determining                Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue
                                                distribution. We will allocate 10 percent               the group of historical lease sites for an            NW., Washington, DC 20220. Before
                                                of the qualified OCS revenues (Phase                    additional five calendar years by adding              visiting, you must call (202) 622–0990
                                                II—capped) to the affected State and                    any new historical lease sites to the                 for an appointment.
                                                recalculate the other States’ shares of                 existing group.                                          In accordance with the U.S.
                                                the remaining qualified OCS revenues                       (b) Each year we will update the                   government’s eRulemaking Initiative,
                                                (Phase II—capped), omitting from the                    group of applicable leased tracts (Phase              Fiscal Service publishes rulemaking
                                                calculation the State receiving the 10-                 II) to include only leases that were in               information on www.regulations.gov.
                                                percent minimum share.                                  effect at any time during the previous                Regulations.gov offers the public the
                                                                                                        fiscal year.                                          ability to comment on, search, and view
                                                § 1219.514 How will ONRR allocate the                                                                         publicly available rulemaking materials,
                                                qualified OCS revenues (Phase II) to coastal            § 1219.516 When will ONRR disburse
                                                                                                                                                              including comments received on rules.
                                                political subdivisions within the Gulf                  funds to Gulf producing States and coastal
                                                producing States?                                       political subdivisions?                               Instructions for Comment Submission
                                                  (a) Of the qualified OCS revenues                       ONRR will disburse GOMESA                             Comments on this rule, identified by
                                                (Phase II) allocated to a Gulf producing                revenues as soon as authorized and                    docket FISCAL–2014–0005, should only
                                                State’s CPSs, ONRR will allocate 25                     practicable within the fiscal year                    be submitted using the following
                                                percent based on the proportion that                    following the year that we collect                    methods:
                                                each CPS’s population bears to the                      qualified OCS revenues (Phase II).                      • Federal eRulemaking Portal:
                                                population of all CPSs in the State.                    [FR Doc. 2015–32787 Filed 12–29–15; 8:45 am]          www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                  (b) Of the qualified OCS revenues                     BILLING CODE 4335–30–P                                instructions on the Web site for
                                                (Phase II) allocated to a Gulf producing                                                                      submitting comments. Fiscal Service
                                                State’s CPSs, we will allocate 25 percent                                                                     recommends using this method to
                                                based on the proportion that each CPS’s                 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                            submit comments since mail can be
                                                miles of coastline bears to the total                                                                         subject to delays caused by security
                                                miles of coastline across all CPSs in the               Fiscal Service                                        screening.
                                                State. However, for the State of                                                                                • Mail: Thomas Kobielus, Manager,
                                                Louisiana, we will deem CPSs without                    31 CFR Part 285                                       Treasury Offset Program Division, Debt
                                                a coastline to each have a coastline one-                                                                     Management Services, Bureau of the
                                                third the average length of the coastline               RIN 1510–AA10                                         Fiscal Service, 401 14th Street SW.,
                                                of all CPSs within Louisiana that have                                                                        Room 220B, Washington, DC 20227.
                                                                                                        Offset of Tax Refund Payments To
                                                a coastline.                                                                                                  Please note that mail may be delayed
                                                                                                        Collect Past-Due Support
                                                  (c)(1) Of the qualified OCS revenues                                                                        due to security screening.
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                                                (Phase II) allocated to a Gulf producing                AGENCY:  Bureau of the Fiscal Service,                  The fax and email methods of
                                                State’s CPSs, we will allocate 50 percent               Fiscal Service, Treasury.                             submitting comments on rules to Fiscal
                                                in amounts that are inversely                           ACTION: Interim final rule with request               Service have been discontinued.
                                                proportional to the respective distances                for comments.                                           All submissions received must
                                                between:                                                                                                      include the agency name (‘‘Bureau of
                                                  (i) The point in each CPS that is                     SUMMARY:  The Department of the                       the Fiscal Service’’) and docket number
                                                closest to the geographic center of the                 Treasury (Treasury), Bureau of the                    FISCAL–2014–0005 for this rulemaking.


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Document Created: 2015-12-30 03:15:44
Document Modified: 2015-12-30 03:15:44
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective: January 29, 2016.
ContactFor questions, contact Karen Osborne, Supervisory Management & Program Analyst, Office of the Deputy Director, ONRR, at [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 81454 
RIN Number1010-AD65 and 1012-AA11
CFR Citation30 CFR 1219
30 CFR 519
CFR AssociatedGovernment Contracts; Mineral Royalties; Oil and Gas Exploration and Public Lands-Mineral Resources

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