82 FR 16222 - Royalty Policy Committee Establishment; Request for Nominations

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 62 (April 3, 2017)

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is establishing and seeking nominations for the Royalty Policy Committee (Committee). The Committee will provide advice to the Secretary on the fair market value of, and the collection of revenues derived from, the development of energy and mineral resources on Federal and Indian lands.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 62 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 16222]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06542]



[[Page 16222]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. ONRR-2012-0003; DS63600000 DR2000000.PMN000 178D0102R2]


Royalty Policy Committee Establishment; Request for Nominations

AGENCY: Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is establishing and 
seeking nominations for the Royalty Policy Committee (Committee). The 
Committee will provide advice to the Secretary on the fair market value 
of, and the collection of revenues derived from, the development of 
energy and mineral resources on Federal and Indian lands.

DATES: Comments regarding the establishment of this Committee must be 
submitted no later than April 18, 2017. Nominations for the Committee 
must be submitted by May 3, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments and/or nominations by any of the 
following methods:
     Mail or hand-carry nominations to Ms. Kim Oliver, 
Department of the Interior, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, 1849 C 
Street NW., MS 5134, Washington, DC 20240; or
     Email nominations to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Judy Wilson, Office of Natural 
Resources Revenue; telephone (202) 208-4410; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee is established under the 
authority of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) and regulated by 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. 
Appendix 2). The Secretary seeks to ensure that the public receives the 
full value of the natural resources produced from Federal lands. The 
duties of the Committee are solely advisory in nature. The Committee 
will, at the request of the Designated Federal Officer (DFO), advise on 
current and emerging issues related to the determination of fair market 
value, and the collection of revenue from energy and mineral resources 
on Federal and Indian lands. The Committee also will advise on the 
potential impacts of proposed policies and regulations related to 
revenue collection from such development, including whether a need 
exists for regulatory reform.
    We are seeking nominations for individuals to be considered as 
Committee members. The Committee will not exceed 28 members and will be 
composed of Federal and non-Federal members in order to ensure fair and 
balanced representation. The Secretary will appoint non-Federal members 
and their alternates to the Committee to serve up to a three-year term. 
The Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management and the Director 
of ONRR, or their designee(s), shall serve as co-Chairs of the 
Committee.
    Federal Members: The Secretary will appoint the following officials 
as non-voting, ex-officio members of the Committee:

 A representative of the Secretary's Immediate Office
 Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs
 Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs
 Director, Bureau of Land Management
 Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
 Director, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

These officials may designate a senior official to act on their behalf.
    Non-Federal Members: The Secretary will appoint members in the 
following categories:
     Up to six members representing the Governors of States 
that receive more than $10,000,000 annually in royalty revenues from 
onshore and offshore Federal leases.
     Up to four members representing the Indian Tribes that are 
engaged in activities subject to: The Act of May 11, 1938 (commonly 
known as the ``Indian Mineral Leasing Act of 1938'') (25 U.S.C. 396a et 
seq.); Title XXVI of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.); The Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982 (25 U.S.C. 2101 et 
seq.); and any other law relating to mineral development that is 
specific to one or more Indian Tribes.
     Up to six members representing various mineral and/or 
energy stakeholders in Federal and Indian royalty policy.
     Up to four members representing academia and public 
interest groups.
Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description 
of the nominee's qualifications, including information that would 
enable DOI to make an informed decision regarding meeting the 
membership requirements of the Committee and to permit DOI to contact a 
potential member.
    The Committee will meet at least once each calendar year and at 
such other times as the DFO determines to be necessary. Members of the 
Committee serve without compensation. However, while away from their 
homes or regular places of business, Committee and subcommittee members 
engaged in Committee or subcommittee business that the DFO approves may 
be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703, in the same manner as persons employed 
intermittently in Federal Government service.
    Public Disclosure of Comments: Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Certification Statement: I hereby certify that the Royalty Policy 
Committee is necessary, is in the public interest, and is established 
under the authority of the Secretary of the Interior, in support of 
greater transparency in creating royalty and leasing policy for mineral 
production on Federal and Tribal lands.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.

    Dated: March 29, 2017.
Ryan K. Zinke,
Secretary, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2017-06542 Filed 3-31-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4335-30-P