(1) Marine sanctuary regulations, 15 CFR part 922; (2) Fishermen's Contingency Fund, 50 CFR part 296; (3) Coastal Energy Impact Program, 15 CFR part 931; (d) For Coast Guard regulations on the oil spill liability of vessels and operators, see 33 CFR parts 132, 135, and 136. (e) For Coast Guard regulations on port access routes, see 33 CFR part 164. (f) For compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, see 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508. (g) For Department of Transportation regulations on offshore pipeline facilities, see 49 CFR part 195. (h) For Department of Defense regulations on military activities on offshore areas, see 32 CFR part 252. [44 FR 38276, June 29, 1979. Redesignated at 47 FR 47006, Oct. 22, 1982, and amended at 54 FR 50617, Dec. 8, 1989; 55 FR 32908, Aug. 13, 1990] § 256.8 Leasing maps and diagrams (a) Any area of the OCS which has been appropriately platted as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, is subject to lease for any mineral not included in a subsisting lease issued under the act or meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of section 6 of the Act. Before any lease is offered or issued an area may be (1) withdrawn from disposition pursuant to section 12(a) of the Act, or (2) designated as an area or part of an area restricted from operation under section 12(d) of the Act. (b) The MMS shall prepare leasing maps and official protraction diagrams of areas of the OCS. The areas included in each mineral lease shall be in ac cordance with the appropriate leasing map or official protraction diagram. § 256.10 Information to States. (a) The information covered in this section is prepared by or directly obtained by the Director. Such information is typically not considered to be proprietary or privileged, with the primary exception of specific indications of interest in an area by industry received in response to a Call for Information issued by the Secretary. This information and all other proprietary and privileged information obtained by or under the control of the Minerals Management Service may be released only in accordance with the regulations in 30 CFR parts 250, 251, and 252. (b) The Director shall prepare an index to OCS information (see 30 CFR 252.5). The index shall list all relevant actual or proposed programs, plans, reports, environmental impact statements, nominations information, environmental study reports, lease sale information and any similar type of relevant information including, modifications, comments and revisions, prepared by or directly obtained by the Director under the act. The index shall be sent on a regular basis to affected States and, upon request, it shall be sent to any affected local government. The public shall be informed of the availability of the index. (c) Upon request, the Director shall transmit to affected States, local governments or the public, a copy of any information listed in the index which is subject to the control of the MMS in accordance with the requirements and subject to the limitations of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and regulations implementing said Act, and the regulations contained in 43 CFR part 2, except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section. (d) Upon request, the Director shall provide relative indications of interest in areas as well as any comments filed in response to a Call for Information for a proposed sale. However, no information transmitted shall identify any particular area with the name of any particular party so as not to compromise the competitive position of any participants in the process of indicating interest. [44 FR 38276, June 29, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 25970, June 16, 1982. Redesignated and amended at 47 FR 47006, 47007, Oct. 22, 1982] § 256.11 Helium. (a) Each lease issued or continued under these regulations shall be subject to a reservation by the United States, under section 12(f) of the Act, of the ownership of and the right to extract helium from all gas produced from the leased area. (b) In case the United States elects to take the helium, the lessee shall deliver all gas containing helium, or the portion of gas desired, to the United States at any point on the leased area or at an onshore processing facility. Delivery shall be made in the manner required by the United States to such plants or reduction works as the United States may provide. (c) The extraction of helium shall not cause a reduction in the value of the lessee's gas or any other loss for which he is not reasonably compensated, except for the value of the helium extracted. The United States shall determine the amount of reasonable compensation. The United States shall have the right to erect, maintain and operate on the leased area any and all reduction works and other equipment necessary for the extraction of helium. The extraction of helium shall not cause substantial delays in the delivery of natural gas produced to the purchaser of that gas. § 256.12 Supplemental sales. (a) The Secretary may conduct a supplemental sale in accordance with the provisions of this section. (b) Supplemental sales shall be governed by the regulations in this part, except § 256.22. (c) Supplemental sales shall be limited to blocks falling into one or more of the following categories: (1) Blocks for which bids were rejected during the calendar year preceding the year of the supplemental sale in which they are reoffered or blocks for which bids were rejected in the same calendar year as the supplemental sale in which they are reof fered, except that for the initial supplemental sale only blocks for which bids were rejected after October 1, 1987, may be reoffered. If, after the initial supplemental sale, a supplemental sale is not held annually for any reason, the relevant period for determining blocks eligible for a subsequent supplemental sale may be extended to include rejected bid blocks which were eligible for the supplemental sale not held. (2) Blocks for which the high bid was forfeited during the calendar year preceding the year of the supplemental sale in which they are reoffered or blocks for which high bids were forfeited in the same calendar year as the supplemental sale in which they are reoffered, except that for the initial supplemental sale only blocks for which high bids were forfeited after October 1, 1987, may be reoffered. If, after the initial supplemental sale, a supplemental sale is not held annually for any reason, the relevant period for determining blocks eligible for a subsequent sale may be extended to include forfeited bid blocks which were eligible for the supplemental sale not held. (3) Development blocks. Development blocks (including blocks susceptible to drainage) are blocks which are located on the same general geologic structure as an existing lease having a well with indicated hydrocarbons; the reservoir may or may not be interpreted to extend on to the block. (d) Supplemental sales shall not include blocks in the Central or Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas. (e) The Director may disclose the classification of blocks in supplemental sales as development blocks. [53 FR 29886, Aug. 9, 1988] Subpart B-Oil and Gas Leasing § 256.14 Definitions. As used in this subpart, the termAffected State and affected States means Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi § 256.7 Cross references. (a) For Minerals Management Service regulations governing exploration, development and production on leases, see 30 CFR parts 250 and 270. (b) For multiple use conflicts, see the Environmental Protection Agency listing of ocean dumping sites-40 CFR part 228. (c) For related National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs see: (1) Marine sanctuary regulations, 15 CFR part 922; (2) Fishermen's Contingency Fund, 50 CFR part 296; (3) Coastal Energy Impact Program, 15 CFR part 931; (d) For Coast Guard regulations on the oil spill liability of vessels and operators, see 33 CFR parts 132, 135, and 136. (e) For Coast Guard regulations on port access routes, see 33 CFR part 164. (f) For compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, see 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508. (g) For Department of Transportation regulations on offshore pipeline facilities, see 49 CFR part 195. (h) For Department of Defense reg lations on military activities on e shore areas, see 32 CFR part 252. [44 FR 38276, June 29, 1979. Redesig at 47 FR 47006, Oct. 22, 1982, and an at 54 FR 50617, Dec. 8, 1989; 55 FR Aug. 13, 1990] § 256.8 Leasing maps and diagr (a) Any area of the OCS been appropriately platted in paragraph (b) of this s ject to lease for any m cluded in a subsisting under the act or meet ments of subsection the Act. Before any issued an area may from disposition 12(a) of the Act, an area or part from operation the Act. (b) The MN maps and off of areas of the ed in each mineral lease .. Each lease issued or ler these regulations stai to a reservation by tes, under section 124th the ownership of and ract helm from all m the leased areas b) In case the United S er all gas containing ham at an onsiune process (c) The extraction hot cause a reduction ine lessee's gas which he is not d, except for the Extracted. The Unite ermine the ar Compensation." have the rig operate on reduction necess D-Call for Information and Nominations 3 Information on areas. The Director may receive and der indications of interest in as for mineral leasing. In accordance with an approved ogram and schedule for the leasing OCS lands which may contain oil nd gas, the Director shall issue Calls For Information and Nominations on areas for leasing of such minerals in specified areas. The Call for Information and Nominations shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER and may be published in other publications as desirable. Information on areas shall be addressed to the appropriate regional Minerals Manager of the Minerals Management Service with a copy to any other office which may be specified in the Call. The Director shall also request comments on areas which should receive special concern and analysis. For an oil and gas lease sale Call area, the Director may request comments concerning geological conditions, including bottom hazards; archeological or cultural sites on the seabed or nearshore; multiple uses 6 of this of the proposed leasing area, including navigation, recreation, and fisheries; and other socioeconomic, biological, and environmental information. [47 FR 25970, June 16, 1982. Redesignated at 47 FR 47006, Oct. 22, 1982 and amended at 51 FR 21345, June 12, 1986] § 256.25 Areas near coastal States. (a) At the time information is solicited for leasing of areas within 3 geographical miles seaward of the seaward boundary of any coastal State, the Secretary shall provide the Governor of that State information required under section 8(g)(1) of the Act. The Director shall furnish information identifying the areas for leasing as well as all relevant available environmental data for such areas (See 30 CFR 251.14). (b) After receipt of information on areas within the area described in paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary shall inform the Governor of those areas that are to be given further consideration for leasing. The ana, Texas, California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. [44 FR 38276, June 29, 1979. Redesignated at 47 FR 47006, Oct. 22, 1982; 47 FR 50684, Nov. 9, 1982] § 256.16 Receipt and consideration of nominations; public notice and participation. (a) During preparation of a proposed 5-year leasing program, the Secretary shall invite and consider suggestions and relevant information for such program from Governors of affected States, local government, industry, other Federal agencies, including the Attorney General in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, and all interested parties, including the general public. This request for information shall be issued as a notice in the FEDERAL REGISTER. Local governments wishing to respond to such request shall first submit their responses to the Governor of the State in which the local government is located. (b) The Secretary shall send letters to the Governors of the affected States requesting them to identify specific laws, goals, and policies which they believe should be considered by the Secretary in connection with the leasing program. The Secretary shall also request from the Secretary of Energy information on regional and national energy markets, on OCS production goals and on transportation networks. [44 FR 38276, June 29, 1979. Redesignated at 47 FR 47006, Oct. 22, 1982; 47 FR 50684, Nov. 9, 1982] § 256.17 Review by State and local governments and other persons. (a)(1) The Secretary shall prepare a proposed leasing program. At least 60 days prior to publication of the proposed program in the FEDERAL REGISTER, a copy of the draft of the proposed program shall be forwarded to the Governor of each affected State for comment. The Governor may solicit comments from local governments in his or her State which the Governor determines will be affected by the proposed program. (2) The Secretary shall reply in writing to any comment on the draft of the proposed program from the Gov ernor of an affected State which is received at least 15 days prior to the submission of the proposed program to the Congress and publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER. All such correspondence between the Secretary and Governor of such State shall accompany the proposed program when it is submitted to the Congress. (b) The proposed leasing program shall be submitted to the Governors of the affected States for review and comment at the time it is submitted to the Congress and the Attorney General and published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. The Governor of an affected State shall, upon request from any local government affected by the program, submit a copy of the proposed program to such local government. Comments and recommendations on any aspect of the proposed program may be submitted by a State or local government or other persons to the Secretary within 90 days after the date of its publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER. Comments and recommendations from local governments shall be submitted first to the Governor of the State in which the local government is located. (c) At least 60 days prior to approving the final leasing program and any later significant revision, the Secretary shall submit it to the President and the Congress, together with any comments. The Secretary shall indicate in such submission why any specific recommendation of the Attorney General or of a State or local government was not accepted. [44 FR 38276, June 29, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 25970, June 16, 1982. Redesignated at 47 FR 47006, Oct. 22, 1982; 47 FR 50684, Nov. 9, 1982] § 256.19 Periodic consultation with interested parties. The Secretary shall provide for periodic consultation with State and local governments, existing and potential oil and gas lessees and permittees, and representatives of other individuals or organizations engaged in any activity in or on the OCS, including those involved in fish and shellfish recovery, and recreational activities. This consultation shall take place primarily |