[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4601]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 1, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
25 CFR Ch. I
Minerals Management Service
30 CFR Ch. II
Geological Survey
30 CFR Ch. IV
Bureau of Mines
30 CFR Ch. VI
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
30 CFR Ch. VII
National Park Service
36 CFR Ch. I
Office of the Secretary
43 CFR Subtitle A
48 CFR Ch. 14
Bureau of Reclamation
43 CFR Ch. I
Bureau of Land Management
43 CFR Ch. II
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Chs. I and IV
Review of Existing Significant Regulations
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent of periodic reviews of regulations; request
for comment.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Executive Order 12866 (the ``Order''), the
Department of the Interior (``DOI'') is announcing its intent to
establish periodic reviews of all ``significant'' regulations published
by the Department. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that all
significant DOI regulations are efficient and effective, impose the
least possible burden upon the public, and are tailored no broader than
necessary to meet the objectives of the program being implemented. The
purpose of this notice is to seek public comment on which DOI
regulations should be reviewed, the best means for ensuring appropriate
public involvement in the review process, and on mechanisms or
processes to ensure that thorough reviews are conducted at appropriate
intervals.
DATES: Written comments must be received by May 2, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Please send written comments to Bill Vincent, Deputy
Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior,
Mail Stop 6214 MIB, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bill Vincent, Deputy Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, phone
(202) 208-5271.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 5 of the Order requires all federal agencies to establish
periodic reviews of all ``significant'' regulations currently published
in the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of these reviews is to
ensure that regulations help provide the highest possible quality
services to the public, are tailored no broader than necessary to
efficiently and effectively meet program objectives and Presidential
priorities, and impose the least possible burden on the public.
DOI is developing a methodology for conducting these reviews and is
seeking public comment to help determine which regulations should be
reviewed as part of this process, to develop a mechanism to encourage
the fullest appropriate public involvement in the review process, and
to develop schedules for conducting reviews at appropriate intervals.
DOI intends to solicit public comment on the substance of the reviews
at a later date by publishing in the Federal Register a listing of all
rules subject to review and inviting public comments on those rules.
Review Plan
To implement the Order, the Department first is seeking to
determine which regulations should be reviewed within the next two
years. Each bureau and office currently is identifying all
``significant'' existing regulations within their respective program
areas. The Order defines a ``significant'' regulation as any regulation
That is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual
effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in
a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity,
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or
State, local, or tribal governments, or communities; (2) Create a
serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or
planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact
of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights
and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or
policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's
priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive order.
In determining which existing regulations are significant, DOI
plans to consider all regulations within their programmatic context. As
a result, rules that are not ``significant'' standing alone may be
significant as part of a broader programmatic scheme and, therefore,
may be subject to review.
Although the Order requires only the review of existing
``significant'' regulations, DOI will consider reviewing any existing
regulation that is identified as in need of review. Commenters
therefore are encouraged to identify such regulations, and to explain
briefly why review is important at this time.
Commenters also may indicate how regulatory changes will improve
the services we provide to our customers, the public. Service
improvement includes better access to services, improved responsiveness
to requests and applications, reduced waiting times for processing
information and decisionmaking, and better mechanisms for including
customers' needs and desires in the decisionmaking process. In
achieving such service improvements, the Department is committed to
using modern management techniques wherever practical. These techniques
include: (1) Empowering managers and employees to achieve results
rather than simply adhering to rigid bureaucratic procedures; (2)
ensuring that authority, responsibility, and accountability are placed
at the most appropriate levels; and (3) seeking methods to ensure
continuous improvements in quality and program integrity while
minimizing administrative expenses.
The Department intends to encourage the fullest appropriate public
involvement in the review process. Commenters should indicate the best
means for ensuring appropriate public participation. The Department is
willing to meet with industry, interest groups, and others to discuss
their ideas on regulatory reform. The Department also intends to
coordinate with other federal agencies and state, local, and tribal
governments to ensure that regulatory policies are clear and consistent
and to minimize unnecessary overlap and duplication.
Commenters also may suggest mechanisms and processes they believe
will help ensure that thorough reviews are conducted in a periodic and
timely manner. Currently, the Department intends, wherever possible, to
conduct periodic reviews concurrently with reviews required by statute
or other competent legal authority. Where such mandated reviews do not
exist, however, the Department intends to develop review schedules that
are appropriate for particular program areas. Commenters should
indicate the frequency with which reviews should be conducted. Although
the timing of specific reviews may vary, the Department is considering
requiring that the first cycle of reviews, including the implementation
of any recommended changes, be completed by June 30, 1996.
Dated: February 23, 1994.
Bill Vincent,
Deputy Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-4601 Filed 2-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-01-M