Document 4avYOjo78YMQR1pv0yk9G7e3N

From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments: Guert.in. Stephen Cynthia Martinez Fwd: oil and gas memo Friday. April 21, 2017 9:17:37 AM Information Memorandum SO3349 Oil Gas Response FINAI revised 4-19-17.docx Here are the consolidated edits from the political team for going into final. Thanks. Steve -----------Forwarded message-----------From: Hammond, Casey <casey_hammond@ios.doi.gov> Date: Fri, Apr 21, 2017 at 9:18 AM Subject: oil and gas memo To: Stephen Guertin <stephen_guertin@fws.gov> Date: To: Through: From: Subject: April 19, 2017 Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks James Kurth, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Response to the deliverable Section 5.c. (iv) of Secretary's Order 3349 - "American Energy Independence" I. Introduction In 1960, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) first promulgated regulations to govern the exercise of non-Federal mineral rights on lands and waters in the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). These regulations lacked a specific consistent process for providing operators access and use of refuge surface to conduct operations while also minimizing impacts to refuge resources and uses. Reports from the GovernmentAccountability Office (2003 and 2007) and the Office of Inspector General (2015) identified these deficiencies in the FWS's management of non-Federal oil and gas operations and recommended promulgating regulations to clarify and improve the process. In 2013, the FWS began a rulemaking effort to resolve these deficiencies that culminated in the finalization of the oil and gas rule (Rule) entitled, "Management of Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights," 81 Fed. Reg. 79948 (Nov. 14, 2016). II. Background The March 28, 2017, Presidential Executive Order (EO) entitled "Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth" instructed the Secretary of Interior to review the FWS's Rule to ensure it is consistent with the policy set forth in section 1 of the EO. On March 29, 2017, the Secretary signed Secretary's Order (SO) 3349, "American Energy Independence," which required the FWS to conduct a policy review, within 21 days of the SO, of the Rule and report on whether the Rule is fully consistent with that policy. III. Discussion 1 2 3 4 1(b) (5) DPP 5 6