FOR RELEASE:  July 14, 1994                 CONTACT:  Tom DeRocco
                                                   (202) 208-3983
                                                            or
                                               Michael L. Baugher
                                                   (303) 231-3162

            MMS HONORED AGAIN FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (#40054)

     The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service
(MMS) was honored today when its Royalty Management Program (RMP)
was named a 1994 Quality Improvement Prototype Award Finalist for
the second consecutive year.

     Vice President Al Gore present the annual awards to recipients
at the Seventh Annual National Conference on Federal Quality, in
Washington, DC, at luncheon ceremonies.

     Jimmy Mayberry, a Deputy Associate Director for the Royalty
Management Program, attended the ceremony as MMS' principal
representative.

     Sponsored by the Federal Quality Institute and the President's
Council on Management Improvement, the Award recognizes federal
agencies for their efforts toward total quality management.

     "As both professionals and tax-paying citizens we are proud to
be among the Nation's most progressive federal agencies," said Tom
Fry, MMS Director.  "Our people work very hard, everyday, to
enhance our royalty program through improved systems, streamlines
procedures and improved compliance strategies.  We're pleased to be
recognized for our continuing efforts."

     For the second consecutive year MMS was named a finalist and
cited for improving its abilities to collect, account for, and
disburse mineral revenues.  Additionally, in 1991, the Royalty
Management Program was presented the President's Council on
Management Improvement's Award for Management Excellence.

     Operationally based in Denver, Colorado, the RMP is comprised
of approximately 700 Federal and 400 contractor employees.  Through
advanced computer systems, the RMP manages revenues associated with
development of mineral resources on Federal and Indian lands.  In
1993, those revenues (bonuses, rents, and royalties) amounted to $4
billion.

                              -MMS-

Subject: PR-7/14/94 Quality Improvement/MMS Honored Again for
Quality Improvement (#40054)