SPILL RESPONSE PLANS INTERIM FINAL RULE(#30007)


FOR RELEASE:  February 8, 1993          CONTACT: Carter Cornick
                                                 (202) 208-3983

           MMS PUBLISHES INTERIM FINAL RULE REQUIRING 
      SPILL RESPONSE PLANS FOR OFFSHORE OPERATORS (#30007)

     The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service
(MMS) today announced the Interim Final Rule to require spill
response plans from producers operating in state and federal waters
will be published in the Federal Register February 8, 1993.  The
interim rule provides guidance to operators who must submit spill
response and contingency plans by February 18, 1993, as mandated by
the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990.

     Earlier on January 19, 1993, MMS announced Departmental
approval of this interim final rule.  However, along with other
proposed regulatory actions throughout the federal government, the
OPA Interim Final Rule was held for review by the Office of
Management and Budget.

     MMS was assigned spill prevention and contingency planning
responsibility for all offshore oil and gas facilities, including
those in state waters, after Executive Order 12777 was issued.

     MMS published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)
to solicit information concerning oil spill prevention and response
requirements in the Federal Register on August 12, 1992.

     MMS administers federal offshore mineral programs and manages
the federal mineral royalty program.  MMS is committed to achieving
the appropriate balance between protecting the environment and
providing opportunities for the discovery and recovery of critical
energy resources such as natural gas and oil.

                             -MMS-