[Federal Register: October 15, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 199)]
[Notices]               
[Page 55956-55957]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15oc99-106]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service (MMS)

 
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee of the Minerals 
Management Advisory Board; Notice and Agenda for Meeting

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

SUMMARY: The OCS Policy Committee of the Minerals Management Advisory 
Board will meet at the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, on 
October 27-28, 1999.
    The agenda will cover the following principal subjects:
    Oceans Report: A Follow-Up Report From the National Oceans 
Conference. This presentation will include an update on Vice President 
Gore's follow-up report on the President's moratoria decision that was 
presented September 2, 1999.
    Hard Minerals Update. This presentation will address the Marine 
Minerals Program funding; the status of the MMS's guidelines and 
policies on use of Federal sand; the negotiations with States on use of 
Federal sand; and an update on the Hard Minerals Subcommittee 
activities and other pertinent hard minerals information.
    Deep Water Gulf of Mexico (GOM). This panel presentation will 
address developments in the deep water of the GOM and its future 
contribution.
    Recent Advances in Oil Spill Response Technology. This panel 
presentation will provide an overview of the MMS's oil spill response 
research and direct results from MMS funded research, the MMS 
unannounced drill policy, and the Ohmsett facility. The presentation 
will also address the U.S. Coast Guard's role in oil spill response, 
readiness, research and development activities. The Planned Deepwater 
Oil Release and Blowout Modeling Study, a joint industry project 
cooperatively managed and funded by the Offshore Operators Committee 
and MMS, will also be discussed.
    OCS Revenue Sharing Update. This presentation will address the 
current status of the OCS revenue sharing bills.
    Congressional Update. This presentation will focus on the status of 
the Coastal Zone Management Act reauthorization and pending revised 
regulations, and other timely congressional issues related to the OCS 
Program.
    Environmental Forum Update. This presentation will provide a 
summary of the October 26, 1999, proceedings.
    Natural Gas Supply/Demand. This panel presentation will address the

[[Page 55957]]

following items: recent studies/results; 30 TCF of gas needed to supply 
the nation and how we get there; the long-term gas alternatives, such 
as methane hydrates (clathrates); and the State's (Texas) response to 
rising gas demand.
    OCS Scientific Committee Update. This presentation will provide an 
update on the activities of the Scientific Committee. It will also 
highlight the activities that are related to the GOM deepwater 
activities, oil spill contingency planning, natural gas supply/demand, 
and any other topics that are relevant to both Committees.
    MMS Regional Updates. The Regional Directors will discuss 
activities in their respective areas. Particular items of interest: 
Lease Sale 176, National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska results, Northstar 
Project, Liberty Project, Lease Sale 181, Deepwater environmental 
impact statement, Chevron's Florida Natural Gas Development Project, 
Florida Marine Spill Analysis System, and the future of existing 
California OCS Leases.
    The meeting is open to the public. Upon request, interested parties 
may make oral or written presentations to the OCS Policy Committee. 
Such requests should be made no later than October 22, 1999, to the 
Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS-4001, Herndon, 
Virginia, 20170, Attention: Jeryne Bryant.
    Requests to make oral statements should be accompanied by a summary 
of the statement to be made. For more information, call Jeryne Bryant 
at (703) 787-1211.
    Minutes of the OCS Policy Committee meeting will be available for 
public inspection and copying at the MMS in Herndon.

DATES: Wednesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 28, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Sheraton Crystal City Hotel, 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, 
Arlington, Virginia 22202, (703) 486-1111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeryne Bryant at the address and phone 
number listed above.

    Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. No. 92-463, 5 
U.S.C. Appendix 1, and the Office of Management and Budget's 
Circular No. A-63, Revised.

    Dated: October 8, 1999.
Carolita U. Kallaur,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 99-26888 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M