Notice2026-17935
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Non-Federal Oil and Gas Operations on National Wildlife Refuge System Lands
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an existing information collection without change.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56467-56472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17935]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-3631; OMB Control Number 1018-0162;
FXRS12610900000-267-FF09R24000]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget; Non-Federal Oil and Gas Operations on
National Wildlife Refuge System Lands
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an
existing information collection without change.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
October 2, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this
particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
Please provide a copy of your comments to the Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB
(JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c38aada5ac9c80acafaf83a5b4b0eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="460f2820291905292a2a0620313568212930">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference ``1018-0162'' in the
subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8dc4e3ebe2d2cee2e1e1cdebfafea3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f16313930001c3033331f39282c71383029">[email protected]</span></a>, or by
telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States. You may also view the
information collection request at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5
CFR part 1320, all information collections require approval under the
PRA. We may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
On April 13, 2026, we published in the Federal Register (91 FR
18869) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this
information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60
days, ending on June 12, 2026. We also published the Federal Register
notice on <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-0562). We
received the following comments in response to that notice:
Comment 1: Electronic comment received from Ashton Murrey submitted
via <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-0562-0003) on April 21, 2026. The
commenter recommended a hybrid information collection system--paper
capture in the field (where connectivity may limit electronic access),
followed by later transfer to an electronic database.
Agency Response to Comment 1: We appreciate this practical
recommendation. The Service supports electronic submission wherever
feasible to reduce burden and improve records management; the PRA
notice explicitly invites suggestions to enhance quality, utility,
clarity, and to minimize burden through appropriate technologies. At
the same time, we recognize field constraints on refuges and accept
paper-based materials when necessary, provided they contain the
information required under 50 CFR part 29, subpart D and Form 3-2469.
The Service will continue to accept hybrid submissions and continue to
expand electronic options consistent with the PRA notice.
Comment 2: Anonymous electronic comment submitted via
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-0562-0004) on April 27, 2026. The
commenter opposes any corporate or private oil and gas operations on
wildlife refuges, urging a permanent stop.
Agency Response to Comment 2: We acknowledge the commenter's policy
view. This docket is a PRA information collection renewal--it does not
establish or revise substantive policy or the underlying authority for
operations. Under existing law and regulations, the Service's role is
to allow the continued exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights
within refuge boundaries while avoiding or minimizing unnecessary
impacts on refuge resources and uses.
The information we collect through Form 3-2469 enables FWS to
evaluate proposed operations, apply mitigation, and ensure compliance
with applicable
[[Page 56468]]
laws. Therefore, this PRA action cannot prohibit operations; it renews
the information collection necessary to administer 50 CFR part 29,
subpart D. No action taken; this comment concerns policy and law beyond
the scope of PRA renewal.
Comment 3: Anonymous electronic comment submitted via
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-0562-0005) on April 27, 2026. The
commenter urges oil and gas exploration and retrieval on public lands
be prevented and made illegal.
Agency Response to Comment 3: We recognize the commenter's policy
position. This information collection relates specifically to non-
Federal oil and gas rights on National Wildlife Refuge System lands and
is governed by existing statutory and regulatory authorities. The PRA
renewal does not alter those authorities. The Service's regulations at
50 CFR part 29, subpart D provide for the continued exercise of non-
Federal rights while requiring detailed planning, mitigation, spill
control, reclamation, and financial assurance to protect refuge
resources. The collection is thus necessary for proper performance of
agency functions under current law. No action taken; this comment
concerns policy and law beyond the scope of PRA renewal.
Comment 4: Anonymous electronic comment submitted via
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-0562-0006) on June 8, 2026. The
commenter requests that the Service protect wildlife and not allow
activities that harm animals or cause destruction on refuges.
Agency Response to Comment 4: We acknowledge the commenter's
priority to protect wildlife and refuge resources. The information
collected is designed precisely to avoid or minimize impacts and to
enable enforceable permit conditions on operations. The April 13, 2026
notice describes these requirements and their practical utility for
evaluating proposals and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws.
No action taken; the existing collection under Form 3-2469 and Subpart
D already supports protection through rigorous planning, review, and
mitigation requirements.
Comment 5: Anonymous electronic comment submitted via
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-0562-0007) on June 12, 2026. The
commenter emphasizes that refuges should remain undisturbed by private
corporations and urges protection of open spaces and wildlife.
Agency Response to Comment 5: We acknowledge the commenter's
emphasis on conservation values. Within the existing legal framework,
the Service balances the continued exercise of non-Federal mineral
rights with its responsibility to protect refuge resources and public
uses. The information collection facilitates that balance by requiring
operators to provide detailed information about their proposed
operations which FWS uses to set conditions and safeguards during
permitting. This PRA renewal does not expand operations; it maintains
the collection tools needed to ensure that any operations are planned
and conducted to protect refuge resources to the maximum extent
practicable under applicable laws and regulations. No action taken; the
collection remains necessary for protective decision-making and
compliance oversight.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again inviting the public and other Federal agencies to
comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of
information. This helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It
also helps the public understand our information collection
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
We are especially interested in public comments addressing the
following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. Before including your address, phone number, email
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--may be publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Abstract: The authority of the Service to regulate non-Federal oil
and gas operations on National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands is
broadly derived from the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (art.
IV, Sec. 3), in carrying out the statutory mandates of the Secretary of
the Interior, as delegated to the Service, to manage Federal lands and
resources under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
(NWRSAA; 16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), as amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act (NWRSIA), and to specifically manage
species within the NWRS under the provisions of numerous statutes, the
most notable of which are the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 16
U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.), and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (FWA; 16 U.S.C. 742f).
The Service's regulations in Title 50 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR, part 29, subpart D provide for the
continued exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights while avoiding or
minimizing unnecessary impacts to national wildlife refuge resources
and uses. Other land management agencies have regulations that address
oil and gas development, including the Department of the Interior's
National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. These agencies all require
the submission of information similar to the information requested by
the Service.
The collection of information is necessary for the Service to
properly balance the exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights within
national wildlife refuge boundaries with the Service's responsibility
to protect wildlife and habitat, water quality and quantity, wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities, and the health and safety of
employees and visitors on NWRS lands.
The information collected under 50 CFR, part 29, subpart D,
identifies the owner and operator (the owner and operator can be the
same) and details how the operator may access and develop oil and gas
resources. It also identifies the steps the operator intends to take to
minimize any adverse impacts of operations on refuge resources and
uses. No information is submitted unless the operator wishes to conduct
oil and gas operations.
We use the information collected to (1) evaluate proposed
operations; (2) ensure that all necessary mitigation measures are
employed to protect
[[Page 56469]]
national wildlife refuge resources and values; and (3) ensure
compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the
NWRSAA, as amended by the NWRSIA, and to specifically manage species
within the NWRS under the provisions of numerous statutes, the most
notable of which are the MBTA, the ESA, the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), and the FWA.
1. Preexisting Operations (Sec. 29.61)--Within 90 days after the
effective date of these regulations or after a boundary change or
establishment of a new refuge unit, preexisting operators without a
Service-issued permit must submit:
<bullet> Documentation of the right to operate within the refuge.
<bullet> Contact information (names, phone numbers, and addresses)
of the primary company representative, the representative responsible
for field supervision, and the representative responsible for emergency
response.
<bullet> Scaled map clearly delineating the existing area of
operations.
<bullet> Documentation of the current operating methods, surface
equipment, materials produced or used, and monitoring methods.
<bullet> Copies of all plans and permits required by local, State,
and Federal agencies.
2. Temporary Access Permit Application (Sec. 29.71)--We use Parts
1 and 2 of Form 3-2469, Oil and Gas Operations--Special Use Permit, as
the application for a Temporary Access Permit. The operator must
provide the information requested in Parts 1 and 2 of the form,
including:
<bullet> Contact information (name, legal address, and telephone
number) for the person(s) responsible for the overall management of the
proposed operations.
<bullet> Documentation demonstrating the right to operate within
the refuge.
<bullet> Name, legal address, telephone number, and qualifications
of all specialists responsible for conducting the reconnaissance
surveys.
<bullet> Brief description of the intended operation so that we can
determine reconnaissance survey needs.
<bullet> Description of the survey methods used to identify natural
and cultural resources.
<bullet> Location map (to-scale and determined by us to be
acceptable) delineating the proposed reconnaissance survey area in
relation to the refuge boundary and the proposed area of operations.
<bullet> Description of proposed means of access and routes for
conducting the reconnaissance surveys.
3. Accessing Oil And Gas Rights From a Non-Federal Surface Location
(Sec. 29.80)--We encourage operators to provide the Service (at least
60 calendar days prior to beginning operations): the names, telephone
numbers, and addresses of the primary company representative; the
representative responsible for field supervision; and the
representative responsible for emergency response.
4. Pre-application Meeting for Operations Permit (Sec. 29.91)--
Before applying for an Operations Permit, operators should participate
in a pre-application meeting with the Service and provide:
<bullet> Documentation demonstrating the right to operate within
the refuge.
<bullet> An overview of the proposed operation and timing.
5. Operations Permit Application (Sec. Sec. 29.94, 29.95, 29.96,
and 29.97)--We use Form 3-2469 as the application for an Operations
Permit. All applicants must provide the information requested in Parts
1, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10, Form 3-2469, including:
A. Part 1 (Sec. 29.94(a)-(b))--
<bullet> Contact information (name, legal address, and telephone
number) for the person(s) responsible for the overall management of the
proposed operations.
<bullet> Documentation demonstrating the right to operate within
the refuge.
B. Part 3 (Sec. 29.94(c)-(f))--
<bullet> Description of the natural features of the proposed area
of operations such as: streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands (including
estimated depths to the top and bottom of zones of usable water);
topographic relief; and areas that the Service has indicated are
sensitive.
<bullet> Locations of existing roads, trails, railroad tracks,
pipeline rights-of-way, pads, and other disturbed areas.
<bullet> Locations of existing structures that the operations could
affect, including buildings; pipelines; oil and gas wells, including
both producing and plugged and abandoned wells; injection wells;
freshwater wells; underground and overhead electrical lines; and other
utility lines.
<bullet> Descriptions of the natural and cultural resource
conditions from reconnaissance survey reports or other sources
collected for the proposed area of operations including baseline
testing of soils, surface, and ground waters within the area of
operations that reasonably may be impacted by surface operations.
C. Part 4 (Sec. 29.94(g)-(n))--Location maps (to-scale and
determined by the Service to be acceptable) that clearly identify:
<bullet> Proposed area of operations, existing conditions, and
proposed new surface uses, including the boundaries of each of the oil
and gas tracts in relation to the proposed operations and the relevant
refuge boundary.
<bullet> Proposed access routes of new surface disturbances as
determined by a location survey.
<bullet> Location of all support facilities, including those for
transportation (e.g., vehicle parking areas, helicopter pads, etc.),
sanitation, occupation, staging areas, fuel storage areas, refueling
areas, loading docks, water supplies, and disposal facilities.
<bullet> Method and diagrams (including cross sections) of any
proposed pad construction, road construction, cut-and-fill areas, and
surface maintenance, including erosion control.
<bullet> Number and types of equipment and vehicles, including an
estimate of vehicular round trips associated with the operation.
<bullet> Estimated timetable for the proposed operations, including
any operational timing constraints.
<bullet> Type and extent of security measures proposed at the area
of operation.
<bullet> Power sources and their transmission systems for the
proposed operations.
<bullet> Types and quantities of all solid and liquid waste
generated and the proposed methods of storage, handling, and disposal.
<bullet> Source, quantity, access route, and transportation/
conveyance method for all water to be used in operations (including
hydraulic fracturing), as well as estimates of any anticipated
wastewater volumes generated (including flowback fluids from hydraulic
fracturing operations and the proposed methods of storage, handling,
and recycling or disposal).
D. Part 5 Geophysical Exploration (Sec. 29.95)--Applicants
proposing geophysical exploration must also provide the information
requested in Part 5 of Form 3-2469, including:
<bullet> Map showing the positions of each survey line including
all source and receiver locations as determined by a locational survey,
and shot point offset distances from wells, buildings, other
infrastructure, cultural resources, and environmentally sensitive
areas.
<bullet> Number of crews and numbers of workers in each crew.
<bullet> Description of the acquisition methods (including the
procedures and specific equipment that will be used) and energy sources
(e.g., explosives, vibroseis trucks, etc.).
<bullet> Description of methods of access along each survey line
for personnel, materials, and equipment.
[[Page 56470]]
<bullet> List of all explosives, blasting equipment, chemicals, and
fuels that will be used in the proposed operations, including a
description of proposed disposal methods, transportation methods,
safety measures, and storage facilities.
E. Part 6 Proposed Drilling Operations (Sec. 29.96)--Applicants
proposing drilling operations must also provide the information
requested in Part 6 of Form 3-2469, including:
<bullet> Description of well pad construction, including dimensions
and cross sections of cut-and-fill areas and excavations for ditches,
sumps, and spill control equipment or structures (including lined
areas).
<bullet> Description of the drill rig and equipment layout
including rig components, fuel tanks, testing equipment, support
facilities, storage areas, and all other well-site equipment and
facilities.
<bullet> Description of type and characteristics of the proposed
drilling mud systems.
<bullet> Description of the equipment, materials, and methods of
surface operations associated with drilling, well casing and cementing,
well control, well evaluation and testing, well completion, hydraulic
fracturing or other well stimulation, and well plugging.
F. Part 7 Production Operations (Sec. 29.97)--Applicants proposing
production operations must also provide the information requested in
Part 7 of Form 3-2469, including:
<bullet> Dimensions and a to-scale layout of: the well pad, clearly
identifying well locations and noting partial reclamation areas;
gathering, separation, metering, and storage equipment; electrical
lines; fences; spill control equipment or structures including lined
areas, artificial lift equipment, tank batteries, treating and
separating vessels, secondary or enhanced recovery facilities, water
disposal facilities, gas compression and/or injection facilities;
metering points; sales point (if on lease); tanker pickup points; gas
compressor, including size and type (if applicable); and any other well
site equipment.
<bullet> General description of anticipated stimulations,
servicing, and workovers.
<bullet> Description of the procedures and equipment used to
maintain control of the well(s).
<bullet> Description of method and means used to transport produced
oil and gas, including vehicular transport; flowline and gathering line
construction and operation, pipe size, and operating pressure; cathodic
protection methods; surface equipment use; surface equipment location;
maintenance procedures; maintenance schedules; pressure detection
methods; and shutdown procedures.
<bullet> Road and well pad maintenance plan, including equipment
and materials to maintain the road surface and control erosion.
<bullet> Vegetation management plan for well sites, roads, pipeline
corridors, and other disturbed surface areas, including control of
noxious and invasive species.
<bullet> Stormwater management plan on the well site.
<bullet> Produced water storage and disposal plan.
<bullet> Description of the equipment, materials, and procedures
proposed for well plugging.
G. Part 8 (Sec. 29.94(o))--
<bullet> Description of proposed steps to mitigate anticipated
adverse environmental impacts on refuge resources and uses including:
refuge's land features, land uses, fish and wildlife, vegetation,
soils, surface and subsurface water resources, air quality, noise,
lightscapes, viewsheds, cultural resources, and economic environment.
<bullet> Description of any anticipated impacts that cannot be
mitigated.
<bullet> Description of all alternatives considered that meet the
criteria of technologically feasible, least-damaging methods of
operations, as well as the costs and environmental effects of such
alternatives.
H. Part 9 (Sec. 29.94(p))--
<bullet> For spill control and emergency preparedness plan, submit
contact information (name, address, and telephone number) for the
appropriate officials to be contacted by the Service in the event of a
spill, fire, or accident, including the order in which the persons
should be contacted.
<bullet> Notification procedures and steps taken to minimize damage
in the event of spill, fire, or accident, including the order in which
individuals should be contacted.
<bullet> Identification of contaminating or toxic substances used
within the area of operations (or expected to be encountered during
operations).
<bullet> Trajectory analysis for potential spills that are not
contained on location.
<bullet> Identification of abnormal pressure, temperature, toxic
gases or substances, or other hazardous conditions at the area of
operations or expected to be encountered during operations.
<bullet> Measures (e.g., procedures, facility design, equipment) to
minimize risks to human health and safety, and the environment.
<bullet> Steps to prevent accumulations of oil or other materials
deemed to be fire hazards from occurring in the vicinity of well
locations and lease tanks.
<bullet> Equipment and methods for containment and cleanup of
contaminating substances, including a description of the equipment
available at the area of operations and equipment available from local
contractors.
<bullet> Storm water drainage plan and actions intended to mitigate
storm water runoff.
<bullet> Safety data sheets for each material that will be used or
encountered during operations, including expected quantities maintained
at the area of operations.
<bullet> Description of the emergency actions that will be taken in
the event of injury or death to fish and wildlife or vegetation.
<bullet> Description of the emergency actions that will be taken in
the event of accidents causing human injury.
<bullet> Contingency plans for conditions and emergencies other
than spills, such as if the area of operations is located in areas
prone to hurricanes, flooding, tornados, fires, or earthquakes.
I. Part 10 (Sec. 29.94(q)-(r))--
<bullet> Description of the specific equipment, materials, methods,
and schedule that will be used to meet the operating standards for
reclamation specified at Sec. 29.117.
<bullet> Itemized list of the estimated costs that a third party
would charge to complete reclamation.
J. Financial Assurance (Sec. Sec. 29.103(b) and 29.150-29.154)--
Before operations begin, operators must submit:
<bullet> Financial assurance in the amount specified by the Service
and in accordance with the requirements of Sec. Sec. 29.150 through
29.154.
<bullet> Proof of liability insurance with limits sufficient to
cover injuries to persons or property caused by the operations.
K. Identification of Wells and Related Facilities (Sec.
29.119(b)(3))--Operators must identify wells and related facilities
with a sign that must remain in place until the well is plugged and
abandoned and related facilities are removed. Signs must be of durable
construction, and the lettering must be legible and large enough to be
read under normal conditions at a distance of at least 50 feet. Each
sign must show the name of the well, name of the operator, and the
emergency contact phone number.
L. Reporting (Sec. 29.121)--Third-party monitors will report
directly to the Service regarding compliance with the operations permit
and efforts to protect federally owned or administered lands, waters,
or resources of refuges; visitor uses and experiences; and visitor or
employee health and safety.
<bullet> Operators must notify the Service within 24 hours of any
injuries to or mortality of fish, wildlife, or endangered or threatened
plants.
[[Page 56471]]
<bullet> Operators must notify the Service of any accidents
involving serious personal injury or death and of any fires or spills
on the site immediately after the accident occurs. A written report on
the accident must be submitted to the Service within 90 days after the
accident occurs.
<bullet> Operators must submit reports or other information
necessary to verify compliance with the permit or with any provision of
subpart D of the regulations.
<bullet> If operations include hydraulic fracturing, the operator
must provide a report including:
--The true vertical depth of the well,
--Total water volume used, and
--A description of the base fluid and each additive in the hydraulic
fracturing fluid, including the trade name, supplier, purpose,
ingredients, Chemical Abstract Service Number (CAS), maximum ingredient
concentration in additive (percent by mass), and maximum ingredient
concentration in hydraulic fracturing fluid (percent by mass).
M. Permit Modifications (Sec. 29.160(a))--To request a
modification to operations under an approved permit, permittees must
provide, in writing, to the Service, the operator's assigned permit
number, a description of the proposed modification, and an explanation
of why the modification is needed.
N. Transferring Operator's Notifications (Sec. 29.170)--Operators
conducting operations under Sec. 29.44, must notify the Service in
writing within 30 calendar days from the date the new operator acquires
the rights to conduct operations. Written notification must include:
<bullet> Names and addresses of the person or entity conveying the
right and of the person or entity acquiring the right.
<bullet> Effective date of transfer.
<bullet> Description of the rights, assets, and liabilities being
transferred and which ones, if any, are being reserved.
<bullet> A written acknowledgement from the new operator that the
contents of the notification are true and correct.
O. Acquiring Operator's Requirements for Wells Not Under a Service
Permit (Sec. 29.171(a))--The transferee must provide to the Service
within 30 calendar days from the date of the transfer:
<bullet> Documentation demonstrating that it holds the right to
operate within the refuge.
<bullet> Names, phone numbers, and addresses of the primary company
representative, the representative responsible for field supervision,
and the representative responsible for emergency response.
The transferee must submit an operations permit application in
compliance with Sec. Sec. 29.90-97 within 90 calendar days from the
date of the transfer. Since production operations are in place, the
scope of information requirements would be limited and focused on
relevant information requirements listed above for Parts 7, 8, 9, and
10.
P. Acquiring Operator's Acceptance of an Existing Permit (Sec.
29.171(b))--The transferee must provide the following within 30 days of
commencing operations:
<bullet> Documentation demonstrating that it holds the right to
operate within the refuge.
<bullet> Names, phone numbers, and addresses of the primary company
representative; the representative responsible for field supervision;
and the representative responsible for emergency response.
<bullet> Written agreement to conduct operations in accordance with
all terms and conditions of the previous operator's permit.
<bullet> Financial assurance that is acceptable to the Service and
made payable to the Service.
Q. Extension to Well Plugging Requirement (Sec. 29.181)--To
maintain a well in a shut-in status for up to 5 years, operators may
apply for either an operations permit or a modification to operations
under an approved permit. The application or modification must include
the information requested in Form 3-2469, including:
<bullet> Explanation of why the well is shut-in or temporarily
abandoned and future plans for utilization.
<bullet> Demonstration of the mechanical integrity of the well.
<bullet> Description of the manner in which the operator's well,
equipment, and area of operations will be maintained in accordance with
the standards in subpart D of the regulations.
R. Public Information (Sec. 29.210)--
(1) An operator, or the operator and the owner of the information
required under this subpart, may support a claim to be exempt from
public disclosure of information otherwise required. If required
information is withheld, the operator must submit an affidavit Sec.
29.210(d) that:
<bullet> Identifies the owner of the withheld information and
provides the name, address, and contact information for an authorized
representative of the owner of the information.
<bullet> Identifies the Federal statute or regulation that would
prohibit the Service from publicly disclosing the information if it
were in the Service's possession.
<bullet> Affirms that the operator has been provided the withheld
information from the owner of the information and is maintaining
records of the withheld information, or that the operator has access
and will maintain access to the information held by the owner of the
information.
<bullet> Affirms that the information is not publicly available.
<bullet> Affirms that the information is not required to be
publicly disclosed under any applicable local, State, or Federal law.
<bullet> Affirms that the owner of the information is in actual
competition and identifies competitors or others that could use the
withheld information to cause the owner substantial competitive harm.
<bullet> Affirms that the release of the information would likely
cause substantial competitive harm to the owner and provides the
factual basis for that affirmation.
<bullet> Affirms that the information is not readily apparent
through reverse engineering with publicly available information.
(2) If the operator relies upon information from third parties,
such as the owner of the withheld information, to make the previous
affirmations, the operator must provide a written affidavit from the
third party that sets forth the relied-upon information (Sec.
29.210(e)).
(3) We may require any operator to submit any withheld information
and any information relevant to a claim that withheld information is
exempt from public disclosure (Sec. 29.210(f)).
(4) The operator must maintain records of any withheld information
until the latter of the Service's release of the operator's financial
assurance or 7 years after completion of operations on refuge lands
(Sec. 29.210(h)).
(5) If any of the chemical identity information required in this
subpart is withheld, the operator must provide the generic chemical
name in the submission required. The generic chemical name must be only
as nonspecific as is necessary to protect the confidential chemical
identity, and should be the same as or no less descriptive than the
generic chemical name provided to the Environmental Protection Agency
(Sec. 29.210(i)).
The public may request a copy of Form 3-2469 associated with this
collection by sending a request to the Service Information Collection
Clearance Officer (see ADDRESSES, above).
[[Page 56472]]
Title of Collection: Non-Federal Oil and Gas Operations on National
Wildlife Refuge System Lands, 50 CFR 29, Subpart D.
OMB Control Number: 1018-0162.
Form Number: 3-2469.
Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Businesses that conduct oil and gas
exploration on national wildlife refuges.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $2,250,000 (associated
with financial assurances).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Completion
number of time per Estimated
Activity/requirement annual response total annual
responses (hours) burden hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preexisting Operations (Sec. 35 50 1,750
29.61).......................
Temporary Access Permit 20 17 340
Application (Sec. 29.71)
Hard Copy....................
Temporary Access Permit 20 12.75 255
Application (Sec. 29.71)
ePermits.....................
Accessing Oil and Gas Rights 2 1 2
from Non-Fed Surface Loc
(Sec. 29.80)...............
Pre-application Meeting for 45 2 90
Operations Permit (Sec.
29.91).......................
Operations Permit Application 23 140 3,220
(Sec. Sec. 29.94-29.97)
Hard Copy....................
Operations Permit Application 22 105 2,310
(Sec. Sec. 29.94-29.97)
ePermits.....................
Financial Assurance (Sec. 45 1 45
Sec. 29.103(b), 29.150)
(See Q-13)...................
Identification of Wells and 45 2 90
Related Facilities (Sec.
29.119(b))...................
Reporting: (Sec. 29.121):
Third-Party Monitor Report 200 17 3,400
(Sec. 29.121(b)).........
Notification--Injuries/ 30 1 30
Mortality to Fish and
Wildlife and Threatened/
Endangered Plants (Sec.
29.121(c)).................
Notification--Accidents 20 1 20
involving Serious Injuries/
Death and Fires/Spills
(Sec. 29.121(d)).........
Written Report--Accidents 20 16 320
Involving Serious Injuries/
Deaths and Fires/Spills
(Sec. 29.121(d)).........
Report--Verify Compliance 240 4 960
with Permits (Sec.
29.121(e)).................
Permit Modifications (Sec. 10 16 160
29.160(a)).................
Notification--Chemical 5 1 5
Disclosure of Hydraulic
Fracturing Fluids uploaded
to FracFocus (Sec.
29.121(f)).................
Change of Operator Sec.
29.170:
Transferring Operator 25 8 200
Notification (Sec.
29.170)....................
Extension to Well Plugging
(Sec. 29.181(a)):
Application for Permit 5 140 700
Hard Copy..............
Application for Permit 5 105 525
ePermits...............
Modification Hard Copy.. 5 16 80
Modification ePermits... 5 12 60
Acquiring Operator's 15 40 600
Requirements for Wells Not
Under a Service Permit
(Sec. 29.171(a)) Hard
Copy.......................
Acquiring Operator's 15 30 450
Requirements for Wells Not
Under a Service Permit
(Sec. 29.171(a)) ePermits
Acquiring Operator's 3 8 24
Acceptance of an Existing
Permit (Sec. 29.171(b))..
Public Information (Sec.
29.210):
Affidavit in Support of 1 1 1
Claim of Confidentiality
(Sec. 29.210(c) & (d))...
Confidential Information 1 1 1
(Sec. 29.210(e) and (f)).
Maintenance of Confidential 1 1 1
Information (Sec.
29.210(h)).................
Generic Chemical Name 1 1 1
Disclosure (Sec.
29.210(i)).................
-----------------------------------------
Totals.................. 864 ........... 15,640
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-17935 Filed 9-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 2, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.