{"abstract":"We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are finalizing regulations governing the exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights outside of Alaska in order to improve our ability to protect refuge resources, visitors, and the general public's health and safety from potential impacts associated with non-Federal oil and gas operations located within refuges. The exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights refers to oil and gas activities associated with any private, State, or tribally owned mineral interest where the surface estate above such rights is administered by the Service as part of the Refuge System. The existing non-Federal oil and gas regulations have remained unchanged for more than 50 years and provide only vague guidance to staff and operators. This rule will make the regulations more consistent with existing laws, policies, and industry practices. It is designed to provide regulatory clarity and guidance to oil and gas operators and refuge staff, provide a simple process for compliance, incorporate technological improvements in exploration and drilling technology, and ensure that non-Federal oil and gas operations are conducted in a manner that avoids or minimizes impacts to refuge resources.","action":"Final rule.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR","name":"Interior Department","id":253,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/interior-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/253","parent_id":null,"slug":"interior-department"},{"raw_name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","id":197,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/fish-and-wildlife-service","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/197","parent_id":253,"slug":"fish-and-wildlife-service"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2016/11/14/2016-27218.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":28,"title":50},{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":29,"title":50}],"citation":"81 FR 79948","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":null,"correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"This rule is effective December 14, 2016.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2012-0086","FXRS12610900000-156-FF09R24000"],"dockets":[],"document_number":"2016-27218","effective_on":"2016-12-14","end_page":79981,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"explanation":null,"full_text_xml_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2016/11/14/2016-27218.xml","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/11/14/2016-27218/management-of-non-federal-oil-and-gas-rights","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/2016-27218?publication_date=2016-11-14","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-2016-11-14/2016-27218/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":34,"page_views":{"count":2988,"last_updated":"2026-04-22 16:15:04 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-11-14/pdf/2016-27218.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2016-27218.pdf?1478785532","publication_date":"2016-11-14","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2016/11/14/2016-27218.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{"1018-AX36":{"issue":"201610","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1018-AX36/national-wildlife-refuge-system-management-of-non-federal-oil-and-gas-rights","title":"National Wildlife Refuge System; Management of Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201610&RIN=1018-AX36&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Other Significant"}},"regulation_id_numbers":["1018-AX36"],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"NWRS Oil and Gas Rule Record of Decision","document_id":"FWS-HQ-NWRS-2012-0086-0117"},{"title":"Final Environmental Impact Statement National-Wildlife Refuge System Revision of Regulations Governing Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights","document_id":"FWS-HQ-NWRS-2012-0086-0113"}],"regulatory_plan":{"html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1018-AX36/national-wildlife-refuge-system-management-of-non-federal-oil-and-gas-rights","title":"National Wildlife Refuge System; Management of Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights"},"comments_url":"https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct=PS&D=FWS-HQ-NWRS-2012-0086","supporting_documents_count":2,"docket_id":"FWS-HQ-NWRS-2012-0086","regulation_id_number":"1018-AX36","title":"Non-Federal Oil and Gas Development Within the National Wildlife Refuge System","checked_regulationsdotgov_at":"2016-12-04T06:00:16Z"},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":true,"signing_date":null,"start_page":79948,"subtype":null,"title":"Management of Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights","toc_doc":"Management of Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights","toc_subject":null,"topics":["Law enforcement","Oil and gas exploration","Penalties","Reporting and recordkeeping requirements","Wildlife refuges"],"type":"Rule","volume":81}