Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 92 Part 1.djvu/717

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PUBLIC LAW 95-000—MMMM. DD, 1978

PUBLIC LAW 95-372—SEPT. 18, 1978

92 STAT. 663

"(3) The Secretary shall, from time to time, review each plan Review, approved under this section. Such review shall be based upon changes in available information and other onshore or offshore conditions affecting or impacted by development and production pursuant to such plan. If the review indicates that the plan should be revised to meet the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall require such revision. "(i) The Secretary may approve any revision of an approved plan proposed by the lessee if he determines that such revision will lead to greater recovery of oil and natural gas, improve the efficiency, safety, and environmental protection of the recovery operation, is the only means available to avoid substantial economic hardship to the lessee, or is otherwise not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, to the extent such revision is consistent with protection of the human, marine, and coastal environments. Any revision of an approved plan which the Secretary determines is significant shall be reviewed in accordance with subsections (d) through (f) of this section. "(j) Whenever the owner of any lease fails to submit a plan in accordance with regulations issued under this section, or fails to comply with an approved plan, the lease may be canceled in accordance with sections 5(c) and (d). Termination of a lease because of failure 43 USC 1334. to comply with an approved plan, including required modifications or revisions, shall not entitle a lessee to any compensation. " (k) If any development and production plan submitted to the Sec- Plan, transmittili retary pursuant to this section provides for the production and trans- to Federal Energy portation of natural gas, the lessee shall contemporaneously submit to Regulatory the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that portion of such plan Commission. which relates to production of natural gas and the facilities for transportation of natural gas. The Secretary and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall agree as to which of them shall prepare an environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 applicable to such portion of such plan, or 42 USC 4321 conduct studies as to the effect on the environment of implementing it. note. Thereafter, the findings and recommendations by the agency preparing such environmental impact statement or conducting such studies pursuant to such agreement shall be adopted by the other agency, and such other agency shall not independently prepare another environmental impact statement or duplicate such studies with respect to such portion of such plan, but the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, m connection with its review of an application for a certificate of r public convenience and necessity applicable to such transportation facilities pursuant to section 7 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717), may prepare such environmental studies or statement relevant to certification of such transportation facilities as have not been covered by an environmental impact statement or studies prepared by the Secretary. The Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Energy Rules. Regulatory Commission, shall promulgate rules to implement this subsection, but the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall retain sole authority with respect to rules and procedures applicable to the filing of any application with the Commission and to all aspects of the Commission's review of, and action on, any such application. "(1) The Secretary may require the provisions of this section to apply to an oil and gas lease issued or maintained under this Act, which is located in that area of the Gulf of Mexico which is adjacent