Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 30 CFR Part 550 [Docket ID: BOEM-2023-0012] RIN 1010-AE11 AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior. ACTION: Final rule; Congressional Review Act revocation. SUMMARY: Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress passed, and the President signed, a joint resolution disapproving the final “Protection of Marine Archaeology Resources” rule published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on September 3, 2024. That rule required lessees and operators to submit an archaeological report with any oil and gas exploration or development plan they submit to BOEM for approval of proposed activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under the joint resolution and by operation of the Congressional Review Act, the “Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources” rule has no force or effect. DATES: This final rule is effective on April 14, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Thundiyil, Office Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, BOEM, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240, at email address Karen.Thundiyil@boem.gov , or at telephone number (202) 742-0970. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1334 ), the National Historic Preservation Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act, BOEM issued the final rule “Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources.” BOEM published the rule in the Federal Regi…