Plans for a change in the Federal regulations to permit more extensive leasing of Indian lands for underground storage of oil and gas were announced today by the Department of the Interior.
The proposal covers both tribally and individually owned lands in Federal trusteeship or restricted status and could include lands which are currently under oil and gas production lease as well as those which are not. Under present regulations storage leases have been possible only for lands not under lease for oil and gas development.
Rentals or storage fees to be paid the Indian owners would be established at a rate considered adequate in each individual case. Safety provisions would also be included, where necessary, in each of the storage leases.
Broadened authority to lease Indian lands for underground oil and gas storage was provided in a congressional enactment of August 1, 1956 (70 Stat. 774).
Interested parties are invited to submit their comments or suggestions to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington 25, D. C., within 30 days after publication of the proposed amendment in the Federal Register.
