(a) General. (1) The Bureau of Land Management's oil and gas leasing regulations at 43 CFR 3101.14 and 3171.24 outline requirements for the lessee or their designated operators to request waivers, exceptions, or modifications to lease stipulations.

(2) Where the request involves stipulations included in the lease as prescribed by the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management must obtain approval from the Forest Service before granting a request for a waiver, exception, or modification.

(b) Requesting a waiver, exception, or modification. Requests to waive, except, or modify a lease stipulation are subject to procedures in 43 CFR part 3170, subpart 3171. In addition to information required in 43 CFR part 3170, subpart 3171, the operator should submit any information that might assist the authorized Forest Service officer in assessing whether or not to approve a waiver, exception, or modification.

(c) Criteria for approval. A request for a waiver, exception, or modification to a lease stipulation may be approved by the authorized Forest Service officer if the officer determines the following, after reviewing the present condition of the surface resources involved and the nature, location, timing, and design of the proposed operations:

(1) The action would be consistent with applicable Federal laws.

(2) The action would be consistent with the current land management plan.

(3) The management objectives which led the Forest Service to require the inclusion of the stipulation in the lease can be met if the waiver, exception, or modification is granted.

(4) The action is acceptable to the authorized Forest Service officer based upon a review of the environmental consequences.

(d) Coordination with other agencies. If a lease stipulation was included in a lease by the Forest Service at the request of another agency, or if another agency has specific jurisdiction over the specific resource, the authorized Forest Service officer shall coordinate with that agency prior to approving a waiver, exception, or modification. This paragraph (d) does not require the consent of such an agency to the waiver, exception, or modification unless such consent is independently required by statute or regulation.

(e) Notice of determination. The authorized Forest Service officer shall notify the Bureau of Land Management in writing whether or not the request should be granted and shall provide all information used to make the determination.