April 1, 2009

I N F O R M A T I O N   N O T I C E

Pages ii, iii, and iv of the April 7, 2009, Notice of Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale have been revised. The revisions are underlined below:

How do I participate in the bidding process?

If you, or the party you represent, owe the United States any monies which were due the day of a previous oil and gas lease auction conducted by any BLM office—the minimum monies owed the day of sale—you will not be allowed to register to bid at this lease sale. The Mineral Leasing Act sets out that leases be issued to a “responsible qualified bidder.” (30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)(A)) Any bidder, or party represented by a bidding agent, who does not pay the minimum monies owed the day of the sale is considered as not meeting the qualifications to hold a lease—that is, is not considered a “responsible qualified bidder”—and will be barred from participating in any oil and gas lease auction until that debt to the United States is settled.

What conditions apply to the lease sale?

• Payment due on the day of the sale

The minimum monies owed the day of the sale for a winning bid are monies owed to the United States, whether or not a lease is issued. (43 CFR 3120.5-2(b) and 43 CFR 3120.5-3(a)). If payment of the minimum monies owed the day of the sale is not received by the date and time above, the Bureau of Land Management will issue a bill for the monies owed. If payment is not received by the bill due date, the United States will pursue collection by all available methods, and when appropriate issue late fees, civil penalties, interest, administrative charges and penalties on past due amounts. “All available methods” include, but are not limited to, referral to collection agencies and credit reporting bureaus, salary or administrative offset, Federal and State payments, including goods or services, Federal and State tax refunds, and retirement payments. The debt may be sent to the Internal Revenue Service for inclusion as income to you on form 1099C, Cancellation of Debt. (Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended; The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996; and 31 CFR 285, Debt Collection Authorities Under the Debt Collection Act of 1966.)

/s/ Julie L. Weaver

Julie L. Weaver
Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals Adjudication