Notices – These are documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. For example, notices of Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales, hearings or investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions, and rulings, delegations of authority, and availability of environmental impact statements.  Notices are not codified in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – The Minerals Management Service issues this notice at an early stage of the rulemaking process to receive comments from the public as soon as possible.  The document describes a problem or situation and the anticipated regulatory action. The intention is to seek public response concerning the necessity of the regulation and the adequacy of the anticipated regulatory action.

Proposed Rules – A proposed rule document is an announcement to the public that the Minerals Management Service is considering making a change in the Code of Federal Regulations. Publication of proposed rules give interested persons the opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process before adoption of final rules

Interim Rules – A rule that is usually issued without prior notice of proposed rulemaking.  The interim rule is designed to respond to an emergency situation and is usually followed by a final rule document which confirms that the interim rule is final, addressees comments received, and includes any further amendments.

Final Rules – Regulatory documents having legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda – Notices provide the semiannual agenda of rules scheduled for review or development between April 2001 and October 2001. The Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 require publication of the agenda.