FOR RELEASE:  May 25, 1994               CONTACT:    Lee Scurry
                                                 (202) 208-3983


               MMS AND TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE 
                SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (#40033)


     The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management
Service (MMS) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) signed an
agreement today to encourage cooperative efforts and promote
consistent regulations and practices, MMS officials announced.

     "MMS and the Texas General Land Office have similar mineral
resource management responsibilities," said MMS Director Tom Fry. 
"This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will foster a greater
exchange of information as we seek to achieve consistency and
improved coordination in our procedures.

     "The result will be more efficient and effective service for
our customers," Fry said.

     The MOU outlines cooperative efforts in the following areas:

     -- Oil-Spill Prevention and Response Preparedness
     -- Inspections, Training, and Investigations
     -- Technology Assessments and Research
     -- Mapping
     -- Leasing and Coastal Zone Management
     -- Royalty Management
     -- Exchange of Personnel

     "The bottom line: this agreement is going to allow more
effective management and protection of our state's greatest natural
resource, the Gulf Coast.  It's a tangible good which comes from
the dedicated efforts of many individuals and agencies, at many
different levels, to reinvent government," said Garry Mauro, Texas
Land Commissioner.

     Both agencies will review internal procedures and, where
appropriate, revise them to accommodate the provisions of this MOU.

A senior official from each agency will be responsible for
coordination, Fry added.

     MMS manages the nation's undersea mineral resources located on
the outer continental shelf, seaward of state waters.  The Texas
GLO manages the submerged land under Texas coastal waters.

                              -MMS-

Subject: PR-5/25/94 MOU with TX G.L.O./MMS and Texas General Land
Office Sign Memo of Understanding (#40033)