State Certification of Weight Scales Used by the Bureau of Land Management for Mineral Materials Production Verification Program Area: Mineral Materials Management

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

April 12, 2010

In Reply Refer To:
3600 (320) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 04/20/2010
Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-102
Expires: 09/30/2011

To:                   All Field officials

From:               Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management

Subject:           State Certification of Weight Scales Used by the Bureau of Land Management for Mineral Materials Production Verification

Program Area:  Mineral Materials Management.

Purpose:  The purpose of this Instruction Memorandum (IM) is to provide guidance to ensure the accuracy of production reports from purchasers and permittees.

Policy/Action:  Whenever the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices issue mineral materials sales and permits requiring production reporting by weight, the BLM offices must obtain copies of the state certification of weight scales whenever certification of those scales is required by the state.

This policy applies to any weight scales used for a mineral materials sales contract or permit (public scales and portable scales).  Whenever possible, a BLM representative must also witness the scale certification process by the state.  Copies of the state certification of weight scales and any reports of BLM witnessing actions must be documented in the applicable case files.  If a scale certification is witnessed, record the action in Legacy Rehost System 2000 (LR2000) as “Witness scale cert” in the Action Remarks field of Action Code 041. 

If scales or other measurement devices are not certified by the state, the BLM office must identify in its inspection reports how the device’s accuracy was determined.

Timeframe:  These procedures become effective immediately.

Budget Impact:  Minimal.

Background:  Production verification is increasingly important in ensuring that the United States receives the appropriate revenues for all mineral materials disposals.  BLM production verifications should identify how scale accuracies are determined for all measurement devices used for production reporting.  Where a state does not require certification of scales, or where other weight measurement devices are used, the BLM should document the accuracy and reliability of the devices used in determining production payments.

Furthermore, the Royalty Policy Committee has required that BLM obtain documentation verifying state certification of scales that are used for production reporting and verification where state certification is required.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  This IM transmits interim policy that will be incorporated into H-3600-1, Mineral Materials Disposal Handbook, during the next revision. 

Coordination:  Preparation of this IM was coordinated with the Washington Office (WO-320) and a number of Field Offices.

Contact:  If you have any questions concerning the content of this IM, please contact me at 202-208-4201, or your staff may contact George Brown, Geologist, (WO-320) at 202-912-7118 or email George_Brown@blm.gov.

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:

Michael Nedd                                                             Robert M. Williams

Assistant Director                                                       Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

Minerals and Realty Management