authority

secretarial authority Sec. 301. (a) The Secretary shall prescribe such rules and regulations as he deems reasonably necessary to carry out this Act. (b) Rules and regulations issued to implement this Act shall be issued in conformity with section 553 of title 5 of the United States Code, notwithstanding section 553(a)(2) of that title. (c) In addition to entering into cooperative agreements or delegation of authority authorized under this Act, the Secretary may contract with such non-Federal Government inspectors, auditors, and other persons as he deems necessary to aid in carrying out his functions under this Act and its implementation. With respect to his auditing and enforcement functions under this Act, the Secretary shall coordinate such functions so as to avoid to the maximum extent practicable, subjecting lessees, operators, or other persons to audits or investigations of the same subject matter by more than one auditing or investigating entity at the same time. [30 U.S.C. 1751]