30 U.S.C. § 1751 — Secretarial authority

(a) Prescription of rules and regulations The Secretary must prescribe such rules and regulations as he deems reasonably necessary to carry out this chapter. (b) Conformity with rulemaking provisions Rules and regulations issued to implement this chapter must be issued in conformity with section 553 of title 5 , even though section 553(a)(2) of that title. (c) Contracts with non-Federal Government inspectors, auditors, etc.; coordination of auditing and enforcement functions In addition to entering into cooperative agreements or delegation of authority authorized under this chapter, 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 chapter and its implementation. With respect to his auditing and enforcement functions under this chapter, the Secretary must coordinate such functions so as to avoid to the maximum extent practicable, subjecting lessees, operators, or other persons to audits or investigations of that subject matter by more than one auditing or investigating entity at that time.