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Code · REGISTER · 2006-01-23 · Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior · Notices

Notices. Notice of document availability

13,964 words·~63 min read·/register/2006/01/23/06-558

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 4410-10-M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan for the Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi) AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) announce the availability of the Recovery Plan for the Tidewater Goby ( *Eucyclogobius newberryi* ). The tidewater goby is a small fish that inhabits coastal brackish water habitats entirely within California, ranging from Tillas Slough (mouth of the Smith River, Del Norte County) near the Oregon border south to Agua Hedionda Lagoon (northern San Diego County).
ADDRESSES: Printed copies of this recovery plan will be available in 4 to 6 weeks by request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California 93003 (telephone: 805-644-1766). An electronic copy of the recovery plan is now available on the World Wide Web at *http://pacific.fws.gov/ecoservices/endangered/recovery/plans.html* and *http://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/index.html#plans.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chris Dellith, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above Ventura address. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems is a primary goal of the Endangered Species Act
(ESA)and our endangered species program. The ESA (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)) requires the development of recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Recovery plans help guide the recovery effort by describing actions considered necessary for the conservation of the species, establishing criteria for downlisting or delisting listed species, and estimating time and cost for implementing the measures needed for recovery (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)). Section 4(f) of the ESA also requires that public notice, and an opportunity for public review and comment, be provided during recovery plan development. The Draft Recovery Plan for the Tidewater Goby was available for public comment from November 18, 2004, through January 18, 2005 (69 FR 67602). Information presented during the public comment period has been considered in the preparation of this final recovery plan, and is summarized in an appendix of the recovery plan. We will forward comments regarding recovery plan implementation to appropriate Federal or other entities so they can take these comments into account in the course of implementing recovery actions. This recovery plan was developed by the Tidewater Goby Recovery Team. We coordinated with the California Department of Fish and Game and a team of stakeholders, which included landowners and managers, agency representatives, and non-government organizations. The tidewater goby was listed as an endangered species on March 7, 1994 (59 FR 5494). The tidewater goby is threatened primarily by modification and loss of habitat as a result of coastal development, channelization of habitat, diversions of water flows, groundwater overdrafting, and alteration of water flows. This recovery plan describes the status, current management, recovery objectives and criteria, and specific actions needed to provide a framework for the recovery of the tidewater goby so that protection by the ESA is no longer necessary. Actions needed to recover the tidewater goby include:
(1)Monitor, protect, and enhance currently occupied tidewater goby habitat;
(2)conduct biological research to enhance the ability to integrate land use practices with tidewater goby recovery and revise recovery tasks as pertinent new information becomes available;
(3)evaluate and implement translocation where appropriate; and
(4)increase public awareness about tidewater gobies. Authority: The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Dated: December 8, 2005. Ken McDermond, Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E6-696 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [OR 120 5882 CC99; HAG #06-0049 ] Notice of Public Meeting, Coos Bay Resource Advisory Committee Meeting AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee meeting as identified in Section 205(f)(2) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, Public Law 106-393. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on February 16, 2006, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Ellen Warring Learning Center at the Bureau of Land Management's New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The Ellen Warring Learning Center is located at 86342 Croft Lake Lane, Bandon, OR 97411. The purpose of this meeting will be for the election of a Chair person, provide updates on budget and project status, and a field tour. There will be an opportunity for the public to address the Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee at approximately 10:30 a.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Johnson, Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District Manager, at
(541)756-0100 or Glenn Harkleroad, District Restoration Coordinator, at
(541)751-4361, or *glenn_harkleroad@or.blm.gov* . The mailing address for the Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District Office is 1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, Oregon 97459. Dated: January 13, 2006. Mark Johnson, Coos Bay District Manager. [FR Doc. E6-713 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY-957-05-1420-BJ] AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey, Wyoming. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management
(BLM)is scheduled to file the plats of surveys of the lands described below thirty
(30)calendar days from the date of this publication in the BLM Wyoming State Office, Cheyenne, Wyoming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Land Management, 5353 Yellowstone Road, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These surveys were executed at the request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are necessary for the managements of lands. The lands surveyed are: The plat and field notes representing the dependent resurvey of a portion of the south boundary, subdivisional lines and the adjusted meanders of the right bank of the Wind River, and the subdivision of certain sections, Township 2 North, Range 5 East, Wind River Meridian, Wyoming, was accepted January 17, 2006. Copies of the preceding described plats and field notes are available to the public at $1.10 each. Dated: January 17, 2006. John P. Lee, Chief Cadastral Surveyor, Division of Support Services. [FR Doc. E6-694 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-22-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0072). SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request
(ICR)to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 280, “Prospecting for Minerals other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf,” and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. DATES: Submit written comments by February 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior via OMB e-mail: ( *OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov* ); or by fax
(202)395-6566; identify with (1010-0072). Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior, MMS, via: • MMS's Public Connect on-line commenting system, *https://ocsconnect.mms.gov.* Follow the instructions on the Web site for submitting comments. • E-mail MMS at *rules.comments@mms.gov.* Use Information Collection Number 1010-0072 in the subject line. • Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection Number 1010-0072. • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Rules Processing Team (RPT); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference “Information Collection 1010-0072” in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing Team,
(703)787-1600. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulation and forms that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 30 CFR part 280, Prospecting for Minerals other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf. *OMB Control Number:* 1010-0072. *Forms:* MMS-134, MMS-135, and MMS-136. *Abstract:* The Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS)Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 *et seq.* and 43 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* ), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Section 1337(k) of the OCS Lands Act authorizes the Secretary “* * * to grant to the qualified persons offering the highest cash bonuses on a basis of competitive bidding leases of any mineral other than oil, gas, and sulphur in any area of the Outer Continental Shelf not then under lease for such mineral upon such royalty, rental, and other terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe at the time of offering the area for lease.” An amendment to the OCS Lands Act (Pub. L. 103-426) authorizes the Secretary to negotiate agreements (in lieu of the previously required competitive bidding process) for the use of OCS sand, gravel, and shell resources for certain specified types of public uses. The specified uses will support construction of governmental projects for beach nourishment, shore protection, and wetlands enhancement; or any project authorized by the Federal Government. Section 1340 states that “* * * any person authorized by the Secretary may conduct geological and geophysical [G&G] explorations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf, which do not interfere with or endanger actual operations under any lease maintained or granted pursuant to this Act, and which are not unduly harmful to aquatic life in such area.” The section further requires that permits to conduct such activities may only be issued if it is determined that: The applicant is qualified; the activities are not polluting, hazardous, or unsafe; they do not interfere with other users of the area; and do not disturb a site, structure, or object of historical or archaeological significance. Section 1352 further requires that certain costs be reimbursed to the parties submitting required G&G information and data. Under the Act, permittees are to be reimbursed for the costs of reproducing any G&G data required to be submitted. Permittees are to be reimbursed also for the reasonable cost of processing geophysical information required to be submitted when processing is in a form or manner required by the Director and is not used in the normal conduct of the business of the permittee. Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR part 280. Responses are mandatory or required to obtain or retain a benefit. No questions of a “sensitive” nature are asked. The MMS protects information considered proprietary according to 30 CFR 280.70 and applicable sections of 30 CFR parts 250 and 252, and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2). MMS OCS Regions collect information required under part 280 to ensure there is no environmental degradation, personal harm or unsafe operations and conditions, damage to historical or archaeological sites, or interference with other uses; to analyze and evaluate preliminary or planned drilling activities; to monitor progress and activities in the OCS; to acquire G&G data and information collected under a Federal permit offshore; and to determine eligibility for reimbursement from the Government for certain costs. Respondents are required to submit form MMS-134 to provide the information necessary to evaluate their qualifications. The information is necessary for MMS to determine if the applicants for permits or filers of notices meet the qualifications specified by the Act. The MMS uses the information collected to understand the G&G characteristics of hard mineral-bearing physiographic regions of the OCS. It aids MMS in obtaining a proper balance among the potentials for environmental damage, the discovery of hard minerals, and adverse impacts on affected coastal States. Information from permittees is necessary to determine the propriety and amount of reimbursement. *Frequency:* On occasion, annual; and as required in the permit. *Estimated Number and Description of Respondents:* Approximately 1 permittee, 1 notice filer, and 1 adjacent State. *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden:* The estimated annual “hour” burden for this information collection is a total of 108 hours. The following chart details the individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. Citation 30 CFR 280 Reporting and recordkeeping requirement Hour burden Average No. annual responses Annual burden hours 10; 11(a); 12; 13; Permit Forms Apply for permit (form MMS-134) to conduct prospecting or G&G scientific research activities, including prospecting/ scientific research plan and environmental assessment or required drilling plan 8 1 permit 8 11(b); 12(c) File notice to conduct scientific research activities related to hard minerals, including notice to MMS prior to beginning and after concluding activities 8 1 notice 8 21(a) Report to MMS if hydrocarbon/other mineral occurrences or environmental hazards are detected or adverse effects occur 1 1 report 1 22 Request approval to modify operations 1 1 request 1 23(b) Request reimbursement for expenses for MMS inspection 1 1 request 1 24 Submit status and final reports quarterly or on specified schedule and final report 8 4 reports 32 28 Request relinquishment of permit 1 1 relinquish 1 31(b); 73(a),
(b)Governor(s) of adjacent State(s) submissions to MMS; comments on activities involving an environmental assessment; request for proprietary data, information, and samples; and disclosure agreement 1 1 submission 1 33, 34 Appeal penalty, order, or decision—burden covered under 5 CFR 1320.4. 0 40; 41; 50; 51; Permit Forms Notify MMS and submit G&G data/information collected under a permit and/or processed by permittees or 3rd parties, including reports, logs or charts, results, analyses, descriptions, etc 4 2 submissions 8 42(b); 52(b) Advise 3rd party recipient of obligations. Part of licensing agreement between parties; no submission to MMS. 0 42(c), 42(d); 52(c), 52(d) Notify MMS of 3rd party transactions 1 1 notice 1 60; 61(a) Request reimbursement for costs of reproducing data/information & certain processing costs 20 2 requests 40 72(b) Submit in not less than 5 days comments on MMS intent to disclose data/information 1 1 response 1 72(d) Contractor submits written commitment not to sell, trade, license, or disclose data/information 1 1 submission 1 Part 280 General departure and alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in part 280 regulations 2 1 request 2 Permit Forms Request extension of permit time period 1 1 extension 1 Permit Forms Retain G&G data/information for 10 years and make available to MMS upon request 1 1 recordkeeper 1 Total Hour Burden 21 108 *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden:* We have identified no paperwork “non-hour cost” burdens associated with the collection of information. *Public Disclosure Statement:* The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. *Comments:* Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to:
(a)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful;
(b)evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;
(c)enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d)minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on May 25, 2005, we published a **Federal Register** notice (70 FR 30138) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, § 280.80 provides the OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR part 280 regulations and forms. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts. If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by February 22, 2006. *Public Comment Procedures:* MMS's practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent allowable by the law; however, anonymous comments will not be considered. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. *MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer:* Arlene Bajusz
(202)208-7744. Dated: August 4, 2005. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on January 18, 2006. [FR Doc. E6-687 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of revision of an information collection (1010-0059). SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request
(ICR)to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 250, “Oil and Gas Production Safety Systems,” and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. DATES: Submit written comments by February 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior via OMB email: *OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov;* or by fax
(202)395-6566; identify with (1010-0059). Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior, MMS, via: • Email MMS at *rules.comments@mms.gov.* Use Information Collection Number 1010-0059 in the subject line. • Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection Number 1010-0059. • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Rules Processing Team (RPT); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference “Information Collection 1010-0059” in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing Team,
(703)787-1600. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 30 CFR 250, Oil and Gas Production Safety Systems. *OMB Control Number:* 1010-0058. *Abstract:* The Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS)Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 *et seq.* and 43 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* ), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) states that “operations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well trained personnel using technology, precautions, and other techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical obstructions to other users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to property or endanger life or health.” This notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping elements of 30 CFR 250, subpart H, Oil and Gas Production Safety Systems, and related Notices to Lessees and Operators
(NTLs)that clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of the regulations. Responses are mandatory. No questions of a “sensitive” nature are asked. MMS will protect proprietary information according to 30 CFR 250.196, “Data and information to be made available to the public,” 30 CFR part 252, “OCS Oil and Gas Information Program,” and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 2). MMS OCS Regions use the information submitted under subpart H to evaluate equipment and/or procedures that lessees propose to use during production operations, including evaluation of requests for departures or use of alternative procedures. Information submitted is also used to verify the no-flow condition of wells to continue the waiver of requirements to install valves capable of preventing backflow. MMS inspectors review the records maintained to verify compliance with testing and minimum safety requirements. The Gulf of Mexico OCS Region
(GOMR)has a policy regarding approval of “new” requests to use a chemical-only fire prevention and control system in lieu of a water system. With respect to “currently-approved” departures, MMS may require additional information be submitted to maintain approval of the departure. The information is used to determine if the chemical-only system provides the equivalent protection of a water system for the egress of personnel should a fire occur. In the Pacific OCS Region, MMS reviews copies of the Emergency Action Plans
(EAP)that lessees and operators submit to their local air quality agencies to ensure that abatement procedures do not jeopardize safe platform operations. *Frequency:* The frequency of reporting is on occasion or annual. *Estimated Number and Description of Respondents:* Approximately 117 Federal OCS oil and gas or sulphur lessees. *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden:* The estimated annual “hour” burden for this information collection is a total of 14,445 hours. The following chart details the individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart H and NTL(s) Reporting and recordkeeping requirement Hour burden Average No. annual responses Annual burden hours 800; 801; 802; 803; related NTLs Submit application and request approval for design, installation, and operation of subsurface safety devices and surface production-safety systems; including related requests for departures or use of alternative procedures (supervisory control and data acquisition systems, valve closure times, time delay circuitry, etc.) 8 650 submissions 5,200 801(g) Submit annual verification of no-flow condition of well 2 50 verifications 100 801(h)(1) Form MMS-124, Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells (renamed Application for Permit to Modify) Burden covered under 1010-0141 0 801(h)(2); 803(c) Identify well with sign on wellhead that subsurface safety device is removed; flag safety devices that are out of service Usual/customary safety procedure for removing or identifying out-of-service safety devices 0 802(e)(5) Submit statement/application/modification certifying final surface production safety system installed conforms to approved design 4 175 submissions 700 803(b)(2) Submit required documentation under API RP 17J 50 6 submissions 300 803(b)(8); related NTLs Submit information (risk assessment) to request new firefighting system departure approval
(GOMR)8 150 submissions 1,200 803(b)(8); related NTLs Submit information (risk assessment) to retain current firefighting system departure approval
(GOMR)8 100 submissions 800 803(b)(8)(iv) Post diagram of firefighting system 2 95 postings 190 804(a)(12); 800 Notify MMS prior to production when ready to conduct pre-production test and upon commencement for a complete inspection 1/2 175 notices 88 (rounded) 804; related NTLs Request departure from testing schedule requirements 1 105 requests 105 804; related NTL Submit copy of state-required EAP containing test abatement plans (applies to Pacific OCS Region only) 0 0 plans 0 806(c) Request evaluation and approval of other quality assurance programs covering manufacture of safety and pollution prevention equipment
(SPPE)2 1 request 2 800-807 General departure and alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in subpart H regulations 4 230 requests 920 Subtotal Reporting 1,737 9,605 801(h)(2); 802(e); 804(b) Maintain records on subsurface and surface safety devices to include approved design & installation features, testing, repair, removal, etc 20 110 lessees 2,200 803(b)(1)(iii), (2)(i) Maintain pressure-recorder charts 12 110 lessees 1,320 803(b)(4)(iii) Maintain schematic of the emergency shutdown
(ESD)which indicates the control functions of all safety devices 6 110 lessees 660 803(b)(11) Maintain records of wells that have erosion-control programs and results 6 110 lessees 660 Subtotal Recordkeeping 440 4,840 Total Hour Burden 2,177 14,445 *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden:* We have identified no paperwork “non-hour cost” burdens associated with the collection of information. *Public Disclosure Statement:* The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. *Comments:* Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to:
(a)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful;
(b)evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;
(c)enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d)minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on June 1, 2005, we published a **Federal Register** notice (70 FR 31506) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, § 250.199 provides the OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR 250 regulations. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts. If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by February 22, 2006. *Public Comment Procedures:* MMS's practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent allowable by the law; however, anonymous comments will not be considered. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. *MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer:* Arlene Bajusz
(202)208-7744. Dated: August 23, 2005. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. [FR Doc. E6-688 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of revision of an information collection (1010-0050). SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request
(ICR)to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 250, “Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way,” and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. DATES: Submit written comments by February 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior via OMB email: *(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov)* ; or by fax
(202)395-6566; identify with (1010-0050). Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior, MMS, via: • Email MMS at *rules.comments@mms.gov.* Use Information Collection Number 1010-0050 in the subject line. • Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection Number 1010-0050. • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Rules Processing Team (RPT); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference “Information Collection 1010-0050” in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing Team,
(703)787-1600. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations and forms that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 30 CFR 250, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way. *Form:* MMS-2030, Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS)Right-of-Way Grant Bond. *OMB Control Number:* 1010-0050. *Abstract:* The Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS)Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 *et seq.* and 43 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* ), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1334(e) authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way through the submerged lands of the OCS for pipelines “* * * for the transportation of oil, natural gas, sulphur, or other minerals, or under such regulations and upon such conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary, * * * including (as provided in section 1347(b) of this title) assuring maximum environmental protection by utilization of the best available and safest technologies, including the safest practices for pipeline burial. * * *” The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 1996), and Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Circular A-25, authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's
(DOI)implementing policy, the Minerals Management Service
(MMS)is required to charge the full cost for services that provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond those which accrue to the public at large. Pipeline rights-of-way and assignments are subject to cost recovery, and MMS regulations specify filing fees for applications. This notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping elements of 30 CFR 250, subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, and related Notices to Lessees and Operators
(NTLs)that clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of the regulations. Included with this submission is form MMS-2030, Outer Continental Shelf Right-of-Way Grant Bond. Section 250.1011(a) requires applicants for, and holders of, a right-of-way to provide and maintain a $300,000 bond (in addition to the bond coverage required under 30 part CFR 256), as well as additional security MMS determines is necessary. Respondents submit form MMS-2030 for these right-of-way grant bonds. Responses are mandatory. No questions of a “sensitive” nature are asked. MMS will protect proprietary information according to 30 CFR 250.196, “Data and information to be made available to the public,” 30 CFR part 252, “OCS Oil and Gas Information Program,” and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2). The lessees and transmission companies design the pipelines that they install, maintain, and operate. To ensure those activities are performed in a safe manner, MMS needs information concerning the proposed pipeline and safety equipment, inspections and tests, and natural and manmade hazards near the proposed pipeline route. MMS field offices use the information collected under subpart J to review pipeline designs prior to approving an application for a right-of-way or a pipeline permitted under a lease to ensure that the pipeline, as constructed, will provide for safe transportation of minerals through the submerged lands of the OCS. They review proposed routes of a right-of-way to ensure that the right-of-way, if granted, would not conflict with any State requirements or unduly interfere with other OCS activities. MMS field offices review plans for taking pipeline safety equipment out of service to ensure alternate measures are used that will properly provide for the safety of the pipeline and associated facilities (platform, etc.). They review notification of relinquishment of a right-of-way grant and requests to abandon pipelines to ensure that all legal obligations are met and pipelines are properly abandoned. MMS inspectors monitor the records concerning pipeline inspections and tests to ensure safety of operations and protection of the environment and to schedule their workload to permit witnessing and inspecting operations. Information is also necessary to determine the point at which DOI or DOT has regulatory responsibility for a pipeline and to be informed of the responsible operator if not the same as the right-of-way holder. *Frequency:* On occasion and annually. *Estimated Number and Description of Respondents:* Approximately 117 lessees and 210 holders of pipeline rights-of-way. *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden:* The estimated annual “hour” burden for this information collection is a total of 107,774 hours. The following chart details the individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart J and related NTL(s) Reporting & recordkeeping requirement Hour burden Average No. annual responses Annual burden hours 1000(b), 1007(a) Submit application to install new lease-term pipeline (P/L), including exceptions/departures, consents and notices, required reports, and attachments 140 280 new lease-term P/Ls 39,200 1000(b), (d); 1007(a); 1009(a); 1011(a); 1015; 1016 Apply for P/L right-of-way
(ROW)grant and installation of new ROW P/L, including exceptions/departures, consents and notices, required reports, and attachments 140 225 new ROW P/Ls 31,500 1000(b); 1007(b); 1015; 1017 Submit application to modify lease-term or ROW P/L or ROW grant, including exceptions/departures; notify operators of deviation 30 320 modifications 9,600 1000(b); 1010(h); 1014 Apply to relinquish P/L ROW grant, including exceptions/departures 8 160 P/L ROW relinquishments 1,280 1000(c)(2) Identify in writing P/L operator on ROW if different from ROW grant holder 1/4 4 submissions 1 1000(c)(3) Mark specific point on P/L where operating responsibility transfers to transporting operator or depict transfer point on a schematic located on the facility. One-time requirement after final rule published; now part of application or construction process involving no additional burdens. 0 1000(c)(4) Petition to MMS for exceptions to general operations transfer point description 5 1 petition 5 (None received to date) 1000(c)(8) Request MMS recognize valves landward of last production facility but still located on OCS as point where MMS regulatory authority begins 1 1 request 1 1000(c)(12) Petition to MMS to continue to operate under DOT regulations upstream of last valve on last production facility 40 1 petition 40 (None received to date) 1000(c)(13) Transporting P/L operator petition to DOT and MMS to continue to operate under MMS regulations 40 1 petition 40 (None received to date) 1004(c) Place sign on safety equipment identified as ineffective and removed from service See footnote 1 0 1007(a)(4) Submit required documentation under API RP 17J 150 hours 12 submissions 1,800 1008(a), (c), (d), (e), (f),
(h)Notify MMS; and as requested submit procedures before performing work; and submit post-report on P/L or P/L safety equipment repair, removal from service, analysis results, or potential measurements 16 838 notices/reports 13,408 1008(b) Submit P/L construction report 16 173 reports 2,768 1008(g) Submit plan of corrective action and report of remedial action 16 4 plans/reports 64 1010(c) Notify MMS of any archaeological resource discovery 4 2 discovery notices 8 1010(d) Inform MMS of P/L ROW holder's name and address changes Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.3(h) 0 1011(a) Submit surety bond on form MMS-2030 GOM 0.25 50 forms 13 (rounded) POCS 3 3 forms 9 1015 Apply to convert lease-term P/L to ROW grant P/L; notify operators of deviation, including various exceptions/departures 25 26 conversions 650 1016 Request opportunity to eliminate conflict when application has been rejected 2 1 request 2 1018 Apply for assignment of a ROW grant 16 135 assignments 2,160 1000-1019 General departure and alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in subpart J regulations 2 175 requests 350 Subtotal Reporting 2,412 102,899 1000-1008 Make available to MMS design, construction, operation, maintenance, testing, and repair records on lease-term P/Ls 2 2 110 lease-term P/L operators 220 1005(a) Inspect P/L routes for indication of leakage 1 , record results, maintain records 2 years 2 2 per month = 24 170 lease-term or ROW P/L ops 4,080 1010(g) Make available to MMS design, construction, operation, maintenance, testing, and repair records on P/L ROW area and improvements 2 5 115 P/L ROW holders 575 Subtotal Recordkeeping 395 4,875 Total Hour Burden 2,807 107,774 *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden:* The estimated “non-hour cost” burden for this information collection is a total of $329,700 rounded to $330,000. These cost burdens are for filing fees associated with new applications ($2,350 per application) and filing conversion applications ($200 per filing fee) according to § 250.1015(a), or to file assignment applications ($170 per filing) according to § 250.1018(b). *Public Disclosure Statement:* The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. *Comments:* Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to:
(a)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful;
(b)evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;
(c)enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d)minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on June 1, 2005, we published a **Federal Register** notice (70 FR 31502) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, § 250.199 provides the OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR part 250 regulations and forms. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts. If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by February 22, 2006. *Public Comment Procedures:* MMS's practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent allowable by the law; however, anonymous comments will not be considered. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. *MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer:* Arlene Bajusz
(202)208-7744. Dated: August 29, 2005. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. [FR Doc. E6-690 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0164). SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request
(ICR)to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 250, subpart I, Platforms and Structures, Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL)—Damage Caused by Hurricane(s). This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. DATES: Submit written comments by February 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior via OMB e-mail: ( *OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov* ); or by fax
(202)395-6566; identify with (1010-0164). Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior, MMS, via: • MMS's Public Connect on-line commenting system, *https://ocsconnect.mms.gov.* Follow the instructions on the website for submitting comments. • E-mail MMS at *rules.comments@mms.gov.* Use Information Collection Number 1010-0164 in the subject line. • Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection Number 1010-0164. • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Rules Processing Team (RPT); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference “Information Collection 1010-0164” in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing Team,
(703)787-1600. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart I, Platforms and Structures—NTL—Damage Caused by Hurricane(s). *OMB Control Number:* 1010-0164. *Abstract:* The Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS)Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 *et seq.* and 43 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* ), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a manner which is consistent with the need to make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; preserve and maintain free enterprise competition; and ensure that the extent of oil and natural gas resources of the OCS is assessed at the earliest practicable time. Section 43 U.S.C. 1332(6) states that “operations in the outer Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well-trained personnel using technology, precautions, and techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical obstruction to other users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to property, or endanger life or health.” To carry out these responsibilities, the Minerals Management Service
(MMS)issues regulations to ensure that operations in the OCS will meet statutory requirements; provide for safety and protect the environment; and result in diligent exploration, development, and production of OCS leases. In addition, we also issue Notices to Lessees and Operators
(NTLs)that provide clarification, explanation, and interpretation of our regulations. These NTLs are used to convey purely informational material and to cover situations that might not be adequately addressed in our regulations. The latter is the case for the information collection required in hurricane related NTLs. Because of the unusual nature of this information collection, issuing a temporary NTL is the appropriate means to collect the information at the time of the event. The subject of this information collection request
(ICR)is an NTL on “Damage Caused by Hurricane(s)” to be issued to lessees and operators in the MMS Gulf of Mexico OCS
(GOM)Region after a hurricane occurs. With this submission, MMS is consolidating the two ICRs on hurricanes approved under emergency submissions to OMB (1010-0163 and 1010-0164) into this package. We are also renewing the collection for 3 years because information needs to be collected for a longer period than allowed by the emergency OMB requests. When a hurricane occurs, lessees need to keep reporting, where applicable, and submitting new information to MMS until all facilities are back to normal operations. We are also expanding the ICR to now include any future hurricanes that may occur in the GOM, in addition to the hurricanes that occurred in the 2005 season. Once this ICR is approved by OMB, MMS will reissue the currently approved NTL to extend the deadline for submitting information relating to both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (Rita was approved under the “Generic” NTL, 1010-0164). MMS will then submit an 83-D for 1010-0163, NTL, Damaged Caused by Hurricane Katrina. In the future, MMS will reissue an NTL for each new hurricane that impacts operations in the GOM. We will insert the appropriate hurricane name, longitudes, and dates of submittal, into the NTL. Currently, there are over 4,000 facilities/structures in the GOM OCS. We anticipate that potential major hurricanes may impact 40 percent or more of the platforms in the GOM during any one event. For example, in 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita affected approximately 3,400 combined OCS facilities—1,000 facilities were affected by both storms; they each followed different paths and had specific meteorological anomalies (phenomena of the normal departure of the atmosphere). It needs to be stressed that the information we propose to collect under this NTL is information that a prudent lessee/operator would prepare in the event of a major hurricane. The primary information collection for this regulation is 30 CFR part 250, subpart I, approved under the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Control Number 1010-0149. However, in connection with this subpart, MMS thinks that the burden hour requirements in the NTL are in addition to the currently approved paperwork burden under those requirements. With regard to the “OCS Pipelines” section of this NTL, MMS has the authority to collect the information requested under 30 CFR part 250, subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way. The OMB has already approved the collection of pipeline information under OMB Control Number 1010-0050 (108,786 burden hours). Emergency NTLs were issued relating to this same subject—structural damage caused by hurricanes—in 2003 after Hurricane Lili, in 2004 after Hurricane Ivan, and in 2005 after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. MMS is now proposing rulemaking that will increase the burden hours and require more specific information that lessees need to submit about structure damage on the OCS due to natural phenomena, e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes. This increase in burden hours, once approved, will allow MMS to react to natural disasters more quickly and provide the public with needed information about the offshore energy infrastructure. It is currently in the surnaming process and OMB has issued Regulation Identifier Number 1010-AD18. We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and under regulations at 30 CFR 250.196, “Data and information to be made available to the public.” No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are mandatory. The information collected is necessary for MMS to assess the structural integrity of the platforms that may have been damaged by a hurricane to determine if the damage poses a threat to continued safe and environmentally sound operations. The MMS will use the information collected to determine whether to require corrective action, including repairs and maintenance, on any damaged structures. The offshore oil and gas industry will use the information for financial purposes when dealing with partners, insurance companies, and company personnel. *Frequency:* On occasion and monthly. *Estimated Number and Description of Respondents:* Approximately 110 lessees and operators. *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden:* The estimated annual “hour” burden for this information collection is a total of 26,880 hours. The following chart details the individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. Burden Breakdown Reporting requirement Hour burden Annual number of responses Annual burden hours Prepare and submit to MMS
(1)list of impacted OCS structures,
(2)timetable for inspections, and
(3)inspection plan for each listed platform describing work to determine condition of structure. 12 150 1,800 Submit subsequent updates to list and inspection plans 12 90 1,080 Submit report to MMS describing detected damage that may adversely affect structural integrity, including assessment of ability to withstand anticipated environmental storm conditions, and any remediation plans 120 200 24,000 Total Burden 440 26,880 *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden:* We have identified no paperwork “non-hour cost” burdens associated with the collection of information. *Public Disclosure Statement:* The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. *Comments:* Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *.” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to:
(a)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful;
(b)evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;
(c)enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d)minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on October 12, 2005, we published a **Federal Register** notice (70 FR 59368) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, § 250.199 provides the OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR 250 regulations. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts. If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by February 22, 2006. *Public Comment Procedures:* MMS's practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent allowable by the law; however, anonymous comments will not be considered. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. *MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer:* Arlene Bajusz
(202)208-7744. Dated: December 29, 2005. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. [FR Doc. E6-691 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of a revision of a currently approved information collection (OMB Control Number 1010-0119). SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request
(ICR)to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 208—Sale of Federal Royalty Oil. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. The title of this information collection request
(ICR)is “30 CFR Part 208—Sale of Federal Royalty Oil; Sale of Federal Royalty Gas; and Commercial Contracts (Forms MMS-4070, Application for the Purchase of Royalty Oil; MMS-4071, Letter of Credit; and MMS-4072, Royalty-in-Kind Contract Surety Bond).” We changed the title of this ICR to clarify the regulatory language we are covering under 30 CFR part 208 and to include relevant portions of the Royalty-In-Kind
(RIK)5-Year Business Plan. The title change also reflects OMB's approval of consolidation of five RIK-related ICRs. Those ICRs were titled: • 1010-0042: 30 CFR part 208—Sale of Federal Royalty Oil; Royalty-in-Kind
(RIK)Program (Form MMS-4070, Application for the Purchase of Royalty Oil); • 1010-0119: 30 CFR part 208—Sale of Federal Royalty Oil, Royalty Oil Sales to Eligible Refiners (30 CFR 208.4(a) and (d)); • 1010-0126: Royalty-In-Kind
(RIK)Pilot Program Directed Communications by Operators of Federal Oil and Gas Leases; • 1010-0129: Royalty-in-Kind Pilot Program—Offers, Financial Statements, and Surety Instruments for Sales of Royalty Oil and Gas; and • 1010-0135: 30 CFR 208.11(a), (b), (d), and (e)—Surety Requirements (Forms MMS-4071 and MMS-4072). In the five ICRs, much of the general information was repeated and cross referenced. This consolidated ICR 1010-0119 eliminates that duplication of effort and redundancy of data and provides for review of all RIK information collection requirements on a program-wide basis. DATES: Submit written comments on or before February 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments by either FAX
(202)395-6566 or e-mail ( *OIRA_Docket@omb.eop.gov* ) directly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (OMB Control Number 1010-0119). Mail your comments to Sharron L. Gebhardt, Lead Regulatory Specialist, Minerals Management Service, Minerals Revenue Management, P.O. Box 25165, MS 302B2, Denver, Colorado 80225. If you use an overnight courier service or wish to hand-carry your comments, our courier address is Building 85, Room A-614, Denver Federal Center, West 6th Avenue and Kipling Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80225. You may also e-mail your comments to us at *mrm.comments@mms.gov* . Include the title of the information collection and the OMB control number in the “Attention” line of your comment. Also include your name and return address. Submit electronic comments as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your e-mail, contact Ms. Gebhardt at
(303)231-3211. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharron L. Gebhardt, telephone
(303)231-3211, FAX
(303)231-3781, e-mail *Sharron.Gebhardt@mms.gov* . You may also contact Sharron Gebhardt to obtain a copy at no cost of the forms and regulations that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 30 CFR part 208—Sale of Federal Royalty Oil; Sale of Federal Royalty Gas; and Commercial Contracts (Forms MMS-4070, Application for the Purchase of Royalty Oil; MMS-4071, Letter of Credit; and MMS-4072, Royalty-in-Kind Contract Surety Bond). *OMB Control Number:* 1010-0119. *Bureau Form Number:* Forms MMS-4070, MMS-4071, and MMS-4072. *Abstract:* The Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior is responsible for matters relevant to mineral resource development on Federal and Indian lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Secretary, under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, Section 36, as amended (30 U.S.C. 192) (Mineral Leasing Act); and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953, Section 27, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1353) (OCS Lands Act), is responsible for managing the production of minerals from Federal and Indian lands and the OCS, collecting royalties from lessees who produce minerals, and distributing funds collected in accordance with applicable laws. The MMS performs the royalty management functions for the Secretary. The MMS is responsible for ensuring that all revenues from Federal and Indian mineral leases are accurately collected, accounted for, and disbursed to recipients. Historically, most of these revenues have been received in the form of cash royalty payments, *i.e.* , royalty in-value payments. These payments are paid by mineral development interests. In recent years, MMS conducted pilots to test the approach of taking royalties in kind. The Federal Government's MMS RIK pilot program became a permanent operational program after several years of pilot project testing. The MMS RIK operational program takes payment from mineral lessees “in kind” in the form of produced crude oil and natural gas volumes, rather than in cash payments. The lessee transfers the title of the crude oil or natural gas to the Federal Government, and MMS sells the received product (crude oil or natural gas) to agents in the marketplace and disburses revenues as prescribed by law. The MMS sells some product competitively in the unrestricted marketplace, and other RIK product is sold competitively to eligible refiners (a small and independent refiner, as defined in 30 CFR 208.2). Additionally, when directed, MMS delivers the RIK product to other Federal agencies, as has been the case during the fill of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), directed by the President in 2001, with scheduled completion in 2005. Specifically, within the MMS RIK operational program, MMS conducts the eligible refiner program and the SPR program, in addition to the Wyoming crude oil, offshore unrestricted crude oil, and offshore natural gas programs. Recently, MMS consolidated and revised existing procedures and policies guiding the sale of onshore and offshore royalty crude oil and natural gas
(1)to establish uniformity within the regulatory and operational framework;
(2)to provide industry with a more efficient and responsive MMS RIK operational program; and
(3)to improve the Federal Government's administration of this program. For example, several of the reporting requirements for eligible refiners under 30 CFR part 208 have been combined with reporting requirements for other RIK purchasers. However, due to the unique nature of the sale of crude oil to eligible refiners, certain requirements pertain only to that eligible refiner program. Applicable citations of the laws pertaining to the taking and selling of the Federal Government's royalty share of mineral leases in the form of production (royalties “in kind”) include 30 CFR part 208; Mineral Leasing Act; OCS Lands Act; 30 U.S.C. 189 pertaining to Public Lands; 30 U.S.C. 359 pertaining to Acquired Lands; and 43 U.S.C. 1334 pertaining to OCS Lands. These citations, as well as specific language in the actual lease documents, authorize the Secretary to sell royalty oil and gas accruing to the United States. The standard lease terms state that royalties are due in amount or in value. In addition, these citations authorize the Secretary to prescribe proper rules and regulations and to do any and all things necessary to accomplish the purpose of applicable laws. The MMS directs communications between MMS operators and RIK purchasers through commercial contracts, situation-specific “Dear Operator” letters, or in the case of eligible refiners, through regulations at 30 CFR part 208. Proprietary information submitted to MMS under this collection is protected, and no items of a sensitive nature are collected. Eligible Refiner Information—This information was previously collected under ICRs 1010-0042 and 1010-0119. Determination of Need— **Federal Register** Notice As stated earlier, royalties may be paid “in value” or “in kind.” The regulations at 30 CFR part 208, Sale of Federal Royalty Oil, govern the Federal oil RIK program for eligible refiners. Under 30 CFR 208.4(a) and (b), MMS, on behalf of the Secretary, performs a Determination of Need prior to issuing a Notice of Availability of Royalty Oil for sale. The MMS uses the feedback from the Determination of Need respondents (eligible refiners or other interested parties, such as lessees or operators) to assess current marketplace conditions, *i.e.* , whether small and independent eligible refiners have access to ongoing supplies of crude oil at equitable prices. When MMS determines that eligible refiners do not have access to adequate supplies of oil, MMS may dispose of any royalty oil taken in kind, by conducting a sale of such oil, through an allocation process, to eligible refiners. The most recent Determination of Need assessment, requesting specific information from eligible refiners, was published in the **Federal Register** on August 11, 2003 (68 FR 47605). In order to qualify for RIK sales, eligible refiners must prequalify by signing the MMS base contract, “RIK Crude Oil General Terms and Conditions,” and providing detailed financial information. Upon prequalification, MMS will issue an amount of unsecured credit, based on the creditability of the offeror. Notice of Availability of Royalty Oil— **Federal Register** Notice Under § 208.5, if MMS determines from the Determination of Need that eligible refiners do not have access to adequate supplies of crude oil, MMS would then publish a Notice of Availability of Royalty Oil for sale, in the **Federal Register** and other printed media, when appropriate. This notice advises industry of a forthcoming RIK crude oil sale for eligible refiners and includes administrative details concerning the application, the allocation process, and the contract award process for the royalty oil. It also details specific information about the crude oil types offered for sale and the location of delivery points. The most recent Notice of Availability of Royalty Oil was published in the **Federal Register** on March 12, 2004 (69 FR 11881). Under § 208.10(e), eligible refiners who purchase royalty oil cannot transfer, assign, or sell their rights or interest in a royalty oil contract without written approval of the Director, MMS. This provision is intended to ensure that only qualified eligible refiners benefit from these sales of royalty oil. Form MMS-4070—Application for the Purchase of Royalty Oil Under § 208.6, eligible refiners interested in purchasing royalty oil must submit Form MMS-4070 in accordance with instructions in the Notice of Availability of Royalty Oil and instructions issued by MMS for completion of the form. On Form MMS-4070, MMS requests specific information, such as: The location of their refinery; desirability of offshore versus onshore crude; type of crude desired ( *e.g.* , Wyoming Sweet); ability to obtain long-term supply of desired crude (with supporting documentation, such as “denial” by major supplier); ability to obtain desired crude at fair market prices (with supporting documentation that desired oil was not available or equitably priced for the area or region in question); percentage of total refining capacity attributable to Federal oil versus other sources; etc. The Federal Government's administration of the eligible refiner program is aided significantly by the collection of information requested on Form MMS-4070. The MMS uses the information collected to determine the eligibility of refiners wanting to enter into contracts to purchase royalty oil and to provide a basis for the allocation of available royalty oil among eligible refiners, when necessary; that is, they meet the small refiner eligibility requirements issued by the Small Business Administration, as explained under § 208.6. Directed Communications by Operators of Federal Oil and Gas Leases—This information was previously collected under ICR 1010-0126. Collection of RIK crude oil and natural gas for eligible refiners and other RIK purchasers requires communication between MMS and the operators of a lease to ensure accurate and timely delivery of MMS's royalty share of production volumes. In order to take MMS's crude oil or natural gas in kind, MMS, as the responsible steward of oil and gas royalties, must direct operators of affected MMS leases to provide three types of communication:
(1)Report information about the projected volumes and qualities of RIK crude oil or natural gas production the operator expects to make available for delivery in the following month, and report corrections to those projected volumes and qualities for previous months, submitting monthly no later than 10 days before the first day of following month;
(2)Report cost/invoicing information about transportation charges incurred for delivering the RIK product to the delivery point, when applicable; and
(3)Report month-end summary information (lease imbalance statement) regarding total RIK crude oil or natural gas volumes and qualities needed to carry over to the next month to resolve aggregated imbalances that have occurred in prior months of RIK deliveries. In marketing the product, information received through MMS's directed communication is essential for MMS to ensure the delivery and acceptance of verifiable quantities and qualities of crude oil and natural gas. In cases when MMS is directed to deliver the product to other Federal agencies, these types of directed communication are necessary so that exchange contractors can arrange to timely accept accurate amounts and qualities of royalty oil that will be delivered by MMS's exchange partner and for MMS to verify timely fulfillment of operators' and lessees' royalty obligations to the Federal Government. The types of directed communication and the supporting data, which MMS requires operators to use in setting up the monthly delivery of RIK to the purchaser, are standard business practices in the oil and gas industry. Sample “Dear Operator” letters are posted on RIK's Web site at *http://www.mrm.mms.gov/rikweb/RIKOperLts.htm.* Third-Party Agreements—This information was previously collected under ICR 1010-0042. Title 30 CFR 208.9 requires that eligible refiners who purchase royalty oil must submit to MMS two copies of any written third-party agreements, or two copies of a complete written explanation of any oral third-party agreements, relating to the method and costs of delivery of royalty oil, or crude oil exchanged for the royalty oil, from the point of delivery under the contract to the purchaser's refinery. Also, this section requires that the purchaser must submit copies of agreements pertaining to quality differentials that may occur between the lease(s) and the delivery point(s). However, in practice MMS does not currently require eligible refiners to submit these agreements. Offers, Financial Statements, and Surety Instruments for Sales of Royalty Oil and Gas—This information was previously collected under ICRs 1010-0129 and 1010-0135. Offers. The Secretary is obligated to hold competition when selling to the public to protect actual RIK production before, during, and after any sale and to obtain a fair return on royalty production sold. The MMS must fulfill those obligations for the Secretary. The reporting requirements are
(1)actual pricing offers that potential purchasers will submit when MMS offers production for competitive sale;
(2)offerors' statements of financial qualification (audited financial statements or 10K report/statement); and
(3)surety instruments, such as a Letter of Credit (LOC), bond, prepayment, or parent guaranty when financial qualification is not sufficient. All LOCs are irrevocable. The MMS typically offers royalty oil and gas production for sale by Invitation for Offers
(IFOs)to those offerors who have previously established their qualifications. The MMS evaluates all offers to determine which combination of price and other terms comprises the best return to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and to any affected state. Financial Statements. The MMS may request that a bidder submit its public-available statements of its financial condition (brought briefly up to date, if needed) or other related qualification information. The MMS evaluates the qualification information to determine whether bidders are reliable to follow through on payment of the dollar amount (or delivery of exchange production) offered, as they bid, and to determine their ability to timely perform activities attendant to the taking of crude oil and/or natural gas. The MMS performs this step to reduce the risk to the Federal Government in these transactions. Surety Instruments. Under MMS's current practice, eligible refiners are subject to the same requirements as other RIK purchasers regarding MMS-acceptable surety instruments and qualification information. Reporting requirements in 30 CFR 208.11 discuss surety instruments for eligible refiners. Surety instruments include the broad field of financial instruments that may be collected, such as bonds, prepayments, and parent guaranties. When required, eligible refiners and other RIK purchasers must provide surety documents, i.e., Form MMS-4071, LOC; Form MMS-4072, Royalty-In-Kind Contract Surety Bond; other acceptable commercial surety, within 5 business days prior to the first delivery under the contract to protect the Federal Government's interest. For bonds, MMS requires a specific MMS-approved format. All parent guaranties must specify a dollar amount of the guaranty and the effective term. For awards exceeding the amount of unsecured credit issued by MMS, successful offerors will be required to provide secured financial assurance in the form of an LOC, bond, or other MMS-acceptable surety instrument within 5 business days prior to the first delivery under the contract. In cases of high-risk counterparties, or large awards of RIK crude oil or natural gas, MMS will require a surety instrument to guarantee performance under RIK sales or exchange agreement. Surety instruments are commonly used in the commercial oil and gas industry as a standard course of business where risk is encountered from counterparties. The surety instruments provide the Federal Government with a means to collect money if refiners do not report and pay for the Federal oil they have received. Annually, the MMS receives approximately 3 bonds, less than 5 LOCs, 1 or 2 prepayment(s), and 10 parent guaranties or, in some cases, semiannually. The MMS is requesting OMB's approval to continue to collect this information. Not collecting this information would limit the Secretary's ability to discharge his/her duties and may also result in loss of royalty payments. *Frequency of Response:* On occasion, weekly, monthly, annually, frequency varies within monthly reporting cycle, or as necessary. *Estimated Number and Description of Respondents:* 145 Federal lessees and/or operators; and 80 commercial oil and gas purchasers and/or refiners. *Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden:* 2,284 hours. The following chart shows the breakdown of the estimated burden hours by CFR section and paragraph. We are revising this ICR to include previously overlooked reporting requirements at § 208.10(d). We have adjusted the burden hours accordingly. We have not included in our estimates certain requirements performed in the normal course of business and considered usual and customary. Section A.12 Burden Breakdown Citation 30 CFR Part 208 Subpart A Reporting and recordkeeping requirement Hour burden Average number of annual responses Annual burden hours 208.4 Royalty oil sales to eligible refiners. 208.4(a)
(a)Determination to take royalty oil in kind. The Secretary may evaluate crude oil market conditions from time to time. * * * The Secretary will review these items and will determine whether eligible refiners have access to adequate supplies of crude oil and whether such oil is available to eligible refiners at equitable prices. * * * 4 8 32 208.4(b)
(b)Sale to eligible refiners.
(1)* * * The Secretary may authorize MMS to offer royalty oil for sale to eligible refiners only for use in their refineries * * * Hour burden covered under § 208.4(a). 208.4(c)
(c)Upon a determination by the Secretary * * * that eligible refiners do have access to adequate supplies of crude oil at equitable prices, MMS will not take royalties in kind from oil and gas leases for exclusive sale to such refiners. * * * Hour burden covered under § 208.4(a). 208.4(d)
(d)Interim sales. * * * The potentially eligible refiners, individually or collectively, must submit documentation demonstrating that adequate supplies of crude oil at equitable prices are not available for purchase. * * * Hour burden covered under § 208.4(a). 208.6 General application procedures. 208.6(a) and
(a)To apply for the purchase of royalty oil, an applicant must file a Form MMS-4070 with MMS in accordance with instructions provided in the “Notice of Availability of Royalty Oil” and in accordance with any instructions issued by MMS for completion of Form MMS-4070. The applicant will be required to submit a letter of intent from a qualified financial institution stating that it would be granted surety coverage for the royalty oil for which it is applying, or other such proof of surety coverage, as deemed acceptable by MMS. The letter of intent must be submitted with a completed Form MMS-4070.
(b)In addition to any other application requirements specified in the Notice, the following information is required on Form MMS-4070 at the time of application: * * * 1.25 8 10 208.7 Determination of eligibility. 208.7(a)
(a)The MMS will examine each application and may request additional information if the information in the application is inadequate. * * * 0.25 1 1 (rounded up from 0.25) 208.8 Transportation and delivery. 8.8(a)
(a)* * * The purchaser must have physical access to the oil at the alternate delivery point and such point must be approved by MMS. 1 1 1 208.8(b)
(b)* * * If the delivery point is on or immediately adjacent to the lease, the royalty oil will be delivered without cost to the Federal Government as an undivided portion of production in marketable condition at pipeline connections or other facilities provided by the lessee, unless other arrangements are approved by MMS. If the delivery point is not on or immediately adjacent to the lease, MMS will reimburse the lessee for the reasonable cost of transportation to such point in an amount not to exceed the transportation allowance determined pursuant to 30 CFR part 206. * * * Hour burden covered by OMB Control Number 1010-0140 (Form MMS-2014, expires 10/31/2006). This provision is no different than the transportation allowances allowed in 30 CFR part 206 for royalties paid in value. The lessee enters allowance amount on Form MMS-2014. 208.9 Agreements. 208.9(a)
(a)A purchaser must submit to MMS two copies of any written third-party agreements, or two copies of a full written explanation of any oral third-party agreements, relating to the method and costs of delivery of royalty oil, or crude oil exchanged for the royalty oil, from the point of delivery under the contract to the purchaser's refinery. In addition, the purchaser must submit copies of agreements pertaining to quality differentials which may occur between leases and delivery points 1 8 8 208.10 Notices. 208.10(d)
(d)After MMS notification that royalty oil will be taken in kind, the operator shall be responsible for notifying each working interest on the Federal lease. * * * 2 20 40 208.10(e)
(e)A purchaser cannot transfer, assign, or sell its rights or interest in a royalty oil contract without written approval of the Director, MMS. * * * Without express written consent from MMS for a change in ownership, the royalty oil contract shall be terminated. * * * 1 1 1 208.11 Surety requirements [for eligible refiners]. 208.11(a),
(b)(d), and
(a)The eligible purchaser, prior to execution of the contract, shall furnish an “MMS-specified surety instrument,” in an amount equal to the estimated value of royalty oil that could be taken by the purchaser in a 99-day period, plus related administrative charges. * * * Hour burden covered under “Offers, Financial Statements, and Surety Instruments for Sales of Royalty Oil and Gas” section. (Forms MMS-4071, Letter of Credit, and MMS-4072, Royalty-In-Kind Contract Surety Bond) 208.15 Audits. 208.15 Audits of the accounts and books of lessees, operators, payors, and/or purchasers of royalty oil taken in kind may be made annually or at other such times as may be directed by MMS. * * * PRODUCE RECORDS The ORA determined that the audit process is not covered by the PRA because MMS staff asks non-standard questions to resolve exceptions. Directed Communications by Operators of Federal Oil and Gas Leases. Contract-Directed Wyoming Oil 3 47 141 Natural Gas [Texas 8G and Gulf of Mexico (GOM)] 3 176 528 GOM Oil 3 7 21 SPR Fill Initiative (The SPR is expected to reach full capacity by the end of FY 2005. At that point, MMS will shift SPR oil volumes to the commercial GOM Oil RIK program. Thus, information collection responses will continue at the same level after SPR is filled to capacity.) 3 101 303 Eligible Refiners 3 46 138 Offers, Financial Statements, and Surety Instruments for Sales of Royalty Oil and Gas. Contract-Directed Offers 1 840 840 Financial Statements 1 20 20 Surety Instruments 10 20 200 Total Burden 1,304 2,284 *Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-hour” Cost Burden:* We have identified no “non-hour” cost burdens. *Public Disclosure Statement:* The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. *Comments:* Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *.” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to:
(a)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful;
(b)evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;
(c)enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d)minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To comply with the public consultation process, we published a notice in the **Federal Register** on March 7, 2005 (70 FR 11027), announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. We received no comments in response to the notice. If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by February 22, 2006. *Public Comment Policy:* We will post all comments in response to this notice on our Web site at *http://www.mrm.mms.gov/Laws_R_D/InfoColl/InfoColCom.htm.* We will also make copies of the comments available for public review, including names and addresses of respondents, during regular business hours at our offices n Lakewood, Colorado. Upon request, we will withhold an individual respondent's home address from the public record, as allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you request that we withhold your name and/or address, state your request prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. *MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer:* Arlene Bajusz
(202)208-7744. Dated: September 9, 2005. Lucy Querques Denett, Associate Director for Minerals Revenue Management. [FR Doc. E6-731 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0059 AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSM)is announcing its intention to request renewed approval for the collections of information for 30 CFR part 735—Grants for Program Development and Administration and Enforcement, and 30 CFR 886—State and Tribal Reclamation Grants. This collection request has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for review and comment. The information collection request describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden and cost. DATES: OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collections but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, public comments should be submitted to OMB by February 22, 2006, in order to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Please send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Department of the Interior Desk Officer, via e-mail at *OIRA_Docket@omb.eop.gov* , or by facsimile to
(202)395-6566. Also, please send a copy of your comments to John A. Trelease, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave, NW., Room 202—SIB, Washington, DC 20240, or electronically to *jtreleas@osmre.gov* . Please reference 1029-0059 in your correspondence. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request a copy of either information collection request, explanatory information and related forms, contact John A. Trelease at
(202)208-2783, or electronically to *jtreleas@osmre.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which implement provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), require that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities [see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)]. OSM has submitted a request to OMB to renew its approval of the collections of information contained in 30 CFR part 735—Grants for Program Development and Administration and Enforcement, and 30 CFR part 886—State and Tribal Reclamation Grants. OSM is requesting a 3-year term of approval for each information collection activity. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for 30 CFR parts 735 and 886 that require grant submittals are currently approved under OMB control number 1029-0059. As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), a **Federal Register** notice soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on September 16, 2005 (70 FR 54770). No comments were received. This notice provides the public with an additional 30 days in which to comment on the following information collection activity: *Title:* 30 CFR part 735—Grants for Program Development and Administration and Enforcement, and 30 CFR part 886—State and Tribal Reclamation Grants *OMB Control Number:* 1029-0059. *Summary:* State and Tribal reclamation and regulatory authorities are requested to provide specific budget and program information as part of the grant application and reporting processes authorized by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. *Bureau Form Numbers:* OSM-47, OSM-49 and OSM-51. *Frequency of Collection:* Semi-annually, annually and once. *Description of Respondents:* State and Tribal regulatory and reclamation authorities. *Total Annual Responses:* 132. *Total Annual Burden Hours:* 680 hours. Send comments on the need for the collections of information for the performance of the functions of the agency; the accuracy of the agency's burden estimates; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and ways to minimize the information collection burdens on respondents, such as use of automated means of collections of the information, to the following addresses. Please refer to OMB control number 1029-0059 in your correspondence. Dated: November 17, 2005. John A. Trelease, Acting Chief, Division of Regulatory Support. [FR Doc. 06-558 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am]
Connectionstraces to 14
Traces to 14 documents
22 references not yet in our index
  • Pub. L. 106-393
  • 30 CFR 280
  • Pub. L. 103-426
  • 30 CFR 280.70
  • 43 CFR 2
  • 5 CFR 1320.4
  • 30 CFR 250
  • 30 CFR 252
  • Pub. L. 104-133
  • 5 CFR 1320.3(h)
  • 30 CFR 208
  • 30 CFR 208.4(a)
  • 30 CFR 208.11(a)
  • 30 CFR 208.2
  • 30 CFR 208.9
  • 30 CFR 208.11
  • 30 CFR 206
  • 30 CFR 735
  • 30 CFR 886
  • 5 CFR 1320
  • Pub. L. 104-13
  • 5 CFR 1320.8(d)
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cites case law
Notices
Notice of document availability
U.S.C.§ 1533
U.S.C.§ 1331
U.S.C.§ 1801
U.S.C.§ 552
U.S.C.§ 3501
C.F.R.§ 250.196
U.S.C.§ 9701
Stat.Public Law 104–133
U.S.C.§ 1332
Pub. L.Pub. L. 106-393
Cite30 CFR 280
Pub. L.Pub. L. 103-426
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