[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 8638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5104]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WO-310-1310-01-24 1A]


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval Number 1004-0162

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing its intention to request 
extension of approval for the collection of information from those 
persons who: (1) Submit a notice of intent (Form 3150-4) to conduct oil 
and gas geophysical exploration operations on Federal lands, and (2) 
submit a notice of completion (Form 3150-5) of oil and gas exploration 
operations. BLM uses the information to determine who is conducting 
geophysical operations on public lands and to ensure that appropriate 
measures are taken to protect the environment as required by the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

DATE: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by May 6, 1996 to be considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Management Team (420), 
Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C. Street NW, Room 40l LS Bldg., 
Washington, D.C. 20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: WO[email protected]. Please 
include ``Attn: 1004-0162'' and your name and return address in your 
Internet message.
    Comments may be hand delivered to the Bureau of Land Management 
Administrative Record, Room 401, L Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
    Comments will be available for public review at the L Street 
address during regular business hours (7:45 A.M. to 4:15 P.M., Monday 
through Friday).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria J. Austin, (202) 452-0340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d), BLM is 
required to provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a 
proposed collection of information to solicit comments on (a) whether 
the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection, including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    The Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) gives 
the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for oil and gas leasing on 
approximately 570 million acres of public lands and national forests, 
and private lands where mineral rights have been retained by the 
Federal Government. The Act of August 7, 1947, (Mineral Leasing Act of 
Acquired Lands) authorizes the Secretary to lease lands acquired by the 
United States (30 U.S.C. 341-359). The Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) establishes a public 
land policy and provides for the management, protection, development 
and enhancement of the public lands.
    The regulations at 43 CFR Group 3150 establish procedures for 
conducting oil and gas geophysical exploration operations on public 
lands when authorization for such operations is required from the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The regulations were last revised in 
1988. The notice of intent (Form 3150-4) to conduct oil and gas 
geophysical exploration operations and the notice of completion (Form 
3150-5) of oil and gas exploration operations were developed in 1990, 
and the information required from the public remains the same.
    BLM needs the information requested on the notice of intent to 
allow it to process applications for geophysical exploration operations 
on public lands and manage environmental compliance requirements in 
accordance with the laws, regulations, and land use plans. BLM uses the 
information to determine that geophysical operation activities will be 
conducted in a manner consistent with the regulations, local land use 
plans, and Environmental Assessments. BLM needs the information 
requested on the notice of completion to determine whether 
rehabilitation of the lands is satisfactory or whether additional 
rehabilitation is necessary.
    The forms may be submitted in person or by mail to the proper BLM 
office. The company name, address and phone number is needed to 
identify the person/entity conducting operations. BLM assigns the BLM 
Case Number to track each specific operation. Where a particular 
operation requires State approval also, the State Case Number is 
assigned by the appropriate State agency so that the Bureau may 
coordinate exploration activity with the State. The legal land 
description is required to determine where the involved public lands 
are located.
    Based on its experience administering onshore oil and gas 
geophysical exploration activities, BLM estimates the public reporting 
burden for completing the notice of intent (Form 3150-4) to conduct 
geophysical exploration operations is one hour. BLM estimates it will 
take an average time of 20 minutes to complete the notice of completion 
(Form 3150-5) of oil and gas exploration operations. The information 
required is clearly outlined on the form and in the terms and 
conditions attached. The information is already maintained by the 
respondents for their own record-keeping purposes and needs only to be 
transferred or attached to the forms.
    It is estimated that approximately 600 notices of intent and 600 
notices of completion will be filed annually for a total annual burden 
of 800 hours. Respondents vary from small businesses to major 
corporations.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 3150-4 or 3150-5 by contacting the person 
identified under For Further Information Contact. All responses to this 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval. All comments will also become part of 
the public record.


    Dated: February 29, 1996.
Annetta L. Cheek,
Regulatory Management Team, Chief.
[FR Doc. 96-5104 Filed 3-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P