[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11649-11650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6777]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WO-320-1330-01-24 1A]


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval Number 1004-0121

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 applicants 
to lease solid minerals other than coal and oil shale. The information 
supplied allows BLM to determine whether an applicant, permittee, or 
lessee is qualified to hold an interest under the terms of the Mineral 
Leasing Act of 1920 (MLA).

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by May 20, 1996, to be considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Management Team (420), 
Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW., Room 401 LS, Washington, 
D.C. 20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: !WO[email protected]. Please 
include ``ATTN: 1004-0121'' 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, 1620 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.
    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: Patrick J. Sheehy, (202) 452-0350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a), BLM is 
required to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning 
a collection of information contained in published current rules to 
solicit comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary

[[Page 11650]]
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether 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.
    BLM plans to seek from the Office of Management and Budget 
extension of approval for the information collection requirements in 43 
CFR Parts 3500 through 3580, which cover the leasing of solid minerals 
other than coal and oil shale. These regulations implement the 
statutory authority governing leasing activities on Federal lands which 
is found in the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), 
the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 351-359), 
Section 402 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1946 (5 U.S.C. Appendix 
1031), the Multiple Mineral Development Act of 1954 (30 U.S.C. 521-
531), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321), 
and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1967 (43 U.S.C. 1701 
et seq.).
    The implementing regulations outline procedures for members of the 
public to submit applications, offers, statements, petitions, and 
various forms. The information required in the applications, statements 
and petitions is needed by BLM to determine applicant qualifications to 
hold a lease to obtain a benefit under the terms of the MLA and its 
subsequent amendments and the regulations. Information collection 
requirements are based on the statutory requirements concerning the 
qualifications and eligibility to hold title to or interest in Federal 
mineral leases and on the regulatory requirements relating to the 
identification, location and quality of minerals under application and 
identification of proposed operational activities. The affected public 
consists of all prospective holders of Federal non-energy leases, 
prospecting permits, use permits, and exploration licenses.

          Breakdown of Information Collections and Total Hours          
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                                      No. of     Hours per              
  Type of Information collection    responses     response   Total hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prospecting Permit (Form 3510-1).          325          5/6          271
Exploration plan for Prospecting                                        
 Permit..........................          250           10        2,500
Prospecting Permit Extension.....          125            1          125
Preference Right Lease (Form 3520-                                      
 7)..............................           25           10          250
Competitive Lease Bids...........           12            1           12
Fringe acreage/Lease Modification           10            2           20
Assignments/Sublease.............           50            2          100
Lease Renewals/Adjustments.......           30            2           60
Use Permit (Form 3510-2).........            6            2           12
Exploration License..............           10            3           30
Development Contract.............            3            3            9
Bonding (Forms 3504-1, 3 and 4)..          400          5/6          333
                                   ...........  ...........  ...........
                                  --------------------------------------
      Total......................        1,246  ...........        3,722
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    Based on its experience administering the leasing program, BLM 
estimates that it will take an average of about three hours to complete 
the applications, petitions, offers and statements required. The 
applicants will have access to records, plats and maps necessary for 
providing legal land descriptions. The type of information necessary is 
outlined in the regulations and is already maintained by the 
respondents for their own recordkeeping purposes and needs only to be 
compiled in a reasonable format. The estimate also includes the time 
required for assembling the information, as well as the time of 
clerical personnel, if needed.
    BLM estimates that approximately 1,246 filings will be made 
annually for a total of 3,722 reporting hours. Respondents vary from 
individuals to small businesses and major corporations.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, copies of any of forms listed in this notice 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 
become part of the public record.

    Dated: March 15, 1996.
Annetta L. Cheek,
Chief, Regulatory Management Team.
[FR Doc. 96-6777 Filed 3-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P