[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 71 (Thursday, April 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 16113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9060]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Notice of Proposed Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 approval for the continued 
collection of information on the initial regulatory program; the 
general requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations 
on Federal lands; and fee collection and coal production reporting for 
the abandoned mine reclamation fund.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by June 10, 1996, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to John A. Trelease, Office of 
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave, NW., 
Room 120-SIB, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
To request a copy of the information collection proposal, contact John 
A. Trelease, at (202) 208-2783.

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)). The information collection that OSM will be submitting to 
OMB for extension is contained in 30 CFR 872, Abandoned mine land 
reclamation funds.
    OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect 
current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden 
or respondents, or programmatic changes. OSM will request a 3-year term 
of approval for each information collection activity.
    Comments are invited on : (1) The need for the collection of 
information for the performance of the functions of the agency; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) 
ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such 
as use of automated means of collecting the information. A summary of 
the public comments received will accompany OSM's submission of the 
information collection request to OMB.
    The following information is provided for the information 
collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control 
number: (3) summary of the information collection activity; and (4) 
frequency of collection, description of the respondents, estimated 
total annual responses, and the total annual reporting and 
recordkeeping burden for the collection of information.
    Title: Abandoned mine land reclamation funds.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0054.
    Summary: Sections 401 and 402 of the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977, P.L. 95-87, (the Act), provide for the 
creation of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and require the 
Secretary to make a determination regarding the use of allocated State/
Indian tribe funds which have been granted but not expended within a 
three-year period. Granted funds that have not been expended within 
three years may be withdrawn if the Director finds in writing that the 
amounts involved are not necessary to carry out approved reclamation 
activities. This information collection and subsequent determinations 
serve as a safeguard to protect States/Indian tribes from automatic or 
indiscriminate withdrawal of funds.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Description of Respondents: State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 1.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 1.

    Dated: April 5, 1996.
Gene E. Krueger,
Acting Chief, Office of Technology Development and Transfer.
[FR Doc. 96-9060 Filed 4-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M