[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46480-46481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22362]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WO-310-1310-01-24-1A]


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval Number 1004-0074

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 
an extension of approval for the collection of information which will 
be used to determine the highest qualified bonus bid submitted for a 
competitive oil and gas or geothermal lease (Form 3000-2) and enable 
the BLM to complete environmental reviews in compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Form 3200-9). The 
information supplied allows the BLM to determine whether a bidder is 
qualified to hold a lease and to conduct geothermal resource operations 
under the terms of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 and the Geothermal 
Steam Act of 1969.

DATE: Comments must be submitted on or before November 4, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Management Team (420), 
Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW, Room 401 LS Bldg., 
Washington, D.C. 20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: 
[email protected].
    Comments may be hand delivered to the Bureau of Land Management 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street N.W., 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), the BLM 
is required to provide a 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 of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) 
gives the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for oil and gas 
leasing on approximately 600 million acres of public lands and national 
forests, and private lands where minerals have been reserved by the 
Federal Government. The Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act 
of 1987 was passed by Congress to require that all public lands that 
are available for oil and gas leasing be offered first by competitive 
oral bidding. The Department of the Interior Appropriations Act of 1981 
(43 U.S.C. 6508) provides for the competitive leasing of the lands in 
the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The Geothermal Steam Act 
of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001-1025) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior 
to issue leases for geothermal development. The lands available for 
exploration and leasing include public, withdrawn, reserved, and 
acquired lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 established a national 
policy to protect the environment.
    The regulations within 43 CFR Group 3100 outline procedures for 
obtaining a lease to explore for, develop, and produce oil and gas 
resources located on Federal lands. The regulations within 43 CFR Group 
3200 provide for the issuance of geothermal leases and the exploration, 
development and utilization of Federally-owned geothermal resources. 
The BLM needs the information requested on the two forms to process 
bids for oil and gas and geothermal lands and to complete environmental 
reviews required by the NEPA.
    The information will be used to determine the highest qualified 
bonus bid submitted for a competitive oil and gas or geothermal 
resources parcel on

[[Page 46481]]

form 3000-2, ``Competitive Oil and Gas or Geothermal Resources Lease 
Bid''. In the case of form 3200-9, ``Notice of Intent to conduct 
Geothermal Resources Exploration Operations'', the information will be 
used to enable the BLM to complete environmental reviews in compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The BLM needs the 
information requested to determine the eligibility of an applicant to 
hold, explore for, develop and produce oil and gas and geothermal 
resources on Federal lands.
    The forms are submitted in person or by mail to the proper BLM 
Office. For Form 3000-2, the name and address of the bidder is needed 
to identify the bidder and allow the authorized officer to ensure that 
the bidder meets the requirements of the regulations. The total bid and 
payment submitted with bid is necessary to determine the specific bid 
and that the bid is accompanied by one-fifth of the amount bid as 
required by the regulations for a Geothermal bid or the minimum 
acceptable bid, first year's rental and administrative fee as required 
by the regulations for an oil and gas bid. For Form 3200-9, names and 
addresses are needed to identify entities who will be conducting 
operations on the land. The description of land is necessary to 
determine the area to be entered or disturbed by the proposed 
exploration operation. Dates of commencement and completion are 
necessary to determine how long the applicant/operator/contractor 
intends to conduct operations on the land. The forms were developed in 
1990 and 1986 respectively and the information required from the public 
remains the same.
    Based on past experience conducting oil and gas and geothermal 
lease sales and administering geothermal exploration operations, the 
BLM estimates that the public reporting burden for completing to be two 
hours. The bidder/lessee/operator/contractor has access to records, 
plats, and maps necessary for providing land descriptions. The estimate 
includes time spent researching bids and assembling information as well 
as the time of clerical personnel.
    It is estimated that approximately 393 Form 3000-2 will be filed 
annually for a total of 786 reporting hours and approximately 50 form 
3200-9 will be filed annually for a total of 100 reporting hours. 
Respondents vary from individuals and small businesses to large 
corporations.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 3000-2 or 3200-9 by contacting the person 
identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All responses to the 
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: August 23, 1996.
Annetta Cheek,
Leader, Regulatory Management Team.
[FR Doc. 96-22362 Filed 8-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M