[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60116-60117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30094]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service, Interior.


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, DOI.

ACTION: Notice of information collection solicitation.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Minerals 
Management Service (MMS) is soliciting comments on an information 
collection, the Payor Information Form for solid minerals (OMB Control 
Number 1010-0064).

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before January 27, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments sent via the U.S. Postal Service should be sent to: 
Minerals Management Service, Royalty Management Program, Rules and 
Procedures Staff, P.O. Box 25165, MS 3101, Denver, Colorado, 80225-
0165; courier address is: Building 85, Room A-212, Denver Federal 
Center, Denver, Colorado 80225; e:Mail address is: David--
G[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis C. Jones, Rules and Procedures 
Staff, phone (303) 231-3046, FAX (303) 231-3194, e-Mail 
Dennis__J[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Section 3506 (c)(2)(A), each agency shall provide notice 
and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies 
concerning this collection of information in order to solicit comment 
to: (a) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) 
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    The Secretary is authorized to prescribe rules and regulations and 
to do any and all things necessary to accomplish the purpose of 
applicable laws. Relevant citations (Attachment 1) include 30 U.S.C. 
189, pertaining to public lands; 30 U.S.C. 359, pertaining to acquired 
lands; and 25 U.S.C. 396d, pertaining to Indian lands. Regulations at 
25 CFR 211 et seq. provide by cross reference that applicable 
provisions of 30 CFR Chapter II apply to Indian leases. The Bureau of 
Land Management regulations at 43 CFR 3473 for coal, and 43 CFR 3503 
for minerals other than coal, apply to this information collection. The 
Minerals Management Service (MMS) performs the royalty management 
functions for the Secretary, who is responsible for the collection of 
royalties from lessees who produce minerals from leased Federal and 
Indian lands. MMS has developed computer applications that document 
payment and sales volumes and values as reported by payors and also 
track minerals from the point of production to the point of 
disposition, royalty determination, or point of sale. This consolidated 
database enables MMS to verify that proper royalties are being received 
for minerals produced; it is an essential part of an overall effort to 
improve the management of the nation's mineral resources and to ensure 
proper collection and accounting for revenues due from industries 
removing and processing solid minerals products from Federal or Indian 
leases. Information collected using the Payor Information Form (PIF)for 
solid minerals is an integral part of this database which is used to 
record and report data from new producing leases, for updating payor 
changes, and to notify MMS of the products on which royalties will be 
paid.
    Detailed data are necessary to enable the Secretary to provide 
reliable, comprehensive sources of information for Federal, State, and 
Indian auditors and inspectors checking payors and lease operators. The 
data collected on the PIF are used to establish payor accounts for 
mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands, and to assign unique 
accounting identification numbers that will enable MMS to maintain, 
reconcile, and audit lease accounts. The PIF shows the party who pays 
rentals, minimum royalty, or royalties on production to MMS, and the 
products on which the payments are to be made.
    Failure to collect the information reported on the PIF would make 
it impossible for MMS to comply with applicable laws and regulations of 
the United States. This, in turn, would result in significant loss of 
revenue to the U.S. Treasury, States, and Indians. In addition, the 
Secretary is required to

[[Page 60117]]

promptly disburse monies to the States and Indians. Accuracy of royalty 
collections and disbursements could not be assured without the PIF 
data.
    Approximately 400 active solid minerals payors will submit an 
estimated 150 initial and updated PIF's annually. MMS estimates that it 
will take approximately 75 burden hours to complete these PIF's, or an 
average of \1/2\ hour per PIF. MMS further estimates that it will take 
approximately 200 burden hours for all payors to perform the necessary 
recordkeeping directly related to the PIF, or an average of \1/2\ hour 
per payor. Therefore, the total burden hours for this information 
collection is estimated to be 275 burden hours annually. At an 
estimated cost of $25 per burden hour, the total estimated annual cost 
to respondents is $6,875.

    Dated: November 10, 1996.
James W. Shaw,
Associate Director for Royalty Management.
[FR Doc. 96-30094 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P