[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 67849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32654]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


30 Day Notice of Submission to OMB, Opportunity for Public 
Comment

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of submission to OMB and request for comments on 
information collection related to National Park Service mining 
regulations.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D)), the National Park Service (NPS) invites 
comments on a submitted request to OMB to approve a reinstatement, with 
change, to a previously approved information budget for the NPS's 
minerals management regulatory program inside park units. Comments are 
invited on: (1) the need for the information including whether the 
information has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the reporting 
burden estimate; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the information collection on respondents, including use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (5) 
information on the typical costs that prospective operators incur in 
preparing complete plans of operation under NPS mining regulations.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST: The NPS 
obtains information on prospective mineral development activities 
associated with mining claims and nonfederal oil and gas rights within 
National Park System units to ensure that it only permits operations 
that mitigate adverse impacts to park resources and values.

DATES: Public comments on this notice must be received by January 23, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Please send comments to the Office of Management and Budget, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, ATTN: Desk Officer for 
the Interior Department (1024-0064), Washington, D.C. 20503. Please 
also forward a copy of your comments to: Carol McCoy, Chief, Policy and 
Regulations Branch, Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service, 
P.O.Box 25287, Lakewood, Colorado 80225.
    All comments will become a matter of public record. Copies of the 
information collection request may be obtained by contacting Carol 
McCoy at the above noted address or by calling her at (303) 969-2096.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: NPS Minerals Management Program.
    Form: None.
    OMB Number: 1024-0064.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 1996.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved information collection.
    Description of Need: Regulations at 36 CFR Part 9 require 
prospective developers of mineral claims under the Mining Law of 1872 
and nonfederal oil and gas rights to submit proposed plans of 
operations to the NPS for review and approval. A plan of operations 
essentially represents a prospective operator's blueprint for 
conducting mineral development activities associated with valid mineral 
rights inside park unit boundaries. By requiring such a plan upfront, 
the NPS can assure that only mining operations that mitigate adverse 
impacts to park resources and values are authorized inside park unit 
boundaries.
    Description of respondents: 1/3 medium to large publicly owned 
companies and 2/3 private entities.
    Estimated annual reporting burden: 1600
    Estimated average burden per respondent: 80 hours.
    Estimated average number of respondents: 18.
    Estimated frequency of response: One.

    Dated: December 17, 1996.
David B. Shaver,
Chief, Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 96-32654 Filed 12-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P