[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 6201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3070]



[[Page 6201]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[HE-931-9941-03]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Number 1004-
New, Formerly 1032-0112

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) announces its intention to request 
renewal of the existing approval to collect certain information from 
owners and operators of helium-bearing natural gas wells and 
transmission lines interested in data pertaining to natural gas 
analyses when data are released for publication. This information 
allows BLM to evaluate the helium resources of the United States.

DATES: BLM must receive comments on the proposed information collection 
by April 7, 1998 to assure its consideration of them.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments to: Director (630), Bureau of Land Management, 
1849 C Street NW, Room 401LS, Washington, D.C. 20240.
    Send comments via Internet to: [email protected]. Please include 
``ATTN: 1004-NEW'' and your name and return address in your Internet 
message.
    You may hand-deliver comments to the Bureau of Land Management, 
Helium Operations, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, Texas. BLM 
will make comments available for public review at the South Fillmore 
address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.), Monday 
through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Gage at (806) 324-2659.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a), BLM is 
required to provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a 
collection of information contained in BLM Form 6-1579-A 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 of information, 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 will receive and analyze any 
comments sent in response to this notice and include them with its 
request for approval from the OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
    The Form, called GAS WELL DATA--SURVEY OF HELIUM-BEARING NATURAL 
GAS, provides for the gas sampling and analysis program used to locate 
helium occurrences in natural gases. The program is carried on in 
compliance with 74 Stat. 920, Public Law 104-273, Helium Privatization 
Act of 1996. The knowledge of helium occurrences is an integral part of 
the Governments conservation program. The data supplied on the form are 
used to evaluate the extent of any helium resources existing in the 
natural gas.
    BLM uses the information provided by the applicants to evaluate the 
helium resources of the United States. If BLM did not collect this 
information, it would not have good knowledge of the nature, location 
and extent of domestic helium resources. The location and development 
of helium reserves could not be done; therefore, long range helium 
production and conservation plans could not be carried out and an 
assured supply of helium to the Federal Government would not be 
available.
    Based on BLM's experience administering the activities described 
above, the public reporting burden for the information collected is 
estimated to average 15 minutes per response. The respondents are 
owners and operators of helium-bearing natural gas wells and 
transmission lines. The frequency of response is annual. The number of 
responses per year is estimated to total 200. The estimated total 
annual burden on new respondents is about 50 hours. BLM is specifically 
requesting your comments on its estimate of the amount of time it takes 
to prepare a response.
    BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in 
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments 
will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 30, 1998.
Carole Smith,
Bureau of Land Management Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-3070 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M