[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16825-16826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8896]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Notice of Proposed Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 collections of 
information for: State processes for designating areas unsuitable for 
surface coal mining operations, 30 CFR Part 764; and Special permanent 
program performance standards--operations in alluvial valley floors, 30 
CFR Part 822.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by June 5, 1998, 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 210--SIB, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be submitted 
electronically to [email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which implementing 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)). This notice identifies information 
collections that OSM will be submitting to OMB for extension. These 
collections are contained in 30 CFR 764 and 822.
    OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect 
current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden 
on respondents. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for these 
information collection activities.
    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 collections; and (4) 
ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such 
as use of automated means of collection of the information. A summary 
of the public comments will accompany OSM's submissions of the 
information collection requests to OMB.
    This notice provides the public with 60 days in which to comment on 
the following information collection activities:
    Title: State processes for designating areas unsuitable for surface 
coal mining operations, 30 CFR Part 764.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0030.

[[Page 16826]]

    Summary: This part implements the requirement of section 522 of the 
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), Pub. L. 95-
87, which provides authority for citizens to petition States to 
designate lands unsuitable for surface coal mining operations, or to 
terminate such designation. The regulatory authority uses the 
information to identify, locate, compare and evaluate the area 
requested to be designated as unsuitable, or terminate the designation, 
for surface coal mining operations.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once.
    Description of Respondents: The 5 individuals, groups or businesses 
who petition the States, and the 4 State regulatory authorities who 
must process the petitions.
    Total Annual Responses: 5.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,324.
    Title: Special permanent program performance standards--operations 
in alluvial valley floors, 30 CFR Part 822.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0049.
    Summary: Sections 510(b)(5) and 515(b)(10) of the Surface Coal 
Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977 (the Act) protect alluvial valley 
floors from the adverse effects of surface coal mining operations west 
of the 100th meridian. Part 822 requires the permittee to install, 
maintain, and operate a monitoring system in order to provide specific 
protection for alluvial valley floors. This information is necessary to 
determine whether the unique hydrologic conditions of alluvial valley 
floors are protected according to the Act.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Annually.
    Description of Respondents: 10 surface coal mining operators who 
operate on alluvial valley floors.
    Total Annual Responses: 10.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,000.

    Dated: March 27, 1998.
Richard G. Bryson,
Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 98-8896 Filed 4-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M