[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 32637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15817]


      
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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 114 / Monday, June 15, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 32637]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection for 
Disposal of Mineral Materials

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intent to extend the existing information 
collection found in 36 CFR Part 228, Subpart C, for the disposal of 
mineral materials. The current information collection will expire 
August 31, 1998.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 14, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Director, Minerals and Geology 
Management, mail stop 1126, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, 
Washington, D.C. 20090-6090.
    The public may inspect comments in the Office of the Director. To 
facilitate entrance into the building, visitors are encouraged to call 
(202) 205-1042 to make arrangements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Greeley, Minerals and Geology 
Management, at (202) 205-1237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    Title: Mineral Materials.
    OMB Number: 0596-0081.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of an existing information collection.
    Abstract: The Secretary of Agriculture has the statutory authority 
to dispose of petrified wood and common varieties of sand, stone, 
gravel, pumice, pumicite, cinders, clay, and other similar materials on 
lands administered by the Forest Service. Mineral operators must 
conduct their activities in accordance with the mineral regulations at 
36 CFR Part 228, Subpart C, to ensure that environmental impacts are 
minimized to the extent practicable.
    Disposal of mineral materials is administered with an approved form 
for a sales contract or free use permit, which may include an attached 
operating plan, if required. This gives the authorized officer the 
opportunity to determine if the proposed operation is appropriate and 
consistent with all applicable land management laws and regulations, 
assures financial accountability, and provides that environmental 
impacts be minimized. The information also provides the means of 
documenting planned operations and the terms and conditions that the 
Forest Service deems necessary to protect surface resources.
    Purchasers are required to complete the form, Contract For The Sale 
Of Mineral Materials (FS-2800-9). Information required includes the 
purchaser's name and address, the location and dimensions of the area 
to be mined, the kind of material that will be mined, the quantity of 
material that will be mined, the sales price of the mined material, the 
payment schedule, the amount of the bond, and the period of the 
contract.
    Each applicant is required to complete the form, Application/Permit 
(R1-FS-2850-1), for the free use or preliminary prospecting of mineral 
materials. The questions on the form require that the applicant provide 
their name and address, the type of material for which the applicant 
intends to mine or prospect, the period for which the applicant wants 
the permit, the type of structure that will be erected, the description 
of the construction, the location and dimensions of the area to be 
mined or prospected, the statement of need and justification for use of 
Forest Service land and minerals, the local socioeconomic and 
environmental impacts that may result from the mining or prospecting, 
and the measures the applicant has taken to protect the environment.
    Estimate of Burden: 2.5 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Mineral materials operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,500.

Comment is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (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 respondents, including the use of 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comment

    All comments, including name and address when provided, will become 
a matter of public record. Comments received in response to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management 
and Budget approval.

    Dated: June 9, 1998.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Acting Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 98-15817 Filed 6-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P