[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 34472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16739]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WO-350-4210-01]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Number 1004-
0060

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 an 
extension of its existing approval to collect certain information from 
entities desiring a right-of-way across public lands. These entities 
are required to use a consolidated form, which BLM and several other 
agencies use for several purposes, including to determine whether or 
not applicants are qualified to hold right-of-way grants across Federal 
lands.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by August 24, 1998, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Director (420), Bureau of Land 
Management, 1849 C Street NW, Room 401LS, Washington, D.C. 20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: [email protected]. Please 
include ATTN: 1004-0060 and your name and return address in your 
Internet message.
    Comments may be hand-delivered to the Bureau of Land Management 
Administrative Record; Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW, Washington, DC.
    Comments will be available for public review at the L Street 
address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) Monday 
through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carl C. Gammon, (202) 452-7777.

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 a published current rule 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 Office of Management and Budget under 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
    Title XI of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 
December 2, 1980, requires the use of a consolidated form by the 
Department of Agriculture, Interior and Transportation in connection 
with applications for rights-of-way (R/W's) for transportation and 
utility systems. This form is called SF-299, ``Application for 
Transportation and Utility System and Facility.'' BLM uses the same 
form for R/W's under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
and the Mineral Leasing Act. The National Park Service requested that 
it be able to use the form for R/W applications across lands that it 
administers. The information collection package being sent to OMB will 
reflect this request.
    The Federal agencies using this form use it to identify and 
communicate with applicants, to evaluate the applicant's 
qualifications, and to identify the project location. The project's 
location is needed to determine impacts, the project's compatibility 
with other existing and proposed land uses, and alternative routes and 
modes considered by the applicant. If the agencies do not have this 
information, they cannot determine if the applicant is qualified to 
hold a R/W authorization. Lack of information would also affect the 
Government's ability to determine cost reimbursement and rental amounts 
due. The result would be the loss of revenue due to the Government or 
excessive payments from private sector businesses and individuals.
    Based on BLM's experience processing R/W applications and 
information from the other agencies using this form, there are an 
estimated 4,900 applications annually. The respondents are individuals, 
companies, and State and local government agencies, seeking a R/W 
across land administered by the federal government. The public 
reporting burden for the information collection is estimated to average 
2 hours per response. The frequency of response is once. The estimated 
total annual burden on new respondents is about 9,800 hours.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: June 12, 1998.
Carole J. Smith,
Bureau of Land Management Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-16739 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M