[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2231-2232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-755]


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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.

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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 30 CFR parts 774 and 778.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by March 15, 1999, 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 request, 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 implement 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 part 774, Revision; Renewal; and Transfer, 
Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights; and part 778, Permit 
Applications--Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance, 
and Related Information.
    OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect 
current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden 
or respondents. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for each 
information collection activity.
    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 collection; 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 be included in OSM's submissions of the 
information collection requests to OMB.
    The following information is provided for each information 
collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control 
number; (3) summary of the information collection activity; and (4) 
frequency of collection, description of the respondents, estimated 
total annual responses, and the total annual reporting and 
recordkeeping burden for the collection of information.
    Title: Revisions; Renewals; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of 
Permit Rights--30 CFR 774.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0088.
    Summary: Sections 506 and 511 of P.L. 95-87 provide that persons 
seeking permit revisions, renewals, transfer, assignment, or sale of 
their permit rights for coal mining activities submit relevant 
information to the regulatory authority to allow the regulatory 
authority to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for 
the action anticipated.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining permit applicants 
and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 5,442.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 100,470 hours.

    Title: Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Legal, 
Financial, Compliance, and Related Information--30 CFR 778.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0034.
    Summary: Section 507(b) of P.L. 95-87 provides that persons 
conducting coal mining activities submit to the regulatory authority 
all relevant information regarding ownership and control of the 
property affected, their

[[Page 2232]]

compliance status and history. This information is used to insure all 
legal, financial and compliance requirements are satisfied prior to 
issuance or denial of a permit.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once.
    Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining permit applicants 
and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 420.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 16,261.

    Dated: January 7, 1999.
Richard G. Bryson,
Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 99-755 Filed 1-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M