[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13035-13036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6351]


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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, DOI.

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 to continue the 
collections of information under 30 CFR Parts 740 and 745 which relate 
to surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands and 
State-Federal cooperative agreements, respectively, These information 
collection activities were previously approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and assigned them clearance number 1029-
0027 and -0092.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by May 17, 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 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 identified information 
collections that OSM will

[[Page 13036]]

be submitting to OMB for approval. These collections are contained in 
(1) 30 CFR Part 740, General requirements for surface coal mining and 
reclamation operations on Federal lands (1029-0027); and (2) 30 CFR 
Part 745, State-Federal cooperative agreements (1029-0092). 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 accompany OSM's submission of the 
information collection request to OMB.
    The following information is provided for the 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: 30 CFR Part 740--General requirements for surface coal 
mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0027.
    Summary: Section 523 of SMCRA requires that a Federal lands program 
be established to govern surface coal mining and reclamation operations 
on Federal lands. The information requested is needed to assist the 
regulatory authority determine the eligibility of an applicant to 
conduct surface coal mining operations on Federal lands.
    Frequency of Collection: Once.
    Description of Respondents: Coal mine operators on Federal lands.
    Total Annual Responses: 31.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,582.

    Title: State-Federal cooperative agreements--30 CFR 745.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0092.
    Summary: 30 CFR 745 requires that States submit information when 
entering into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the 
Interior. OSM uses the information to make findings that the State has 
an approved program and will carry out the responsibilities mandated in 
the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act to regulate surface coal 
mining and reclamation activities.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Annually.
    Description of Respondents: State governments which regulate coal.
    Total Annual Responses: 12.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 12,304.

    Dated: March 11, 1999.
Richard G. Bryson,
Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 99-6351 Filed 3-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M