[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29334-29335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13773]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WO-310-00-1310 24 1A]


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval No. 1004-0145

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Paperwork Reduction Act requires federal agencies to 
announce their intentions to request extension of approval for 
collecting information from individuals. The Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) announces its intention to request extension of approval for 
collecting certain information from entities interested in leasing, 
exploring for, and producing oil and gas on federal lands. Entities 
vary from small business to major corporations. BLM uses the 
information to determine whether the entities meet statutory and 
regulatory requirements.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by August 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Affairs Group (WO-
630), Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C St., NW, Mail Stop 401 LS, 
Washington, DC 20240. Comments may be sent via the Internet to: 
WoC[email protected]. Please include ``Attn: 1004-0145 and your name 
and address in your Internet address.
    Comments may be hand delivered to the Bureau of Land Management 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 
20036.
    Comments will be available for public inspection and review at the 
L Street address during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Gamble, Fluid Minerals Group, (202) 452-0338.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a), BLM is 
required to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning 
a collection of information contained in published current rules and 
other collection instrument 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 automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    The Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), 
gives the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for oil and gas 
leasing on approximately 570 million acres of public lands and national 
forests, and private lands where minerals rights have been reserved by 
the Federal Government. The Act of May 21, 1930 (30 U.S.C. 301-306), 
authorizes the leasing of oil and gas deposits under railroads and 
other rights-of-way. The Act of August 7, 1947 (Mineral Leasing Act of 
Acquired Lands), authorizes the Secretary to lease lands acquired by 
the United States (30 U.S.C. 341-359).
    The regulations at 43 CFR Group 3100 outline procedures for members 
of the public to submit applications, offers, statements, petitions, 
and various forms. BLM needs the information requested in the 
applications, statements, and petitions to determine whether an 
applicant is qualified to hold a lease to obtain a benefit under the 
terms of the MLA of 1920 and its subsequent amendments and implementing 
regulations.
    BLM uses the information to determine the eligibility of an 
applicant to lease, explore for, and produce oil and gas on Federal 
lands. Applicants may submit information in person or by mail to the 
proper BLM office or the Department of the Interior, Minerals 
Management Service. Applicants are required to certify that they are 
citizens of the United States and do not own or control in excess of 
246,080 acres each in public domain and acquired lands of Federal oil 
and gas leases in a particular State as required by law under 30 U.S.C. 
184(d)(1) and in accordance with the regulations at 43 CFR 3101.2 and 
3102. Legal descriptions of lands are required

[[Page 29335]]

to determine where the involved Federal lands are located. The names 
and addresses are needed to identify the applicant and allow the 
authorized officer to ensure that the applicant meets the requirements 
of the law. An attorney-in-fact or agent signature is needed only if an 
attorney or agent is filing the information required on behalf of an 
applicant or lessee. The information required on the statements, 
petitions, offers, and applications is needed for orderly processing of 
oil and gas leases and is needed to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the statutes. BLM also needs the information to determine 
whether an entity is qualified to hold a lease to obtain a benefit. 
Attestations to compliance with the regulations concerning parties of 
interest and qualifications are necessary, subject to criminal 
sanctions in accordance with 18 U.S.C., Section 1001. If the 
information contained on the applications, statements, petitions, and 
offers is not collected, the leasing of oil and gas could not occur to 
allow a benefit, and millions of dollars in revenue to the Federal 
Government would be lost.
    All information collections in the regulations at 43 CFR Subparts 
3000-3120 that do not require a form are covered by this notice. BLM 
intends to submit these information collections collectively for 
approval by the Office of Management and Budget as they were originally 
submitted and approved.
    The information required and the time for supplying it are listed 
below:

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                                                              Estimated
                  Information collection                    burden hours
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Notice of option holdings for acreage chargeability.......           1
Option statement..........................................           1
Petition requesting additional time to divest excess                 1
 acreage..................................................
Statement showing date, acreage, State in which leases are           1.5
 held.....................................................
Statement showing unit agreement entered into if lease is            1
 for lands within approved unit...........................
Application for waiver, suspension, or reduction of rental           2
 or royalty...............................................
Copy of communitization or drilling agreement.............           2
Interest held in operating, drilling, or development                 2
 contracts................................................
Application to combine operations or transport oil........           1
Application for subsurface storage of oil and gas.........           1
Statement that heirs and devisees are qualified to hold              1
 lease....................................................
Reporting a change of name................................           1
Notification of corporate merger..........................           2
Application for renewing lease............................           1
Application to relinquish lease...........................           0.5
Application to reinstate lease............................           0.5
Application for lease located within a right-of-way.......           1
Application for oil and gas exploration permit in Alaska..           1
Reporting date of exploration activities..................           1
Reporting completion of operations........................           1
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    Based on its experience managing oil and gas leasing activities, 
BLM estimates an average of 700 respondents annually and a burden hour 
total of 1400 hours annually. Respondents range from individuals and 
small businesses to major corporations.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget for approval. All comments 
will also become part of the public record.

    Dated: May 26, 1999.
Carole J. Smith,
Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-13773 Filed 5-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M