[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 62684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30034]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[AK990-2000-5101-NH-FL07-262F]


Proposed Information Collection--Trans-Alaska Pipeline System 
Employee Concerns Program Survey

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 
approval to collect information from employees of the Trans-Alaska 
Pipeline System (TAPS) concerning operation of the employee concerns 
program. This information would allow the Joint Pipeline Office to 
monitor and assess how the employee concerns program is working.

DATES: BLM must receive comments on the proposed information collection 
by January 18, 2000, to assure its consideration of them.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments to: Director (630), Bureau of Land Management, 
1849 C Street, NW, Room 401LS, Washington, DC 20240.
    Send comments via Internet to: WoC[email protected]. Please include 
``ECP survey'' and your name and return address in your Internet 
message.
    You may hand-deliver comments to the Bureau of Land Management 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW, Washington, DC.
    BLM will make comments 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: Rob McWhorter, 907/271-3664. To get a 
copy of the proposed survey, contact Carole Smith, BLM clearance 
officer at 202/425-5127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a) BLM must 
provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a proposed 
collection of information 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 (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
    The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is the Nation's largest 
crude oil pipeline. It runs 800 miles through pristine Alaska lands, 
delivering about 1.1 million barrels of North Slope crude oil to 
tankers in Valdez, Alaska, each day. This quantity represents about 
eight percent of total U.S. oil consumption. Most of this product is 
used to supply petroleum needs on the West coast.
    The TAPS is operated for seven oil shippers by Alyeska Pipeline 
Service Company, a company of about 850 employees, which also utilizes 
the services of about 1,350 contractor employees. Alyeska's operation 
of the pipeline is subject to oversight by the Joint Pipeline Office 
(JPO), which comprises a number of Federal and State of Alaska agencies 
whose interests are affected by the pipeline. The Bureau of Land 
Management provides the majority of funding for the JPO.
    Testimony at Congressional hearings in 1992, 1993 and 1994 
indicated that the contractors who operate the Trans-Alaska Pipeline 
System (TAPS) maintained a repressive, retaliatory atmosphere to 
discourage workers from raising concerns about operation of the 
pipeline. Due to the serious impact on the U.S. economy and on the 
Alaskan environment that a major TAPS failure would have, Congress 
believes that the pipeline operator should be more responsive to 
employee concerns. Congress asked Alyeska to take steps to change the 
culture of the pipeline work environment and asked JPO to monitor and 
report on progress.
    This information collection, the Employee Concerns Program (ECP) 
survey, will be given annually to the approximately 2,200 employees and 
supervisors employed by Alyeska and other TAPS contractors. Responses 
to the survey are voluntary and confidential
    The survey consists of a series of statements to which the 
respondent indicates his or her level of agreement or disagreement. The 
survey contains 35 statements divided into four parts. Part one, 
containing 14 statements, asks for employee perceptions of the employee 
concerns program. Part two, containing 15 statements, asks about 
perceived management support for the program. Part three, containing 
five statements, is for supervisors and asks them about their knowledge 
of the ECP and participation in training about the ECP. The fourth part 
asks about the respondent's affiliation and work location.
    This survey is JPO's only comprehensive, non-anecdotal means of 
gathering opinions from Alyeska and other contractors' employees and 
supervisors about how well the Employee Concerns Program is working. 
JPO will use the results, over time, to measure, compare, and report on 
employee satisfaction with the ECP. This is the most effective way to 
assess whether and how much the repressive culture is changing.
    BLM estimates that the public reporting burden for the information 
collected averages 15 minutes per response. The respondents are 
employees of the trans-Alaska pipeline system. The frequency of 
response is once per year. The maximum possible number of responses per 
year is estimated to total 2,200. The estimated total annual burden on 
new respondents is about 550 hours. BLM specifically requests your 
comments on its estimate of the amount of time that it takes to prepare 
a response.
    BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in 
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. Responses to 
this notice will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: November 9, 1999.
Carole Smith,
Bureau of Land Management, Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-30034 Filed 11-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M