[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 223 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63344-63345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30244]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations; Notification of Commencement of Operations
and Closing of Mines
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the
information collection related to the Notification of Commencement of
Operations and Closing of Mines. MSHA is particularly interested in
comments which:
Evaluate 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;
Evaluate 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;
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
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, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
A copy of the proposed information collection request can be
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the For Further
Information Contact section of this notice.
DATES: Submit comments on or before January 18, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Diane P. Hill, Program Analysis Officer,
Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, 4015 Wilson
Boulevard, Room 715, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are
encouraged to send their comments on a computer disk, or via Internet
E-mail to [email protected], along with an original printed copy. Ms. Hill
can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or (703) 235-1563
(facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane P. Hill, Program Analysis
Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information Resources, U.S.
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 719,
4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Ms. Hill can be
reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), or
(703) 235-1563 (facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Under 30 CFR 56.1000 and 57.1000, operators of metal and nonmetal
mines must notify the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) when
the operation of a mine will commence or when a mine is closed.
Openings and closings of mines are dictated by the economic strength of
the commodity mined, and by weather conditions which prevail at the
mine site during various seasons.
MSHA must be aware of openings and closings so that its resources
can be used efficiently in achieving the requirements of the Mine Act.
II. Current Actions
Section 103(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813, requires that each underground mine be
inspected in its entirety at least four times a year, and each surface
mine at least two times per year. Mines which operate only during
warmer weather must be scheduled for inspection during the spring,
summer and autumn seasons. Mines are sometimes located a great distance
from MSHA field offices and the notification required by this standard
precludes wasted time and trips.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Title: Notification of Commencement of Operations and Closing of
Mines.
OMB Number: 1219-0092.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 56.1000 and 57.1000.
Total Respondents: 2,300.
Frequency: On occasion.
[[Page 63345]]
Total Responses: 2,070.
Average Time per Response: 0.125 hours.
Total Burden Hours: 259 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $1,438.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: November 12, 1999.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 99-30244 Filed 11-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-M