[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3973-3975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1740]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-320-1330-PB-24 1A]


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval Number 1004-0121

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 an 
extension of approval for the collection of information from applicants 
to lease and develop solid minerals other than coal and oil shale. The 
BLM uses the information supplied to determine

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whether an applicant, permittee, or lease is qualified to hold an 
interest under the terms of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (MLA). BLM 
also uses this information to determine if development plans will 
adequately protect Federal land and that the property amounts of rental 
and royalty are collected.

DATE:  Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by March 27, 2000 to be considered.

ADDRESSES:  Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Affairs Group, 1849 C 
St., N.W., Room 401LS, Washington, D.C. 20240. Comments may be sent by 
Internet to: [email protected]. Please include: ``Attn.: 1004-0121'' 
and your name and address in your Internet message. Comments will be 
available for public review at the L Street address during regular 
business hours (7:45 am to 4:15 pm, Monday through Friday).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Philip Allard, Solid Minerals Group, 
(202) 452-5195. For assistance in reaching the above contact, 
individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 
8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations at 5 CFR 1320.12(a) require 
BLM to provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a 
collection of information contained in a published current rule to 
solicit comments on: (1) 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; (2) the 
accuracy of BLM's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
collecting the information on those who must respond, including through 
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    BLM plans to seek from the Office of Management and Budget 
extension of approval for the information collection requirements in 43 
CFR Parts 3500 through 3590, which cover the leasing of solid minerals 
other than coal and oil shale and operations on those leases. These 
regulations implement the statutory authority governing leasing 
activities on Federal lands found in the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 
(30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands of 
1947 (30 U.S.C. 351-359), Section 402 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 
1946 (5 U.S.C. Appendix), the Multiple Mineral Development Act of 1954 
(30 U.S.C. 521-531), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
    The implementing regulations outline procedures for members of the 
public to submit applications, offers, statements, petitions, and 
various forms. The information required in the applications, statements 
and petitions is needed by BLM to determine applicant qualifications to 
hold a lease to obtain a benefit under the terms of the MLA, its 
subsequent amendments, related statutes, and the regulations. 
Information collection requirements are based on the statutory 
requirements concerning the qualifications and eligibility to hold 
title to or interest in Federal mineral leases and on the regulatory 
requirements relating to the identification, location and quality of 
minerals under application and identification of proposed operational 
activities. The affected public consists of all present and prospective 
holders of Federal solid mineral leases other than coal or oil shale, 
prospecting permits, use permits, and exploration licenses.

                              Breakdown of Information Collections and Total Hours
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                                                                            Number of    Hours per
                      Type of information collection                        responses     response   Total hours
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Prospecting Permit.......................................................           25            1           25
Exploration Plan for Prospecting Permit..................................           20           80        1,600
Prospecting Permit Extension.............................................            5            1            5
Preference Right Lease...................................................            2          100          200
Competitive Lease Bid....................................................            5           40          200
Fringe Acreage Lease or Lease Modification...............................            5           40          200
Assignment or Sublease...................................................           40            2           80
Lease Renewals or Adjustments............................................           15            1           15
Use Permit...............................................................            1            1            1
Exploration License......................................................            1            3            3
Exploration Plan for Exploration License.................................            1           80           80
Development Contract.....................................................            1            1            1
Bond.....................................................................          150            4          600
Mine Plan................................................................            5          150          750
                                                                          --------------------------------------
    Total................................................................          276  ...........        3,760
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    Based on its experience administering the leasing program, BLM 
estimates that it will take an average of about 14 hours per response 
to complete the applications, petitions, offers and statements 
required. The applicants will have access to records, plats and maps 
necessary for providing legal land descriptions. The type of 
information necessary is outlined in the regulations and is already 
maintained by the respondents for their own record keeping purposes and 
needs only to be compiled in a reasonable format. The estimate also 
includes the time required for assembling the information, as well as 
the time of clerical personnel, if needed.
    BLM estimates that approximately 276 filings will be made annually 
for a total of 3,760 reporting hours. Respondents vary from individuals 
to small businesses and major corporations. Any interested member of 
the public may request and obtain, without charge, copies of any of 
forms listed in this notice by contacting the person identified under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget

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approval. All comments will become part of the public record.

    Dated: January 4, 2000.
Carole Smith,
Bureau of Land Management Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-1740 Filed 1-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M