[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12027-12028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5481]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-310-00-1310 PB 24 1A]


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval No. 1004-0074

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 intention 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 that will be used to determine the 
highest qualified bonus bid submitted for competitive oil and gas or 
geothermal lease (Form 3000-2) and enable the BLM to complete 
environmental reviews in compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Form 3200-9). The information supplied allows BLM 
to determine whether a bidder is qualified to hold a lease and to 
conduct geothermal resource operations under the terms of the Mineral 
Leasing Act of 1920 and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1969.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by May 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Affairs Group (WO-
630), Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C St., N.W., Mail Stop 401 LS, 
Washington, D.C. 20240. Comments may be sent via the Internet to: 
[email protected]. Please include ``Attn.: 1004-0074'' and your name 
and address in your Internet address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d), 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 instruments to solicit comments on: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of agency functions, 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 these of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et 
seq.), gives the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for oil and 
gas leasing on approximately 600 million acres of public lands and 
national forests, and private lands where mineral rights have been 
retained by the federal government. The Federal Onshore Oil and Gas 
Leasing Reform Act of 1987 was passed by Congress to require that all 
public lands that are available for oil and gas leasing be first 
offered by competitive oral bidding. The Department of the Interior 
Appropriations Act of 1981 (43 U.S.C. 6508) provides for the 
competitive leasing of the lands in the National Petroleum Reserve-
Alaska. The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001-1025) 
authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue leases

[[Page 12028]]

for geothermal development. The lands available for exploration and 
leasing include public, withdrawn, reserved and acquired lands 
administered by the BLM.
    The regulations within 43 Group 3100 outline procedures for 
obtaining a lease to explore for, develop, and produce oil and gas 
resources located on federal lands. The regulations within 43 CFR Group 
3200 provide for issuing geothermal leases and the exploration, 
development and utilization of federally owned geothermal resources. 
BLM needs the information requested on the two forms to process bids 
for oil and gas and geothermal lands and to complete environmental 
reviews required by NEPA.
    For Form 3000-2, ``Competitive Oil and Gas or Geothermal Resources 
Lease Bid,'' the information will be used to determine the highest 
qualified bonus bid submitted for a competitive oil and gas or 
geothermal resources parcel. For Form 3200-9, ``Notice of Intent to 
Conduct Geothermal Resources Exploration Operations,'' the information 
will be used to enable the BLM to complete environmental reviews in 
compliance with NEPA. BLM needs the information requested to determine 
the eligibility of an applicant to hold, explore for, develop and 
produce oil and gas and geothermal resources on federal lands.
    The forms are submitted in person or by mail to the proper BLM 
office. On Form 3000-2, the name and address of the bidder is needed to 
identify the bidder and to allow the authorized officer to ensure that 
the bidder meets the requirements of the regulations. The total bid and 
payment submitted with the bid is necessary to determine the specific 
bid and that the bid is accompanied by one-fifth of the amount of the 
bid, as required by the regulations for a geothermal bid, or the 
minimum acceptable bid, first year's rental, and administrative fee, as 
required by the regulations for an oil and gas bid.
    On Form 3200-9, names and addresses are needed to identify entities 
who will be conducting operations on the land. The land description is 
necessary to determine the area to be entered or disturbed by the 
proposed exploration operation. Dates of commencement and completion 
are used to determine how long the applicant/operator/contractor 
intends to conduct operations on the land.
    BLM developed the forms in 1990 and 1996, respectively, and the 
information required from the public remains the same.
    Based on its experience in conducting oil and gas and geothermal 
lease sales and administering geothermal exploration operations, BLM 
estimates that the public reporting burden is 2 hours for completing 
the Competitive Oil and Gas or Geothermal Resources Lease Bid (Form 
3000-2) and 2 hours for completing the Notice of Intent to Conduct 
Geothermal Resources Exploration Operations (Form 3200-9). The bidder/
lessee/operator/contractor has access to records, plats, and maps 
necessary for providing land descriptions. These estimates include the 
time spent on research, gathering and assembling information, reviewing 
instructions, and completing and reviewing the respective forms.
    BLM estimates that approximately 393 lease bids and 50 notices of 
intent will be filed annually, with a total annual burden of 886 
reporting hours. Respondents vary from individuals and small businesses 
to large corporations.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 3000-2 or 3200-9 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 approval. All comments will also become part of 
the public record.

    Dated: March 2, 2000.
Carole J. Smith,
Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-5481 Filed 3-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M