[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 98 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31931-31932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12665]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Ground Control Plan

ACTION: Extension.

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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.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to Theresa M. O'Malley, 
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. O'Malley can be reached at (703) 235-1470 (voice), or 
(703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa M. O'Malley, 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. O'Malley can be 
reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), (703) 235-1470 (voice), 
or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

I. Background

    Each operator of a surface coal mine is required under 30 CFR 
77.1000 to establish and follow a ground control plan that is 
consistent with prudent engineering design and which will ensure safe 
working conditions. The plans are based on the type of strata expected 
to be encountered, the height and angle of highwalls and spoil banks, 
and the equipment to be used at the mine. Ground control plans are 
required by 30 CFR 77.1000-1 to be filed with the MSHA District Manager 
in the district in which the mine is located. The plans are reviewed by 
MSHA to ensure that highwalls and spoil banks are maintained in safe 
condition through the use of sound engineering design.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting

[[Page 31932]]

comments concerning the proposed extension of the information 
collection related to the Ground Control Plan. 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 may be viewed 
on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov) 
and selecting ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' then ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Submissions (http://www.msha.gov/regspwork.htm)'', or by 
contacting the employee listed above in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this notice for a hard copy.

III. Current Actions

    MSHA is seeking to continue the requirement for mine operators to 
submit ground control plans to ensure that highwalls and spoil banks 
are maintained in safe condition so that a safe working environment is 
provided for miners.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Ground Control Plan.
    OMB Number: 1219-0026.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 77.1000 and 77-1000-1.
    Total Respondents: 159.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 159.
    Average Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,404.
    Estimated Total Burden Cost: $204.
    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: May 15, 2000.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Program Analysis Officer, Office of Program Evaluation and Information 
Resources.
[FR Doc. 00-12665 Filed 5-18-00; 8:45 am]
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