[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 126 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40075-40076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16507]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Application for 
Prospecting Permit

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intention to extend the information 
collection, FS-2800-14--Application for Prospecting Permit. The 
collected information enables the Forest Service to effectively and 
efficiently process oil and gas prospecting permits. Information will 
be collected from oil and gas companies, lessees, exploration 
companies, and independent, exploration operators expressing an 
interest in conducting geophysical operations on National Forest System 
lands.

EFFECTIVE DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before 
August 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Director, Minerals and 
Geology Management Staff, Attn: Mr. W. Dean Crandell, Fluid Minerals 
Program Manager, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 
20090-6090.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-1405 or 
by email to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the 
Director, Minerals and Geology Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, 
201 14th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024. Visitors are encouraged 
to call ahead to facilitate entrance into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   
    W. Dean Crandell, Minerals and Geology Staff, at (202) 205-1405.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181, as amended) authorizes the 
Forest Service to permit oil and gas companies, lessees, exploration 
companies, and independent, exploration operators to conduct 
geophysical exploration on or off lease on National Forest System 
lands.
    Three regulations govern geophysical operations on National Forest 
System lands: (1) Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 
251, Subpart E provides direction for geophysical operations on lease 
(operations within the legal land description of an oil and gas lease); 
(2) Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 251, Subpart A, 
Sec. 251.15, provides direction for geophysical operations on reserved 
mineral rights (operations where the Forest Service manages the surface 
resources but the mineral resources (subsurface) is owned by someone 
other than the Federal government); and (3) Title 36 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, Part 251, Subpart B, provides authorization for 
geophysical operations off lease (operations on all Forest Service 
managed lands not included in the preceding two categories).

[[Page 40076]]

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2800-14, Application for Prospecting Permit.
    OMB Number: 0596-0089.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of an information collection currently 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget.
    Abstract: Forest Service personnel evaluate the collected 
information to ensure that oil and gas companies, lessees, exploration 
companies, or independent, energy exploration operators, applying to 
conduct geophysical operations on National Forest System lands, comply 
with the authorizing legislation and regulations described in the 
Supplementary Information section of this notice and with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4521-4347). The National 
Environmental Protection Act requires all land managers to consider an 
activity's impact to the environment and to determine the measures 
required to mitigate those impacts prior to making a decision on the 
request for a permit.
    Oil and gas companies, lessees, exploration companies, or 
independent, energy exploration operators apply to conduct geophysical 
operations by completing the form, FS-2800-14, Application for 
Prospecting Permit, or by supplying the same information in a format of 
their choice.
    Oil and gas companies, lessees, exploration companies, or 
independent, energy exploration operators are asked to provide 
information that includes the type and size of the proposed activity, 
the location of the proposed geophysical operation, the equipment that 
will be used in the proposed geophysical operation, the timing of the 
operation, and administrative information, such as the applicant's 
mailing address, the applicant's telephone number, and the applicant's 
responsible local operator or company representative.
    Data gathered in this information collection are not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Oil and gas companies, mineral lessees, energy 
exploration companies, and independent, energy exploration operators.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5 hours.

Comment is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes 
and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical or scientific 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 respondents, including 
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comments

    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will become a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: June 21, 2000.
Sally Collins,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. 00-16507 Filed 6-28-00; 8:45 am]
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