[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 238 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77388-77389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31364]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-350-1430-PF-01-241A]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Number 1004-
0107

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) is announcing its intention to request 
extension of an existing approval to collect certain information from 
respondents identified in 43 CFR 2800 and 2880. This information is in 
addition to that collected on the Form SF-299, OMB No. 1004-0189, and 
is necessary for those large complex projects which require a right-of-
way. On the multi-million dollar energy production and transmission 
projects, and complex communication sites for which a right-of-way is 
required, BLM needs information over and above that provided on the 
application form, such as construction and other plans; a more detailed 
map; specific certificates; permits and approvals from other agencies; 
and any other necessary information relative to the completion of the 
project.

DATES: You must submit your comments to BLM at the appropriate address 
below on or before February 9, 2001. BLM will not necessarily consider 
any comments received after the above date.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Affairs Group (630), 
Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW, Room 401LS, Washington, DC 
20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: [email protected]. Please 
include ``ATTN: 1004-0107'' and your name and return address in your 
Internet message.
    Comments may be hand-delivered to the Bureau of Land Management, 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW, Washington, DC.
    Comments will be available for public review at the L Street 
address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) Monday 
through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alzata L. Ransom, Realty Use Group, on 
(202) 452-7772 (Commercial or FTS). Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8330, 24 hours a day, 
seven days a week, to contact Ms. Ransom.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 5 CFR 1320.12(a) requires BLM to provide a 
60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a collection of 
information contained in regulations found in 43 CFR 2800 and 2880 to 
solicit comments on (a) 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; (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 the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. BLM will receive and analyze any 
comments sent in response to this notice and include them with its 
request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget under 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq. BLM grants rights-of-way on public lands through 
the authority of Title V of the FLPMA, 90 Stat. 2776, 43 U.S.C. 1761 
and the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) of 1920, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 185. 
Information in addition to that collected on the right-of-way form (SF-
299) is needed for large complex projects. There is no standard

[[Page 77389]]

form for the collection of this required additional information. The 
information required in 43 CFR Parts 2800 and 2880 is needed to enable 
the BLM to determine whether or not a right-of-way may be granted, 
establish the terms and conditions of the grant and administer the 
grant when made. Additional information in the form of construction and 
other plans; detailed maps; certification, permits and approvals 
required by other agencies; and other information necessary for the 
completion of the project are authorized by 43 CFR 2802.4, 2881.2, and 
2882.3. Each right-of-way is an individual situation and the 
information collected is specific to that individual proposal and only 
available from the applicant. BLM may require additional information in 
the form of a plan. This plan is a product of the NEPA requirements. It 
is a useful working tool that enables both the BLM and the applicant to 
have a common understanding on how the project will proceed. BLM may 
also require an as-built map. These maps show greater detail than the 
basic location map required to be submitted with the application. A 
more exact location of the holder's right-of-way and related facilities 
will give the holder more protection for their improvements. The BLM 
also requires assurances that certifications, permits, and approvals 
required by others and identified during the NEPA analysis process have 
been obtained. BLM may require a detailed description of alternative 
routes the applicant considered when developing the proposal. BLM uses 
such information to gain insight into the complexities and conflicts of 
the proposals. BLM may request statements of need and economic 
feasibility and of the environmental, social, and economic effects of 
the proposal to assist us in evaluating the proposal with respect to 
NEPA compliance. If the BLM fails to properly collect the required 
information including plans, construction schedules, maps specific 
certificates, permits, and approvals necessary for the completion of 
the project, the BLM will reject the right-of-way application.
    Based on BLM's experience administering the activities described 
above, approximately 25 percent of the 4,000 applications the BLM 
receives annually require additional information collection. The 
applicants are usually large companies that seek to construct large 
complex projects on public lands which require a right-of-way. The 
public reporting burden for the information collected is estimated to 
average 16.8 hours per response. The frequency of response is once. The 
estimated total annual burden on new respondents is about 16,800 hours. 
BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 5, 2000.
Michael Schwartz,
BLM Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-31364 Filed 12-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M