[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 247 (Friday, December 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80904-80905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32655]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-09310-091310-09PB-0901-0924 1A]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Approval Number 
1004-090160

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 
extension of an existing approval to collect certain information from 
lessees who submit a Geothermal Leasing Report. BLM uses the 
information to determine if a lessee qualifies for a lease extension. 
The implementing regulations are found at (43 CFR 3208).

[[Page 80905]]


DATES: You must submit your comments to BLM at the appropriate address 
below on or before February 20, 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: 1004-0160'' 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: You may contact Barbara Gamble on 
(202) 452-0338 (Commercial or FTS). Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8330, 24 hours a day, seven days 
a week, to contact Ms. Gamble.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 5 CFR 1320.12(a) requires BLM to provide 60-
day notice in the Federal Register concerning a collection of 
information contained in regulations in 43 CFR 3208 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, 
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.
    The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001-1025) authorized 
the Secretary of the Interior to issue leases for geothermal 
development. The Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-
443) supplemented and amended the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. BLM 
requires geothermal lessees to submit additional information under this 
law. The legislation allows for lease extensions when the Secretary of 
the Interior determines a lessee made a substantial investment to 
develop the geothermal resources. It will also allow leases to continue 
beyond the primary terms if there are wells capable of producing 
geothermal resources. The regulations at 43 CFR 3208 specifically 
address extended lease terms.
    Lessees may request a lease extension beyond the primary term by: 
drilling, diligent efforts, production of byproducts, and unit 
commitment. Lessees provide the required information in a report to 
BLM. BLM uses the information to determine if a lessee qualifies to 
extend their lease.
    Based on BLM's experience administering the activities described 
above, we estimate the public reporting burden for the information 
collected to average two (2) hours per response. The respondents 
include individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. The 
frequency of response is annual. The estimated number of responses per 
year is 75. The estimated total annual burden is 150 hours. BLM 
specifically requests your comments on its estimate of the amount of 
time that it takes to prepare a response.
    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 18, 2000.
Michael Schwartz,
BLM Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-32655 Filed 12-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M