[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56631-56632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28233]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 56631]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Locatable Minerals

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the extension of an information collection associated 
with Locatable Minerals operations on National Forest System lands.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 8, 
2002 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to 
Director, Minerals and Geology Management, Forest Service, USDA, 5th 
Floor, RPC, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (703) 605-1575.
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of Director, 
Minerals and Geology Management, 5th Floor, Rosslyn Plaza ``C'' 
Building, 1601 North Kent Street, Arlington, VA 22209. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to facilitate viewing any comments received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Hotchkiss, Minerals and Geology 
Management, at (703) 605-4852, or Mary Ann Ball, Forest Service 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (703) 605-4572, or send an e-
mail to [email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication 
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Locatable Minerals.
    OMB Number: 0596-0022.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension with no revision.
    Abstract: This collection of information is necessary to ensure 
that the environmental impacts associated with locatable mineral 
operations on National Forest System lands are minimized to the extent 
practicable. The Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 228.5 require 
operators, with some exceptions, to submit a Notice of Intent or a Plan 
of Operations for conducting locatable minerals operations on National 
Forest System lands. The information that an operator must provide in a 
Plan of Operations is set out in 228.4(c), (d), and (e). Paragraph (g) 
of 228.4 displays the OMB number assigned to this information 
collection. Additionally, the rules, at 228.10 require operators to 
provide certain information to the Forest Service regarding cessation 
of operations. The content of a Notice of Intent is described in 
228.4(a)(2).
    Mineral operators notify the authorized Forest Service officer of 
their intention to conduct a locatable mineral operation on National 
Forest System lands by filing either a Notice of Intent or a Plan of 
Operations. No specific format is required for the information 
collection, but form FS-2800-5 is available for use by the operators. A 
Notice of Intent includes: (1) Information sufficient to identify the 
area involved; (2) the nature of the proposed operation; (3) the route 
of access to the area of operations; and (4) the method of transport. A 
Plan of Operations includes: (1) The name and legal mailing address of 
operators (and claimants if they are not the operators) and their 
lessees, assigns, or designees; (2) a map or sketch showing information 
sufficient to locate the proposed area of operations on the ground, 
existing and/or proposed roads or access routes to be used in 
connection with the operations as set forth in 228.12 on access and the 
approximate location and size of areas where surface resources will be 
disturbed; and (3) information sufficient to describe the type of 
operations proposed and how they would be conducted, the type and 
standard of existing and proposed roads or access routes, the means of 
transportation used or to be used as set forth in 228.12, the period 
during which the proposed activity will take place, and measures to be 
taken to meet the requirements for environmental protection in 228.8. A 
Cessation of Operations statement includes verification of intent to 
maintain structures, equipment, and other facilities; expected 
reopening date; and an estimate of extended durations of operations.
    The collected information will help ensure that the exploration, 
development, and production of mineral resources are conducted in an 
environmentally sensitive manner; that these mineral operations are 
integrated with the planning and management of other resources using 
the principles of ecosystem management; and that lands disturbed by 
minerals operations are reclaimed using the best scientific knowledge 
and principles and returned to other productive uses.
    These collections of information are crucial for protecting surface 
resources, plants, animals and their habitat, as well as the public 
safety on National Forest System lands.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Plan of operations                     Notice of intent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimate of Annual Burden..........  8 hours................................  2 hours.
Type of Respondents................  Mineral Operators......................  Mineral Operators.
Estimated Annual Number of           793....................................  3,415.
 Respondents.
Estimated Annual Number of           1......................................  1.
 Responses per Respondent:.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on     6,344..................................  6,830.
 Respondents.
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[[Page 56632]]

Comment Is Invited

    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (4) 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.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office 
of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: October 24, 2001.
Paul Brouha,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. 01-28233 Filed 11-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P