[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 42803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15947]



[[Page 42803]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0043, 1029-
0111 and 1029-0112

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is 
announcing its intention to request renewed approval for the 
collections of information for 30 CFR part 761, Areas designated by Act 
of Congress; 30 CFR part 772, Requirements for coal exploration; and 30 
CFR part 800, Bonding and insurance requirements for surface coal 
mining and reclamation operations under regulatory programs.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection activities must 
be received by August 26, 2002 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to John A. Trelease, Office of 
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave, NW, 
Room 210-SIB, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be submitted 
electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request a copy of the information 
collection request, explanatory information and related forms, contact 
John A. Trelease, at (202) 208-2783 or via e-mail at the address listed 
above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, which implement provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), require that 
interested members of the public and affected agencies have an 
opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping 
activities [see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)]. This notice identifies information 
collections that OMS will be submitting to OMB for approval. These 
collections are contained in (1) 30 CFR part 761, Areas designated by 
Act of Congress; (2) 30 CFR part 772, Requirements for coal 
exploration; and (3) 30 CFR part 800, Bonding and insurance 
requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations under 
regulatory programs. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for 
each information collection activity.
    Comments are invited on: (1) The need for the collection of 
information for the performance of the functions of the agency; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) 
ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such 
as use of automated means of collection of the information. A summary 
of the public comments will accompany OSM's submission of the 
information collection request to OMB.
    The following information is provided for the information 
collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control 
number; (3) summary of the information collection activity; and (4) 
frequency of collection, description of the respondents, estimated 
total annual responses, and the total annual reporting and 
recordkeeping burden for the collection of information.
    Title: Areas designated by Act of Congress, 30 CFR part 761.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0111.
    Summary: OSM and State regulatory authorities use the information 
collected under 30 CFR part 761 to ensure that persons planning to 
conduct surface coal mining operations on the lands protected by 
section 522(e) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 
1977 have the right to do so under one of the exemptions or waivers 
provided by this section of the Act.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once.
    Description of Respondents: Applicants for certain surface coal 
mine permits and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 262.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,864.

    Title: Requirements for coal exploration, 30 CFR part 772.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0112.
    Summary: OSM and State regulatory authorities use the information 
collected under 30 CFR part 772 to maintain knowledge of coal 
exploration activities, evaluate the need for an exploration permit, 
and ensure that exploration activities comply with the environmental 
protection and reclamation requirements of 30 CFR parts 772 and 815 and 
section 512 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1262).
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once.
    Description of Respondents: Persons planning to conduct coal 
exploration and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 905.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,510.

    Title: Bond and insurance requirements for surface coal mining and 
reclamation operations under regulatory programs, 30 CFR part 800.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0043.
    Summary: The regulations at 30 CFR part 800 primarily implement 
Sec. 509 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 
which requires that persons planning to conduct surface coal mining 
operations first post a performance bond to guarantee fulfillment of 
all reclamation obligations under the approved permit. The regulations 
also establish bond release requirements and procedures consistent with 
section 519 of the Act, liability insurance requirements pursuant to 
section 507(f) of the Act, and procedures for bond forfeiture should 
the permittee default on reclamation obligations.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: On Occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining and reclamation 
permittees and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 14,167.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 166,176 hours.

    Dated: May 28, 2002.
Richard G. Bryson,
Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 02-15947 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M