[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49371-49372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19191]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[Docket No. WO-320-1330-PB-1A]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Approved Number 
1004-0121

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requests the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) to extend an existing approval to collect information from 
applicants to lease and develop solid minerals other than coal and oil 
shale. BLM uses the information to determine whether an applicant, 
permittee, or lessee is qualified to hold an interest under the terms 
of the implementing regulations at 43 CFR Part 3500.

DATES: You must submit your comments to BLM at the address below on or 
before September 30, 2002. BLM will not necessarily consider any 
comments received after the above date.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to: Regulatory Affairs Group (WO-630), 
Eastern States Office, 7450 Boston Blvd., Springfield, Virginia 22153.
    You may send comments via Internet to [email protected]. Please 
include ``Attn: 1004-0121'' and your name and address with your 
comments.
    You may deliver comments 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 Phillip Allard, Solid 
Minerals Group, on (202) 452-5195 (Commercial or FTS). Persons who use 
a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) on 1-800-877-8330, 24 hours a day, 
seven days a week, to contact Mr. Allard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 5 CFR 1320.12(a) requires that we provide a 
60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a collection of 
information to solicit comments on:
    (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper functioning of the agency, including whether the information 
will have practical utility;
    (b) The accuracy of our estimates of the information collection 
burden, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions we 
use;
    (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information collected; and
    (d) Ways to minimize the information collection burden on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    These regulations implement numerous statutes including:
    (1) The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.)
    (2) The Mineral Leasing Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 351-359);
    (3) Section 402 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1946 (5 U.S.C. 
Appendix);
    (4) The Multiple Mineral Development Act of 1954 (30 U.S.C. 521-
531);
    (5) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1710 
et seq.).
    The implementing regulations (43 CFR part 3500) outline procedures 
for members of the public to submit applications, offers, statements, 
petitions, and various forms. BLM uses Forms 3510-1, 3520-7, 3510-2, 
3504-1, 3504-3, and 3504-4 to collect the information to determine 
whether an applicant qualifies to hold a lease to obtain a benefit 
under the terms of the MLA, its subsequent amendments, related 
statutes, and the regulations. The affected public consists of all 
present and prospective holders of Federal solid material leases other 
than coal or oil shale, prospecting permits, use permits, and 
exploration licenses.

                              Breakdown of Information Collections and Total Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of       Hrs. per
                     Type of info collection                         responses       response       Total hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prospecting Permit..............................................              25               1              25
Exploration Plan for Prospecting Permit.........................              20              80           1,600
Prospecting Permit Extension....................................               5               1               5

[[Page 49372]]

 
Preference Right Lease..........................................               2             100             200
Competitive Lease Bid...........................................               5              40             200
Fringe Acreage Lease or Lease Modification......................               5              40             200
Assignment or Sublease..........................................              40               2              80
Lease Renewals or Adjustmenets..................................              15               1              15
Use Permit......................................................               1               1               1
Exploration License.............................................               1               3               3
Exploration Plan for Exploration License........................               1              80              80
Development Contract............................................               1               1               1
Bond............................................................             150               4             600
Mine Plan.......................................................               5             150             750
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................             276  ..............           3,760
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on BLM's experience administering the leasing program, we 
estimate the public reporting burden as indicated in the above chart to 
complete the applications, petitions, offers, and statements as 
required. BLM estimates that we receive 276 filings annually, with a 
total annual burden of 3,760 hours. The respondents vary from 
individuals to small businesses and major corporations.
    Any member of the public may request and obtain, without charge, a 
copy of BLM Forms 3510-1, 3520-7, 3510-2, 3504-3, and 3504-4 by 
contacting the person identified under For Further Information Contact.
    BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in 
the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: July 17, 2002.
Michael H. Schwartz,
Bureau of Land Management, Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-19191 Filed 7-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M