[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 12 (Friday, January 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2574-2575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1092]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Notice of Proposed Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

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 approval for the collections of 
information for 30 CFR parts 779 and 870 and the OSM-1 Form.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by March 18, 2003 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 120-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 requests, explanatory information and related forms, contact 
John A. Trelease at the address listed in ADDRESSES.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR 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 OSM will be 
submitting to OMB for extension. These collections are contained in 30 
CFR part 779, Surface Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements 
for Environmental Resources; and part 870, Abandoned Mine Reclamation 
Fund--Fee Collection and Coal Production Reporting and the form it 
implements, the OSM-1, Coal Reclamation Fee Report.
    OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect 
current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden 
and respondents. 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 be included in OSM's submissions of the 
information collection requests to OMB.
    This notice provides the public with 60 days in which to comment on 
the following information collection activities:

    Title: Surface Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for 
Environmental Resources, 30 CFR 779.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0035.
    Summary: Applicants for surface coal mining permits are required to 
provide adequate descriptions of the

[[Page 2575]]

environmental resources that may be affected by proposed surface mining 
activities. The information will be used by the regulatory authority to 
determine if the applicant can comply with environmental protection 
performance standards.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once upon submittal of mining application.
    Description of Respondents: Coal mining companies and state 
regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 337.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 52,813 hours.

    Title: Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund--Fee Collection and Coal 
Production Reporting, 30 CFR 870.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0063.
    Summary: The information is used to maintain a record of coal 
produced for sale, transfer, or use nationwide each calendar quarter, 
the method of coal removal and the type of coal, and the basis for coal 
tonnage reporting in compliance with 30 CFR 870 and section 401 of Pub. 
L. 95-87. Individual reclamation fee payment liability is based on this 
information. Without the collection of information OSM could not 
implement its regulatory responsibilities and collect the fee.
    Bureau Form Number: OSM-1.
    Frequency of Collection: Quarterly.
    Description of Respondents: Coal mine permittees.
    Total Annual Responses: 12,364.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,605.

    Dated: January 13, 2003.
Richard G. Bryson,
Acting Assistant Director, Program Support.
[FR Doc. 03-1092 Filed 1-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M