[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 6761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3261]



[[Page 6761]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-310-1310-PB-24 1A]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Control Number 
1004-0160

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) is requesting the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) to extend an existing approval to collect certain 
information from geothermal lessees to determine if the lessee 
qualifies for least extensions. We collect nonform information under 43 
CFR Part 3208 to determine if a lessee is making diligent and bona fide 
efforts to utilize and produce geothermal resources.

DATES: You must submit your comments to BLM at the address below on or 
before April 11, 2003. BLM will not necessarily consider any comments 
received after the above date.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to: Bureau of Land Management, (WO-
630), Eastern States Office, 7450 Boston Blvd., Springfield, Virginia 
22153.
    You may send comments via Internet to: [email protected]. Please 
include ``ATTN: 1004-0160'' and your name and return address in your 
Internet message.
    You may deliver comments to the Bureau of Land Management, 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.
    All 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 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 burden of the collection of information 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.
    The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001-1025) as amended, 
authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue leases for geothermal 
development. 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 also allows leases 
to continue beyond the primary terms if there are wells capable of 
producing geothermal resources. The regulations 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. We use the nonform 
information to determine if a lessee qualifies to extend its geothermal 
lease. The lessee submits the following nonform reports, as needed, to 
support a lease extension:
    (1) Diligent Efforts Report--This report includes a description of 
negotiations for sales contracts, marketing agreements, and planned or 
conducted operations to define geothermal resources;
    (2) Bona Fide Efforts Report--This report includes:
    (a) Operations conducted during the primary term of the lease and 
currently in progress to identify and define the geothermal resource, 
including a summary of results on those operations;
    (b) Actions completed in support of operations, including obtaining 
permits, environmental studies, or meeting permit requirements, or 
other related activities;
    (c) Actions completed during the primary term of the lease and 
currently in progress to negotiate marketing agreements, sales 
contracts, drilling agreements, financial arrangements, electric 
transmission or wheeling arrangements, or other related actions; and
    (d) Current economic factors and conditions that affect the 
lessee's efforts to produce or utilize geothermal steam in commercial 
quantities.
    (3) Significant Expenditures Report--This report includes:
    (a) Expenditures to conduct actual drilling operations on the 
lease;
    (b) Expenditures for road or generating facilities construction on 
the lease;
    (c) Architectural or engineering services procured for the design 
of generating facilities located on the lease; and
    (d) Environmental studies required by State or Federal law. BLM 
does not require the lessee to submit this report if they choose to 
make payments in lieu of commercial quantities production.
    Based on our experience administering the activities described 
above, we estimate the public reporting burden for each report is two 
hours per response. The respondents include individuals, small 
business, and large corporation. We estimate 75 responses per year and 
a total annual burden of 150.
    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: February 5, 2003.
Michael H. Schwartz,
Bureau of Land Management, Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-3261 Filed 2-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M