[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19032-19033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9444]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Underground Retorts

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR Section 57.22401; Underground Retorts.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, 
Administration and Management 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on computer disk, or via Internet E-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Tarr can be reached at (202) 693-9824 (voice), or 
(202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Tarr, Management Analyst, Records 
Management Group, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 2171, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-
3939. Ms. Tarr can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), 
(202) 693-9824 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    This regulation pertains to the safety requirements to be followed 
by the mine operators in the use of underground retorts to extract oil 
from shale by heat or fire. Prior to ignition of retorts, the mine 
operator must submit a written plan indicating the acceptable levels of 
combustible gases and oxygen; specifications and location of off-gas 
monitoring procedures and equipment; procedures for ignition of retorts 
and details of area monitoring and alarm systems for hazardous gases 
and actions to be taken to assure safety of miners.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
    [sbull] Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    [sbull] Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet 
by accessing the MSHA Home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then

[[Page 19033]]

choosing ``Statutory and Regulatory Information'' and ``Federal 
Register Documents.''

III. Current Actions

    This request for information contains provisions whereby mine 
operators can maintain compliance with the regulations and assure the 
safety of miners where underground retorts are used.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Underground Retorts.
    OMB Number: 1219-0096.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 160 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 160 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 3rd day of April, 2003.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-9444 Filed 4-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P