[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45275-45276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19592]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0115, 1029-
0116, and 1029-0117

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 773, 774 and 778.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by September 30, 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 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 at the e-mail address listed 
above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR 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 773 
(Requirements for permits and permit processing), part 774 (Revision; 
Renewal; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights), and part 
778 (Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, 
Compliance, and Related Information).
    OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect 
current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden 
or 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.
    The following information is provided for each 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: Requirements for Permits and Permit Processing, 30 CFR 773.
    OMB Control Number; 1029-0115.
    Summary: The collection activities for this part ensure that the 
public has the opportunity to review permit applications prior to their 
approval, and that applicants for permanent program permits or their 
associates who are in violation of the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act do not receive surface coal mining permits pending 
resolution of their violations.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once.
    Description of Respondents: Applicants for surface coal mining and 
reclamation permits and State governments and Indian Tribes.
    Total Annual Responses: 324.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,058.

    Title: Revisions; Renewals; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of 
Permit Rights--30 CFR 774.
    OMB Control Number; 1029-0116.
    Summary: Sections 506 and 511 of Public Law 95-87 provide that 
persons seeking permit revisions, renewals, transfer, assignment, or 
sale of their permit rights for coal mining activities submit relevant 
information to the regulatory authority to allow the regulatory 
authority to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for 
the action anticipated.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining permit applicants 
and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 6,498.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 49,164.

    Title: Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Legal, 
Financial, Compliance, and Related Information--30 CFR 778.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0117.
    Summary: Section 507(b) of Public Law 95-87 provides that persons 
conducting coal mining activities submit to the regulatory authority 
all relevant information regarding ownership and control of the 
property affected, their compliance status and history. This 
information is used to insure all legal, financial and compliance 
requirements are satisfied prior to issuance or denial of a permit.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once.
    Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining permit applicants 
and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 301.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,436.


[[Page 45276]]


    Dated: July 29, 2003.
Richard G. Bryson,
Chief Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 03-19592 Filed 7-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M