[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57927-57928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25299]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0047

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 collection of 
information for the permanent program performance standards--surface 
mining activities and underground mining activities at 30 CFR parts 816 
and 817.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by December 8, 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 form, contact 
John A. Trelease, at (202) 208-2783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, which implementing 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 816 and 817.
    OSM has consolidated two information collections relating to coal 
mining performance standards, 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 this 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 accompany OSM's submission of the 
information collection request to OMB.
    This notice provides the public with 60 days in which to comment on 
the following information collection activity:
    Title: Permanent Program Performance Standards--Surface and 
Underground Mining Activities, 30 CFR parts 816 and 817.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0047.
    Summary: Sections 515 and 516 of the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977 provides that permittees conducting coal mining 
operations shall meet all applicable performance standards of the Act. 
The information collected is used by the regulatory authority in 
monitoring and inspecting surface coal mining activities to ensure that 
they are conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Act.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: Once, on occasion, quarterly and annually.

[[Page 57928]]

    Description of Respondents: Coal mining operators and State 
regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 186,341.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 870,333.

    Dated: October 1, 2003.
Richard G. Bryson,
Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 03-25299 Filed 10-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M