[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31502-31504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10894]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0050).

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), MMS 
is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. 
The information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart J, 
``Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way.''

DATES: Submit written comments by August 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods 
listed below. Please use the Information Collection Number 1010-0050 as 
an identifier in your message.
     Public Connect on-line commenting system, https://ocsconnect.mms.gov. Follow the instructions on the Web site for 
submitting comments.
     E-mail MMS at [email protected]. Identify with 
Information Collection Number 1010-0050 in the subject line.
     Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection 
Number 1010-0050.
     Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the 
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Rules Process Team 
(RPT); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please 
reference ``Information

[[Page 31503]]

Collection 1010-0050'' in your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing Team 
at (703) 787-1600. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a 
copy, at no cost, of the regulation and the form that requires the 
subject collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-
of-Way.
    Form(s): MMS-2030.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0050.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and 
regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and 
regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease. 
Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and 
natural gas resources in a manner that is consistent with the need to 
make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as 
rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development 
with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure 
the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and 
to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition.
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996), and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25, 
authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that 
confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) 
implementing policy, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is required 
to charge the full cost for services that provide special benefits or 
privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond 
those which accrue to the public at large. Pipeline rights-of-way and 
assignments are subject to cost recovery, and MMS regulations specify 
filing fees for applications.
    This submittal concerns the regulations at 30 CFR part 250, subpart 
J, on pipelines and pipeline rights-of-way. It also covers the related 
Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that MMS issues to clarify and 
provide additional guidance on some aspects of the regulations.
    Included with this submission is form MMS-2030, Outer Continental 
Shelf Right-of-Way Grant Bond. Section 250.1011(a) requires applicants 
for, and holders of, a right-of-way to provide and maintain a $300,000 
bond (in addition to the bond coverage required under 30 CFR part 256), 
as well as additional security MMS determines is necessary. Respondents 
submit form MMS-2030 for these right-of-way grant bonds.
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its 
implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and under regulations at 30 
CFR 250.196, ``Data and information to be made available to the 
public.'' No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are 
mandatory.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130 
Federal OCS lessees and 115 holders of pipeline rights-of-way.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The 
currently approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 
106,086 hours. The following chart details the individual components 
and respective hour burden estimates of this ICR. In calculating the 
burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in 
the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual 
and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart J and related                                                               Hour
                   NTL(s)                              Reporting & recordkeeping requirements            burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(b), 1007(a)............................  Submit application to install new lease-term pipeline          140
                                               (P/L), including exceptions/departures, consents and
                                               notices, required reports, and attachments.
1000(b), (d); 1007(a); 1009(a); 1011(a);      Apply for P/L right-of-way (ROW) grant and installation        140
 1015; 1016.                                   of new ROW P/L, including exceptions/departures,
                                               consents and notices, required reports, and
                                               attachments.
1000(b); 1007(b); 1015; 1017................  Submit application to modify lease-term or ROW P/L or           40
                                               ROW grant, including exceptions/departures; notify
                                               operators of deviation.
1000(b); 1010(h); 1014......................  Apply to relinquish P/L ROW grant, including exceptions/         8
                                               departures.
1000(c)(2)..................................  Identify in writing P/L operator on ROW if different           .25
                                               from ROW grant holder.
1000(c)(3)..................................  Mark specific point on P/L where operating                       0
                                               responsibility transfers to transporting operator or
                                               depict transfer point on a schematic located on the
                                               facility. One-time requirement after final rule
                                               published; now part of application or construction
                                               process involving no additional burdens.
1000(c)(4)..................................  Petition to MMS for exceptions to general operations             5
                                               transfer point description.
1000(c)(8)..................................  Request MMS recognize valves landward of last                    1
                                               production facility but still located on OCS as point
                                               where MMS regulatory authority begins.
1000(c)(12).................................  Petition to MMS to continue to operate under DOT                40
                                               regulations upstream of last valve on last production
                                               facility.
1000(c)(13).................................  Transporting P/L operator petition to DOT and MMS to            40
                                               continue to operate under MMS regulations.
1004(c).....................................  Place sign on safety equipment identified as                   See
                                               ineffective and removed from service.                    footnote
                                                                                                             \1\
1008(a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h)............  Notify MMS; and as requested submit procedures before           16
                                               performing work; and submit post-report on P/L or P/L
                                               safety equipment repair, removal from service,
                                               analysis results, or potential measurements.
1008(b).....................................  Submit P/L construction report.........................         16
1008(g).....................................  Submit plan of corrective action and report of remedial         16
                                               action.
1010(c).....................................  Notify MMS of any archaeological resource discovery....          4
1010(d).....................................  Inform MMS of P/L ROW holder's name and address changes      (\3\)
1011(a).....................................  Submit surety bond on form MMS-2030....................        .25
1015........................................  Apply to convert lease-term P/L to ROW grant P/L;               20
                                               notify operators of deviation, including various
                                               exceptions/departures.
1016........................................  Request opportunity to eliminate conflict when                   1
                                               application has been rejected.
1018........................................  Apply for assignment of a ROW grant....................         16

[[Page 31504]]

 
1000-1019...................................  General departure and alternative compliance requests            2
                                               not specifically covered elsewhere in subpart J
                                               regulations.
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                                                    Reporting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000-1008...................................  Make available to MMS design, construction, operation,           2
                                               maintenance, testing, and repair records on lease-term
                                               P/Ls \2\.
1005(a).....................................  Inspect P/L routes for indication of leakage\1\, record         24
                                               results, maintain records 2 years \2\.
1010(g).....................................  Make available to MMS design, construction, operation,          10
                                               maintenance, testing, and repair records on P/L ROW
                                               area and improvements \2\.
---------------------------------------------
                                                 Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These activities are usual and customary practices for prudent operators.
\2\ Retaining these records is usual and customary business practice; required burden is minimal to make
  available to MMS.
\3\ Except under 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: The 
currently approved annual non-hour cost burden for collection 1010-0050 
is $370,100. Section 250.1015(a) specifies that an applicant must pay a 
non-refundable filing fee when applying for a pipeline right-of-way 
grant to install a new pipeline ($2,350) or to convert an existing 
lease-term pipeline into a right-of-way pipeline ($300). Under Sec.  
250.1018(b) an applicant must pay a non-refundable filing fee ($60) 
when applying for approval of an assignment of a right-of-way grant.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    Comments: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 
3506(c)(2)(A) requires each agency ``* * * to provide notice * * * and 
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies 
concerning each proposed collection of information * * *''. Agencies 
must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to 
perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) 
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, 
usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 
minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Agencies must also estimate the ``non-hour cost'' burdens to 
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of 
information. Therefore, if you have costs to generate, maintain, and 
disclose this information, you should comment and provide your total 
capital and startup cost components or annual operation, maintenance, 
and purchase of service components. You should describe the methods you 
use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology 
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount 
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup 
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase 
to prepare for collecting information, monitoring, and record storage 
facilities. You should not include estimates for equipment or services 
purchased: (i) Before October 1, 1995; (ii) to comply with requirements 
not associated with the information collection; (iii) for reasons other 
than to provide information or keep records for the Government; or (iv) 
as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
    We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them 
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we 
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to 
OMB.
    Public Comment Procedure: MMS's practice is to make comments, 
including names and addresses of respondents, available for public 
review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must 
state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor 
this request to the extent allowable by law; however, anonymous 
comments will not be considered. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.
    MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202) 
208-7744.

    Dated: May 25, 2005.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-10894 Filed 5-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P