[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 136 (Monday, July 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41235-41236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14042]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0067 and 1029-
0083

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 that the information collection requests for 30 CFR 705 and 
the Form OSM-23, Restriction on financial interests of State employees; 
and 30 CFR part 955 and the Form OSM-74, Certification of Blasters in 
Federal program States and on Indian lands, have been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and reauthorization. 
The information collection packages were previously approved and 
assigned clearance numbers 1029-0067 for 30 CFR part 705 and the OSM-23 
form, and 1029-0083 for 30 CFR part 955 and OSM-74 form. This notice 
describes the nature of the information collection activities and the 
expected burdens and costs.

DATES: OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information 
collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, public comments 
should be submitted to OMB by August 17, 2005, in order to be assured 
of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Department of 
Interior Desk Officer, by telefax at (202) 395-6566 or via e-mail to 
[email protected]. Also, please send a copy of your comments to 
John A. Trelease, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
1951 Constitution Ave., NW., Room 202--SIB, Washington, DC 20240, or 
electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request a copy of the information 
collection requests, explanatory information and related forms, contact 
John A. Trelease at (202) 208-2783, or electronically to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OBM 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)]. OSM has submitted 
requests to OMB to renew its approval for the collections of 
information for 30 CFR 705 and the Form OSM-23, Restriction on 
financial interests of State employees; and 30 CFR 955 and the Form 
OSM-74, Certification of Blasters in Federal program States and on 
Indian lands. OSM is requesting a 3-year term of approval for these 
information collection activities.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for these 
collections of information are on the form OSM-23 and in 30 CFR 705.10, 
which is 1029-0067; and on the form OSM-74 and in 30 CFR 955.10, which 
is 1029-0083.
    As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), Federal Register notices 
soliciting comments on 30 CFR 705 and 30 CFR 955 were published on 
March 10, 2005 (70 FR 12017), and March 23, 2005 (70 FR 14712), 
respectively. No comments were received. This notice provides the 
public with an additional 30 days in which to comment on the following 
information collection activities:
    Title: Restrictions on financial interests of State employees, 30 
CFR 705.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0067.
    Summary: Respondents supply information on employment and financial 
interests. The purpose of the collection is to ensure compliance with 
section 517(g) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 
1977, which places an absolute prohibition on employees of regulatory 
authorities having a direct or indirect financial interest in 
underground or surface coal mining operations.
    Bureau Form Number: OSM-23.
    Frequency of Collection: Entrance on duty and annually.
    Description of Respondents: Any State regulatory authority employee 
or member of advisory boards or commissions established in accordance 
with State law or regulation to represent

[[Page 41236]]

multiple interests who performs any function or duty under the Surface 
Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
    Total Annual Responses: 3,676.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,078.
    Title: Certification of blasters in Federal program States and on 
Indian lands--30 CFR 955.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0083.
    Summary: This information is being collected to ensure that the 
applicants for blaster certification are qualified. This information, 
with blasting tests, will be used to determine the eligibility of the 
applicant. The affected public will be blasters who want to be 
certified by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
to conduct blasting on Indian lands or in Federal primary States.
    Bureau Form Number: OSM-74.
    Frequency Collection: On occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals intent on being certified 
as blasters in Federal program States and on Indian lands.
    Total Annual Responses: 29.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 76.
    Send comments on the need for the collection of information for the 
performance of the functions of the agency; the accuracy of the 
agency's burden estimates; ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information collection; and ways to minimize the 
information collection burden on respondents, such as use of automated 
means of collection of the information, to the following address. 
Please refer to the appropriate OMB control number in all 
correspondence, 1029-0067 for Part 705 and the OSM-23 form; and 1029-
0083 for Part 955 and the OSM-74 form.

    Dated: May 25, 2005.
John R. Craynon,
Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 05-14042 Filed 7-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M