[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3530-3532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-690]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we 
are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information 
collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 250, ``Pipelines and 
Pipeline Rights-of-Way,'' and related documents. This notice also 
provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork 
burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: Submit written comments by February 22, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection 
directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
the Department of the Interior via OMB email: ([email protected]); or by fax (202) 395-6566; identify with (1010-
0050).
    Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior, 
MMS, via:
     Email MMS at [email protected]. Use 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 Processing Team 
(RPT); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please 
reference ``Information Collection 1010-0050'' in your comments.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR 250, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way.
    Form: MMS-2030, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Right-of-Way Grant 
Bond.
    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. Section 1334(e) 
authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way through the submerged 
lands of the OCS for pipelines ``* * * for the transportation of oil, 
natural gas, sulphur, or other minerals, or under such regulations and 
upon such conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary, * * * 
including (as provided in section 1347(b) of this title) assuring 
maximum environmental protection by utilization of the best available 
and safest technologies, including the safest practices for pipeline 
burial. * * *''
    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 notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping elements of 30 
CFR 250, subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, and related 
Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that 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 part CFR 256), as well as 
additional security MMS determines is necessary. Respondents submit 
form MMS-2030 for these right-of-way grant bonds. Responses are 
mandatory. No questions of a ``sensitive'' nature are asked. MMS will 
protect proprietary information according to 30 CFR 250.196, ``Data and 
information to be made available to the public,'' 30 CFR part 252, 
``OCS Oil and Gas Information Program,'' and the Freedom of Information 
Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2).
    The lessees and transmission companies design the pipelines that 
they install, maintain, and operate. To ensure those activities are 
performed in a safe manner, MMS needs information concerning the 
proposed pipeline and safety equipment, inspections and tests, and 
natural and manmade hazards near the proposed pipeline route. MMS field 
offices use the information collected under subpart J to review 
pipeline designs prior to approving an application for a right-of-way 
or a pipeline permitted under a lease to ensure that the pipeline, as 
constructed, will provide for safe transportation of minerals through 
the submerged lands of the OCS. They review proposed routes of a right-
of-way to ensure that the right-of-way, if granted, would not conflict 
with any State requirements or unduly interfere with other OCS 
activities. MMS field offices review plans for taking pipeline safety 
equipment out of service to ensure alternate measures are used that 
will properly provide for the safety of the pipeline and associated 
facilities (platform, etc.). They review notification of relinquishment 
of a right-of-way grant and requests to abandon pipelines to

[[Page 3531]]

ensure that all legal obligations are met and pipelines are properly 
abandoned. MMS inspectors monitor the records concerning pipeline 
inspections and tests to ensure safety of operations and protection of 
the environment and to schedule their workload to permit witnessing and 
inspecting operations. Information is also necessary to determine the 
point at which DOI or DOT has regulatory responsibility for a pipeline 
and to be informed of the responsible operator if not the same as the 
right-of-way holder.
    Frequency: On occasion and annually.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 117 
lessees and 210 holders of pipeline rights-of-way.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The 
estimated annual ``hour'' burden for this information collection is a 
total of 107,774 hours. The following chart details the individual 
components and estimated hour burdens. 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.

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                                    Reporting &                                                         Annual
 Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart       recordkeeping           Hour  burden         Average No.  annual     burden
    J and related NTL(s)            requirement                                      responses           hours
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1000(b), 1007(a)............  Submit application to   140...................  280 new lease-term P/       39,200
                               install new lease-                              Ls.
                               term pipeline (P/L),
                               including exceptions/
                               departures, consents
                               and notices, required
                               reports, and
                               attachments.
1000(b), (d); 1007(a);        Apply for P/L right-of- 140...................  225 new ROW P/Ls......      31,500
 1009(a); 1011(a); 1015;       way (ROW) grant and
 1016.                         installation of new
                               ROW P/L, including
                               exceptions/
                               departures, consents
                               and notices, required
                               reports, and
                               attachments.
1000(b); 1007(b); 1015; 1017  Submit application to   30....................  320 modifications.....       9,600
                               modify lease-term or
                               ROW P/L or ROW grant,
                               including exceptions/
                               departures; notify
                               operators of
                               deviation.
1000(b); 1010(h); 1014......  Apply to relinquish P/  8.....................  160 P/L ROW                  1,280
                               L ROW grant,                                    relinquishments.
                               including exceptions/
                               departures.
1000(c)(2)..................  Identify in writing P/  \1/4\.................  4 submissions.........           1
                               L operator on ROW if
                               different from ROW
                               grant holder.
1000(c)(3)..................  Mark specific point on P/L where operating responsibility transfers to           0
                               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     5.....................  1 petition............           5
                               exceptions to general
                               operations transfer
                               point description.
                                                                  (None received to date)             ..........
1000(c)(8)..................  Request MMS recognize   1.....................  1 request.............           1
                               valves landward of
                               last production
                               facility but still
                               located on OCS as
                               point where MMS
                               regulatory authority
                               begins.
1000(c)(12).................  Petition to MMS to      40....................  1 petition............          40
                               continue to operate
                               under DOT regulations
                               upstream of last
                               valve on last
                               production facility.
                                                                  (None received to date)             ..........
1000(c)(13).................  Transporting P/L        40....................  1 petition............          40
                               operator petition to
                               DOT and MMS to
                               continue to operate
                               under MMS regulations.
                                                                  (None received to date)             ..........
1004(c).....................  Place sign on safety                   See footnote \1\                          0
                               equipment identified
                               as ineffective and
                               removed from service.
1007(a)(4)..................  Submit required         150 hours.............  12 submissions........       1,800
                               documentation under
                               API RP 17J.
1008(a), (c), (d), (e), (f),  Notify MMS; and as      16....................  838 notices/reports...      13,408
 (h).                          requested submit
                               procedures before
                               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              16....................  173 reports...........       2,768
                               construction report.
1008(g).....................  Submit plan of          16....................  4 plans/reports.......          64
                               corrective action and
                               report of remedial
                               action.
1010(c).....................  Notify MMS of any       4.....................  2 discovery notices...           8
                               archaeological
                               resource discovery.
1010(d).....................  Inform MMS of P/L ROW            Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)                    0
                               holder's name and
                               address changes.
1011(a).....................  Submit surety bond on   GOM 0.25..............  50 forms..............          13
                               form MMS-2030.                                                          (rounded)
                                                      POCS 3................  3 forms...............           9
1015........................  Apply to convert lease- 25....................  26 conversions........         650
                               term P/L to ROW grant
                               P/L; notify operators
                               of deviation,
                               including various
                               exceptions/departures.
1016........................  Request opportunity to  2.....................  1 request.............           2
                               eliminate conflict
                               when application has
                               been rejected.
1018........................  Apply for assignment    16....................  135 assignments.......       2,160
                               of a ROW grant.
1000-1019...................  General departure and   2.....................  175 requests..........         350
                               alternative
                               compliance requests
                               not specifically
                               covered elsewhere in
                               subpart J regulations.
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                             Subtotal Reporting                               2,412.................     102,899
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1000-1008...................  Make available to MMS   2.....................  110 lease-term........         220
                               design, construction,                          P/L operators.........
                               operation,
                               maintenance, testing,
                               and repair records on
                               lease-term P/Ls \2\.
1005(a).....................  Inspect P/L routes for  2 per month = 24......  170 lease-term or ROW        4,080
                               indication of leakage                           P/L ops.
                               \1\, record results,
                               maintain records 2
                               years \2\.

[[Page 3532]]

 
1010(g).....................  Make available to MMS   5.....................  115 P/L ROW holders...         575
                               design, construction,
                               operation,
                               maintenance, testing,
                               and repair records on
                               P/L ROW area and
                               improvements \2\.
-----------------------------
                           Subtotal Recordkeeping                             395...................       4,875
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  Total Hour Burden.........  ......................  ......................  2,807.................     107,774
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    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: The 
estimated ``non-hour cost'' burden for this information collection is a 
total of $329,700 rounded to $330,000. These cost burdens are for 
filing fees associated with new applications ($2,350 per application) 
and filing conversion applications ($200 per filing fee) according to 
Sec.  250.1015(a), or to file assignment applications ($170 per filing) 
according to Sec.  250.1018(b).
    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: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq.) 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.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on June 1, 2005, we 
published a Federal Register notice (70 FR 31502) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  250.199 provides the 
OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed 
by the 30 CFR part 250 regulations and forms. The regulation also 
informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections 
of information and provides the address to which they should send 
comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts.
    If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send 
your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information 
collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum 
consideration, OMB should receive public comments by February 22, 2006.
    Public Comment Procedures: 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 
the request to the extent allowable by the 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: August 29, 2005.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
 [FR Doc. E6-690 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P