[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35695-35696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5555]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-310-1310-PB-24 1A]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Control Number 
1004-0132

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requests the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) to extend an existing approval to collect certain 
information from entities interested in the development of geothermal 
resources. BLM uses Form 3260-2, Geothermal Drilling Permit; Form 3260-
3, Geothermal Sundry Notice; Form 3260-4, Geothermal Well Completion 
Report; Form 3260-5, Monthly Report of Geothermal Operations; to 
collect this information under 43 CFR part 3200. This information 
allows BLM to approve proposed operations and to ensure compliance with 
terms and conditions of approved operations. We also collect non-form 
information to determine if a lessee is making diligent and bona fide 
efforts to utilize and produce geothermal resources.

DATES: You must submit comments to BLM at the address below on or 
before August 21, 2006. BLM will not necessarily consider any comments 
received after the above date.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to: Bureau of Land Management, (WO-
630), Eastern States Office, 7450 Boston Blvd., Springfield, Virginia 
22153.
    You may send comments via Internet to: [email protected]. Please include ``ATTN: 1004-0132'' and your name 
and return address in your Internet message.
    You may deliver comments to the Bureau of Land Management, 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.
    All comments will be available for public review at the L Street 
address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4;15 p.m.), Monday 
through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact Barbara Gamble, 
Division of Fluids Minerals, (202) 452-0338 (Commercial or FTS). 
Persons who use a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) on 1-800-877-8330, 24 
hours a day, seven days a week, to contact Ms. Gamble.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 5 CFR 1320.12(a) requires BLM to provide a 
60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a collection of 
information to solicit comments on:
    (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper functioning of the agency, including whether the information 
will have practical utility;
    (b) The accuracy of our estimates of the information collection 
burden, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions we 
use;
    (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information collected; and
    (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) 
authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue leases so that 
geothermal resources may be developed and used. The BLM allows 
geothermal leasing operations on Tribal lands under the authority of 
the Indian Mineral Development Act (25 U.S.C. 2101-2108). The BLM 
supervises operations of the leases granted under this authority by the 
regulations in 43 CFR subpart 3260. The regulations contain information 
collection requirements that we need to grant the lessees permits to 
perform specific operations and to report the completion and progress 
of such work. Specifically, the regulations require operators to submit 
the Geothermal Drilling Permit (form 3260-2); Geothermal Sundry Notice 
(Form 3260-3); Geothermal Well Completion Report (Form 3260-4); and 
Monthly Report of Geothermal Operations (Form 3260-5).
    The information the lessee of record, a designated operator, or an 
approved agent acting on behalf of the lessee or operator provides, 
allows BLM to conduct or modify operations under the terms and 
conditions of a Federal geothermal lease or an Indian geothermal 
contract. The information enables BLM to approve both geothermal 
explorations and modifications to existing wells. Without this 
information, BLM could not adequately evaluate activity and

[[Page 35696]]

performance of non-abandoned wells and production facilities for 
individual leases. This includes drilling and other well operations and 
engineering data for individual well production and injection. The 
lessee also reports any environmental monitoring conducted.
    The lessee may request a lease extension beyond the primary term by 
drilling, diligent efforts, production of byproducts, and unit 
commitment. We use the non-form information to determine if a lessee 
qualifies to extend its geothermal lease. The lessee submits the 
following non-form reports under 43 CFR subpart 3208:
    (1) Diligent Efforts Report;
    (2) Bona Fide Efforts Report; and
    (3) Significant Expenditures Report.
    Based on our experience administering the activities, we estimate 
it takes from 1 to 10 hours per response to complete the required 
information, depending on which form or report the respondent submits. 
Respondents are lessees and operators of Federal geothermal leases and 
Indian geothermal contracts subject to BLM oversight. We estimate 835 
responses per year and a total annual burden of 1,850 hours.
    BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in 
the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: June 15, 2006.
Ted R. Hudson,
Bureau of Land Management, Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-5555 Filed 6-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M