[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27336-27337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9291]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Operator Response to 
Schedule for Submission of Additional Evidence (CM-2970) and Operator 
Response to Notice of Claim (CM-2970A). A copy of the proposed 
information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office 
listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before July 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation administers the 
Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) which provides benefits 
to coal miners totally disabled due to pneumoniosis, and their 
surviving dependents. When the Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation (DCMWC) makes a preliminary analysis of a claimant's 
eligibility for benefits, and if a coal mine operator has been 
identified as potentially liable for payment of those benefits, the 
responsible operator is notified of the preliminary analysis. 
Regulations require that a coal mine operator be identified and 
notified of potential liability as early in the adjudication process as 
possible. Forms CM-970 and CM-970a are now obsolete and renewal will 
not be requested in the extension request for information collection 
1215-0058. The CM-970 and CM-970a will be replaced by CM-2970 and CM-
2970a. Regulatory authority is found in 20 CFR 725.410 for the CM-2970 
and 20 CFR 725.408 for the CM-2970A. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through October 31, 2007.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval to collect 
this information in order to carry out its responsibility to administer 
the Black Lung Benefits Act.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Operator Response to Schedule for Submission of Additional 
Evidence (CM-2970), Operator Response to Notice of Claim (CM-2970A).
    OMB Number: 1215-0058.
    Agency Number: CM-2970 and CM-2970A.

[[Page 27337]]

    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 8,000.
    Total Annual responses: 8,000.
    Frequency: On occasion.

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                                                                                   Average time
                              Form                                   Number of     per response    Burden hours
                                                                    respondents      (minutes)
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CM-2970.........................................................           4,000              10             667
CM-2970A........................................................           4,000              15           1,000
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................           8,000  ..............           1,667
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    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,667.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $3,360.00.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: May 10, 2007.
Hazel Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-9291 Filed 5-14-07; 8:45 am]
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