[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 8, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44570-44572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15387]


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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 a reinstatement of an information collection (1010-
0081).

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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 282, Operations in the 
Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur.

DATES: Submit written comments by October 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods 
listed below. Please use the Information Collection Number 1010-0081 as 
an identifier in your message.
     E-mail MMS at [email protected]. Identify with 
Information Collection Number 1010-0081 in the subject line.
     Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection 
Number 1010-0081.
     Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the 
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381 
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 
``Information Collection 1010-0081'' in your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon 
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations of the subject 
collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR 282, Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for 
Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0081.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1334 and 43 U.S.C. 1337(k)), authorizes the Secretary of the 
Interior (Secretary) to implement regulations to grant to the qualified 
persons, offering the highest cash bonus on a basis of competitive 
bidding, leases of any mineral other than oil, gas, and sulphur. This 
applies to any area of the OCS not then under

[[Page 44571]]

lease for such mineral upon such royalty, rental, and other terms and 
conditions as the Secretary may prescribe at the time of offering the 
area for lease. This regulation governs mining operations within the 
OCS for minerals other than oil, gas and sulphur and establishes a 
comprehensive leasing and regulatory program for such minerals. These 
regulations have been designed to (1) Recognize the differences between 
the OCS activities associated with oil, gas, and sulphur discovery and 
development and those associated with the discovery and development of 
other minerals; (2) facilitate participation by States directly 
affected by OCS mining activities; (3) provide opportunities for 
consultation and coordination with other OCS users and uses; (4) 
balance development with environmental protection; (5) insure a fair 
return to the public; (6) preserve and maintain free enterprise 
competition; and (7) encourage the development of new technology.
    Regulations at 30 CFR 282 implement these statutory requirements. 
However, there has been no activity in the OCS for minerals other than 
oil, gas and sulphur for many years and no information collected since 
we allowed the OMB approval to expire in 1991. Nevertheless, because 
these are regulatory requirements, the potential exists for information 
to be collected and we are requesting that OMB reinstate this 
collection of information.
    We use the information required by 30 CFR 282 to determine if 
lessees are complying with the regulations that implement the mining 
operations program for minerals other than oil, gas, and sulphur. 
Specifically, MMS uses the information:
     To ensure that operations for the production of minerals 
other than oil, gas, and sulphur in the OCS are conducted in a manner 
that will result in orderly resource recovery, development, and the 
protection of the human, marine, and coastal environments.
     To ensure that adequate measures will be taken during 
operations to prevent waste, conserve the natural resources of the OCS, 
and to protect the environment, human life, and correlative rights.
     To determine if suspensions of activities are in the 
national interest, to facilitate proper development of a lease 
including reasonable time to develop a mine and construct its 
supporting facilities, or to allow for the construction or negotiation 
for use of transportation facilities.
     To identify and evaluate the cause(s) of a hazard(s) 
generating a suspension, the potential damage from a hazard(s) and the 
measures available to mitigate the potential for damage.
     For technical and environmental evaluations which provide 
a basis for MMS to make informed decisions to approve, disapprove, or 
require modification of the proposed activities.
    We protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 
2), and 30 CFR 282.5, 282.6, and 282.7 and applicable sections of 30 
CFR parts 280 and 281. No items of a sensitive nature are collected. 
Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency: Monthly; on occasion.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: As there are no 
active respondents, we estimated the potential annual number of 
respondents to be one. Respondents are OCS lessees.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The previous 
OMB inventory included 201 annual burden hours for the collection of 
information. 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Hour
        Citation 30 CFR 282           Reporting requirement      burden
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Subpart A--General
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4(b); 12(b)(2)(ii); 12(f)(l), (2);  Submit delineation plan,          40
 13(d), (e)(2); 21; 22; 25; 26; 28.  including environmental
                                     information, contingency
                                     plan, monitoring
                                     program, and various
                                     requests for approval
                                     referred to throughout;
                                     submit modifications.
4(c); 12(c)(2)(ii); 12(f)(l), (2);  Submit testing                    40
 13(d), (e)(2); 21; 23; 25; 26; 28.  delineation plan,
                                     including environmental
                                     information, contingency
                                     plan, monitoring
                                     program, and various
                                     requests for approval
                                     referred to throughout;
                                     submit modifications.
4(d); 12(d)(2)(ii); 12(f)(1), (2);  Submit mining delineation         40
 13(d), (e)(2); 21; 24; 25; 26; 28.  plan, including
                                     environmental
                                     information, contingency
                                     plan, monitoring
                                     program, and various
                                     requests for approval
                                     referred to throughout;
                                     submit modifications.
5.................................  Request non-disclosure of         10
                                     G&G info.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Subpart B--Jurisdiction and Responsibilities of Director
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11(c); 12(c)......................  Apply for right-of-use            30
                                     and easement.
11(d); 12(d)......................  Request consolidation of           1
                                     two or more OCS mineral
                                     leases or portions.
12(f)(1), (h); 20(g), (h).........  Request approval of                0
                                     operations or departure
                                     from operating
                                     requirements. (Burden
                                     included with applicable
                                     operation).
13(b), (f)(2); 31.................  Request suspension or              2
                                     temporary prohibition or
                                     production or operations.
13(e)(1)..........................  Submit site-specific               8
                                     study plan and results.
                                     (Since this has never
                                     been done, we do not
                                     know the cost of such a
                                     study).
                                                              ----------
                                    .........................   $100,000
 
14................................  Submit ``green'' response          1
                                     copy of Form MMS-1832
                                     indicating date
                                     violations (INCs)
                                     corrected.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Subpart C--Obligations and Responsibilities of Lessees
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20(a), (g); 29(i).................  Make available all                 0
                                     mineral resource or
                                     environmental data and
                                     information; submit
                                     reports and maintain
                                     records. (Burden
                                     included with applicable
                                     operation).
20(b) thru (e)....................  Submit designation of              1
                                     payor, operator, or
                                     local representative;
                                     submit changes.
21(d).............................  Notify MMS of preliminary          1
                                     activities.
27(b).............................  Request use of new or              1
                                     alternative
                                     technologies,
                                     techniques, etc.

[[Page 44572]]

 
27(c).............................  Notify MMS of death or             1
                                     serious injury; fire,
                                     exploration, or other
                                     hazardous event; submit
                                     report.
27(d)(2)..........................  Request reimbursement for          2
                                     furnishing food,
                                     quarters, and
                                     transportation for MMS
                                     representatives (OCS
                                     Lands Act specifies
                                     reimbursement; no
                                     requests received in
                                     many years; minimal
                                     burden).
27(e).............................  Identify vessels,                  1
                                     platforms, structures,
                                     etc. with signs.
27(f)(2)..........................  Log all drill holes                3
                                     susceptible to logging;
                                     submit copies of logs to
                                     MMS.
27(h)(3), (4).....................  Mark equipment; record             1
                                     items lost overboard;
                                     notify MMS.
29(a).............................  Submit monthly report of           1
                                     minerals produced.
29(b), (c)........................  Submit quarterly status            5
                                     and final report on
                                     exploration and/or
                                     testing activities.
29(d).............................  Submit results of                  5
                                     environmental monitoring
                                     activities.
29(e).............................  Submit marked and                  1
                                     certified maps annually
                                     or as required.
29(f).............................  Maintain rock, minerals,           1
                                     and core samples for 5
                                     years and make available
                                     upon request.
29(g).............................  Maintain original data             1
                                     and information and
                                     navigation tapes as long
                                     as lease is in effect
                                     and make available upon
                                     request.
29(h).............................  Maintain hard mineral              1
                                     records and make
                                     available upon request.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Subpart D--Payments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40................................  Submit surety or personal          2
                                     bond.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Subpart E--Appeals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50; 15............................  File an appeal. (Burden            0
                                     exempt under 5 CFR
                                     1320.4(a)(2), (c)).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: 
There is one non-hour cost burden associated with 282.13(e)(1), a site 
specific study. Since this has not been done to date, we estimated that 
the cost of such study would cost industry at least $100,000 to comply 
with the requirement.
    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 Procedures: Before including your address, phone 
number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz, (202) 
208-7744.

    Dated: August 1, 2007.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
 [FR Doc. E7-15387 Filed 8-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P