[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 236 (Monday, December 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69643-69644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23834]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Locatable Minerals

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; Request for Comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the extension of a currently approved information 
collection, Locatable Minerals.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 8, 
2008 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to 
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Minerals and 
Geology Management Staff, Mail Stop 1126, 1601 N. Kent Street, 5th 
Floor, Arlington, VA 22209.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 703-605-1575 or by 
e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the 
Director, Forest Service Minerals and Geology Management Staff, 1601 N. 
Kent Street, 5th Floor, Arlington, VA during normal business hours. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 703-605-4794 to facilitate 
entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Ferguson, Director, Minerals and 
Geology Management, at 703-605-4785. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 
including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Locatable Minerals.
    OMB Number: 0596-0022.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2008.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: This collection of information is necessary to ensure 
minimal environmental impacts associated with locatable mineral 
operations on National Forest System (NFS) lands to the extent 
practicable. Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 228.5 require mining 
operators, with some exceptions, to notify the authorized Forest 
Service officer of the intent to conduct a locatable mineral operation 
on NFS lands by filing a Notice of Intent or Plan of Operations. Title 
36 CFR 228.10 requires mining operators to submit a Cessation of 
Operation when mining operations temporarily cease for other than 
seasonal closure.
    There is not a required format for the information collection, but 
all information identified in 36 CFR part 228 must be included. Form 
FS-2800-5, Plan of Operations for Mining Activities on National Forest 
System Lands, is available for use by mining operators to simplify this 
process.
    The information required in a Plan of Operations, detailed in 36 
CFR 228.4(c), (d), and (e), includes:
    1. The name and legal mailing address of operators (and claimants 
if they are not the same) and their lessees, assigns, or designees;
    2. A map or sketch showing information sufficient to locate:
    a. The proposed area of operations on the ground,
    b. Existing and/or proposed roads or access routes to be used in 
connection with the operation as set forth in 36 CFR 228.12 on access, 
and
    c. The approximate location and size of areas where surface 
resources will be disturbed;
    3. Information sufficient to describe:
    a. The type of operations proposed and how they would be conducted,
    b. The type and standard of existing and proposed roads or access 
routes,
    c. The means of transportation used or to be used as set forth in 
36 CFR 228.12,
    d. The period during which the proposed activity will take place, 
and
    e. Measures to be taken to meet the requirements for environmental 
protection in 36 CFR 228.8.
    A Notice of Intent is required, as detailed in 36 CFR 228.4(a)(2), 
to include information sufficient to identify the area involved, the 
nature of the proposed operation, the route of access to the area of 
operations, and the method of transport.
    A Cessation of Operations is required, as detailed in 36 CFR 
228.10, to include verification of intent to maintain structures, 
equipment, and other facilities, expected reopening date, and an 
estimate of extended durations of operations.
    These collections of information are crucial to protecting surface 
resources, including plants, animals, and their habitat, as well as 
public safety on NFS lands. The authorized Forest Service official will 
use the collected information to ensure that the exploration, 
development, and production of mineral resources are conducted in an 
environmentally sensitive manner; that these mineral operations are 
integrated with the planning and management of other resources using 
the principles of ecosystem management; and that lands disturbed by 
mineral operations are reclaimed using the best scientific knowledge 
and returned to other productive uses. Without this information, the 
Forest Service would not comply with Federal Regulations and locatable 
mineral operations could result in undue damage to surface resources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 12 hours (10 hours--Plans of Operation; 
1 hour--Notice of Intent; 1 hour--Cessation of Operations).
    Type of Respondents: Mining operators.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3,255 (750--Plans of 
Operations; 2,500--Notices of Intent; 5--Cessation of Operations).
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,005 hours (10 
hours x 750 Plans of Operations = 7,500; 1 hour x 2,500 Notices of 
Intent = 2,500; 1 hour x 5 Cessation of Operations = 5; 7,500 + 2,500 + 
5 = 10,005).
    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the 
functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have 
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and

[[Page 69644]]

assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: November 26, 2007.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
 [FR Doc. E7-23834 Filed 12-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P