[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 161 (Friday, August 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51488-51489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20719]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation; Proposed Extension 
of Information 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 pre-clearance 
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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs 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 October 19, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Vincent Alvarez, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0372, fax (202) 693-1378, 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 
pneumoconiosis, 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. 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 December 31, 2010.
    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;

[[Page 51489]]

     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 approval 
for the extension of this currently-approved information collection in 
order to carry out its responsibility to administer the Black Lung 
Benefits Act.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title: Operator Response to Schedule for Submission of Additional 
Evidence (CM-2970) and Operator Response to Notice of Claim (CM-2970A).
    OMB Number: 1240-0033.
    Agency Number: CM-2970 and CM-2970A.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit.

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                                                   Frequency of      Number of       Number of
             Form              Time to complete      response       respondents      responses     Hours burden
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CM-2970......................  10 min..........  occasion.......           4,800           4,800             800
CM-2970A.....................  15 min..........  occasion.......           4,800           4,800           1,200
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals...................  ................  ...............           9,600           9,600           2,000
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    Total Respondents: 9,600.
    Total Annual Responses: 9,600.
    Average Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,000.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $4,512.
    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: August 17, 2010.
Vincent Alvarez,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, US 
Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2010-20719 Filed 8-19-10; 8:45 am]
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