[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44892-44893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18945]


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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-36 CFR part 228, subpart A.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 26, 
2011 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: 
USDA, Forest Service, 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 USDA Forest Service, 
Minerals and Geology Management Staff, 1601 N. Kent St., 5th Floor, 
Arlington, Virginia 22209, 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 twenty-four hours a day, every day of 
the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Locatable Minerals--36 CFR Part 228, Subpart A.
    OMB Number: 0596-0022.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2011.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: This collection of information is necessary to ensure 
that the environmental impacts associated with locatable mineral 
operations on National Forest System (NFS) lands are minimized to the 
extent practicable. The Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 228.5 
require mining operators, with some exceptions, to notify the 
authorized Forest Service officer of their intent to conduct a 
locatable mineral operation on NFS lands by filing a Notice of Intent 
or Plan of Operations. Title 36 CFR part 228.10 requires mining 
operators to submit a Cessation of Operation when mining operations are 
temporarily ceased, other than for 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.
    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.
    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,

[[Page 44893]]

including plants, animals, and their habitat, as well as public safety 
on NFS lands. The authorized Forest Service officer 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. If this information was not collected the Forest 
Service would not be in compliance with the Federal Regulations and 
locatable mineral operations could result in undue damage to surface 
resources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 12 hours (10 hours--Plan of Operations; 
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 Operation = 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 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: July 20, 2011.
James M. Pena,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. 2011-18945 Filed 7-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P