[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65521-65524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27331]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket ID BOEM-2011-0036; OMB Number 1010-0048]


Information Collection; Geological and Geophysical Explorations 
of the Outer Continental Shelf; Submitted for OMB Review; Comment 
Request

ACTION: 30-day notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we 
are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information 
collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under Geological and Geophysical (G&G) 
Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf and related documents. This 
notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the 
paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: Submit written comments by November 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or e-mail 
([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: 
Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (1010-0048). Please 
also submit a copy of your comments to BOEM by any of the means below.

[[Page 65522]]

     Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
entry titled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2011-0036 then click 
search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view 
supporting and related materials available for this collection. BOEM 
will post all comments.
     E-mail [email protected]. Mail or hand-carry comments 
to: Department of the Interior; Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 
Attention: Arlene Bajusz; 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-
4817. Please reference ICR 1010-0048 in your comment and include your 
name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Bajusz, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis (703) 787-1025. To see a copy of the entire 
ICR submitted to OMB, go to http://www.reginfo.gov (select Information 
Collection Review, Currently Under Review). You may also contact Arlene 
Bajusz to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations and form that 
require the subject collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR 551, Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of 
the Outer Continental Shelf.
    Form: BOEM-0327, Application for Permit to Conduct Geological or 
Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources or Scientific Research on 
the Outer Continental Shelf.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0048.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to 
administer leasing of mineral resources on the OCS.
    The OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1340) also states that ``any person 
authorized by the Secretary may conduct geological and geophysical 
explorations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf, which do not interfere 
with or endanger actual operations under any lease maintained or 
granted pursuant to this OCS Lands Act, and which are not unduly 
harmful to aquatic life in such area.'' The section further requires 
that permits to conduct such activities may only be issued if it is 
determined that the applicant is qualified; the activities are not 
polluting, hazardous, or unsafe; they do not interfere with other users 
of the area; and they do not disturb a site, structure, or object of 
historical or archaeological significance. Applicants for permits are 
required to submit form BOEM-0327 to provide the information necessary 
to evaluate their qualifications. Upon approval, respondents are issued 
a permit. In this collection, the form is being modified to clarify for 
potential permittees existing requirements in light of new 
technologies. In particular, BOEM-0327 clarifies the type(s) of 
information and maps submitted as identified in Attachment 1, sections 
A, General Information, B & C Geological and Geophysical Exploration 
for Minerals and Scientific Research, and primarily D, Proprietary 
Information. These modifications reflect information and technology 
currently used and developed by industry.
    The OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1352) further requires that certain 
costs be reimbursed to the parties submitting required G&G information 
and data. Under the OCS Lands Act, permittees are to be reimbursed for 
the costs of reproducing any G&G data required to be submitted. 
Permittees are to be reimbursed also for the reasonable cost of 
processing geophysical information required to be submitted when 
processing is in a form or manner required by the Director, BOEM, and 
is not used in the normal conduct of the business of the permittee.
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996), and the OMB Circular A-25, authorize Federal agencies to recover 
the full cost of services that confer special benefits. All G&G permits 
are subject to cost recovery, and BOEM regulations specify service fees 
for these requests.
    Effective October 1, 2011, the Department's responsibilities for 
leasing, exploration, and development of the nation's offshore 
resources became the responsibility of the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management (BOEM), per Secretarial Order 3299. Regulations to carry out 
these responsibilities are contained in 30 CFR 551 (previously assigned 
under 30 CFR 251). This request is a revision of the currently approved 
information collection (IC) because we are revising form BOEM-0327 to 
adapt to new advances in technology.
    Responses to this collection are mandatory or required to obtain or 
retain a benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. BOEM 
protects proprietary information according to the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 
part 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 551.
    BOEM uses the information to ensure there is no environmental 
degradation, personal harm or unsafe operations and conditions, damage 
to historical or archaeological sites, or interference with other uses; 
to analyze and evaluate preliminary or planned drilling activities; to 
monitor progress and activities in the OCS; to acquire G&G data and 
information collected under a Federal permit offshore; and to determine 
eligibility for reimbursement from the government for certain costs. 
BOEM uses information collected to understand the G&G characteristics 
of oil- and gas-bearing physiographic regions of the OCS. It aids the 
Secretary in obtaining a proper balance among the potentials for 
environmental damage, the discovery of oil and gas, and adverse impacts 
on affected coastal states. Information from permittees is necessary to 
determine the propriety and amount of reimbursement.
    Form BOEM-0327 is submitted under this part to determine if 
permittees have the necessary qualifications pertinent to G&G 
explorations or scientific research. This ICR also clarifies of the 
type(s) of information and maps submitted as identified in Attachment 
1, sections A, General Information, B & C Geological and Geophysical 
Exploration for Minerals and Scientific Research, and primarily D, 
Proprietary Information of the form. These clarifications reflect 
information and technology currently used and developed by industry, in 
areas such as energy sources, navigation and location, maps, and 
charts, etc. This information can also be used to satisfy other 
environmental compliance requirements and is completed by industry in 
their normal course of business and does not represent any new or 
additional burden hours.
    Frequency: Responses are generally on occasion or as specified in 
each permit.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and holders of pipeline rights-of-way.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 1,033 
hours. The following table details the individual components and 
estimated hour burdens. 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.

[[Page 65523]]



 
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                                        Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                        Annual burden
         Citation 30 CFR 551                    requirement                  Hour burden           Average number of  annual responses         hours
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                                                                                                     Non-hour cost burden*
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                                                               30 CFR 551.1 through 551.6
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551.4(a), (b); 551.5(a), (b), (d);     Apply for permits (form BOEM-  3.......................  74 Applications.........................             222
 551.6; 551.7.                          0327) to conduct G&G
                                        exploration, including deep
                                        stratigraphic tests/
                                        revisions when necessary.
                                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              74 applications x $2,012 = $148,888
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551.4(b); 551.5(c), (d); 551.6.......  File notices to conduct        1.......................  3 Notices...............................               3
                                        scientific research
                                        activities, including notice
                                        to BOEM prior to beginning
                                        and after concluding
                                        activities.
                                                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
551.6(b)(5) 551.7(b)(5)..............  Notify BOEM if specific        1.......................  1 Notice................................               1
                                        actions should occur; report
                                        archaeological resources (no
                                        instances reported since
                                        1982).
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    Subtotal.........................  .............................  ........................  78 responses............................       226 hours
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                                                                                                $148,888 non-hour cost burden
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                                                               30 CFR 551.7 through 551.9
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551.7................................  Submit information on test       Burden included under BSEE regulations at 30 CFR 250, subpart D                0
                                        drilling activities under a
                                        permit.
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551.7(c).............................  Enter into agreement for       1.......................  1 Agreement.............................               1
                                        group participation in test
                                        drilling, including
                                        publishing summary
                                        statement; provide BOEM copy
                                        of notice/list of
                                        participants (no agreements
                                        submitted since 1989).
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551.7(d).............................  Submit bond(s) on deep                  Burden included under 30 CFR part 556 (1010-0006)                       0
                                        stratigraphic test..
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551.8(a).............................  Request reimbursement for      1.......................  1 Request...............................               1
                                        certain costs associated
                                        with BOEM inspections (no
                                        requests in many years).
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551.8(b), (c)........................  Submit modifications to, and   2.......................  55 Respondents x 3 Reports = 165........             330
                                        status/final reports on,
                                        activities conducted under a
                                        permit.
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551.9(c).............................  Notify BOEM to relinquish a    \1/2\...................  2 Notices...............................               1
                                        permit.
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    Subtotal.........................  .............................  ........................  169 responses...........................       333 hours
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                                                              30 CFR 551.10 through 551.13
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551.10(c)............................  File appeals.................                 Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c)                              0
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551.11; 551.12.......................  Notify BOEM and submit G&G     4.......................  40 Submissions..........................             160
                                        data and/or information
                                        collected under a permit and/
                                        or processed by permittees
                                        or 3rd parties, including
                                        reports, logs or charts,
                                        results, analyses,
                                        descriptions, etc.
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551.13...............................  Request reimbursement for      2.......................  40 Submissions..........................              80
                                        certain costs associated
                                        with reproducing data/
                                        information.
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    Subtotal.........................  .............................  ........................  80 responses............................       240 hours
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                                                                      30 CFR 551.14
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551.14(a), (b).......................  Submit comments on BOEM        1.......................  1 Comment...............................               1
                                        intent to disclose data and/
                                        or information to the public.
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551.14(c)(2).........................  Submit comments on BOEM        1.......................  1 Comment...............................               1
                                        intent to disclose data and/
                                        or information to an
                                        independent contractor/agent.
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[[Page 65524]]

 
551.14(c)(4).........................  Contractor/agent submits       1.......................  1 Commitment............................               1
                                        written commitment not to
                                        sell, trade, license, or
                                        disclose data and/or
                                        information without BOEM
                                        consent.
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551.1--551.14........................  General departure and          1.......................  1 Request...............................               1
                                        alternative compliance
                                        requests not specifically
                                        covered elsewhere in part
                                        551 regulations.
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    Subtotal.........................  .............................  ........................  4 responses.............................         4 hours
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                                                        Extension for Permit Form & Recordkeeping
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BOEM-0327; 551.14(b).................  Request extension of permit    1.......................  100 Extensions..........................             100
                                        time period.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Retain G&G data/information    1.......................  130 Record-keepers......................             130
                                        for 10 years and make
                                        available to BOEM upon
                                        request.
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    Subtotal.........................  .............................  ........................  230 responses...........................       230 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden.....................  .............................  ........................  561 Responses...........................     1,033 Hours
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                                                    $148,888 Non-Hour Cost Burden
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The non-hour cost burdens that are associated with cost recovery monies collected are based on actual submittals through Pay.gov for FY 2010.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified one non-hour cost burden for this collection of information. 
Under Sec.  551.5(a) there is an application fee of $2,012 when 
respondents submit a permit application. We have not identified any 
other non-hour cost burden associated with this collection of 
information.
    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: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq.) 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.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on June 30, 2011, 
we published a Federal Register notice (76 FR 38412) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  551.15 provides the 
OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed 
by the 30 CFR 551 regulation. The regulation also informs the public 
that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and 
provides the address to which they should send comments. We received 
two comments in response to the Federal Register notice. The first 
commenter, the Marine Mammal Commission stated that it was in support 
of our submission to OMB. The second commenter, Center for Regulatory 
Effectiveness, requested two actions. One, that we should state that we 
are not submitting any ICR for seismic regulations that is more 
stringent than current regulations, including NTL 2007-G02. Response: 
For the renewal of this ICR, we are not requesting anything more 
stringent than in current 30 CFR 551 regulations; NTL 2007-G02 is 
covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0151. Second, that we wait to 
submit the ICR to OMB. There is current on-going litigation pertaining 
to seismic regulations (BOEM vs environmental plaintiff(s)). Response: 
This particular ICR renewal pertains mostly to revising the form 
currently in use due to new developments in technology; we are not 
requesting any new requirements. If the lawsuit settlement or decree 
requires changes to the form and/or DOI regulations, information 
collection coordination and OMB approval will occur before the form is 
reissued or regulations are promulgated.
    Public Availability of Comments: 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.
    BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (703) 
787-1025.

    Dated: October 12, 2011.
Charles E. Norfleet,
Acting Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2011-27331 Filed 10-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P