[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40904-40910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16922]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

[Docket No. ONRR-2011-0025]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of 
Management and Budget Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of an extension of a currently approved information 
collection.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is notifying the public that 
we have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) an 
information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR parts 1227, 1228, and 
1229. This notice also provides the public with a second opportunity to 
comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: Submit written comments on or before August 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments by either FAX (202) 395-5806 or 
email ([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department 
of the Interior (OMB Control Number 1012-0003).
    Please also submit a copy of your comments to ONRR by one of the 
following methods:
     Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter ONRR-2011-0025, and then 
click search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments. We 
will post all comments.
     Mail comments to Stephen Chubb, Regulatory Specialist, 
Office of Natural Resources Revenue, P.O. Box 25165, MS 64000A, Denver, 
Colorado 80225. Please reference ICR 1012-0003 in your comments.
     Hand-carry comments or use an overnight courier service. 
Our courier address is Building 85, Room A-614, Denver Federal Center, 
West 6th Ave. and Kipling St., Denver, Colorado 80225. Please reference 
ICR 1012-0003 in your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Chubb, email 
[email protected]. You may also contact Stephen Chubb to obtain 
copies, at no cost, of (1) the ICR, (2) any associated forms, and (3) 
the regulations that require the subject collection of information. You 
may also review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR Parts 1227, 1228, and 1229, Delegated and Cooperative 
Activities with States and Indian Tribes.
    OMB Control Number: 1012-0003.
    Bureau Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: The Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior is 
responsible for mineral resource development on Federal and Indian 
lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Secretary's 
responsibility, according to various laws, is to manage mineral 
resource production from Federal and Indian lands and the OCS, collect 
the royalties and other mineral revenues due, and distribute the funds 
collected in accordance with applicable laws. The Secretary also has a 
trust responsibility to manage Indian lands and seek advice and 
information from Indian beneficiaries. ONRR performs the minerals 
revenue management functions for the Secretary and assists the 
Secretary in carrying out the Department's trust responsibility for 
Indian lands. Public laws pertaining to mineral leases on Federal and 
Indian lands are available at http://www.onrr.gov/Laws_R_D/PublicLawsAMR.htm.
    When a company or an individual enters into a lease to explore, 
develop, produce, and dispose of minerals from Federal or Indian lands, 
that company or individual agrees to pay the lessor a share in an 
amount or value of production from the leased lands. The lessee, or the 
designee, must report various kinds of information to the lessor 
relative to the disposition of the leased minerals. Such information is 
generally available within the records of the lessee or others involved 
in developing, transporting, processing, purchasing, or selling of such 
minerals. The information that ONRR collects includes data necessary to 
ensure that the lessee accurately values and appropriately pays all 
royalties and other mineral revenues due.
    The Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (FOGRMA), 
which the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act 
of 1996 amended, authorizes the Secretary to develop delegated and 
cooperative agreements with States (30 U.S.C 1735, sect. 205) and 
Indian Tribes (30 U.S.C. 1732, sect. 202) to carry out certain 
inspection, auditing, investigation, or limited enforcement activities 
for oil and gas leases in their jurisdiction. The States and Indian 
Tribes are working partners and are an integral part of the overall 
onshore and offshore compliance effort. The Appropriations Act of 1992 
also authorizes the States and Tribes to perform the same functions for 
coal and other solid mineral leases.
    This collection of information is necessary in order for States and 
Tribes to conduct audits and related investigations of Federal and 
Indian oil, gas, coal, any other solid minerals, and geothermal royalty 
revenues from Federal and tribal leased lands. Relevant parts of the 
regulations include 30 CFR parts 1227, 1228, and 1229, as described 
below:

[[Page 40905]]

    Title 30 CFR part 1227--Delegation to States, provides procedures 
to delegate certain Federal minerals revenue management functions to 
States for Federal oil and gas leases. The regulations provide only 
audit and investigation functions to States for Federal geothermal and 
solid mineral leases, and leases subject to section 8(g) of the OCS 
Lands Act, within their State boundaries. In order for ONRR to consider 
a State for such delegation, the State must submit a written proposal 
to, and receive approval from, the ONRR Director. States also must 
provide periodic accounting documentation to ONRR, including an annual 
work plan and quarterly reimbursement vouchers.
    Title 30 CFR part 1228--Cooperative Activities with States and 
Indian Tribes, provides procedures for Indian Tribes to carry out 
audits and related investigations of their respective leased lands. The 
Tribe must submit a written proposal to ONRR in order to enter into a 
cooperative agreement. The proposal must outline the activities that 
the Tribe will undertake and must present evidence that the Tribe can 
meet the Secretary's standards in order for the Tribe to conduct the 
activities. The Tribe also must submit an annual work plan and budget, 
as well as quarterly reimbursement vouchers.
    Title 30 CFR part 1229--Delegation to States provides procedures 
for States to carry out audits and related investigations of leased 
Indian lands within their respective State boundaries by permission of 
the respective Indian tribal councils or individual Indian mineral 
owners. The State must receive the Secretary's delegation of authority 
and submit annual audit work plans detailing its audits and related 
investigations, annual budgets, and quarterly reimbursement vouchers. 
States also must maintain records according to section 1227.200(d).
    ONRR protects proprietary information that the States and Tribes 
submit under this collection. We do not collect items of a sensitive 
nature. States and Tribes must respond in order to obtain the benefit 
of entering into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary.
    Frequency: Varies based on the function performed.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: 10 States and 6 
Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: 5,519 
hours.
    We have not included in our estimates certain usual and customary 
requirements that States and Tribes perform in the normal course of 
business. This 30-day Federal Register notice burden chart shows a 12-
hour reduction in annual burden hours from the previous 60-day notice. 
This adjustment is for section 1227.200(e). The following table shows 
the estimated burden hours by CFR section and paragraph:

                                   Respondents' Estimated Annual Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Number of
           30 CFR Section            Reporting and recordkeeping    Hour burden       annual       Annual burden
                                             requirements          per response      responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Part 1227--Delegation to States
                                              Delegation Proposals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.103; 107; 109; 110(a-b(1));     What must a State's                     200               1             200
 110(c-e); 111(a-b); 805.             delegation proposal
                                      contain?
                                     If you want ONRR to
                                      delegate royalty
                                      management functions to
                                      you, then you must submit
                                      a delegation proposal to
                                      the ONRR Deputy Director.
                                      The ONRR will provide you
                                      with technical assistance
                                      and information to help
                                      you prepare your
                                      delegation proposal..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Delegation Process
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.110(b)(2).....................  (b)(2) If you want to                    16              11             176
                                      change the terms of your
                                      delegation agreement for
                                      the renewal period, you
                                      must submit a new
                                      delegation proposal under
                                      this part.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Existing Delegations
                                                  Compensation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.112(d) and (e)................  What compensation will a                  4              64             256
                                      State receive to perform
                                      delegated functions?
                                     You will receive
                                      compensation for your
                                      costs to perform each
                                      delegated function subject
                                      to the following
                                      conditions * * *
                                     (d) At a minimum, you must
                                      provide vouchers detailing
                                      your expenditures
                                      quarterly during the
                                      fiscal year. However, you
                                      may agree to provide
                                      vouchers on a monthly
                                      basis in your delegation
                                      agreement * * *
                                     (e) You must maintain
                                      adequate books and records
                                      to support your vouchers *
                                      * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             States' Responsibilities To Perform Delegated Functions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.200(a), (b), (c) and (d)......  What are a State's general              200              10           2,000
                                      responsibilities if it
                                      accepts a delegation?
                                     For each delegated function
                                      you perform, you must: (a)
                                      * * * seek information or
                                      guidance from ONRR
                                      regarding new, complex, or
                                      unique issues. * * *
                                     (b)(1) * * * Provide
                                      complete disclosure of
                                      financial results of
                                      activities;

[[Page 40906]]

 
                                     (2) Maintain correct and
                                      accurate records of all
                                      mineral-related
                                      transactions and accounts;
                                     (3) Maintain effective
                                      controls and
                                      accountability;
                                     (4) Maintain a system of
                                      accounts * * *
                                     (5) Maintain adequate
                                      royalty and production
                                      information * * *
                                     (c) Assist ONRR in meeting
                                      the requirements of the
                                      Government Performance and
                                      Results Act (GPRA) * * *
                                     (d) Maintain all records
                                      you obtain or create under
                                      your delegated function,
                                      such as royalty reports,
                                      production reports, and
                                      other related information.
                                      * * * You must maintain
                                      such records for at least
                                      7 years. * * *
1227.200(e); 801(a); 804...........  (e) Provide reports to ONRR               3              40             120
                                      about your activities
                                      under your delegated
                                      functions * * * At a
                                      minimum, you must provide
                                      periodic statistical
                                      reports to ONRR
                                      summarizing the activities
                                      you carried out * * *
1227.200(f); 401(e); 601(d)........  (f) Assist ONRR in                        1             250             250
                                      maintaining adequate
                                      reference, royalty, and
                                      production databases. * *
                                      *
1227.200(g); 301(e)................  (g) Develop annual work                  60              10             600
                                      plans * * *
1227.200(h)........................  (h) Help ONRR respond to                  8              10              80
                                      requests for information
                                      from other Federal
                                      agencies, Congress, and
                                      the public * * *
1227.400(a)(4) and (a)(6); 401(d);   What functions may a State              250               1             250
 501(c).                              perform in processing
                                      production reports or
                                      royalty reports?
                                     Production reporters or
                                      royalty reporters provide
                                      production, sales, and
                                      royalty information on
                                      mineral production from
                                      leases that must be
                                      collected, analyzed, and
                                      corrected.
                                     (a) If you request
                                      delegation of either
                                      production report or
                                      royalty report processing
                                      functions, you must
                                      perform * * *
                                     (4) Timely transmitting
                                      production report or
                                      royalty report data to
                                      ONRR and other affected
                                      Federal agencies * * *
                                     (6) Providing production
                                      data or royalty data to
                                      ONRR and other affected
                                      Federal agencies. * * *
1227.400(c)........................  (c) You must provide ONRR                12               1              12
                                      with a copy of any
                                      exceptions from reporting
                                      and payment requirements
                                      for marginal properties
                                      and any alternative
                                      royalty and payment
                                      requirements for unit
                                      agreements and
                                      communitization agreements
                                      you approve.
1227.601(c)........................  What are a State's                       10               1              10
                                      responsibilities if it
                                      performs automated
                                      verification?
                                     To perform automated
                                      verification of production
                                      reports or royalty
                                      reports, you must * * *
                                     (c) Maintain all
                                      documentation and logging
                                      procedures * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Performance Review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part 1227........................................             399           3,954
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Part 1228--Cooperative Activities With States and Indian Tribes Subpart C--Oil and Gas, Onshore
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1228.100(a) and (b); 101(c); 107(b)  Entering into an agreement.             200               1             200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     (a) * * * Indian Tribe may
                                      request the Department to
                                      enter into a cooperative
                                      agreement by sending a
                                      letter from * * * tribal
                                      chairman * * * to the
                                      Director of ONRR.
                                     (b) The request for an
                                      agreement shall be in a
                                      format prescribed by ONRR
                                      and should include at a
                                      minimum the following
                                      information:
                                     (1) Type of eligible
                                      activities to be
                                      undertaken.
                                     (2) Proposed term of the
                                      agreement.
                                     (3) Evidence that * * *
                                      Indian Tribe meets, or can
                                      meet by the time the
                                      agreement is in effect * *
                                      *

[[Page 40907]]

 
                                     (4) If the State is
                                      proposing to undertake
                                      activities on Indian lands
                                      located within the State,
                                      a resolution from the
                                      appropriate tribal council
                                      indicating their agreement
                                      to delegate to the State
                                      responsibilities under the
                                      terms of the cooperative
                                      agreement for activities
                                      to be conducted on tribal
                                      or allotted land.
1228.101(a)........................  Terms of agreement.........              15               6              90
                                     (a) Agreements entered into
                                      under this part shall be
                                      valid for a period of 3
                                      years and shall be
                                      renewable * * * upon
                                      request of * * * Indian
                                      Tribe. * * *
1228.101(d)........................  (d) * * * Indian Tribe will              80               1              80
                                      be given 60 days to
                                      respond to the notice of
                                      deficiencies and to
                                      provide a plan for
                                      correction of those
                                      deficiencies. * * *
1228.103(a) and (b)................  Maintenance of records.....             120               6             720
                                     (a) * * * Indian Tribe
                                      entering into a
                                      cooperative agreement
                                      under this part must
                                      retain all records,
                                      reports, working papers,
                                      and any backup materials *
                                      * *
                                     (b) * * * Indian Tribe
                                      shall maintain all books
                                      and records * * *
1228.105(a)(1) and (a)(2)..........  Funding of cooperative                   60               6             360
                                      agreements.
                                     (a)(1) The Department may,
                                      under the terms of the
                                      cooperative agreement,
                                      reimburse * * * Indian
                                      Tribe up to 100 percent of
                                      the costs of eligible
                                      activities. Eligible
                                      activities will be agreed
                                      upon annually upon the
                                      submission and approval of
                                      a work plan and funding
                                      requirement.
                                     (2) A cooperative agreement
                                      may be entered into with *
                                      * * Indian Tribe, upon
                                      request, without a
                                      requirement for
                                      reimbursement of costs by
                                      the Department.
1228.105(c)........................  (c) . . . Indian Tribe                    4              24              96
                                      shall submit a voucher for
                                      reimbursement of eligible
                                      costs incurred within 30
                                      days of the end of each
                                      calendar quarter. * * *
                                      Indian Tribe must provide
                                      the Department a summary
                                      of costs incurred, for
                                      which * * * Indian Tribe
                                      is seeking reimbursement,
                                      with the voucher.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part 1228........................................              44           1,546
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Part 1229--Delegation to States Subpart C--Oil and Gas, Onshore Administration of Delegations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1229.100(a)(1) and (a)(2)..........  Authorities and                           1               1               1
                                      responsibilities subject
                                      to delegation.
                                     (a) All or part of the
                                      following authorities and
                                      responsibilities of the
                                      Secretary under the Act
                                      may be delegated to a
                                      State authority:
                                     (1) Conduct of audits
                                      related to oil and gas
                                      royalty payments made to
                                      the ONRR which are
                                      attributable to leased * *
                                      * Indian lands within the
                                      State. Delegations with
                                      respect to any Indian
                                      lands require the written
                                      permission, subject to the
                                      review of the ONRR, of the
                                      affected Indian Tribe or
                                      allottee.
                                     (2) Conduct of
                                      investigation related to
                                      oil and gas royalty
                                      payments made to the ONRR
                                      which are attributable to
                                      * * * Indian lands within
                                      the State. Delegation with
                                      respect to any Indian
                                      lands require the written
                                      permission, subject to the
                                      review of the ONRR, of the
                                      affected Indian Tribe or
                                      allottee. No investigation
                                      will be initiated without
                                      the specific approval of
                                      the ONRR. * * *
1229.101(a) and (d)................  Petition for delegation....               1               1               1
                                     (a) The governor or other                 1               1               1
                                      authorized official of any
                                      State which contains * * *
                                      Indian oil and gas leases
                                      where the Indian Tribe and
                                      allottees have given the
                                      State an affirmative
                                      indication of their desire
                                      for the State to undertake
                                      certain royalty management-
                                      related activities on
                                      their lands, may petition
                                      the Secretary to assume
                                      responsibilities to
                                      conduct audits and related
                                      investigations of royalty
                                      related matters affecting
                                      * * * Indian oil and gas
                                      leases within the State *
                                      * *

[[Page 40908]]

 
                                     (d) In the event that the
                                      Secretary denies the
                                      petition, the Secretary
                                      must provide the State
                                      with the specific reasons
                                      for denial of the
                                      petition. The State will
                                      then have 60 days to
                                      either contest or correct
                                      specific deficiencies and
                                      to reapply for a
                                      delegation of authority.
1229.102(c)........................  Fact-finding and hearings..               1               1               1
                                     (c) A State petitioning for
                                      a delegation of authority
                                      shall be given the
                                      opportunity to present
                                      testimony at a public
                                      hearing.
1229.103(c)........................  Duration of delegations;                  1               1               1
                                      termination of delegations.
                                     (c) A State may terminate a
                                      delegation of authority by
                                      giving a 120-day written
                                      notice of intent to
                                      terminate.
1229.105...........................  Evidence of Indian                        1               1               1
                                      agreement to delegation.
                                     In the case of a State
                                      seeking a delegation of
                                      authority for Indian lands
                                      * * * the State petition
                                      to the Secretary must be
                                      supported by an
                                      appropriate resolution or
                                      resolutions of tribal
                                      councils joining the State
                                      in petitioning for
                                      delegation and evidence of
                                      the agreement of
                                      individual Indian
                                      allottees whose lands
                                      would be involved in a
                                      delegation. Such evidence
                                      shall specifically speak
                                      to having the State assume
                                      delegated responsibility
                                      for specific functions
                                      related to royalty
                                      management activities.
1229.106...........................  Withdrawal of Indian lands                1               1               1
                                      from delegated authority.
                                      If at any time an Indian
                                      Tribe or an individual
                                      Indian allottee determines
                                      that it wishes to withdraw
                                      from the State delegation
                                      of authority in relation
                                      to its lands, it may do so
                                      by sending a petition of
                                      withdrawal to the State. *
                                      * *
1229.109(a)........................  Reimbursement for costs                   1               1               1
                                      incurred by a State under
                                      the delegation of
                                      authority.
                                     (a) The Department of the
                                      Interior (DOI) shall
                                      reimburse the State for
                                      100 percent of the direct
                                      cost associated with the
                                      activities undertaken
                                      under the delegation of
                                      authority. The State shall
                                      maintain books and records
                                      in accordance with the
                                      standards established by
                                      the DOI and will provide
                                      the DOI, on a quarterly
                                      basis, a summary of costs
                                      incurred * * *
1229.109(b)........................   (b) The State shall submit               1               4               4
                                      a voucher for
                                      reimbursement of costs
                                      incurred within 30 days of
                                      the end of each calendar
                                      quarter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Delegation Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1229.120...........................  Obtaining regulatory and                  1               1               1
                                      policy guidance. All
                                      activities performed by a
                                      State under a delegation
                                      must be in full accord
                                      with all Federal laws,
                                      rules and regulations, and
                                      Secretarial and agency
                                      determinations and orders
                                      relating to the
                                      calculation, reporting,
                                      and payment of oil and gas
                                      royalties. In those cases
                                      when guidance or
                                      interpretations are
                                      necessary, the State will
                                      direct written requests
                                      for such guidance or
                                      interpretation to the
                                      appropriate ONRR
                                      officials. * * *
1229.121...........................  Recordkeeping requirements.               1               1               1
                                     (a) The State shall
                                      maintain in a safe and
                                      secure manner all records,
                                      workpapers, reports, and
                                      correspondence gained or
                                      developed as a consequence
                                      of audit or investigative
                                      activities conducted under
                                      the delegation * * *
                                     (b) The State must maintain
                                      in a confidential manner
                                      all data obtained from DOI
                                      sources or from payor or
                                      company sources under the
                                      delegation * * *

[[Page 40909]]

 
                                     (c) All records subject to
                                      the requirements of
                                      paragraph (a) must be
                                      maintained for a 6-year
                                      period measured from the
                                      end of the calendar year
                                      in which the records were
                                      created * * * Upon
                                      termination of a
                                      delegation, the State
                                      shall, within 90 days from
                                      the date of termination,
                                      assemble all records
                                      specified in subsection
                                      (a), complete all working
                                      paper files in accordance
                                      with Sec.   229.124, and
                                      transfer such records to
                                      the ONRR.
                                     (d) The State shall
                                      maintain complete cost
                                      records for the delegation
                                      in accordance with
                                      generally accepted
                                      accounting principles. * *
                                      *
1229.122...........................  Coordination of audit                     1               1               1
                                      activities.
                                     (a) Each State with a
                                      delegation of authority
                                      shall submit annually to
                                      the ONRR an audit workplan
                                      specifically identifying
                                      leases, resources,
                                      companies, and payors
                                      scheduled for audit * * *
                                      A State may request
                                      changes to its workplan *
                                      * * at the end of each
                                      quarter of each fiscal
                                      year. All requested
                                      changes are subject to
                                      approval by the ONRR and
                                      must be submitted in
                                      writing.
                                     (b) When a State plans to
                                      audit leases of a lessee
                                      or royalty payor for which
                                      there is an ONRR or OIG
                                      resident audit team, all
                                      audit activities must be
                                      coordinated through the
                                      ONRR or OIG resident
                                      supervisor. * * *
                                     (c) The State shall consult
                                      with the ONRR and/or OIG
                                      regarding resolution of
                                      any coordination problems
                                      encountered during the
                                      conduct of delegation
                                      activities.
1229.123(b)(3)(i)..................  Standards for audit                       1               1               1
                                      activities. (b)(3)
                                      Standards of reporting.
                                      (i) Written audit reports
                                      are to be submitted to the
                                      appropriate ONRR officials
                                      at the end of each field
                                      examination.
1229.124...........................  Documentation standards.                  1               1               1
                                      Every audit performed by a
                                      State under a delegation
                                      of authority must meet
                                      certain documentation
                                      standards. In particular,
                                      detailed workpapers must
                                      be developed and
                                      maintained.
1229.125(a) and (b)................  Preparation and issuance of               1               1               1
                                      enforcement documents.
                                     (a) Determinations of
                                      additional royalties due
                                      resulting from audit
                                      activities conducted under
                                      a delegation of authority
                                      must be formally
                                      communicated by the State,
                                      to the companies or other
                                      payors by an issue letter
                                      prior to any enforcement
                                      action. * * *
                                     (b) After evaluating the
                                      company or payor's
                                      response to the issue
                                      letter, the State shall
                                      draft a demand letter
                                      which will be submitted
                                      with supporting workpaper
                                      files to the ONRR for
                                      appropriate enforcement
                                      action. Any substantive
                                      revisions to the demand
                                      letter will be discussed
                                      with the State prior to
                                      issuance of the letter. *
                                      * *
1229.126(a) and (b)................  Appeals....................               1               1               1
                                     (a) . . . The State
                                      regulatory authority
                                      shall, upon the request of
                                      the ONRR, provide
                                      competent and
                                      knowledgeable staff for
                                      testimony, as well as any
                                      required documentation and
                                      analyses, in support of
                                      the lessor's position
                                      during the appeal process.
                                     (b) An affected State, upon
                                      the request of the ONRR,
                                      shall provide expert
                                      witnesses from their audit
                                      staff for testimony as
                                      well as required
                                      documentation and analyses
                                      to support the
                                      Department's position
                                      during the litigation of
                                      court cases arising from
                                      denied appeals. * * *
1229.127...........................  Reports from States. The                  1               1               1
                                      State, acting under the
                                      authority of the
                                      Secretarial delegation,
                                      shall submit quarterly
                                      reports which will
                                      summarize activities
                                      carried out by the State
                                      during the preceding
                                      quarter of the year under
                                      the provisions of the
                                      delegation. * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part 229.........................................              19              19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 40910]]

 
        TOTAL BURDEN............................................................             462           5,519
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-hour'' Cost 
Burden: We have identified no ``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, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA requires each agency to 
``* * * provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register * * * 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 that ONRR collects; 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, we published a 
notice in the Federal Register on February 2, 2012 (77 FR 5268), 
announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The 
notice provided the required 60-day comment period. We received no 
unsolicited comments in response to the notice.
    If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send 
your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information 
collection, but they may respond after 30 days. Therefore, in order to 
ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by 
August 10, 2012.
    Public Comment Policy: We post all comments, including names and 
addresses of respondents, at http://www.regulations.gov. Before 
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, be advised that we may make 
publicly available at any time your entire comment--including your 
personal identifying information. While you can ask us in your comment 
to withhold from public view your personal identifying information, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Information Collection Clearance Officer: Laura Dorey (202) 208-
2654.

    Dated: June 21, 2012.
Gregory J. Gould,
Director, Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
[FR Doc. 2012-16922 Filed 7-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-T2-P