[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 19005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07212]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Renewal of Agency Information Collection for Tribal Energy 
Resource Agreements

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs is seeking comments on the renewal 
of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the collection of 
information titled ``Tribal Energy Resource Agreements'' (TERAs) under 
the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development Office (IEED) 
authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0167. This information collection 
expires June 30, 2013.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the information collection to 
David Johnson, Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, 1951 
Constitution Avenue NW., Room 20-SIB, Washington, DC 20240; email 
[email protected]; or facsimile: (202) 208-4564.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Johnson, (202) 208-3026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Energy Policy Act of 2005, 25 U.S.C. 3503 authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to approve individual Tribal Energy Resource 
Agreements (TERAs). The intent of these agreements is to promote tribal 
oversight and management of energy and mineral resource development on 
tribal lands and further the goal of Indian self-determination. A TERA 
offers a tribe an alternative for developing energy-related business 
agreements and awarding leases and granting rights-of-way for energy 
facilities without having to obtain further approval from the 
Secretary.
    This information collection conducted under TERA regulations at 25 
CFR 224 will allow IEED to determine the capacity of tribes to manage 
the development of energy resources on tribal lands. Information 
collection:
     Enables IEED to engage in a consultation process with 
tribes that is designed to foster optimal pre-planning of development 
proposals and speed up the review and approval process for TERA 
agreements;
     Provides wide public notice and opportunity for review of 
TERA agreements by the public, industry, and government agencies;
     Ensures that the public has an avenue for review of the 
performance of tribes in implementing a TERA;
     Creates a process for preventing damage to sensitive 
resources as well as ensuring that the public has fully communicated 
with the tribe in the petition process;
     Ensures that a tribe is fully aware of any attempt by the 
Department of the Interior to resume management authority over energy 
resources on tribal lands; and
     Ensures that the tribal government fully endorses any 
relinquishment of a TERA.

II. Request for Comments

    The Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs requests your comments on 
this collection concerning: (a) The necessity of this information 
collection for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (hours and cost) of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) Ways we could enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways we could 
minimize the burden of the collection of the information on the 
respondents.
    Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and an 
individual need not respond to, a collection of information unless it 
has a valid OMB Control Number.
    It is our policy to make all comments available to the public for 
review at the location listed in the ADDRESSES section. Before 
including your address, phone number, email 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.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 1076-0167.
    Title: Tribal Energy Resource Agreements, 25 CFR 224.
    Brief Description of Collection: Submission of this information is 
required for Indian tribes to apply for, implement, reassume, or 
rescind a TERA that has been entered into in accordance with the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 and 25 CFR 224. This collection also requires the 
tribe to notify the public of certain actions. A response is required 
to obtain a benefit.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved 
collection.
    Respondents: Federally recognized Indian tribes.
    Number of Respondents: 14.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Time per Response: Ranges from 32 hours to 1,080 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 10,752 hours.
    Estimated Total Non-hour Cost Burden: $48,200.

    Dated: March 20, 2013.
Christine Cho,
Acting Assistant Director for Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 2013-07212 Filed 3-27-13; 8:45 am]
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