[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66397-66401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26464]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Number 1010-0151]


Information Collection: Plans and Information; Submitted for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; MMAA104000

ACTION: 30-day notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is notifying the public that 
we have submitted an information collection request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This ICR 
pertains to the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 
550, Subpart B, Plans and Information. This notice provides the public 
a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this 
collection.

DATES: Submit written comments by December 8, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this ICR to the Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-5806 (fax) or 
[email protected] (email). Please provide a copy of your 
comments to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, Arlene 
Bajusz, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 381 Elden Street, HM-3127, 
Herndon, Virginia 20170 (mail) or [email protected] (email). 
Please reference ICR 1010-0151 in your comment and include your name 
and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Bajusz, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis at [email protected] (email) or (703) 
787-1025 (phone). You may review the ICR and forms online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the 
Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0151.
    Title: 30 CFR 550, Subpart B, Plans and Information.
    Forms: BOEM-0137, BOEM-0138, BOEM-0139, BOEM-0141, BOEM-0142.

[[Page 66398]]

    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. Such rules and 
regulations apply to all operations conducted under a lease, right-of-
use and easement, or unit. The OCS Lands Act, at U.S.C. 1340 and 1351, 
requires the holders of OCS oil and gas or sulphur leases to submit 
exploration plans (EPs) and development and production plans (DPPs) to 
the Secretary for approval prior to commencing these activities. Also, 
as a Federal agency, we have a continuing affirmative duty to comply 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species 
Act (ESA), and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This includes a 
substantive duty to carry out any agency action in a manner that is not 
likely to jeopardize protected species as well as a procedural duty to 
consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries) 
before engaging in a discretionary action that may affect a protected 
species.
    These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to 
BOEM. The regulations at 30 CFR 550, Subpart B, concern plans and 
information that must be submitted to conduct activities on a lease, 
right-of-use and easement, or unit and are the subject of this 
collection. The collection also covers the related Notices to Lessees 
and Operators (NTLs) that BOEM issues to clarify, supplement, or 
provide additional guidance on some aspects of our regulations.
    BOEM geologists, geophysicists, and environmental scientists and 
other Federal agencies (e.g., FWS, NOAA Fisheries) analyze and evaluate 
the information and data collected under Subpart B to ensure that 
planned operations are safe; will not adversely affect the marine, 
coastal, or human environment; and will conserve the resources of the 
OCS. We use the information to (a) make an informed decision on whether 
to approve the proposed exploration or development and production plan 
as submitted, or whether modifications are necessary without the 
analysis and evaluation of the required information. The affected 
States also review the information collected to determine consistency 
with approved Coastal Zone Management (CZM) plans and (b) report 
annually to NOAA Fisheries the effectiveness of mitigation, any adverse 
effects of the proposed action, and any incidental take, in accordance 
with 50 CFR 402.14(i)(3).
    The following forms are submitted to BOEM under Subpart B.
    BOEM-0137--Plan Information Form is submitted to summarize plan 
information. BOEM uses the information to review and evaluate submitted 
OCS plans. In this renewal, BOEM is modifying the form to clarify the 
wording of some fields, remove redundant fields, and make some minor 
formatting adjustments. We do not expect any change in the hour burden 
as a result.
    BOEM-0138--Gulf of Mexico Air Emission Calculations for Exploration 
Plans; BOEM-0139--Gulf of Mexico Air Emission Calculations for 
Development and Production Plans (DPPs)/Development Operations 
Coordination Documents (DOCDs) are submitted to standardize the way 
potential air emissions are estimated and approved as part of the OCS 
plan. BOEM uses the data from these forms to determine the effect of 
air emissions on the environment.
    BOEM-0141--ROV Survey Report is submitted to report the 
observations and information recorded from two sets of remotely 
operated vehicle (ROV) monitoring surveys to identify high-density 
benthic communities that may occur on the seafloor in deep water. BOEM 
uses the information to help design mitigation measures to avoid these 
areas and to help assess the effectiveness of avoidance criteria.
    BOEM-0142--Environmental Impact Analysis Worksheet identifies the 
environmental impact-producing factors for the listed environmental 
resources. BOEM uses the information to help assess impacts and 
determine compliance with NEPA.
    We will protect information considered proprietary under the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing 
regulations (43 CFR 2), 30 CFR 550.197, ``Data and information to be 
made available to the public or for limited inspection,'' and 30 CFR 
part 552, ``Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Information 
Program.'' No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are 
mandatory.
    Frequency: On occasion, semi-monthly, or varies by section.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We expect the 
estimated annual reporting burden for this collection to be 432,512 
hours. The following table details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR. 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.

                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Non-hour costs \2\
 Citation 30 CFR 550 Subpart B         Reporting &      --------------------------------------------------------
            and NTLs                  recordkeeping                         Average number of
                                     requirement \1\        Hour burden      annual responses     Burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200 thru 206...................  General requirements        Burden included with specific     0
                                  for plans and                   requirements below.
                                  information; fees/
                                  refunds, etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201 thru 206; 211 thru 228: 241  BOEM posts on FDMS,       Not considered IC as defined in 5   0
 thru 262.                        EPs/DPPs/DOCDs, and              CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                  receives public
                                  comments in
                                  preparation of EAs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ancillary Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
208; NTLs......................  Notify BOEM in writing  11...............  61 notices.......  671
                                  and other users of
                                  the OCS before
                                  conducting ancillary
                                  activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 66399]]

 
207; 210(a)....................  Submit report           2................  61 reports.......  122
                                  summarizing &
                                  analyzing data/
                                  information obtained
                                  or derived from
                                  ancillary activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
207; 210(b)....................  Retain ancillary        2................  61 records.......  122
                                  activities data/
                                  information; upon
                                  request, submit to
                                  BOEM.
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                                         2.5..............  1 submittal......  3 (rounded).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  184 responses....  918 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Contents of Exploration Plans (EP)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200-206; 209; 231(b); 232(d);    Submit amended,         150..............  345 changed plans  51,750
 234; 235; 281; 283; 284; 285;    modified, revised, or                      \3\.
 NTLs.                            supplemental EP, or
                                  resubmit disapproved
                                  EP, including
                                  required information;
                                  withdraw an EP.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200-206; 209; 211 thru 228;      Submit EP and all       600..............  163 \3\..........  97,800
 NTLs.                            required information
                                  (including, but not
                                  limited to,
                                  submissions
                                  required by BOEM            $3,673 x 163 EP surface locations = $598,699.
                                  Forms 0137, 0138,
                                  0142; lease
                                  stipulations;
                                  withdrawals; air
                                  quality info.;
                                  reports, including
                                  shallow hazards
                                  surveys, H2S, G&G,
                                  archaeological
                                  surveys (550.194)),
                                  in specified formats.
                                  Provide
                                  notifications; retain
                                  data.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
220............................  Alaska-specific         Burden included with EP requirements  0
                                  requirements.                   (30 CFR 550.211-228)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  508 responses....  149,550
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $598,699 Non-Hour Costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Review and Decision Process for the EP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
235(b); 272(b); 281(d)(3)(ii)..  Appeal State's            Burden exempt as defined in 5 CFR   0
                                  objection.                       1320.4(a)(2), (c).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contents of Development and Production Plans (DPP) and Development Operations Coordination Documents (DOCD)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200-206; 209; 266(b); 267(d);    Submit amended,         235..............  353 changed plans  82,955
 272(a); 273; 281; 283; 284;      modified, revised, or                      \3\.
 285; NTLs.                       supplemental DPP or
                                  DOCD, including
                                  required information,
                                  or resubmit
                                  disapproved DPP or
                                  DOCD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200-206; 241 thru 262; 209;      Submit DPP/DOCD and     700..............  268 \3\..........  187,600
 NTLs.                            required/supporting
                                  information
                                  (including, but not
                                  limited to,
                                  submissions required          $4,238 x 268 DPP/DOCD wells = $1,135,784.
                                  by BOEM Forms 0137,
                                  0139, 0142; lease
                                  stipulations;
                                  withdrawals; air
                                  quality info.;
                                  reports, including
                                  shallow hazards
                                  surveys,
                                  archaeological
                                  surveys (CFR
                                  550.194)), in
                                  specified formats.
                                  Provide
                                  notifications; retain
                                  data.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  621 responses....  270,555
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $1,135,784 Non-hour costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Review and Decision Process for the DPP or DOCD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
267(a).........................  Once BOEM deemed DPP/   1................  1 submittal......  1
                                  DOCD submitted;
                                  Governor of each
                                  affected State, local
                                  government official;
                                  etc., submit comments/
                                  recommendations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
267(b).........................  General public            Not considered IC as defined in 5   0
                                  comments/                        CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                  recommendations
                                  submitted to BOEM re:
                                  DPPs or DOCDs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 66400]]

 
269(b).........................  Submit information on   3................  1 response.......  3
                                  preliminary plans for
                                  leases or units in
                                  vicinity of proposed
                                  development and
                                  production activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  2 responses......  4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Post-Approval Requirements for the EP, DPP, and DOCD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
280............................  Request departure from    Burden included under 1010-0114.    0
                                  your approved EP,
                                  DPP, or DOCD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
281(a).........................  Submit various BSEE      Burdens included under appropriate   0
                                  applications.            subpart or form (1014-0003; 1014-
                                                              0011; 1014-0016; 1014-0018).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
282............................  Retain monitoring data/ 4................  150 records......  600
                                  information; upon
                                  request, make
                                  available to BOEM.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Submit monitoring plan  2................  6 plans..........  12
                                  for approval.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
282(b).........................  Submit monitoring       3................  12 reports.......  36
                                  reports and data
                                  (including BOEM Form
                                  0141 used in GOMR).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
284............................  Submit updated info on  4................  56 updates.......  224
                                  activities conducted
                                  under approved EP/DPP/
                                  DOCD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  224 responses....  872
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Submit CIDs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
296(a); 297....................  Submit CID and          375..............  14 documents.....  5,250
                                  required/supporting
                                  information.
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                                   $27,348 x 14 = $382,872.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
296(b); 297....................  Submit a revised CID    100..............  13 revisions.....  1,300
                                  for approval.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  27 responses.....  6,550
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $382,872 non-hour costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Program NTL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NTL; 211 thru 228; 241 thru 262  Submit to BOEM          1.5..............  2 sets of          3
                                  observer training                          material.
                                  requirement materials
                                  and information.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Training certification  1................  1 new trainee....  1
                                  and recordkeeping.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 During seismic          1.5..............  344 reports......  516
                                  acquisition
                                  operations, submit
                                  daily observer
                                  reports semi-monthly.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 If used, submit to      2................  6 submittals.....  12
                                  BOEM information on
                                  any passive acoustic
                                  monitoring system
                                  prior to placing it
                                  in service.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 During seismic          1.5..............  1,976 reports....  2,964
                                  acquisition
                                  operations, submit to
                                  BOEM marine mammal
                                  observation report(s)
                                  semi-monthly or
                                  within 24 hours if
                                  air gun operations
                                  were shut down.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 During seismic          1.5..............  344 reports......  516
                                  acquisition
                                  operations, when air
                                  guns are being
                                  discharged, submit
                                  daily observer
                                  reports semi-monthly.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Observation Duty (3         3 observers x 8 hrs x 365 days = 8,760 hours x 4
                                  observers fulfilling        vessels observing = 35,040 man-hours x $52/hr =
                                  an 8 hour shift ea                            $1,822,080.
                                  for 365 calendar days
                                  x 4 vessels = 35,040
                                  man-hours). This
                                  requirement is
                                  contracted out; hence
                                  the non-hour cost
                                  burden.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 66401]]

 
    Subtotal..............................................................  2,673 responses..  4,012
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $1,822,080 Non-Hour Costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Vessel Strike Avoidance and Injured/Protected Species Reporting NTL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NTL; 211 thru 228; 241 thru 262  Notify BOEM within 24   1................  1 notice.........  1
                                  hours of strike, when
                                  your vessel injures/
                                  kills a protected
                                  species (marine
                                  mammal/sea turtle).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  1 response.......  1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                General Departure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200 thru 299...................  General departure and   2................  25 requests......  50
                                  alternative
                                  compliance requests
                                  not specifically
                                  covered elsewhere in
                                  Subpart B regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................  25 responses.....  50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden......................................................  4,265 responses..  432,512
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $3,939,435 Non-Hour Costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In the future, BOEM may require electronic filing of some submissions.
\2\ Fees are subject to modification per inflation annually.
\3\ Number of plans currently estimated for all OCS areas.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified three non-hour costs associated with this information 
collection that are cost recovery fees. They consist of fees being 
submitted with EP's ($3,673), DPP's or DOCD's ($4,238), and CID's 
($27,348).
    There is also one non-hour cost burden associated with the 
Protected Species Observer Program. The cost associated with this 
program is due to observation activities that are usually subcontracted 
to other service companies with expertise in these areas (see above 
table). The total non-hour cost burden for this collection is 
$3,939,435.
    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: We invite comments concerning this information collection 
on:
     Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
     The accuracy of our burden estimates;
     Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden on respondents.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on June 9, 2014, 
BOEM published a Federal Register notice (79 FR 32989) announcing that 
we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. This notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. We received one comment, but it did not 
pertain to the information collection.
    Public Availability of Comments: 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.

    Dated: October 27, 2014.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2014-26464 Filed 11-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P