[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 15629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06670]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[DR.5B811.IA000913]


Renewal of Agency Information Collection for Tribal Energy 
Resource Agreements

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of submission to OMB.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs is submitting to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) a request for approval for the collection 
of information titled ``25 CFR 224, Tribal Energy Resource Agreements'' 
(TERAs) under the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development 
Office (IEED). This information collection is currently authorized by 
OMB Control Number 1076-0167, which expires March 31, 2015.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
April 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the information collection to the 
Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at the Office of 
Management and Budget, by facsimile to (202) 395-5806 or you may send 
an email to: [email protected]. Please send a copy of your 
comments to Mr. Stephen Manydeeds, Chief, Division of Energy and 
Mineral Development, 13922 Denver West Parkway, Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 
80401; facsimile: (303) 969-5273; email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Manydeeds, telephone: 
(720) 407-0600. You may review the information collection request 
online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review 
Department of the Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Energy Policy Act of 2005, 25 U.S.C. 3504 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 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. This 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

    On January 13, 2015, the BIA published a notice announcing the 
renewal of this information collection and provided a 60-day comment 
period in the Federal Register (80 FR 1662). There were no comments 
received in response to this notice.
    The BIA 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 
displays 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 personally 
identifiable 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: 25 CFR 224, Tribal Energy Resource Agreements.
    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 18, 2015.
Elizabeth K. Appel,
Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action--Indian 
Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-06670 Filed 3-23-15; 8:45 am]
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