[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51597-51603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20926]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

[Docket No. ONRR-2011-0025; DS63610000 DR2PS0000.CH7000 156D0102R2]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Delegated and 
Cooperative Activities With States and Indian Tribes--OMB Control 
Number 1012-0003; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of an existing 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: OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove this information 
collection request but may respond after 30 days; therefore, you should 
submit your public comments to OMB by September 24, 2015 for the 
assurance of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your written comments directly to the Desk 
Officer for the Department of the Interior (OMB Control Number 1012-
0003), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, by email to 
[email protected] or telefax at (202) 395-5806. Please also 
mail a copy of your comments to Mr. Luis Aguilar, Regulatory 
Specialist, ONRR, P.O. Box 25165, MS 61030A, Denver, Colorado 80225-
0165, or email [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control 
Number 1012-0003 in your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on technical issues, 
contact Peter Hanley, State and Tribal Support, ONRR, at (303) 231-
3721, or via email to [email protected]. For other questions, 
contact Mr. Luis Aguilar, at (303) 231-3418, or via email to 
[email protected]. You may also contact Mr. Aguilar to obtain 
copies (free of charge) of (1) the ICR, (2) any associated forms, and 
(3) the regulations that require the subject collection of information. 
You may also review the information collection request online at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. 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). Under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 (OCS Lands Act), Geothermal 
Steam Act of 1970, and Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982, the 
Secretary is required to manage mineral resource production on 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 to 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 and the OCS 
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 (royalty) 
of the value received from production on 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 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 conduct certain 
inspections, audits, investigations, or limited enforcement activities 
for oil and gas leases within their respective boundaries. 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 to verify that 
States and Tribes are able to effectively 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:
    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. This regulation also provides 
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

[[Page 51598]]

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.

2. Data

    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.
    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: 
17,705 hours.
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-hour'' Cost 
Burden: We have identified no ``non-hour cost'' burden associated with 
this collection of information.
    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 an 
adjustment increase of +4,786 burden hours from the previous 60-day 
notice; we based this adjustment on comments that we received from the 
Shoshone-Arapaho and Navajo Tribes. 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.
                                      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              940              10           9,400
                                      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;
                                     (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) . . .

[[Page 51599]]

 
                                     (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               1               1
                                      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                1               1               1
 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                 1               1               1
                                      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
                                      responsibilities if it
                                      performs automated
                                      verification?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     To perform automated                      1               1               1
                                      verification of production
                                      reports or royalty
                                      reports, you must . . .
                                     (c) Maintain all
                                      documentation and logging
                                      procedures . . ..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Performance Review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part  ...........................  ..............             150          10,836
     1227.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         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 . .
                                      .
                                     (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.

[[Page 51600]]

 
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.....             940               6           5,640
                                     (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                   20              24             480
                                      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  ...........................  ..............              44           6,850
     1228.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         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 Office of Natural
                                      Resources Revenue (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
                                      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 51601]]

 
                                     (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 51602]]

 
                                     (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 work papers 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........               1               1               1
                                     The 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. . . ..
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 51603]]

 
    Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part  ...........................              19              19
     229.
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
        Total Burden...............  ...........................  ..............             213          17,705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Request for 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 5, 2015 (80 FR 6540), 
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.
    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.
    Public Comment Policy: ONRR will post all comments, including names 
and addresses of respondents at http://www.regulations.gov. Before 
including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as your 
address, phone number, email address, or other personal information in 
your comment(s), you should be aware that your entire comment 
(including PII) may be made available to the public at any time. While 
you may ask us, in your comment, to withhold PII from public view, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

     Dated: August 17, 2015.
Gregory J. Gould,
Director, Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
[FR Doc. 2015-20926 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4335-30-P