[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 165 (Wednesday, August 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51838-51840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21102]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2015-0009; OMB Control Number 1014-0007; 15XE1700DX 
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Oil-Spill Response 
Requirements for Facilities Located Seaward of the Coast Line; 
Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment 
Request

ACTION: 30-day notice.

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

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is notifying the 
public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request 
(ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the 
regulations under Oil-Spill Response Requirements for Facilities 
Located Seaward of the Coast Line. This notice also provides the public 
a second opportunity to comment on the revised paperwork burden of 
these regulatory requirements.

DATES: You must submit comments by September 25, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or email 
([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of 
the Interior (1014-0007). Please provide a copy of your comments to 
BSEE by any of the means below.
     Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2015-0009 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     Email [email protected], fax (703) 787-1546, or mail 
or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of 
Safety and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; 
ATTN: Cheryl Blundon; 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Please 
reference ICR 1014-0007 in your comment and include your name and 
return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607, to request additional information 
about this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to 
http://www.reginfo.gov (select Information Collection Review, Currently 
Under Review).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR 254, Oil-Spill Response Requirements for Facilities 
Located Seaward of the Coast Line.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0007.
    Abstract: Section 2(b)(3) of E.O. 12777 delegated to the Secretary 
of the Interior (Secretary) those responsibilities under section 
311(j)(1)(C) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) 
(October 18, 1991; 56 FR 54757), requiring the Secretary to establish 
procedures, methods, and requirements for equipment to prevent and 
contain discharges of oil and hazardous substances from offshore 
facilities, including associated pipelines. Under section 2(d)(3) of 
E.O. 12777, section 311(j)(5) of FWPCA, and section 4202(b)(4) of OPA, 
the Secretary is required to issue regulations requiring the owners or 
operators of offshore facilities, including associated pipelines, to 
prepare and submit response plans that ensure the availability of 
private spill-response personnel and equipment and to permit the 
operation of offshore facilities, including associated pipelines, 
without approved response plans if certain conditions are met. Under 
section 2(e)(3) of E.O. 12777 and section 311(j)(6)(A) of FWPCA, the 
Secretary must require periodic inspections of containment booms and 
equipment used to remove discharges at offshore facilities, including 
associated pipelines. The Secretary has redelegated these 
responsibilities to the Director, BSEE.
    The FWPCA, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), 
requires that a spill-response plan be submitted for offshore 
facilities prior to February 18, 1993. The OPA specifies that after 
that date, an offshore facility may not handle, store, or transport oil 
unless a plan has been submitted. Regulations at 30 CFR 254 establish 
requirements for spill-response plans for oil-handling facilities 
seaward of the coast line, including associated pipelines.
    In addition, BSEE also issues various Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and 
Operators to clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of 
the regulations, as well as forms to capture the data and information.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are among those 
delegated to BSEE. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain or 
retain a benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. BSEE 
protects information considered proprietary under the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOI's implementing regulations (43 
CFR 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR part 250.197, Data and 
information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection, 30 CFR part 252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
    BSEE uses the information collected under 30 CFR 254 to determine 
compliance with OPA by lessees/operators. Specifically, BSEE needs the 
information to:
     Determine that lessees/operators have an adequate plan and 
are sufficiently prepared to implement a quick and effective response 
to a discharge of oil from their facilities or operations.
     Review plans prepared under the regulations of a State and 
submitted to BSEE to satisfy the requirements in 30 CFR 254 to ensure 
that they meet minimum requirements of OPA.
     Verify that personnel involved in oil-spill response are 
properly trained and familiar with the requirements of the spill-
response plans and to lead and witness spill-response exercises.
     Assess the sufficiency and availability of contractor 
equipment and materials.
     Verify that sufficient quantities of equipment are 
available and in working order.

[[Page 51839]]

     Oversee spill-response efforts and maintain official 
records of pollution events.
     Assess the efforts of lessees/operators to prevent oil 
spills or prevent substantial threats of such discharges.
    Frequency: On occasion, monthly, annually, biennially and as 
required by regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise OCS 
Federal oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 74,461 
hours. The following chart details the individual components and 
estimated hour burdens. 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 Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Annual burden
   Citation 30 CFR 254 and NTLs     Reporting requirement *    Hour burden    Average number of        hours
                                                                               annual responses      (rounded)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Subpart A--General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1(a) thru (d); 2(a); 3 thru 5; 7;  Submit spill response              192.8  18 new plans.......           3,470
 20 thru 29; 44(b); 47(a)(3); 51.   plan for OCS facilities
                                    and related documents/
                                    copies of referenced
                                    documents; any
                                    additional information
                                    necessary for
                                    compliance purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1(e).............................  Request BSEE                         0.4  2 requests.........               1
                                    jurisdiction over
                                    facility landward of
                                    coast line (no recent
                                    request received).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2(b).............................  Submit certification of             15.8  18 certification...             284
                                    capability to respond
                                    to worst case discharge
                                    or substantial threat
                                    of such.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2(c).............................  Request deadline                       2  8 extensions.......              16
                                    extension for
                                    submission of revised
                                    plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8................................  Appeal BSEE orders or       Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2),                0
                                    decisions per 30 CFR                     (c).
                                    Part 290.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  46 responses.......           3,771
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Subpart B--Oil-Spill Response Plans for Outer Continental Shelf Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart B 52.....................  Requirements for your        Burden included with specific                  0
                                    oil-spill response        requirements under subparts A and
                                    plans.                                    D.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30...............................  Submit and/or resubmit                62  159 revised plans..           9,858
                                    revised spill response
                                    plan for OCS facilities
                                    at least every 2 years
                                    or within 15 days
                                    whenever certain
                                    changes occur (see
                                    (b)(1-4) or (see (e)(1-
                                    3)).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30...............................  Notify BSEE of no change               1  1 plan.............               1
                                    to your plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  160 responses......           9,859
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Subpart C--Related Requirements for OCS Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40...............................  Make records of all OSRO-              7  40 records.........             280
                                    provided services,
                                    equipment, personnel
                                    available to BSEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41...............................  Conduct annual training;             149  138 plans holders/           20,562
                                    retain training records                   operators.
                                    for 2 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42(a) thru (e)...................  Conduct triennial                    215  138 exercises......          29,670
                                    response plan exercise;
                                    retain exercise records
                                    for 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42(f)............................  Inform BSEE 30 days                  1.3  138 notifications..             179
                                    before the date of any
                                    exercise (triennial).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43...............................  Inspect response                    10.5  780 (65 sites x 12            8,190
                                    equipment monthly;                        months).
                                    retain inspection &
                                    maintenance records for
                                    2 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44(b)............................  Request approval to use              1.5  1 request..........               2
                                    a different efficiency
                                    factor for specific oil
                                    recovery devices;
                                    submit evidence to
                                    demonstrate the request.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 51840]]

 
46(a) NTL........................  Notify NRC of all oil     Burden would be included in the NRC               0
                                    spills from owner/                    inventory.
                                    operator facility.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46(b) NTL(s).....................  Notify BSEE of oil                     2  6 notifications &                12
                                    spills of one barrel or                   reports.
                                    more from owner/
                                    operator facility;
                                    submit follow-up
                                    report; after
                                    catastrophic event may
                                    be requested to meet w/
                                    BSEE to discuss storm
                                    recovery strategies/
                                    pollution.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46(c)............................  Notify BSEE &                        1.8  24 notifications...              43
                                    responsible party of
                                    oil spills from
                                    operations at another
                                    facility.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47(d)............................  Request instructions on              0.9  1 request..........               1
                                    how to calculate volume
                                    of WDC scenario if not
                                    listed in Sec.
                                    203.47(a-c).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  1,266 responses....          58,939
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Subpart D--Oil Spill Response Requirements for Facilities Located in State Waters Seaward of the Coast Line
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50; 52...........................  Submit response plan for            46.3  13 plans...........             602
                                    facility in State
                                    waters following format
                                    for OCS plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50; 51; 52.......................  Submit response plan for            14.3  50 plans...........             715
                                    facility in State
                                    waters by modifying
                                    existing OCS plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50; 53...........................  Submit response plan for              40  8 plans............             320
                                    facility in State
                                    waters developed under
                                    State requirements
                                    including all
                                    information as required
                                    in these sections.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54...............................  Submit description of                3.8  67 submissions.....             255
                                    oil-spill prevention
                                    procedures and
                                    demonstrate compliance;
                                    include any industry
                                    safety and pollution
                                    prevention standards
                                    your facility meets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  138 responses......           1,892
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Hour Burden........  ........................  ..............  1,610 responses....          74,461
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the future, BSEE will be allowing the option of electronic reporting for certain requirements.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
not identified any non-hour cost burdens associated with this 
collection of information.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor 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: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq.,) requires each agency ``. . . to provide notice . . . 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 
collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the 
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of 
technology.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on May 29, 2015, we 
published a Federal Register notice (80 FR 30724) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  254.9 provides the 
OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements imposed 
by these regulations. The regulation also informs the public that they 
may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides 
the address to which they should send comments. We received two 
comments in response to the Federal Register notice: One from the 
Marine Mammal Commission in support of the Bureau's request and one 
comment from a private citizen that was not germane to the PRA.
    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: August 7, 2015.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-21102 Filed 8-25-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P