[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53189-53191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21725]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2015-0005; OMB Control Number 1014-0024; 15XE1700DX 
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Plans and Information; 
Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment 
Request

ACTION: 30-Day Notice.

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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 subpart B, Plans and Information. 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 October 2, 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 (1014-0024). 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-2015-0005 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 1014-0024 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 250, Subpart B, Plans and Information.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0024.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1334), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe 
rules and regulations necessary for the administration of the leasing 
provisions of that act related to mineral resources on the OCS. Such 
rules and regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a 
lease, right-of-use and easement, or unit. Operations on the OCS must 
preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a 
manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources 
available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; to 
balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, 
marine, and

[[Page 53190]]

coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and equitable return 
on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and maintain free 
enterprise competition.
    In addition to the general rulemaking authority of the OCSLA at 43 
U.S.C. 1334, section 301(a) of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty 
Management Act (FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C. 1751(a), grants authority to the 
Secretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as are reasonably 
necessary to carry out FOGRMA's provisions. While the majority of 
FOGRMA is directed to royalty collection and enforcement, some 
provisions apply to offshore operations. For example, section 108 of 
FOGRMA, 30 U.S.C. 1718, grants the Secretary broad authority to inspect 
lease sites for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance 
with the mineral leasing laws. Section 109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 U.S.C. 
1719(c)(2) and (d)(1), impose substantial civil penalties for failure 
to permit lawful inspections and for knowing or willful preparation or 
submission of false, inaccurate, or misleading reports, records, or 
other information. Because the Secretary has delegated some of the 
authority under FOGRMA to BSEE, 30 U.S.C. 1751 is included as 
additional authority for these requirements.
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996), and OMB Circular A-25, authorize Federal agencies to recover the 
full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the 
Department of the Interior's implementing policy, the Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is required to charge fees for 
services that provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable 
non-Federal recipient above and beyond those which accrue to the public 
at large. Deepwater Operations Plans are subject to cost recovery, and 
BSEE regulations specify a service fee for this request.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR 
part 250, subpart B, and are among those delegated to BSEE. This 
request also covers any related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) 
that BSEE issues to clarify, supplement, or provide additional guidance 
on some aspects of our regulations.
    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 part 2), and 
under regulations at 30 CFR 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.
    We collect the information required under this Subpart for:
    Sec.  250.282--Post-Approval Requirements for the EP, DPP, and 
DOCD: While the information is submitted to BOEM, BSEE analyzes and 
evaluates the information and data collected under this section of 
subpart B to verify that an ongoing/completed OCS operation is/was 
conducted in compliance with established environmental standards placed 
on the activity.
    Sec. Sec.  250.286-295--Deepwater Operations Plan (DWOP): BSEE 
analyzes and evaluates the information and data collected under this 
section of 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 make 
an informed decision on whether to approve the proposed deepwater 
operations plans (DWOPs), or whether modifications are necessary 
without the analysis and evaluation of the required information.
    Frequency: On occasion and as required by regulation.
    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 37,084 
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Non-hour cost burdens *
 Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart B     Reporting and    ------------------------------------------------------------
           and NTLs                recordkeeping                      Average number of annual
                                   requirement *       Hour burden        responses annual        Burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201; 204; 205.................  General              Burden included with specific                             0
                                 requirements for    requirements below.
                                 plans and
                                 information;
                                 service fees;
                                 confirmations; etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Post-Approval Requirements for the EP, DPP, and DOCD
[for BSEE applications/permits that include drilling, workovers, production, pipelay, facility installation, and
                                             decommissioning, etc.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
282...........................  Retain monitoring    All information that is submitted from industry is received
                                 data/information;   by BOEM. Industry's hour burdens for these regulatory
                                 upon request, make  requirements are covered under 30 CFR
                                 available to BSEE.
                                Submit monitoring
                                 plan for approval..
282(b)........................  Submit monitoring    part 550, subpart B, 1010-0151. BSEE's Environmental
                                 reports and data.   Compliance Program reviews all monitoring plans and reports
                                                     to verify industry's compliance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Submit DWOPs and Conceptual Plans
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
287; 291; 292.................  Submit DWOP and               1,140  11 plans.................            12,540
                                 accompanying/
                                 supporting
                                 information.
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        $3,599 x 11 = $39,589
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 53191]]

 
288; 289......................  Submit a Conceptual             375  8 plans..................             3,000
                                 Plan for approval.
294...........................  Submit a combined               748  27 plans.................            20,196
                                 Conceptual Plan/
                                 DWOP for approval
                                 before deadline
                                 for submitting
                                 Conceptual Plan.
295...........................  Submit a revised                180  7 plan revisions.........             1,260
                                 Conceptual Plan or
                                 DWOP for approval
                                 within 60-day of
                                 material change.
    Subtotal..................  ...................  ..............  53 responses.............            36,996
                                                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                                                $39,589 non-hour costs
                                                                    --------------------------------------------
200 thru 295..................  General departure                 8  11 requests..............                88
                                 and alternative
                                 compliance
                                 requests not
                                 specifically
                                 covered elsewhere
                                 in subpart B
                                 regulations.
    Subtotal..................  ...................  ..............  11 responses.............                88
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden..........  ...................  ..............  399 responses............            37,084
                                                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                                            $39,589 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified one non-hour cost associated with this IC; DWOP's ($3,599) 
under Sec.  250.292, and estimate that the annual total non-hour cost 
burden is $39,589. We have not identified any other 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 22, 2015, we 
published a Federal Register notice (80 FR 29736) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  250.199 provides the 
OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements imposed 
by the 30 CFR part 250, subpart B 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 one comment in response to the Federal Register 
notice. The comment from a private citizen pertained to why weren't 
plans submitted electronically thereby reducing the paperwork burden 
and would also assist in retention of such plans. BSEE's response: 
Since the split, some plans have been transferred to BOEM under 30 CFR 
part 550 and some to BSEE. As to the plans that are submitted to BSEE, 
we are developing requirements for a new ePlans and ePermits 
(electronic submittal) project that does include Deepwater Operations 
Plans (DWOPs) that should start in development by FY 2016.
    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 5, 2015.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-21725 Filed 9-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P