[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 168 (Thursday, August 31, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41424-41427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18458]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[MMAA104000; OMB Control Number 1010-0048; Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Geological and 
Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is proposing to renew an 
information collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
October 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Anna Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, 
VAM-DIR, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or by email to 
[email protected]. Please reference Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Control Number 1010-0048 in the subject line of your 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Anna Atkinson by email, or by telephone at 703-
787-1025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, BOEM, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, provide the general public and other Federal 
agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact 
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described 
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of BOEM? (2) will this information be processed and used in a 
timely manner? (3) is the estimate of burden accurate? (4) how might 
BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected? and (5) how might BOEM minimize the burden of this 
collection on the respondents, including through the use of information 
technology?
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. 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.
    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.
    Title of Collection: 30 CFR 551, Geological and Geophysical (G&G) 
Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0048.
    Form Number: BOEM-0327, Application for Permit to Conduct 
Geological or Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources of 
Scientific Research on the Outer Continental Shelf.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS oil, gas, and sulphur permittees or notice filers.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 707 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 40,954 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion, annual, or as specified in 
permits.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $175,044.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to 
administer leasing of mineral resources on the OCS. The OCS Lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1340) states that ``any person authorized by the Secretary 
may conduct geological and geophysical explorations in the [O]uter 
Continental Shelf, which do not interfere with or

[[Page 41425]]

endanger actual operations under any lease maintained or granted 
pursuant to this subchapter, and which are not unduly harmful to 
aquatic life in such area.'' The section further provides that permits 
to conduct such activities may only be issued if it is determined that 
the applicant is qualified; the activities do not result in pollution 
or create hazardous or unsafe conditions; the activities do not 
unreasonably interfere with other uses of the area or disturb any site, 
structure, or object of historical or archaeological significance. 
Applicants for permits are required to submit form BOEM-0327--
Application for Permit to Conduct Geological or Geophysical Exploration 
for Mineral Resources of Scientific Research on the Outer Continental 
Shelf, to provide the information necessary to evaluate their 
qualifications, and upon approval, respondents are issued a permit.
    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. All G&G permits are 
subject to cost recovery, and BOEM regulations specify service fees for 
these requests.
    Regulations to carry out these responsibilities are contained in 30 
CFR part 551 and are the subject of this information collection 
renewal. BOEM uses the information to:
     Identify oil, gas, sulfur, and mineral resources in the 
OCS;
     ensure the receipt of fair value for mineral resources;
     ensure that the exploration activities do not cause harm 
to the environment or persons, or create unsafe operations and 
conditions, damage historical or archaeological sites, or interference 
with other uses;
     analyze and evaluate preliminary or planned drilling 
activities;
     monitor progress and activities in the OCS;
     acquire G&G data and information collected under a Federal 
permit offshore; and
     determine eligibility for reimbursement from the 
government for certain costs.
    BOEM uses information collected to understand the G&G 
characteristics of oil- and gas-bearing physiographic regions of the 
OCS. The information aids the Secretary in obtaining a proper balance 
among the potential for environmental damage, the discovery of oil and 
gas, and associated impacts on affected coastal States.
    In this renewal, BOEM is renewing form BOEM-0327--Application for 
Permit to Conduct Geological or Geophysical Exploration for Mineral 
Resources of Scientific Research on the Outer Continental Shelf. This 
form consists of the requirements for G&G activities requiring Permits 
and Notices, along with the application that the respondent submits to 
BOEM for approval, as well as a nonexclusive use agreement for 
scientific research, if applicable. The requirements portion of the 
form lets the respondents know the authority, requirements, along with 
other relevant information for the permit.
    Upon BOEM approval of the application, respondents are issued a 
permit using form BOEM-0328, Permit to Conduct Geophysical Exploration 
for Mineral Resources of Scientific Research on the Outer Continental 
Shelf, for conducting geophysical exploration for mineral resources or 
scientific research, or form BOEM-0329, Permit to Conduct Geological 
Exploration for Mineral Resources of Scientific Research on the Outer 
Continental Shelf, for conducting geological exploration for mineral 
resources or scientific research. These permits are filled in by BOEM 
and do not incur a respondent hour burden.
    We protect proprietary information in accordance with the Freedom 
of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Department of the Interior's 
implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and under regulations at 30 
CFR part 551.
    We estimate the burden for this collection to be about 40,954 
hours, and the non-hour burden costs to be $175,044. The following 
table details the individual components and respective hour burden 
estimates of this ICR.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Reporting and
      Citation  30 CFR 551            recordkeeping           Hour burden     Average number  of   Annual burden
                                       requirement                             annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Non-Hour Cost Burdens *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           30 CFR 551.1 through 551.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.4(a), (b); 551.5(a), (b),    Apply for permits (form  1,000 AK* *.......  4 Applications....           4,000
 (d); 551.6; 551.7.               BOEM-0327) to conduct
                                  G&G exploration,
                                  including deep
                                  stratigraphic tests/
                                  revisions when
                                  necessary. Submit
                                  required information
                                  in manner specified.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1,000 ATL* *......  9 Applications....           9,000
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                          300 GOM...........  74 Applications...          22,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  87 Applications x $2,012 =
                                                                                            $175,044
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.4(b); 551.5(c), (d); 551.6.  File notices to conduct  1.................  1 Notice..........               1
                                  scientific research
                                  activities, including
                                  notice to BOEM prior
                                  to beginning and after
                                  concluding activities.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.6(b) 551.7(b)(5)...........  Notify BOEM if specific  1.................  1 Notice..........               1
                                  actions occur; report
                                  archaeological
                                  resources (no
                                  instances reported
                                  since 1982). Consult
                                  with other users.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................                                               89 Responses......    35,202 Hours
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 $175,044 Non-Hour Cost Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 41426]]

 
                                           30 CFR 551.7 through 551.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.7; 551.8...................  Submit APD and           Burden included under BSEE regulations               0
                                  Supplemental APD to       at 30 CFR 250, Subpart D (1014-0018)
                                  BSEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.7; 551.8(b)................  Submit information on    1.................  1 Submission......               1
                                  test drilling
                                  activities under a
                                  permit, including
                                  required information
                                  and plan revisions
                                  (e.g., drilling plan
                                  and environmental
                                  report).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.7(c).......................  Enter into agreement     1.................  1 Agreement.......               1
                                  for group
                                  participation in test
                                  drilling, including
                                  publishing summary
                                  statement; provide
                                  BOEM copy of notice/
                                  list of participants
                                  (no agreements
                                  submitted since 1989).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.7(d).......................  Submit bond(s) on deep    Burden included under 30 CFR Part 556               0
                                  stratigraphic test and                (1010-0006)
                                  required securities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.8(a).......................  Request reimbursement    1.................  1 Request.........               1
                                  for certain costs
                                  associated with BOEM
                                  inspections (no
                                  requests in many
                                  years).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.8(b), (c)..................  Submit modifications to  38 AK* *..........  4 Respondents x 10           1,520
                                  permits, and status/                         Reports = 40.
                                  final reports on,
                                  activities conducted
                                  under a permit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          38 ATL* *.........  9 Respondents x 10           3,420
                                                                               Reports = 90.
                                                          2 GOM.............  55 Respondents x 3             330
                                                                               Reports = 165.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.9(c).......................  Notify BOEM to           1/2...............  2 Notices.........               1
                                  relinquish a permit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................                                               300 Responses.....           5,274
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          30 CFR 551.10 through 551.13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.10(c)......................  File appeals...........   Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c).               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.11; 551.12.................  Notify BOEM and submit   4.................  40 Submissions....             160
                                  G&G data and/or
                                  information collected
                                  and/or processed by
                                  permittees, bidders,
                                  or 3rd parties, etc.,
                                  including reports,
                                  logs or charts,
                                  results, analyses,
                                  descriptions,
                                  information as
                                  required, and
                                  agreements, in manner
                                  specified.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.13.........................  Request reimbursement    2.................  40 Submissions....              80
                                  for certain costs
                                  associated with
                                  reproducing data/
                                  information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................                                               80 Responses......             240
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  30 CFR 551.14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.14(a), (b).................  Submit comments on BOEM  1.................  2 Comments........               2
                                  intent to disclose
                                  data and/or
                                  information to the
                                  public.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.14(c)(2)...................  Submit comments on BOEM  1.................  2 Comments........               2
                                  intent to disclose
                                  data and/or
                                  information to an
                                  independent contractor/
                                  agent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.14(c)(4)...................  Contractor/agent         1.................  2 Commitments.....               2
                                  submits written
                                  commitment not to
                                  sell, trade, license,
                                  or disclose data and/
                                  or information without
                                  BOEM consent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.1-551.14...................  General departure and    1.................  2 Requests........               2
                                  alternative compliance
                                  requests not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in part 551
                                  regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................                                               8 Responses.......               8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 41427]]

 
                                    Extension for Permit Form & Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.14(b) (BOEM-0327)..........  Request extension of     1.................  100 Extensions....             100
                                  permit time period;
                                  enter agreements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Retain G&G data/         1.................  130 Recordkeepers.             130
                                  information for 10
                                  years and make
                                  available to BOEM upon
                                  request.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................                                               230 Responses.....             230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden...........                                               707 Responses.....    40,954 Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 $175,044 Non-Hour Cost Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Fees are subject to modification per inflation annually.
** Burden hours for the frontier areas of the Alaska Region and Atlantic OCS are significantly higher because of
  NEPA and mitigation requirements. BOEM is accounting for the total time to compile/submit the necessary
  information to obtain the required authorizations to acquire a BOEM permit. There are currently no such
  activities ongoing in the Pacific OCS Region.

    The authorities for this action are the OCS Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Clean Air Act 
(42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

    Dated: August 25, 2017.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2017-18458 Filed 8-30-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P