[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59645-59649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27051]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket ID: BOEM-2018-0016; MMAA104000; OMB Control Number 1010-0151]


Agency Information Collection Activities; 30 CFR 550, Subpart B, 
Plans and Information

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 with revisions.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
February 13, 2018.

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, 
VA DIR-BOEM, Sterling, Virginia 20166 (mail); or by email to 
[email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1010-0151 
in the subject line of your comment.

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: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, 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.
    Abstract: This information collection request concerns the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 550, 
subpart B, Plans and Information.
    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. Such rules and regulations apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease, or unit. The OCS Lands Act, at 
43 U.S.C. 1340 and 1351, requires the holders of OCS oil and gas or 
sulphur leases to submit exploration plans (EPs) and development and 
production plans (DPPs) to the Secretary for approval prior to 
commencing these activities. Also, as a Federal agency, we have an 
affirmative duty to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act 
and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Compliance with the ESA includes 
a substantive duty to carry out any agency action in a manner that is 
not likely to jeopardize protected species, as well as a procedural 
duty to consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
(USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries 
(NOAA Fisheries) before engaging in a discretionary action that may 
affect a protected species.
    This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to 
BOEM. The regulations at 30 CFR part 550, subpart B, concern plans and 
information that must be submitted to conduct activities on a lease or 
unit, and are the subject of this collection. The collection also 
covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that BOEM 
issues to clarify or provide additional guidance on some aspects of our 
regulations.
    In 2016, BOEM published a final rule entitled ``Oil and Gas and 
Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf--Requirements for 
Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf.'' This rule 
finalized new regulations specific to activities conducted on the 
Arctic OCS that modify 30 CFR part 550, subpart B. The new regulations 
require operators to develop an Integrated Operations Plan (IOP) for 
each exploratory program on the Arctic OCS, as well as to submit 
additional planning information with the Exploration Plans. An 
additional 3,930 burden hours were approved as part of that rulemaking, 
and are included in the burden table for this control number. The 
Secretary's Order 3350 (May 1, 2017), which further implements the 
President's Executive Order entitled, ``Implementing an America-First 
Offshore Energy Strategy'' (82 FR 20815, May 3, 2017) directs BOEM to 
review the final rule. If the Secretary decides that the final 
determination is to suspend, revise, or rescind the rule, the related 
burden hours in this OMB control number will be adjusted accordingly.
    BOEM geologists, geophysicists, and environmental scientists and 
other Federal agencies (e.g., USFWS, NOAA Fisheries) analyze and 
evaluate the information and data collected under 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. BOEM uses the information to make an informed decision on whether 
to approve the proposed exploration or development and production plan 
as submitted, or require plan modifications. The affected States also 
review the information collected to determine consistency with approved 
Coastal Zone Management plans.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We expect the 
estimated annual reporting burden for this collection to be 436,438 
hours. We are transferring 3,930 annual burden hours from OMB control 
number 1010-0189, 30 CFR 550, Subpart B, Arctic OCS Activities, to this 
information collection request. These 3,930 annual burden hours are for 
Arctic exploration requirements which were approved by OMB in the final 
rule for Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic OCS, 81 FR 
46478 (July 15, 2016). Once this information collection request is 
approved by OMB, we will be discontinuing OMB control number 1010-0189.

[[Page 59646]]

    Title of Collection: 30 CFR 550, Subpart B, Plans and Information.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0151.
    Form Number:

 BOEM-0137--OCS Plan Information Form
 BOEM-0138--Exploration Plan (EP) Air Quality Screening 
Checklist
 BOEM-0139--Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD) 
Air Quality Screening Checklist
 BOEM-0141--ROV Survey Report
 BOEM-0142--Environmental Impact Analysis Worksheet

    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and operators.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 4,266.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 436,438.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion, semi-monthly, and varies by 
section.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Cost: $3,939,435.
    We have identified three non-hour costs associated with this 
information collection that are cost recovery fees. They consist of 
fees being submitted with EPs ($3,673), DPPs or DOCDs ($4,238), and 
CIDs ($27,348).
    There is also one non-hour cost associated with the protected 
Species Observer Program. The cost associated with this program is due 
to observation activities that are usually subcontracted to other 
service companies with expertise in these areas.
    The following table details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this information collection 
request.

                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Reporting &
Citation 30 CFR 550 subpart B and        recordkeeping         Hour burden    Average Number of    Burden hours
               NTLs                       requirement                          annual responses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Non-hour Costs
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200 thru 206.....................  General requirements for     Burden included with specific                  0
                                    plans and information;           requirements below.
                                    fees/refunds, etc.
201 thru 206; 211 thru 228: 241    BOEM posts EPs/DPPs/       Not considered IC as defined in 5                0
 thru 262.                          DOCDs on FDMS, and                CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                    receives public
                                    comments for
                                    preparation of EAs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
204..............................  For new Arctic OCS                 2,880  1..................           2,880
                                    exploration activities:
                                    submit IOP, including
                                    all required
                                    information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  1..................           2,880
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ancillary Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
208; NTL 2009-G34 *..............  Notify BOEM in writing                11  61 notices.........             671
                                    and other users of the
                                    OCS before conducting
                                    ancillary activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
208; 210(a)......................  Submit report                          2  61 reports.........             122
                                    summarizing & analyzing
                                    data/information
                                    obtained or derived
                                    from ancillary
                                    activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
208; 210(b)......................  Retain ancillary                       2  61 records.........             122
                                    activities data/
                                    information; upon
                                    request, submit to BOEM.
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    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  183................             915
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Contents of Exploration Plans (EP)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
209; 231(b); 232(d); 234; 235;     Submit new, amended,                 150  345 changed plans..          51,750
 281(3); 283; 284; 285; NTL 2015-   modified, revised, or
 N01.                               supplemental EP, or
                                    resubmit disapproved
                                    EP, including required
                                    information; withdraw
                                    your EP.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
209; 211 thru 228; NTL, 2015-N01.  Submit EP and all                    600  163 plans..........          97,800
                                    required information
                                    (including, but not
                                    limited to, submissions
                                    required by BOEM Forms
                                    0137, 0138, 0142; lease
                                    stipulations; reports,
                                    including shallow
                                    hazards surveys; H2S;
                                    G&G archaeological
                                    surveys & reports
                                    (550.194)), in
                                    specified formats.
                                    Provide notifications.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                              $3,673 x 163 EP surface locations = $598,699 non-
                                                                                  hour cost.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
220..............................  Alaska-specific                 Burden included with EP                     0
                                    requirements.             requirements (30 CFR 550.211-228).
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220..............................  For new Arctic OCS                   350  1..................             350
                                    exploration activities:
                                    submit required Arctic-
                                    specific information
                                    with EP.
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220..............................  For existing Arctic OCS              700  1..................             700
                                    exploration activities:
                                    submit Arctic-specific
                                    information, as
                                    required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................                                            510 responses......         150,600
                                                                            ------------------------------------

[[Page 59647]]

 
                                                                                   $598,699 Non-Hour Costs
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                                     Review and Decision Process for the EP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
235(b); 272(b); 281(d)(3)(ii)....  Appeal State's objection   Burden exempt as defined in 5 CFR                0
                                                                      1320.4(a)(2), (c).
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   Contents of Development and Production Plans (DPP) and Development Operations Coordination Documents (DOCD)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
209; 266(b); 267(d); 272(a); 273;  Submit amended,                      235  353 changed plans..          82,955
 281(3)(i); 283; 284; 285; NTL      modified, revised,
 2015-N01.                          updated or supplemental
                                    DPP or DOCD, including
                                    required information,
                                    or resubmit disapproved
                                    DPP or DOCD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
241 thru 262; 209; NTL 2015-N01..  Submit DPP/DOCD and                  700  268 plans..........         187,600
                                    required/supporting
                                    information (including,
                                    but not limited to,
                                    submissions required by
                                    BOEM Forms 0137, 0139,
                                    0142; lease
                                    stipulations; reports,
                                    including shallow
                                    hazards surveys;
                                    archaeological surveys
                                    & reports such as
                                    shallow hazards surveys
                                    (CFR 550.194)), in
                                    specified formats.
                                    Provide notifications.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $4,238 x 268 DPP/DOCD wells = $1,135,784
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  621 responses......         270,555
                                                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                                  $1,135,784 Non-hour costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Review and Decision Process for the DPP or DOCD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
267(a)...........................  Once BOEM deemed DPP/      Not considered IC as defined in 5                0
                                    DOCD submitted;                   CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                    Governor of each
                                    affected State, local
                                    government official;
                                    etc., submit comments/
                                    recommendations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
267(b)...........................  General public comments/   Not considered IC as defined in 5                0
                                    recommendations                   CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                    submitted to BOEM
                                    regarding DPPs or DOCDs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
269(b)...........................  For leases or units in                 3  1 response.........               3
                                    vicinity of proposed
                                    development and
                                    production activities
                                    RD may require those
                                    lessees and operators
                                    to submit information
                                    on preliminary plans
                                    for their leases and
                                    units.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  1 responses........               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Post-Approval Requirements for the EP, DPP, and DOCD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
280(b)...........................  In an emergency, request    Burden included under 1010-0114.                0
                                    departure from your
                                    approved EP, DPP, or
                                    DOCD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
281(a)...........................  Submit various BSEE        Burdens included under appropriate               0
                                    applications for          subpart or form (1014-0003; 1014-
                                    approval and submit          0011; 1014-0016; 1014-0018)
                                    permits.
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282..............................  Retain monitoring data/                4  150 records........             600
                                    information; upon
                                    request, make available
                                    to BOEM.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Prepare and submit                     2  6 plans............              12
                                    monitoring plan for
                                    approval.
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282(b)...........................  Prepare and Submit                     3  12 reports.........              36
                                    monitoring reports and
                                    data (including BOEM
                                    Form 0141 used in GOMR).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
284(a)...........................  Submit updated info on                 4  56 updates.........             224
                                    activities conducted
                                    under approved EP/DPP/
                                    DOCD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  224 responses......             872
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Submit CIDs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
296(a); 297......................  Submit CID and required/             375  14 documents.......           5,250
                                    supporting information;
                                    submit CID for
                                    supplemental.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 59648]]

 
                                   DOCD or DPP                             $27,348 x 14 = $382,872
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
296(b); 297......................  Submit a revised CID for             100  13 revisions.......           1,300
                                    approval..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  27 responses.......           6,550
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   $382,872 non-hour costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Program NTL \*\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NTL 2016-G02; 211 thru 228; 241    Submit to BOEM observer              1.5  2 sets of material.               3
 thru 262.                          training requirement
                                    materials and
                                    information.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Training certification                 1  1 new trainee......               1
                                    and recordkeeping.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   During seismic                       1.5  344 reports........             516
                                    acquisition operations,
                                    submit daily observer
                                    reports semi-monthly.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   If used, submit to BOEM                2  6 submittals.......              12
                                    information on any
                                    passive acoustic
                                    monitoring system prior
                                    to placing it in
                                    service.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   During seismic                       1.5  1,976 reports......           2,964
                                    acquisition operations,
                                    submit to BOEM marine
                                    mammal observation
                                    report(s) semi-monthly
                                    or within 14 hours if
                                    air gun operations were
                                    shut down.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   During seismic                       1.5  344 reports........             516
                                    acquisition operations,
                                    when air guns are being
                                    discharged, submit
                                    daily observer reports
                                    semi-monthly.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Observation Duty (3         3 observers x 8 hrs x 365 days = 8,760 hours x 4
                                    observers fulfilling an    vessels observing = 35,040 man-hours x $52/hr =
                                    8 hour shift each for                 $1,822,080 non-hour costs
                                    365 calendar days x 4
                                    vessels = 35,040 man-
                                    hours). This
                                    requirement is
                                    contracted out; hence
                                    the non-hour cost
                                    burden.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  2,673 responses....           4,012
                                                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                                  $1,822,080 Non-Hour Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Vessel Strike Avoidance and Injured/Protected Species Reporting NTL \*\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NTL 2016-G01; 211 thru 228; 241    Notify BOEM within 24                  1  1 notice...........               1
 thru 262.                          hours of strike, when
                                    your vessel injures/
                                    kills a protected
                                    species (marine mammal/
                                    sea turtle).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  1 response.........               1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  General Departure and Alternative Compliance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
200 thru 299.....................  General departure and                  2  25 requests........              50
                                    alternative compliance
                                    requests not
                                    specifically covered
                                    elsewhere in Subpart B
                                    regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  25 responses.......              50
                                                                            ------------------------------------
        Total Burden.............  ........................  ..............  4,266 Responses....         436,438
                                                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                                  $3,939,435 Non-Hour Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The identification number of NTLs may change when NTLs are reissued periodically to update information.

    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.
    We will protect information considered proprietary under the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and Department of the 
Interior implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), 30 CFR 550.197, 
``Data and information to be made available to the public or for 
limited inspection,'' and 30 CFR part 552, ``Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) Oil and Gas Information Program.''
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).


[[Page 59649]]


    Dated: December 8, 2017.
 Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2017-27051 Filed 12-14-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P