[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26081-26087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12036]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

[Docket No. ONRR-2011-0025; DS63644000 DR2000000.CH7000 189D0102R2, OMB 
Control Number 1012-0003]


Agency Information Collection Activities: 30 CFR Parts 1227, 
1228, and 1229, Delegated and Cooperative Activities With States and 
Indian Tribes

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Natural Resources Revenue 
(ONNR), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), ONRR 
is inviting comments on the renewal of an information collection 
request that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and approval.

DATES: You must submit your written comments on or before August 6, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this ICR to ONRR by using one of 
the following three methods. Please reference ``ICR 1012-0003'' in your 
comments.
     Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter ``ONRR-2011-0025,'' then 
click ``Search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments. 
ONRR will post all comments.
     Email comments to Mr. Luis Aguilar, Regulatory Specialist, 
at [email protected].
     Hand-carry or mail comments, using an overnight courier 
service, to ONRR. Our courier address is Office of Natural Resources 
Revenue; Building 85, Entrance N-1, Denver Federal Center; West 6th 
Ave. and Kipling St.; Denver, Colorado 80225.

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

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 the ONRR; (2) will this information be processed 
and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; 
(4) how might the ONRR enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the ONRR minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
of information technology. Comments that you submit in response

[[Page 26082]]

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: The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for mineral 
resource development on Federal and Indian lands and the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS). Under various laws, the Secretary's 
responsibility is to manage mineral resources production on Federal and 
Indian lands and the OCS, collect the royalties and other mineral 
revenues due, and distribute the funds collected. ONRR performs the 
royalty management functions and assists the Secretary in carrying out 
the Department's responsibilities. We have posted those laws pertaining 
to mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands and the OCS at http://www.onrr.gov/Laws_R_D/PubLaws/default.htm.

General Information

    When a company or an individual enters into a lease to explore, 
develop, produce, and dispose of minerals from Federal or Indian lands, 
that company or individual agrees to pay the lessor a share in an 
amount or value of production from the leased lands. The lessee is 
required to report various kinds of information to the lessor relative 
to the disposition of the minerals. Such information is generally 
available within the records of the lessee or others involved in 
developing, transporting, processing, purchasing, or selling of such 
minerals. The information that ONRR collects includes data necessary to 
ensure that the lessee accurately values the production and 
appropriately pays all royalties and other mineral revenues due.
    The Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (FOGRMA), as 
amended by sections 3, 4, and 8 [for Federal lands] of the Federal Oil 
and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996, authorizes the 
Secretary to develop delegated and cooperative agreements with States 
(section 205) and Indian Tribes (section 202) to carry out certain 
inspection, auditing, investigation, or limited enforcement activities 
for oil and gas leases in their jurisdiction. The States and Indian 
Tribes are working partners with ONRR and are an integral part of the 
overall onshore and offshore compliance effort. The Appropriations Act 
of 1992 also authorizes the States and Indian Tribes to perform the 
same functions for coal and other solid mineral leases.

Information Collections

    This Information Collection Request (ICR) covers the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under title 30, Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), parts 1227, 1228, and 1229. This collection of 
information is necessary in order for States and Indian Tribes to 
conduct audits and related investigations of Federal and Indian oil, 
gas, coal, any other solid minerals, and geothermal royalty revenues 
from Federal and Tribal leased lands. Relevant parts of the regulations 
include 30 CFR parts 1227, 1228, and 1229, as described below:
    Title 30 CFR part 1227--Delegation to States, provides procedures 
to delegate certain Federal minerals revenue management functions to 
States for Federal oil and gas leases. The regulations provide only 
audit and investigation functions to States for Federal geothermal and 
solid mineral leases, and leases subject to section 8(g) of the OCS 
Lands Act, within their respective State boundaries. To be considered 
for such delegation, States must submit a written proposal to ONRR, 
which ONRR must approve. States also must provide quarterly 
reimbursement vouchers and reports concerning the activities under the 
delegation to ONRR.
    Title 30 CFR part 1228--Cooperative Activities with States and 
Indian Tribes, provides procedures for Indian Tribes to carry out 
audits and related investigations of their respective leased lands. 
Indian Tribes must submit a written proposal to ONRR in order to enter 
into a cooperative agreement. The proposal must outline the activities 
that the Tribe will undertake and must present evidence that the Tribe 
can meet the standards of the Secretary to conduct these activities. 
The Tribes also must submit an annual work plan and budget, as well as 
quarterly reimbursement vouchers.
    Title 30 CFR part 1229--Delegation to States, provides procedures 
for States to carry out audits and related investigations of leased 
Indian lands within their respective State boundaries, by permission of 
the respective Indian Tribal councils or individual Indian mineral 
owners. The State must receive the Secretary's delegation of authority 
and submit annual audit work plans detailing its audits and related 
investigations, annual budgets, and quarterly reimbursement vouchers. 
The State also must maintain records.

OMB Approval

    We will request OMB approval to continue to collect this 
information. Not collecting this information would limit the 
Secretary's ability to discharge the duties of the office and may also 
result in the inability to confirm the accurate royalty value. ONRR 
protects any proprietary information received under this collection and 
does not collect items of a sensitive nature. States and Tribes must 
respond in order to obtain the benefit of entering into a cooperative 
agreement with the Secretary.
    Title of Collection: Delegated and Cooperative Activities with 
States and Indian Tribes--30 CFR parts 1227, 1228, and 1229.
    OMB Control Number: 1012-0003.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: States and Tribes.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 9 States and 6 Indian 
Tribes.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 449.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 26.40 hrs.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 11,851 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: Annual.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: We have identified no 
``non-hour cost'' burden associated with this collection of 
information.
    We have not included in our estimates certain requirements 
performed in the normal course of business, which are considered usual 
and customary. The following table shows the estimated burden hours by 
CFR section and paragraph:

[[Page 26083]]



                                          Section A.12 Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Number of
        30 CFR section             Reporting and recordkeeping      Hour burden       annual       Annual burden
                                          requirements             per response      responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Part 1227--Delegation To States
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Delegation Proposals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.103; 107; 109; 110(a) and  What must a State's delegation               200               1             200
 (b)(1); 110 (c), (d), and       proposal contain?.
 (e); 111(a) and (b); 805.      If you want ONRR to delegate
                                 royalty management functions to
                                 you, then you must submit a
                                 delegation proposal to the ONRR
                                 Deputy Director. The ONRR will
                                 provide you with technical
                                 assistance and information to
                                 help you prepare your
                                 delegation proposal . . ..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Delegation Process
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.110(b)(2)................  (b)(2) If you want to change the              16               9             144
                                 terms of your delegation
                                 agreement for the renewal
                                 period, you must submit a new
                                 delegation proposal under this
                                 part.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Existing Delegations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Compensation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.112(d) and (e)...........  What compensation will a State                 4              60             240
                                 receive to perform delegated
                                 functions?.
                                You will receive compensation
                                 for your costs to perform each
                                 delegated function subject to
                                 the following conditions . . .
                                (d) At a minimum, you must
                                 provide vouchers detailing your
                                 expenditures quarterly during
                                 the fiscal year. However, you
                                 may agree to provide vouchers
                                 on a monthly basis in your
                                 delegation agreement . . .
                                (e) You must maintain adequate
                                 books and records to support
                                 your vouchers . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             States' Responsibilities To Perform Delegated Functions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1227.200(a), (b), (c), and (d)  What are a State's general                   940               9           8,460
                                 responsibilities if it accepts
                                 a delegation?.
                                For each delegated function you
                                 perform, you must: (a) . . .
                                 seek information or guidance
                                 from ONRR regarding new,
                                 complex, or unique issues . . ..
                                (b)(1) . . . Provide complete
                                 disclosure of financial results
                                 of activities;.
                                (2) Maintain correct and
                                 accurate records of all mineral-
                                 related transactions and
                                 accounts;.
                                (3) Maintain effective controls
                                 and accountability;.
                                (4) Maintain a system of
                                 accounts . . .
                                (5) Maintain adequate royalty
                                 and production information . .
                                 .
                                (c) Assist ONRR in meeting the
                                 requirements of the Government
                                 Performance and Results Act
                                 (GPRA) . . .
                                (d) Maintain all records you
                                 obtain or create under your
                                 delegated function, such as
                                 royalty reports, production
                                 reports, and other related
                                 information. . . . You must
                                 maintain such records for at
                                 least 7 years . . .
1227.200(e); 801(a); 804......  (e) Provide reports to ONRR                    3              36             108
                                 about your activities under
                                 your delegated functions . . .
                                 At a minimum, you must provide
                                 periodic statistical reports to
                                 ONRR summarizing the activities
                                 you carried out . . .
1227.200(f); 401(e); 601(d)...  (f) Assist ONRR in maintaining                 1             250             250
                                 adequate reference, royalty,
                                 and production databases . . .
1227.200(g); 301(e)...........  (g) Develop annual work plans .               60               9             540
                                 . .
1227.200(h)...................  (h) Help ONRR respond to                       8               9              72
                                 requests for information from
                                 other Federal agencies,
                                 Congress, and the public . . .
1227.400(a)(4) and (a)(6);      What functions may a State                   250               1             250
 401(d); 501(c).                 perform in processing
                                 production reports or royalty
                                 reports?.
                                Production reporters or royalty
                                 reporters provide production,
                                 sales, and royalty information
                                 on mineral production from
                                 leases that must be collected,
                                 analyzed, and corrected.
                                (a) If you request delegation of
                                 either production report or
                                 royalty report processing
                                 functions, you mustperform . .
                                 .
                                (4) Timely transmitting
                                 production report or royalty
                                 report data to ONRR and other
                                 affected Federal agencies . . .

[[Page 26084]]

 
                                (6) Providing production data or
                                 royalty data to ONRR and other
                                 affected Federal agencies . . .
1227.400(c)...................  (c) You must provide ONRR with a              12               1              12
                                 copy of any exceptions from
                                 reporting and payment
                                 requirements for marginal
                                 properties and any alternative
                                 royalty and payment
                                 requirements for unit
                                 agreements and communitization
                                 agreements you approve.
1227.601(c)...................  What are a State's                            10               1              10
                                 responsibilities if it performs
                                 automated verification?.
                                To perform automated
                                 verification of production
                                 reports or royalty reports, you
                                 must . . ..
                                (c) Maintain all documentation
                                 and logging procedures . . ..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Performance Review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part 1227                                   386          10,286
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Part 1228--Cooperative Activities With States and Indian Tribes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Subpart C--Oil and Gas, Onshore
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1228.100(a) and (b); 101(c);    Entering into an agreement......             200               1             200
 107(b).                        (a) . . . Indian tribe may
                                 request the Department to enter
                                 into a cooperative agreement by
                                 sending a letter from . . .
                                 tribal chairman . . . to the
                                 Director of ONRR.
                                (b) The request for an agreement
                                 shall be in a format prescribed
                                 by ONRR and should include at a
                                 minimum the following
                                 information:.
                                (1) Type of eligible activities
                                 to be undertaken.
                                (2) Proposed term of the
                                 agreement.
                                (3) Evidence that . . . Indian
                                 tribe meets, or can meet by the
                                 time the agreement is in effect
                                 . . .
                                (4) If the State is proposing to
                                 undertake activities on Indian
                                 lands located within the State,
                                 a resolution from the
                                 appropriate tribal council
                                 indicating their agreement to
                                 delegate to the State
                                 responsibilities under the
                                 terms of the cooperative
                                 agreement for activities to be
                                 conducted on tribal or allotted
                                 land.
1228.101(a)...................  Terms of agreement..............              15               6              90
                                (a) Agreements entered into
                                 under this part shall be valid
                                 for a period of 3 years and
                                 shall be renewable . . . upon
                                 request of . . . Indian tribe .
                                 . ..
1228.101(d)...................  (d) . . . Indian tribe will be                80               1              80
                                 given 60 days to respond to the
                                 notice of deficiencies and to
                                 provide a plan for correction
                                 of those deficiencies . . .
1228.103(a) and (b)...........  Maintenance of records..........             120               6             720
                                (a) . . . Indian tribe entering
                                 into a cooperative agreement
                                 under this part must retain all
                                 records, reports, working
                                 papers, and any backup
                                 materials . . ..
                                (b) . . . Indian tribe shall
                                 maintain all books and records
                                 . . .
1228.105(a)(1) and (a)(2).....  Funding of cooperative                        60               6             360
                                 agreements.
                                (a)(1) The Department may, under
                                 the terms of the cooperative
                                 agreement, reimburse . . .
                                 Indian tribe up to 100 percent
                                 of the costs of eligible
                                 activities. Eligible activities
                                 will be agreed upon annually
                                 upon the submission and
                                 approval of a work plan and
                                 funding requirement.
                                (2) A cooperative agreement may
                                 be entered into with . . .
                                 Indian tribe, upon request,
                                 without a requirement for
                                 reimbursement of costs by the
                                 Department.
1228.105(c)...................  (c) . . . Indian tribe shall                   4              24              96
                                 submit a voucher for
                                 reimbursement of eligible costs
                                 incurred within 30 days of the
                                 end of each calendar quarter. .
                                 . . Indian tribe must provide
                                 the Department a summary of
                                 costs incurred, for which . . .
                                 Indian tribe is seeking
                                 reimbursement, with the voucher.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 26085]]

 
                      Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part 1228                                    44           1,546
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Part 1229--Delegation To States
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Subpart C--Oil and Gas, Onshore
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Administration of Delegations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1229.100(a)(1) and (a)(2).....  Authorities and responsibilities               1               1               1
                                 subject to delegation.
                                (a) All or part of the following
                                 authorities and
                                 responsibilities of the
                                 Secretary under the Act may be
                                 delegated to a State authority:.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (1) Conduct of audits related to
                                 oil and gas royalty payments
                                 made to the ONRR which are
                                 attributable to leased . . .
                                 Indian lands within the State.
                                 Delegations with respect to any
                                 Indian lands require the
                                 written permission, subject to
                                 the review of the ONRR, of the
                                 affected Indian tribe or
                                 allottee.
                                (2) Conduct of investigation
                                 related to oil and gas royalty
                                 payments made to the ONRR which
                                 are attributable to . . .
                                 Indian lands within the State.
                                 Delegation with respect to any
                                 Indian lands require the
                                 written permission, subject to
                                 the review of the ONRR, of the
                                 affected Indian tribe or
                                 allottee. No investigation will
                                 be initiated without the
                                 specific approval of the ONRR .
                                 . .
1229.101(a) and (d)...........  Petition for delegation.........               1               1               1
                                (a) The governor or other
                                 authorized official of any
                                 State which contains . . .
                                 Indian oil and gas leases where
                                 the Indian tribe and allottees
                                 have given the State an
                                 affirmative indication of their
                                 desire for the State to
                                 undertake certain royalty
                                 management-related activities
                                 on their lands, may petition
                                 the Secretary to assume
                                 responsibilities to conduct
                                 audits and related
                                 investigations of royalty
                                 related matters affecting . . .
                                 Indian oil and gas leases
                                 within the State . . .
                                (d) In the event that the
                                 Secretary denies the petition,
                                 the Secretary must provide the
                                 State with the specific reasons
                                 for denial of the petition. The
                                 State will then have 60 days to
                                 either contest or correct
                                 specific deficiencies and to
                                 reapply for a delegation of
                                 authority.
1229.102(c)...................  Fact-finding and hearings.......               1               1               1
                                (c) A State petitioning for a
                                 delegation of authority shall
                                 be given the opportunity to
                                 present testimony at a public
                                 hearing.
1229.103(c)...................  Duration of delegations;                       1               1               1
                                 termination of delegations.
                                (c) A State may terminate a
                                 delegation of authority by
                                 giving a 120-day written notice
                                 of intent to terminate.
1229.105......................  Evidence of Indian agreement to                1               1               1
                                 delegation.
                                In the case of a State seeking a
                                 delegation of authority for
                                 Indian lands . . . the State
                                 petition to the Secretary must
                                 be supported by an appropriate
                                 resolution or resolutions of
                                 tribal councils joining the
                                 State in petitioning for
                                 delegation and evidence of the
                                 agreement of individual Indian
                                 allottees whose lands would be
                                 involved in a delegation. Such
                                 evidence shall specifically
                                 speak to having the State
                                 assume delegated responsibility
                                 for specific functions related
                                 to royalty management
                                 activities.
1229.106......................  Withdrawal of Indian lands from                1               1               1
                                 delegated authority.
                                If at any time an Indian tribe
                                 or an individual Indian
                                 allottee determines that it
                                 wishes to withdraw from the
                                 State delegation of authority
                                 in relation to its lands, it
                                 may do so by sending a petition
                                 of withdrawal to the State . .
                                 .
1229.109(a)...................  Reimbursement for costs incurred               1               1               1
                                 by a State under the delegation
                                 of authority.
                                (a) The Department of the
                                 Interior (DOI) shall reimburse
                                 the State for 100 percent of
                                 the direct cost associated with
                                 the activities undertaken under
                                 the delegation of authority.
                                 The State shall maintain books
                                 and records in accordance with
                                 the standards established by
                                 the DOI and will provide the
                                 DOI, on a quarterly basis, a
                                 summary of costs incurred . . .
1229.109(b)...................  (b) The State shall submit a                   1               4               4
                                 voucher for reimbursement of
                                 costs incurred within 30 days
                                 of the end of each calendar
                                 quarter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 26086]]

 
                                             Delegation Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1229.120......................  Obtaining regulatory and policy                1               1               1
                                 guidance.
                                All activities performed by a
                                 State under a delegation must
                                 be in full accord with all
                                 Federal laws, rules and
                                 regulations, and Secretarial
                                 and agency determinations and
                                 orders relating to the
                                 calculation, reporting, and
                                 payment of oil and gas
                                 royalties. In those cases when
                                 guidance or interpretations are
                                 necessary, the State will
                                 direct written requests for
                                 such guidance or interpretation
                                 to the appropriate ONRR
                                 officials . . .
1229.121......................  Recordkeeping requirements......               1               1               1
                                (a) The State shall maintain in
                                 a safe and secure manner all
                                 records, work papers, reports,
                                 and correspondence gained or
                                 developed as a consequence of
                                 audit or investigative
                                 activities conducted under the
                                 delegation . . .
                                (b) The State must maintain in a
                                 confidential manner all data
                                 obtained from DOI sources or
                                 from payor or company sources
                                 under the delegation . . .
                                (c) All records subject to the
                                 requirements of paragraph (a)
                                 must be maintained for a 6-year
                                 period measured from the end of
                                 the calendar year in which the
                                 records were created . . . Upon
                                 termination of a delegation,
                                 the State shall, within 90 days
                                 from the date of termination,
                                 assemble all records specified
                                 in subsection (a), complete all
                                 working paper files in
                                 accordance with Sec.   229.124,
                                 and transfer such records to
                                 the ONRR.
                                (d) The State shall maintain
                                 complete cost records for the
                                 delegation in accordance with
                                 generally accepted accounting
                                 principles . . .
1229.122......................  Coordination of audit activities               1               1               1
                                (a) Each State with a delegation
                                 of authority shall submit
                                 annually to the ONRR an audit
                                 work plan specifically
                                 identifying leases, resources,
                                 companies, and payors scheduled
                                 for audit . . . A State may
                                 request changes to its work
                                 plan . . . at the end of each
                                 quarter of each fiscal year.
                                 All requested changes are
                                 subject to approval by the ONRR
                                 and must be submitted in
                                 writing.
                                (b) When a State plans to audit
                                 leases of a lessee or royalty
                                 payor for which there is an
                                 ONRR or OIG resident audit
                                 team, all audit activities must
                                 be coordinated through the ONRR
                                 or OIG resident supervisor . .
                                 .
                                (c) The State shall consult with
                                 the ONRR and/or OIG regarding
                                 resolution of any coordination
                                 problems encountered during the
                                 conduct of delegation
                                 activities.
1229.123 (b)(3)(i)............  Standards for audit activities..               1               1               1
                                (b)(3) Standards of reporting.
                                 (i) Written audit reports are
                                 to be submitted to the
                                 appropriate ONRR officials at
                                 the end of each field
                                 examination.
1229.124......................  Documentation standards.........               1               1               1
                                Every audit performed by a State
                                 under a delegation of authority
                                 must meet certain documentation
                                 standards. In particular,
                                 detailed work papers must be
                                 developed and maintained.
1229.125(a) and (b)...........  Preparation and issuance of                    1               1               1
                                 enforcement documents.
                                (a) Determinations of additional
                                 royalties due resulting from
                                 audit activities conducted
                                 under a delegation of authority
                                 must be formally communicated
                                 by the State, to the companies
                                 or other payors by an issue
                                 letter prior to any enforcement
                                 action.
                                (b) After evaluating the company
                                 or payor's response to the
                                 issue letter, the State shall
                                 draft a demand letter which
                                 will be submitted with
                                 supporting work paper files to
                                 the ONRR for appropriate
                                 enforcement action. Any
                                 substantive revisions to the
                                 demand letter will be discussed
                                 with the State prior to
                                 issuance of the letter . . .
1229.126(a) and (b)...........  Appeals.........................               1               1               1
                                (a) . . . The State regulatory
                                 authority shall, upon the
                                 request of the ONRR, provide
                                 competent and knowledgeable
                                 staff for testimony, as well as
                                 any required documentation and
                                 analyses, in support of the
                                 lessor's position during the
                                 appeal process.

[[Page 26087]]

 
                                (b) An affected State, upon the
                                 request of the ONRR, shall
                                 provide expert witnesses from
                                 their audit staff for testimony
                                 as well as required
                                 documentation and analyses to
                                 support the Department's
                                 position during the litigation
                                 of court cases arising from
                                 denied appeals . . .
1229.127......................  Reports from States.............               1               1               1
                                The State, acting under the
                                 authority of the Secretarial
                                 delegation, shall submit
                                 quarterly reports which will
                                 summarize activities carried
                                 out by the State during the
                                 preceding quarter of the year
                                 under the provisions of the
                                 delegation . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Subtotal Burden for 30 CFR Part 229                                    19              19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Total Burden                                               449          11,851
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    Public Comment Policy: ONRR will post all comments, including names 
and addresses of respondents at http://www.regulations.gov.
    ONRR Information Collection Clearance Officer: Luis Aguilar (303) 
231-3418.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.).

Gregory J. Gould,
Director for Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
[FR Doc. 2018-12036 Filed 6-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4335-30-P