[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 230 (Thursday, November 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61393-61394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25963]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

[OMB Control No. 1219-0026]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Ground Control for 
Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program 
helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired 
format, reporting burden (time

[[Page 61394]]

and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information 
collection for Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work 
Areas of Underground Coal Mines.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before January 28, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket 
number MSHA-2018-0039.
     Regular Mail: Send comments to USDOL--MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452.
     Hand Delivery: USDOL--Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA 
22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 4th floor via the 
East elevator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila McConnell, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at MSHA.information 
.[email protected] (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice); or (202) 693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Each operator of a surface coal mine is required under 30 CFR 
77.1000 to establish and follow a ground control plan for highwalls, 
pits, and spoil banks that is consistent with prudent engineering 
design and which will ensure safe working conditions. The mine operator 
is required by section 77.1000-1 to file the ground control plan with 
the appropriate District Manager. The mining methods employed by the 
operator are selected to ensure highwall, pit, and spoil bank 
stability. In the event of a highwall failure or material dislodgment, 
there may be very little time to escape possible injury; therefore, 
preventive measures must be taken. Each plan is based on the type of 
strata expected to be encountered, the height and angle of highwalls 
and spoil banks, and the equipment to be used at the mine. The plan is 
used to show how the mine operator will maintain safe working 
conditions around the highwalls, pits, and spoil banks. Each plan is 
reviewed by MSHA to ensure that highwalls, pits, and spoil banks are 
maintained in a safe condition through the use of sound engineering 
design.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection related to Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface 
Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines. MSHA is particularly interested 
in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of 
the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    The information collection request will be available on http://www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions the commenter against providing any 
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed. 
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made 
available on www.regulations.gov and www.reginfo.gov.
    The public may also examine publicly available documents at USDOL--
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 201 12th Street South, Suite 
4E401, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on 
the 4th floor via the East elevator.
    Questions about the information collection requirements may be 
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for collection of information contains provisions for 
Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of 
Underground Coal Mines. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the 
number of respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs 
supporting this information collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    OMB Number: 1219-0026.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 270.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 270.
    Annual Burden Hours: 1,848 hours.
    Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $513.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

Roslyn B. Fontaine,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-25963 Filed 11-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P