[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20161-20162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09386]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX19NM00FU5010; OMB Control Number 1028-0094]


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

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing to renew an information 
collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
July 8, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections 
Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by 
email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control 
Number 1028-0094 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Joseph East, Eastern Energy Resources Science 
Center, U.S. Geological Survey by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at (703) 648-6450.

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 USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used 
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how 
might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS 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: The primary objective of the National Coal Resources Data 
System (NCRDS) is to advance the understanding of the energy endowment 
of the United States (U.S.) by gathering and organizing digital 
geologic information related to coal, coal bed gas, shale gas, 
conventional and

[[Page 20162]]

unconventional oil and gas, geothermal, and other energy resources and 
related information regarding these resources, along with environmental 
impacts from using these resources. These data are needed to support 
regional or national assessments concerning energy resources. 
Requesting external cooperation is a way for NCRDS to collect energy 
data and perform research and analyses on the characterization of 
geologic material, and obtain other information (including geophysical 
or seismic data, sample collection for generation of thermal maturity 
data) that can be used in energy resource assessments and related 
studies.
    The USGS will issue a call for proposals to support researchers 
from State Geological Surveys and associated accredited universities 
that can provide geologic data to support NCRDS and other energy 
assessment projects being conducted by the USGS.
    Data submitted to NCRDS by external cooperators constitute more 
than two-thirds of the USGS point-source stratigraphic database 
(USTRAT) on coal occurrence. This program is conducted under various 
authorities, including 30 U.S.C. 208-1, 42 U.S.C. 15801, and 43 U.S.C. 
31 et seq. This collection will consist of applications, proposals and 
reports (annual and final).
    Title of Collection: National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS).
    OMB Control Number: 1028-0094.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals; State, local and tribal 
governments; State Geological Surveys, universities, and businesses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 21.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 21.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 25 hours.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 525 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: One time every 5 years for applications 
and final reports; annually for progress reports.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: There are no ``non-
hour cost'' burdens associated with this IC.
    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.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Margo Corum,
Associate Program Coordinator.
[FR Doc. 2019-09386 Filed 5-7-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4338-11-P