[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 63 (Monday, April 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17636-17639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06973]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0072; Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Commercial Prospecting, 
Noncommercial Geological and Geophysical Exploration, and Scientific 
Research for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur on 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 (PRA), 
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposes to renew an 
information collection request (ICR) with revisions.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
June 4, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this ICR by mail to the BOEM 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Anna Atkinson, Bureau of 
Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166; 
or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control 
Number 1010-0072 in the subject line of your comments.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, BOEM provides the general public and Federal agencies with 
an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing 
collections of information. This helps BOEM assess the impact of our 
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting 
burden. It also helps the public understand BOEM's information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    BOEM seeks comments on the proposed ICR described below. BOEM is 
especially interested in comments addressing the following issues: (1) 
Is the collection necessary to conduct the proper functions of BOEM; 
(2) what can BOEM do to ensure that this information is processed and 
used in a timely manner; (3) is the burden estimate 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 minimizing the burden through 
the use of information technology?
    Comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. BOEM will include or summarize each comment in its 
request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of 
this ICR. You should be aware that your entire comment--including your 
address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable 
information--may be publicly disclosed. In order to inform BOEM's 
decision on whether it can withhold from disclosure your personally 
identifiable information, you must identify any information contained 
in your comments that, if released, would constitute a clearly 
unwarranted invasion of your privacy, and briefly describe possible 
harmful consequences of disclosing that information, such as 
embarrassment, injury, or other harm. While you can ask BOEM in your 
comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from 
public disclosure, BOEM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
    BOEM protects 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).
    Title of Collection: Commercial Prospecting, Noncommercial 
Geological and Geophysical Exploration, and Scientific Research for 
Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur on the Outer Continental Shelf 
(Applicable, in part, to 30 CFR part 580).
    Abstract: This ICR concerns the information collection requirements 
in 30 CFR part 580, ``Prospecting for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and 
Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf [OCS]'', which includes 
commercial prospecting and scientific research. This request also 
includes information collection requirements related to authorizations 
of noncommercial geological and geophysical (G&G) exploration issued 
pursuant to section 11 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCS 
Lands Act), as amended (43

[[Page 17637]]

U.S.C. 1340 et seq., and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
    The OCS Lands Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior 
(Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of 
mineral resources on the OCS. Section 8 of the OCS Lands Act authorizes 
the Secretary ``. . . to grant to the qualified persons offering the 
highest cash bonuses on a basis of competitive bidding leases of any 
mineral other than oil, gas, and sulphur in any area of the [O]uter 
Continental Shelf not then under lease for such mineral upon such 
royalty, rental, and other terms and conditions as the Secretary may 
prescribe at the time of offering the area for lease.'' 43 U.S.C. 
1337(k)(1). The same section also authorizes the Secretary to 
noncompetitively negotiate agreements for the use of OCS sand, gravel, 
and shell resources for use in shore protection, beach restoration, or 
coastal wetlands restoration projects undertaken by a Federal, State, 
or local government agency, or for use in a construction project funded 
in whole or in part by or authorized by the Federal Government. 43 
U.S.C. 1337(k)(2).
    Section 11 of the OCS Lands Act 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 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.'' 43 U.S.C. 1340(a)(1). Section 2 of the 
OCS Lands Act defines the term ``exploration'' to mean the process of 
searching for minerals, including, among other things, ``geophysical 
surveys where magnetic, gravity, seismic, or other systems are used to 
detect or imply the presence of such minerals.'' 43 U.S.C. 1331(k). 
Section 11 also requires that permits or authorizations for geologic 
exploration be issued if it is determined that the applicant is 
qualified and the exploration will neither result in pollution nor 
create hazardous or unsafe conditions, unreasonably interfere with 
other uses of the area, or disturb any site, structure, or object of 
historical or archaeological significance. 43 U.S.C. 1340(g).
    BOEM considers applications for commercial prospecting and 
noncommercial exploration for marine minerals as well as scientific 
research related to marine minerals. Under 30 CFR part 580, G&G 
prospecting by any person on unleased lands or on lands leased to a 
third party requires a BOEM permit. G&G activities conducted for 
scientific or academic purpose require submission of a scientific 
research notice. See 30 CFR 580.11. Because 30 CFR part 580 does not 
apply to noncommercial exploration, such activities are authorized 
directly pursuant to section 11 of the OCS Lands Act. Noncommercial 
exploration includes searching for sand, gravel, and other sources of 
sediment for potential use in qualifying beach nourishment and coastal 
restoration projects.
    As a Federal agency, BOEM must comply with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Endangered Species 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), among other environmental laws. Compliance with 
the Endangered Species Act includes a substantive duty to carry out 
agency action in a manner that is unlikely to jeopardize protected 
species or adversely modify designated critical habitat as well as a 
procedural duty to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 
National Marine Fisheries Service, as applicable, before engaging in a 
discretionary action that may affect a protected species.
    Respondents must submit form BOEM-0134, ``Requirements for 
Geological and Geophysical Prospecting, Exploration, or Scientific 
Research on the OCS Related to Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and 
Sulphur,'' to provide the information necessary to evaluate their 
request to conduct G&G prospecting, exploration, or scientific research 
activities. BOEM uses the submitted information to ensure there will be 
neither adverse effects to the marine, coastal, or human environment, 
personal harm, unsafe operations and conditions, nor unreasonable 
interference with other uses; to analyze and evaluate preliminary or 
planned mining activities; to monitor progress and activities in the 
OCS; to acquire G&G data and information collected under a Federal 
permit or authorization; and to determine eligibility for reimbursement 
from the Government for certain costs. Upon approval, BOEM issues 
respondents a permit or an authorization (BOEM-0135 form, ``Permit for 
Geophysical Prospecting for Mineral Resources, Authorization of 
Geophysical Exploration for Minerals Resources, or Scientific Research 
on the OCS Related to Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur,'' and 
BOEM-0136 form, ``Permit for Geological Prospecting for Mineral 
Resources, Authorization of Geological Exploration for Minerals 
Resources, or Scientific Research on the OCS Related to Minerals Other 
than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur).
    BOEM uses the information collected to understand the G&G 
characteristics of marine mineral-bearing physiographic regions of the 
OCS. The information aids BOEM in analyzing and weighing the potential 
for environmental damage, the discovery of marine minerals, and any 
associated impacts on adjacent coastal States.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0072.
    Form Number: BOEM-0134, ``Requirements for Geological and 
Geophysical Prospecting, Exploration, or Scientific Research on the OCS 
Related to Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur.''
    The following forms are the permit forms issued by BOEM based on 
information provided in BOEM-0134:
    BOEM-0135, ``Permit for Geophysical Prospecting for Mineral 
Resources, Authorization of Geophysical Exploration for Minerals 
Resources, or Scientific Research on the OCS Related to Minerals Other 
than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur.''
    BOEM-0136, ``Permit for Geological Prospecting for Mineral 
Resources, Authorization of Geological Exploration for Minerals 
Resources, or Scientific Research on the OCS Related to Minerals Other 
than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur.''
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Permittees, applicants, and other 
respondents, including those required to only file notices (scientific 
research).
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 49 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 730 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory or required to obtain or retain 
a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion, annual, or as specified in 
permits.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: $4,024 non-hour cost 
burden.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: BOEM estimates 
730 burden hours for this renewal, which is a 245 annual burden hour 
increase over the currently approved information collection. The 
increase in burden hours is in relationship to the increases in the 
number of annual applications and authorizations.
    The following table details the individual BOEM components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR. In calculating the burden 
hours, BOEM assumed that respondents perform certain usual and 
customary requirements in the normal course of their activities.

[[Page 17638]]



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                                         Reporting and
   Citation 30 CFR part 580, as          recordkeeping         Hour burden    Average number of   Annual  burden
            applicable                   requirements                          annual responses        hours
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                                                       Non-hour cost burden 1
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                                                    Subpart B
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10; 11(a); 12; 13; Permit Form...  Apply for permit or                   88  2 permit                        176
                                    authorization (Form                       applications.       ..............
                                    BOEM-0134) to conduct                    4 applications for              352
                                    prospecting or                            authorization.
                                    noncommercial G&G
                                    exploration, including
                                    prospecting/exploration
                                    plan and environmental
                                    assessment or required
                                    drilling plan. Provide
                                    notifications &
                                    additional information
                                    as required.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                $2,012 permit application fee x 2 permits 2 =
                                                                                    $4,024
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11(b); 12(c).....................  File notice to conduct                 8  3 notices..........              24
                                    scientific research
                                    activities related to
                                    hard minerals,
                                    including notice to
                                    BOEM prior to beginning
                                    and after concluding
                                    activities.
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    Subtotal...............................................................  9 responses........       552 hours
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                                          $4,024 non-hour cost burden
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                                                    Subpart C
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21(a)............................  Report to BOEM if                      1  2 reports..........               2
                                    hydrocarbon/other
                                    mineral occurrences are
                                    detected; if
                                    environmental hazards
                                    that imminently
                                    threaten life and
                                    property are detected;
                                    or adverse effects
                                    occur to the
                                    environment, aquatic
                                    life, archaeological
                                    resources, or other
                                    uses of the area.
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22...............................  Submit request for                     1  4 requests.........               4
                                    approval to modify
                                    operations, with
                                    required information.
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23(b)............................  Request reimbursement                  1  3 requests.........               3
                                    for food, quarters, and/
                                    or transportation
                                    expenses for BOEM
                                    inspection.
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24...............................  Submit status and final               16  6 reports..........              96
                                    reports on specified
                                    schedule with daily log.
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28...............................  Request relinquishment                 1  1 request 3........               1
                                    of permit by certified
                                    or registered mail.
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31(b); 73(a)(b)..................  Governor(s) of adjacent    Not considered IC as defined in 5                0
                                    State(s) submit to                CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                    BOEM: Comments on
                                    activities involving an
                                    environmental
                                    assessment; any
                                    agreement between
                                    Governor and Secretary
                                    upon Governor's request
                                    for proprietary data,
                                    information, and
                                    samples; and any
                                    disclosure agreement.
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33, 34...........................  Appeal civil penalty;          Burden exempt under 5 CFR                    0
                                    appeal order or                   1320.4(a)(2); (c).
                                    decision.
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    Subtotal...............................................................  16 responses.......             106
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                                                    Subpart D
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40; 41; 50; 51; Permit Form......  Notify BOEM and submit                 8  5 submissions......              40
                                    G&G data including
                                    analysis, processing or
                                    interpretation of
                                    information collected
                                    under a permit/
                                    authorization and/or
                                    processed by permittees
                                    or 3rd parties,
                                    including reports, logs
                                    or charts, results,
                                    analyses, descriptions,
                                    etc., as required.
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42(b); 52(b).....................  Advise 3rd party                   \1/2\  4 notices..........               2
                                    recipient in writing
                                    that it assumes
                                    obligations as
                                    condition precedent of
                                    sale--no submission to
                                    BOEM is required.
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42(c), (d); 52(c), (d)...........  Written notification to                1  1 notice...........               1
                                    BOEM of sale, trade,
                                    transfer, or licensing
                                    of data and identify
                                    recipient.
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60; 61...........................  Request reimbursement                  1  1 request 3........               1
                                    for costs of
                                    reproducing data/
                                    information & certain
                                    processing costs.
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[[Page 17639]]

 
70...............................  Enter disclosure                       4  1 agreement........               4
                                    agreement.
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72(b)............................  Submit comments on                     4  1 response.........               4
                                    BOEM's intent to
                                    disclose data/
                                    information for
                                    reproduction,
                                    processing, and
                                    interpretation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72(d)............................  Independent contractor                 4  2 submissions......               8
                                    or agent prepares and
                                    signs written
                                    commitment not to sell,
                                    trade, license, or
                                    disclose data/
                                    information without
                                    BOEM approval.
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    Subtotal...............................................................  15 responses.......              60
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                                                     General
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Part 580.........................  General departure and                  4  1 request..........               4
                                    alternative compliance
                                    requests not
                                    specifically covered
                                    elsewhere in Part 580
                                    regulations.
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Permits 4........................  Request extension of                   1  2 requests.........               2
                                    permit/authorization
                                    time period.
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Permits 4........................  Retain G&G data/                       1  6 respondents......               6
                                    information for 10
                                    years and make
                                    available to BOEM upon
                                    request.
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    Subtotal...............................................................  9 responses........        12 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden.......................................................  49 responses.......       730 hours
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                                         $4,024 non-hour cost burdens
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1 Fees are subject to modification for inflation annually. Fees only apply to prospecting permits, not
  scientific research notices or noncommercial G&G exploration authorizations.
2 Only prospecting permits, not scientific research notices or noncommercial G&G exploration authorizations, are
  subject to cost recovery.
3 No requests received for many years. Minimal burden for regulatory (PRA) purposes only.
4 These permits/authorizations are prepared by BOEM and sent to respondents; therefore, the forms themselves
  carry minimal burden hours.

    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.).

Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2021-06973 Filed 4-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P