[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36149-36150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12915]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Ground Control Plans for Surface Coal Mines 
and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA)-sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency 
receives on or before July 15, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) if the information will be processed and used in a timely 
manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Hernandez by telephone at 202-
693-8633, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each operator of a surface coal mine is 
required under 30 CFR 77.1000 to establish and follow a ground control 
plan that is consistent with prudent engineering design and which will 
ensure safe working conditions. The mine operator is required by Sec.  
77.1000-1 to file the ground control plan under Sec.  77.1000 for 
highwalls, pits and spoil

[[Page 36150]]

banks 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 
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 with sound engineering design.
    For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the 
related notice published in the Federal Register on January 26, 2022 
(87 FR 4047).
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions 
of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid 
OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for 
three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than 
three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information 
collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive 
a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Ground Control Plans for Surface Coal Mines 
and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0026.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits institutions.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 287.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 287.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 1,962 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $545.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

Nora Hernandez,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-12915 Filed 6-14-22; 8:45 am]
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