[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 8400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02663]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

RIN 0596-AD33


Information Collection; Oil and Gas Resources

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the re-instatement of the information collection for 
Oil and Gas Resources, 0596-0101.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before April 10, 2023 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to USDA-
Forest Service. Attn: Director-Minerals and Geology Management, 1617 
Cole Boulevard, Building 17, Lakewood, CO 80401. Comments also may be 
submitted via facsimile to 303-275-5122 or Electronically: Via the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov, 0596-AD33.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available 
to the public through relevant websites and upon request. For this 
reason, please do not include in your comments information of a 
confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or 
proprietary information. If you send an email comment, your email 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the 
internet. Please note that responses to this public comment request 
containing any routine notice about the confidentiality of the 
communication will be treated as public comments that may be made 
available to the public notwithstanding the inclusion of the routine 
notice.
    The public may request an electronic copy of the draft supporting 
statement and/or any comments received be sent via return email. 
Requests should be emailed to the contact listed in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherri Thompson, Assistant Director 
Leasable Minerals, at 303-275-5147 or by mail at 1617 Cole Boulevard, 
Building 17, Lakewood, CO 80401. Individuals who use telecommunication 
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of 
the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Oil and Gas Resources, 36 CFR part 228, subpart E.
    OMB Number: 0596-0101.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from final approval.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement.
    Abstract: The current rule contains procedures the Forest Service, 
USDA will use to accomplish the purposes of the Federal Onshore Oil and 
Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987, and other applicable mineral leasing 
and environmental protection statutes, in offering oil and gas leases 
and managing the development of oil and gas resources on National 
Forest System lands. The Leasing Reform Act authorizes the Secretary of 
Agriculture to develop procedures and regulations governing leasing for 
oil and gas resources. including bonding and reclamation requirements, 
within the National Forest System. This authority was formerly 
exercised by the Bureau of Land Management. These regulations achieve 
our primary objectives of ensuring effective compliance with all 
applicable environmental protection statutes, as most recently 
construed by the Federal Courts, in conjunction with meeting the intent 
of Congress codified in the Leasing Reform Act. These regulations have 
been designed to work in coordination with similar regulations of the 
Department of the Interior, and to promote a cooperative process 
between the Federal agencies, the oil and gas industry, and members of 
the public who are interested in the management of Federal lands and 
resources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 30 Minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Public.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,250.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 2,250.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,125 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    Comment is invited on: (1) whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the 
functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have 
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Date: February 2, 2023.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2023-02663 Filed 2-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P