AGENCY:
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice and request for comments.
SUMMARY:
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request renewed approval for the collections of information for 30 CFR part 761, Areas designated by Act of Congress; 30 CFR part 772, Requirements for coal exploration; and 30 CFR part 800, Bonding and insurance requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations under regulatory programs.
DATES:
Comments on the proposed information collection activities must be received by August 26, 2002 to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES:
Comments may be mailed to John A. Trelease, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave, NW, Room 210-SIB, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be submitted electronically to jtreleas@osmre.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
To request a copy of the information collection request, explanatory information and related forms, contact John A. Trelease, at (202) 208-2783 or via e-mail at the address listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, which implement provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), require that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities [see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)]. This notice identifies information collections that OMS will be submitting to OMB for approval. These collections are contained in (1) 30 CFR part 761, Areas designated by Act of Congress; (2) 30 CFR part 772, Requirements for coal exploration; and (3) 30 CFR part 800, Bonding and insurance requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations under regulatory programs. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for each information collection activity.
Comments are invited on: (1) The need for the collection of information for the performance of the functions of the agency; (2) the accuracy of the agency's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such as use of automated means of collection of the information. A summary of the public comments will accompany OSM's submission of the information collection request to OMB.
The following information is provided for the information collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control number; (3) summary of the information collection activity; and (4) frequency of collection, description of the respondents, estimated total annual responses, and the total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for the collection of information.
Title: Areas designated by Act of Congress, 30 CFR part 761.
OMB Control Number: 1029-0111.
Summary: OSM and State regulatory authorities use the information collected under 30 CFR part 761 to ensure that persons planning to conduct surface coal mining operations on the lands protected by section 522(e) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 have the right to do so under one of the exemptions or waivers provided by this section of the Act.
Bureau Form Number: None.
Frequency of Collection: Once.
Description of Respondents: Applicants for certain surface coal mine permits and State regulatory authorities.
Total Annual Responses: 262.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,864.
Title: Requirements for coal exploration, 30 CFR part 772.
OMB Control Number: 1029-0112.
Summary: OSM and State regulatory authorities use the information collected under 30 CFR part 772 to maintain knowledge of coal exploration activities, evaluate the need for an exploration permit, and ensure that exploration activities comply with the environmental protection and reclamation requirements of 30 CFR parts 772 and 815 and section 512 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1262).
Bureau Form Number: None.
Frequency of Collection: Once.
Description of Respondents: Persons planning to conduct coal exploration and State regulatory authorities.
Total Annual Responses: 905.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,510.
Title: Bond and insurance requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations under regulatory programs, 30 CFR part 800.
OMB Control Number: 1029-0043.
Summary: The regulations at 30 CFR part 800 primarily implement § 509 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, which requires that persons planning to conduct surface coal mining operations first post a performance bond to guarantee fulfillment of all reclamation obligations under the approved permit. The regulations also establish bond release requirements and procedures consistent with section 519 of the Act, liability insurance requirements pursuant to section 507(f) of the Act, and procedures for bond forfeiture should the permittee default on reclamation obligations.
Bureau Form Number: None.
Frequency of Collection: On Occasion.
Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining and reclamation permittees and State regulatory authorities.
Total Annual Responses: 14,167.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 166,176 hours.
Dated: May 28, 2002.
Richard G. Bryson,
Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.
[FR Doc. 02-15947 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M