[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 34455-34458] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2015-14696] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement [Docket ID BSEE-2015-0001; OMB Control Number 1014-0021; 15XE1700DX EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000] Information Collection Activities: Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request ACTION: 30-Day notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the revised paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. DATE: You must submit comments by July 16, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or email ([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (1014-0021). Please provide a copy of your comments to BSEE by any of the means below.Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter BSEE-2015-0001 then click [[Page 34456]] search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. We will post all comments. Email [email protected], fax (703) 787-1546, or mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; ATTN: Cheryl Blundon; 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Please reference ICR 1014-0021 in your comment and include your name and return address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607, to request additional information about this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to http://www.reginfo.gov (select Information Collection Review, Currently Under Review). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 30 CFR 282, Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur. OMB Control Number: 1014-0021. Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1334 and 43 U.S.C. 1337(k)), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to implement regulations to grant leases of any mineral other than oil, gas, and sulphur to qualified parties. This regulation governs mining operations within the OCS and establishes a comprehensive leasing and regulatory program for such minerals. This regulation has been designed to: (1) Recognize the differences between the OCS activities associated with oil, gas, and sulphur discovery and development and those associated with the discovery and development of other minerals; (2) facilitate participation by States directly affected by OCS mining activities; (3) provide opportunities for consultation and coordination with other OCS users and uses; (4) balance development with environmental protection; (5) insure a fair return to the public; (6) preserve and maintain free enterprise competition; and (7) encourage the development of new technology. The authorities and responsibilities described above are among those delegated to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Therefore, this ICR addresses the regulations at 30 CFR 282, Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur. It should be noted that there has been no activity in the OCS for minerals other than oil, gas and sulphur for many years and no information collected. However, because these are regulatory requirements, the potential exists for information to be collected; therefore, we are renewing this collection of information. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain or retain a benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The BSEE protects information considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOIs implementing regulations (43 CFR 2), and under the regulations at and Sec. Sec. 282.5, 282.6, and 282.7. BSEE will use the information required by 30 CFR 282 to determine if lessees are complying with the regulations that implement the mining operations program for minerals other than oil, gas, and sulphur. Specifically, BSEE will use the information: To ensure that operations for the production of minerals other than oil, gas, and sulphur in the OCS are conducted in a manner that will result in orderly resource recovery, development, and the protection of the human, marine, and coastal environments. To ensure that adequate measures will be taken during operations to prevent waste, conserve the natural resources of the OCS, and to protect the environment, human life, and correlative rights. To determine if suspensions of activities are in the national interest, to facilitate proper development of a lease including reasonable time to develop a mine and construct its supporting facilities, and to allow for the construction or negotiation for use of transportation facilities. To identify and evaluate the cause(s) of a hazard(s) generating a suspension, the potential damage from a hazard(s) and the measures available to mitigate the potential for damage. For technical evaluations that provide a basis for BSEE to make informed decisions to approve, disapprove, or require modification of the proposed activities. Frequency: On occasion and as required by regulations. Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise OCS Federal oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 56 hours and $100,000 non-hour cost burdens. The following chart details the individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. Burden Table ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-hour cost burden Reporting or ---------------------------------------------------- Citation 30 CFR 282 recordkeeping Average number of Annual burden requirement * Hour burden annual responses hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subpart A--General ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5................................ Request non-disclosure 10 1 request.......... 10 of data and information. 6................................ Governor(s) of adjacent 1 1 submission....... 1 State(s) request for proprietary data, information, samples, etc., and disclosure agreement with BSEE. 7................................ Governor of affected 1 1 request.......... 1 State requests negotiation to settle jurisdictional controversy, etc.; enters into an agreement with BSEE. ---------------------------------------------------- Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 3 Responses........ 12 Hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subpart B--Jurisdiction and Responsibilities of Director ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11(d)(1);........................ Request consolidation/ 1 1 request.......... 1 unitization of two or more leases or lease portions into a single mining unit. [[Page 34457]] 11(d)(4)......................... State requests different 1 1 request.......... 1 method of allocating production. 12(f); 13(d); 28(c).............. Request approval(s) of 20 1 request.......... 20 applicable applications and/or plans; including environmental information, monitoring program, and various requests for approval; submit modifications as appropriate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12(h)............................ Request departures from Burden covered under 30 CFR 250, 0 the operating Subpart A, 1014-0022. requirements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13(b), (f)(2); 31................ Request suspension or 2 1 request.......... 2 temporary prohibition or production or operations; include all documentation--or any other information BSEE may require. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13(d); 13(e)(2).................. Submit a Delineation, BOEM requirement covered under 30 .............. Testing, or Mining Plan CFR 582, 1010-0081. or revised Plan. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13(e)............................ Submit site-specific 8 1 study............ 8 study plan and results. ---------------------------------------------------- 1 study x $100,000 = $100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14............................... Submit response copy of 2 1 response......... 2 Form BSEE-1832 indicating date violations (INCs) corrected, etc.. ---------------------------------------------------- Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 6 Responses........ 34 Hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $100,000 Non-Hour Cost Burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subpart C--Obligations and Responsibilities of Lessees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27(b)............................ Request use of new or 1 1 request.......... 1 alternative technologies, techniques, etc. 27(c)............................ Notify BSEE of death or 1 1 notification..... 1 serious injury; fire, exploration, or other hazardous event, pollution etc.; submit report. 27(d)(2)......................... Request reimbursement 2 1 request.......... 2 for furnishing food, quarters, and transportation for BSEE representatives (no requests received in many years; minimal burden). 27(e)............................ Identify vessels, 1 1 sign............. 1 platforms, structures, etc. with signs. 27(f)(2)......................... Log all drill holes 3 1 log.............. 3 susceptible to logging; submit copies of logs to BSEE. 27(h)(3-4)....................... Mark equipment; record 1 1 notification..... 1 items lost overboard; notify BSEE. ---------------------------------------------------- 27(k)............................ Enter weight or quantity BOEM requirement covered under 30 0 and quality of each CFR 582, 1010-0081. mineral produced. ---------------------------------------------------- 28(d)............................ Demonstrate 1 1 demonstration.... 1 effectiveness procedure(s) for mitigating environmental impacts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal..................... .............. 7 Responses........ 10 Hours ---------------------------------------------------- Subpart E--Appeals ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50............................... File an appeal.......... Burden exempt under 5 CFR 0 1320.4(a)(2), (c). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Burden............. ........................ .............. 16 Responses....... 56 Hours ------------------------------------ ........................ .............. $100,000 Non-Hour Cost Burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * In the future, BSEE may require some requirements to be submitted electronically. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have identified one non-hour cost burden associated with the collection of information for a total of $100,000. There is a cost to industry to submit site-specific study plan and the results. We have not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated with this collection of information. Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,) requires each agency ``. . . to provide notice . . . and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed [[Page 34458]] collection of information . . .'' Agencies must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on March 26, 2015, we published a Federal Register notice (80 FR 16019) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 282.0 provides the OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR 282, regulations. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We received four comments in response to the Federal Register. None of the comments received were germane to the paperwork burden of this information collection renewal. Public Availability of Comments: 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. Dated: May 27, 2015. Robert W. Middleton, Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. [FR Doc. 2015-14696 Filed 6-15-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P