[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14884-14887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07004]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[MMAA104000; OMB Control Number 1010-0072; Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0016]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Prospecting for
Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental
Shelf and Authorizations of Noncommercial Geological and Geophysical
Activities
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, the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is proposing to renew an
information collection with revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
June 5, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request
(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, or by telephone at 703-
787-1025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired
format.
We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper
functions of BOEM? (2) Will this information be processed and used in a
timely manner? (3) Is the estimate of burden 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 that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB for approval of this ICR. 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 comments to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Abstract: The information collection request concerns the paperwork
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 580, Prospecting for
Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS), as well as authorizations of noncommercial geological and
geophysical (G&G) prospecting and scientific research activities issued
pursuant to Section 11 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as
amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 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 1337(k)(1) 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.''
Section 1340(a)(1) 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.'' Under 30 CFR part 580, G&G
exploration to be performed by any person on unleased lands or lands
under lease to a third party requires issuance of a BOEM permit or
submission of a scientific research notice. Section 1340(g) further
requires that permits for geologic exploration will only be issued if
it is determined that the applicant for such permit is qualified; the
exploration will not interfere with or endanger operations under any
lease; and the exploration will not be unduly harmful to aquatic life
in the area, result in pollution, 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.
Prospecting for marine minerals includes certain aspects of
exploration as defined in the OCS Lands Act at 43 U.S.C. 1331(k). That
section defines the term ``exploration'' to mean the process of
searching for minerals, including ``geophysical surveys where magnetic,
gravity, seismic, or other systems are used to detect or characterize
the presence of such minerals. . . .''
As a Federal agency, BOEM has a responsibility to 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 any agency action in a manner that is not likely to jeopardize
protected species or result in adverse modification of designated
critical habitat, as well as a procedural duty to consult with the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Fisheries before engaging in a discretionary
action that may affect a protected species.
Respondents are required to submit form BOEM-0134 to provide the
information necessary to evaluate their request to conduct G&G
prospecting, exploration or scientific research activities, and upon
approval, respondents are issued a permit or authorization. BOEM uses
the information to ensure there is no adverse effect to the marine,
coastal, or human environment, personal harm, unsafe operations and
conditions, or unreasonable interference with other uses; to analyze
and evaluate preliminary or planned mining
[[Page 14885]]
activities; to monitor progress and activities in the OCS; to acquire
G&G data and information collected under a Federal permit offshore; and
to determine eligibility for reimbursement from the Government for
certain costs.
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 affected coastal States.
The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26,
1996), and the OMB Circular A-25 authorize Federal agencies to recover
the full cost of services that confer special benefits. Accordingly,
all G&G permits for commercial prospecting are subject to cost
recovery, and BOEM regulations at 30 CFR 580.12 specify the service
fees for these requests.
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), and under
regulations at 30 CFR 580.70, applicable sections of 30 CFR parts 550
and 552.
Title of Collection: 30 CFR 580, Prospecting for Minerals other
than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf and
Authorizations of Noncommercial Geological and Geophysical Activities.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0072.
Form Number: BOEM-0134, Requirements for Geological and Geophysical
Prospecting, Exploration, or Scientific Research on the Outer
Continental Shelf Related to Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Permittees/respondents, including
those required to only file notices (scientific research).
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 38 responses.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 485 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.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We expect the
burden estimate for the renewal will be 485 hours, a decrease of 3
burden hours.
In calculating the burden, requesting Governor(s) comments on
activities pursuant to 30 CFR 580.31(b) and 30 CFR 580.73 does not
constitute information collection under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4). These
requests for comment are general solicitations of public comment, so
BOEM has removed the three burden hours associated with this burden.
The following table details the individual BOEM components and
respective burden hours of this ICR. In calculating the burden hours,
we assumed that respondents perform certain usual and customary
requirements in the normal course of their activities.
Burden Table
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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 (Form BOEM-0134) 88 2 permits.......... 176
for permit or 2 authorizations... 176
authorization to
conduct G&G prospecting
or exploration for
mineral resources or
notice to conduct
scientific research on
the OCS. Provide
notifications &
additional information
as required.
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$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............................................................... 7 Responses........ 376
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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 1 report........... 1
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 written request 1 2 requests......... 2
for approval to modify
operations, with
required information.
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[[Page 14886]]
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 12 4 reports.......... 48
reports on specified
schedule with daily log.
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28............................... Request relinquishment 1 1 relinquishment 1
of permit by certified \3\.
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............................................................... 11 Responses....... 55
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Subpart D
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40; 41; 50; 51; Permit Form...... Notify BOEM and submit 8 3 submissions...... 24
G&G data including
analysis, processing or
interpretation of
information collected
under a permit 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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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.
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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............................................................... 13 Responses....... 44
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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 extensions....... 2
permit/authorization
time period.
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Permits \4\...................... Retain G&G data/ 1 4 respondents...... 4
information for 10
years and make
available to BOEM upon
request.
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Subtotal............................................................... 7 Responses........ 10
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Total Burden....................................................... 38 Responses....... 485
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[[Page 14887]]
$4,024 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
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\1\ Fees are subject to modification per inflation annually.
\2\ Only permits, not 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
do not incur 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.).
Dated: April 2, 2018.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2018-07004 Filed 4-5-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P