Notice of Proposed Information Collection

AGENCY:

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

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 approval for the collections of information for 30 CFR part 779 and the OSM-1 Form.

DATE:

Comments on the proposed information collection must be received by April 17, 2000, 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 120—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 requests, explanatory information and related forms, contact John A. Trelease at the address listed in ADDRESSES.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 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 OSM will be submitting to OMB for extension. These collections are contained in 30 CFR part 779, Surface Mining Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Environmental Resources; and the OSM-1 Form, Coal Reclamation Fee Report.

OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden or respondents. 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 be included in OSM's submissions of the information collection requests to OMB.

This notice provides the public with 60 days in which to comment on the following information collection activities:

Title: Surface Mining Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Environmental Resources, 30 CFR 779.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0035.

Summary: Applicants for surface coal mining permits are required to provide adequate descriptions of the environmental resources that may be affected by proposed surface mining activities. The information will be used by the regulatory authority to determine if the applicant can comply with environmental protection performance standards.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once upon submittal of mining application.

Description of Respondents: Coal mining companies and state regulatory authorities.

Total Annual Responses: 315.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 51,188 hours.

Title: Coal Reclamation Fee Report-OSM-1 Form.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0063.

Summary: The information is used to maintain a record of coal produced for sale, transfer, or use nationwide each calendar quarter, the method of coal removal and the type of coal, and the basis for coal tonnage reporting in compliance with 30 CFR 870 and section 401 of Pub. L. 95-87. Individual reclamation fee payment liability is based on this information. Without the collection of information OSM could not implement its regulatory responsibilities and collect the fee.

Bureau Form Number: OSM-1.

Frequency of Collection: Quarterly.

Description of Respondents: Coal mine permittees.

Total Annual Responses: 15,804.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,280.