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 continued approval for the collections of information for 30 CFR parts 733 and 876.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed information collection must be received by May 9, 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 renewed approval. These collections are contained in 30 CFR part 733, Maintenance of State programs and procedures for substituting Federal enforcement of State programs and withdrawing approval of State programs, and part 876, Acid mine drainage treatment and abatement program.

OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect current reporting levels of adjustments based on reestimates of burden on 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.

The following information is provided for each 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: Maintenance of State programs and procedures for substituting Federal enforcement of State programs and withdrawing approval of State programs, 30 CFR 733.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0025.

Summary: This part provides that any interested person may request the Director of OSM to evaluate a State program by setting forth in the request a concise statement of facts which the person believes establishes the need for the evaluation.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: Any interested person (individuals, businesses, institutions, organizations).

Total Annual Responses: 2.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 200 hours.

Title: Acid mine drainage treatment and abatement program, 30 CFR 876.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0104.

Summary: This part establishes the requirements and procedures allowing State and Indian Tribes to establish acid mine drainage abatement and treatment programs under the Abandoned Mine Land fund as directed through Public Law 101-508.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: State governments and Indian Tribes.

Total Annual Responses: 1.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 350.