2017-22665. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 16, 2017.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques and other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by November 20, 2017 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Commentors are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Forest Service

Title: Disposal of Mineral Materials.

OMB Control Number: 0596-0081.

Summary of Collection: The Forest Service (FS) is responsible for overseeing the management of National Forest System land. The Multiple-Use Mining Act of 1955 (30 U.S.C. 601, 603, 611-615) gives the FS specific authority to manage the disposal of mineral materials mined from National Forest land. FS uses form FS-2800-9, “Contract for the Sale of Mineral Materials” to collect detailed information on the planned mining and disposal operations as well as a contract for the sale of mineral materials.

Need and Use of the Information: Interested parties are asked to provide information that includes the purchaser's name and address, the location and dimensions of the area to be mined, the kind and quantity of material to be mined, the sales price of the mined material, the payment schedule, amount of the bond, and the period of the contract. Collected information from the public will ensure that environmental impacts of mineral material disposal are minimized. A review of the operating plan provides the authorized officer the opportunity to determine if the proposed operation is appropriate and consistent with all applicable land management laws and regulations. The information also provides the means of documenting planned operations and the terms and conditions that the FS deems necessary to protect surface resources. A simple annual statement of production (amount of material removed) is also required of each purchaser or permittee. If FS did not collect this information, operations could cause undue damage to surface resources.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 2,617.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 6,543.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.