2023-28354. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Sealing of Abandoned Areas

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency receives on or before January 25, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Howell by telephone at 202–693–6782, or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

MSHA's standards for sealing abandoned areas in underground coal mines includes requirements covering the design and construction of new seals and the maintenance and repair of all seals. Miners rely on seals to protect them from the hazardous, and sometimes explosive, environments within the sealed area. MSHA inspectors use the records to determine that tests and examinations, required by the standards, are being done correctly. Records collected under these standards will help ensure that the construction and maintenance of seals are done correctly, certified persons conducting sampling in sealed areas are adequately trained, and results from sampling in sealed areas are recorded, so that problems can be identified and corrected. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2023 (88 FRN 51859).

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid OMB Control Number. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.

Agency: DOL–MSHA.

Title of Collection: Sealing of Abandoned Areas.

OMB Control Number: 1219–0142.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.

Number of Respondents: 166.

Frequency: On occasion.

Number of Responses: 44,626.

Annual Burden Hours: 4,570 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $799,282.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

Michael Howell,

Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.