[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 6201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3070]
[[Page 6201]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[HE-931-9941-03]
Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Number 1004-
New, Formerly 1032-0112
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intention to request
renewal of the existing approval to collect certain information from
owners and operators of helium-bearing natural gas wells and
transmission lines interested in data pertaining to natural gas
analyses when data are released for publication. This information
allows BLM to evaluate the helium resources of the United States.
DATES: BLM must receive comments on the proposed information collection
by April 7, 1998 to assure its consideration of them.
ADDRESSES: Mail comments to: Director (630), Bureau of Land Management,
1849 C Street NW, Room 401LS, Washington, D.C. 20240.
Send comments via Internet to: bgage@he.blm.gov. Please include
``ATTN: 1004-NEW'' and your name and return address in your Internet
message.
You may hand-deliver comments to the Bureau of Land Management,
Helium Operations, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, Texas. BLM
will make comments available for public review at the South Fillmore
address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.), Monday
through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Gage at (806) 324-2659.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a), BLM is
required to provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a
collection of information contained in BLM Form 6-1579-A to solicit
comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology
and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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 or
other forms of information technology. BLM will receive and analyze any
comments sent in response to this notice and include them with its
request for approval from the OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
The Form, called GAS WELL DATA--SURVEY OF HELIUM-BEARING NATURAL
GAS, provides for the gas sampling and analysis program used to locate
helium occurrences in natural gases. The program is carried on in
compliance with 74 Stat. 920, Public Law 104-273, Helium Privatization
Act of 1996. The knowledge of helium occurrences is an integral part of
the Governments conservation program. The data supplied on the form are
used to evaluate the extent of any helium resources existing in the
natural gas.
BLM uses the information provided by the applicants to evaluate the
helium resources of the United States. If BLM did not collect this
information, it would not have good knowledge of the nature, location
and extent of domestic helium resources. The location and development
of helium reserves could not be done; therefore, long range helium
production and conservation plans could not be carried out and an
assured supply of helium to the Federal Government would not be
available.
Based on BLM's experience administering the activities described
above, the public reporting burden for the information collected is
estimated to average 15 minutes per response. The respondents are
owners and operators of helium-bearing natural gas wells and
transmission lines. The frequency of response is annual. The number of
responses per year is estimated to total 200. The estimated total
annual burden on new respondents is about 50 hours. BLM is specifically
requesting your comments on its estimate of the amount of time it takes
to prepare a response.
BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments
will also become a matter of public record.
Dated: January 30, 1998.
Carole Smith,
Bureau of Land Management Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-3070 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M
