05-4691. 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 renewed authority for the collection of information for 30 CFR part 705 and the Form OSM-23, Restriction on financial interests of State employees.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed information collection must be received by May 9, 2005, to the assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to John A. Trelease, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW., Room 202—SIB, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be submitted electronically to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request a copy of the information collection requests, explanatory information and related forms, contact John A. Trelease, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 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 an information collection that OSM will be submitting to OMB for approval. This collection is contained in 30 CFR part 705 and the Form OSM-23, Restriction on financial interests of State employees. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for this 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 accompany OSM's submission of the information collection request to OMB.

The following information is provided for the 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: Restrictions on financial interests of State employees, 30 CFR part 705.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0067.

Summary: Respondents supply information on employment and financial interests. The purpose of the collection is to ensure compliance with section 517(g) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, which places an absolute prohibition on having a direct or indirect financial interest in underground or surface coal mining operations.

Bureau Form Number: OSM-23.

Frequency of Collection: Entrance on duty and annually.

Description of Respondents: Any State regulatory authority employee or member of advisory boards or commissions established in accordance with State law or regulation to represent multiple interests who performs any function or duty under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.

Total Annual Responses: 3,676.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,078.

Dated: March 4, 2005.

John R. Craynon,

Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.