03-6189. Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0025, 1029-0040 and 1029-0104

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 approval for the collections of information for 30 CFR 733, Maintenance of state programs and procedures for substituting federal enforcement of state programs and withdrawing approval of state programs; 785, Requirements for permits for special categories of mining; and 876, Acid mine drainage treatment and abatement program.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed information collection activities must be received by May 13, 2003, 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 210—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 request, explanatory information and related forms, contact John A. Trelease, at [phone] or via e-mail at the address listed above.

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 approval. These collections are contained in (1) 30 CFR 733, Maintenance of state programs and procedures for substituting federal enforcement of state programs and withdrawing approval of state programs; (2) 30 CFR 785, Requirements for permits for special categories of mining; and (3) 30 CFR 876, Acid mine drainage treatment and abatement program. 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 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: 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 that 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.

Title: Requirements for permits for special categories of mining, 30 CFR 785.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0040.

Summary: The information is being collected to meet the requirements of sections 507, 508, 510, 515, 701 and 711 of Pub. L. 95-87, which requires applicants for special types of mining activities to provide descriptions, maps, plans and data of the proposed activity. This information will be used by the regulatory authority in determining if the applicant can meet the applicable performance standards for the special type of mining activity.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: Applicants for coalmine permits.

Total Annual Responses: 432.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 47,850.

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 states and Indian tribes to establish acid mine drainage abatement and treatment programs under the Abandoned Mine Land fund as directed through Pub. L. 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.

Dated: March 4, 2003.

Sarah E. Donnelly,

Acting Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.