2019-14790. Agency Information Collection Activities; Coal Management

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), are proposing to renew an information collection.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 10, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Send your comments on this information collection request (ICR) by mail to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW, Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20240, Attention: Jean Sonneman; or by email to [e-mail]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1004-0073 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request additional information about this ICR, contact Jason Powell by email at [e-mail], or by telephone at 202-912-7502.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.

We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of the BLM; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the BLM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the BLM minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: This collection enables the BLM to learn the extent and qualities of Federal coal resources; evaluate the environmental impacts of coal leasing and development; determine the qualifications of prospective lessees to acquire and hold Federal coal leases; and ensure lessee compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and lease terms and conditions.

Title of Collection: Coal Management.

OMB Control Number: 1004-0073.

Form Numbers: 3440-1, Application and License to Mine Coal (Free Use); and 3400-12, Coal Lease.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Applicants for, and holders of, coal exploration licenses; applicants/bidders for, and holders of, coal leases; applicants for, and holders of, licenses to mine coal; and surface owners and State and tribal governments whose lands overlie coal deposits.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 1,017.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,017.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 1 to 800 hours.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 19,897.

Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain and retain benefit.

Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $943,153.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Jean Sonneman,

Bureau of Land Management, Information Collection Clearance Officer.