03-19592. Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0115, 1029-0116, and 1029-0117

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 approval for the collections of information for 30 CFR parts 773, 774 and 778.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed information collection must be received by September 30, 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 at the e-mail address listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 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 extension. These collections are contained in 30 CFR part 773 (Requirements for permits and permit processing), part 774 (Revision; Renewal; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights), and part 778 (Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance, and Related Information).

OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden or respondents. 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 be included in OSM's submissions of the information collection requests to OMB.

The following information is provided for each 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: Requirements for Permits and Permit Processing, 30 CFR 773.

OMB Control Number; 1029-0115.

Summary: The collection activities for this part ensure that the public has the opportunity to review permit applications prior to their approval, and that applicants for permanent program permits or their associates who are in violation of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act do not receive surface coal mining permits pending resolution of their violations.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: Applicants for surface coal mining and reclamation permits and State governments and Indian Tribes.

Total Annual Responses: 324.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,058.

Title: Revisions; Renewals; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights—30 CFR 774.

OMB Control Number; 1029-0116.

Summary: Sections 506 and 511 of Public Law 95-87 provide that persons seeking permit revisions, renewals, transfer, assignment, or sale of their permit rights for coal mining activities submit relevant information to the regulatory authority to allow the regulatory authority to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for the action anticipated.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining permit applicants and State regulatory authorities.

Total Annual Responses: 6,498.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 49,164.

Title: Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance, and Related Information—30 CFR 778.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0117.

Summary: Section 507(b) of Public Law 95-87 provides that persons conducting coal mining activities submit to the regulatory authority all relevant information regarding ownership and control of the property affected, their compliance status and history. This information is used to insure all legal, financial and compliance requirements are satisfied prior to issuance or denial of a permit.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining permit applicants and State regulatory authorities.

Total Annual Responses: 301.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,436.

Dated: July 29, 2003.

Richard G. Bryson,

Chief Division of Regulatory Support.