05-15497. Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0111 and 1029-0112

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 part 761, Areas designated by Act of Congress; and 30 CFR part 772, Requirements for coal exploration.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed information collection activities must be received by October 4, 2005, 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 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 request, explanation 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 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 information collections that OSM will be submitting to OMB for approval. These collections are contained in (1) 30 CFR part 761, Areas designated by Act of Congress; and (2) 30 CFR Part 772, Requirements for coal exploration. 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: Areas designated by Act of Congress, 30 CFR part 761.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0111.

Summary: OSM and State regulatory authorities use the information collected under 30 CFR part 761 to ensure that persons planning to conduct surface coal mining operations on the lands protected by § 522(e) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 have the right to do so under one of the exemptions or waivers provided by this section of the Act.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: Applicants for certain surface coal mine permits and State regulatory authorities.

Total Annual Responses: 119.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 534.

Title: Requirements for coal exploration, 30 CFR 772.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0112.

Summary: OSM and State regulatory authorities use the information collected under 30 CFR part 772 to maintain knowledge of coal exploration activities, evaluate the need for an exploration permit, and ensure that exploration activities comply with the environmental protection and reclamation requirements of 30 CFR parts 772 and 815 and section 512 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1262).

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: Persons planning to conduct coal exploration and State regulatory authorities.

Total Annual Responses: 905.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,218.

Dated: July 29, 2005.

Dennis G. Rice,

Acting Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.