[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46480-46481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22362]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WO-310-1310-01-24-1A]
Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB
Approval Number 1004-0074
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing its intention to request
an extension of approval for the collection of information which will
be used to determine the highest qualified bonus bid submitted for a
competitive oil and gas or geothermal lease (Form 3000-2) and enable
the BLM to complete environmental reviews in compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Form 3200-9). The
information supplied allows the BLM to determine whether a bidder is
qualified to hold a lease and to conduct geothermal resource operations
under the terms of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 and the Geothermal
Steam Act of 1969.
DATE: Comments must be submitted on or before November 4, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Management Team (420),
Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW, Room 401 LS Bldg.,
Washington, D.C. 20240.
Comments may be sent via Internet to:
[email protected]
Comments may be hand delivered to the Bureau of Land Management
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
Comments will be available for public review at the L Street
address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday
through Friday).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gloria J. Austin, (202) 452-0340.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d), the BLM
is required to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register
concerning a proposed collection of information to solicit comments on
(a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection, including
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.)
gives the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for oil and gas
leasing on approximately 600 million acres of public lands and national
forests, and private lands where minerals have been reserved by the
Federal Government. The Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act
of 1987 was passed by Congress to require that all public lands that
are available for oil and gas leasing be offered first by competitive
oral bidding. The Department of the Interior Appropriations Act of 1981
(43 U.S.C. 6508) provides for the competitive leasing of the lands in
the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The Geothermal Steam Act
of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001-1025) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior
to issue leases for geothermal development. The lands available for
exploration and leasing include public, withdrawn, reserved, and
acquired lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 established a national
policy to protect the environment.
The regulations within 43 CFR Group 3100 outline procedures for
obtaining a lease to explore for, develop, and produce oil and gas
resources located on Federal lands. The regulations within 43 CFR Group
3200 provide for the issuance of geothermal leases and the exploration,
development and utilization of Federally-owned geothermal resources.
The BLM needs the information requested on the two forms to process
bids for oil and gas and geothermal lands and to complete environmental
reviews required by the NEPA.
The information will be used to determine the highest qualified
bonus bid submitted for a competitive oil and gas or geothermal
resources parcel on
[[Page 46481]]
form 3000-2, ``Competitive Oil and Gas or Geothermal Resources Lease
Bid''. In the case of form 3200-9, ``Notice of Intent to conduct
Geothermal Resources Exploration Operations'', the information will be
used to enable the BLM to complete environmental reviews in compliance
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The BLM needs the
information requested to determine the eligibility of an applicant to
hold, explore for, develop and produce oil and gas and geothermal
resources on Federal lands.
The forms are submitted in person or by mail to the proper BLM
Office. For Form 3000-2, the name and address of the bidder is needed
to identify the bidder and allow the authorized officer to ensure that
the bidder meets the requirements of the regulations. The total bid and
payment submitted with bid is necessary to determine the specific bid
and that the bid is accompanied by one-fifth of the amount bid as
required by the regulations for a Geothermal bid or the minimum
acceptable bid, first year's rental and administrative fee as required
by the regulations for an oil and gas bid. For Form 3200-9, names and
addresses are needed to identify entities who will be conducting
operations on the land. The description of land is necessary to
determine the area to be entered or disturbed by the proposed
exploration operation. Dates of commencement and completion are
necessary to determine how long the applicant/operator/contractor
intends to conduct operations on the land. The forms were developed in
1990 and 1986 respectively and the information required from the public
remains the same.
Based on past experience conducting oil and gas and geothermal
lease sales and administering geothermal exploration operations, the
BLM estimates that the public reporting burden for completing to be two
hours. The bidder/lessee/operator/contractor has access to records,
plats, and maps necessary for providing land descriptions. The estimate
includes time spent researching bids and assembling information as well
as the time of clerical personnel.
It is estimated that approximately 393 Form 3000-2 will be filed
annually for a total of 786 reporting hours and approximately 50 form
3200-9 will be filed annually for a total of 100 reporting hours.
Respondents vary from individuals and small businesses to large
corporations.
Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without
charge, a copy of Form 3000-2 or 3200-9 by contacting the person
identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All responses to the
notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget approval. All comments will also become part of
the public record.
Dated: August 23, 1996.
Annetta Cheek,
Leader, Regulatory Management Team.
[FR Doc. 96-22362 Filed 8-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M
