2016-20811. Renewal of Agency Information Collection for Grazing Permits

AGENCY:

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of submission to OMB.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for renewal of the collection of information for Acquisition of Trust Land, 25 CFR 151 authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0100. This information collection expires August 31, 2016.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 29, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Please submit your comments to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at the Office of Management and Budget, by facsimile to [phone] or you may send an email to: [e-mail]. Also please send a copy of your comments to Ms. Sharlene M. Round Face, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Division of Real Estate Services, 1849 C Street NW., MS-4639-MIB, Washington, DC 20240; facsimile: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Sharlene M. Round Face, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Division of Real Estate Services, 1849 C Street NW., MS-4639-MIB, Washington, DC 20240; facsimile: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. You may review the information collection request online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Section 5 of the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 465) and the Indian Land Consolidation Act of January 12, 1983 (25 U.S.C. 2202) authorize the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), in his/her discretion, to acquire lands through purchase, relinquishment, gift, exchange, or assignment within or without existing reservations for the purpose of providing land for Indian Tribes. Other specific laws also authorize the Secretary to acquire lands for individual Indians and Tribes. Regulations implementing the acquisition authority are at 25 CFR 151. In order for the Secretary to acquire land on behalf of individual Indians and Tribes, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) must collect certain information to identify the party(ies) involved and to describe the land in question. The Secretary also solicits additional information deemed necessary to make a determination to accept or reject an application to take land into trust for the individual Indian or Tribe, as set out in 25 CFR 151.

This information collection allows the BIA to review applications for compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements. No specific form is used. The burden hours for this continued collection of information are reflected in the Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden in this notice.

II. Request for Comments

The BIA requests your comments on this collection concerning: (a) The necessity of this information collection 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 (hours and cost) of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Ways we could enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways we could minimize the burden of the collection of the information on the respondents.

Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor and an individual need not respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB Control Number.

It is our policy to make all comments available to the public for review at the location listed in the ADDRESSES section. 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.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 1076-0100.

Title: Acquisition of Trust Land, 25 CFR 151.

Brief Description of Collection: Submission of this information allows the BIA to review applications for the acquisition of land into trust status by the United States on behalf of individual Indians and Indian Tribes, pursuant to 25 CFR 151. The information also allows the Secretary to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and to determine if title to the subject property is marketable and unencumbered. Respondents supply information and data in accordance with 25 CFR 151 as no specific forms are used for the BIA to make an evaluation and determination on the application.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Individual Indians and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes seeking acquisition of land into trust status.

Number of Respondents: 500.

Number of Responses: 500.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Obligation to Respond: A response is required to obtain or maintain a benefit.

Estimated Time per Response: Ranges from 100 to 150 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 55,000.

Estimated Total Annual Non-Hour Dollar Cost: $0.

Elizabeth K. Appel,

Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action—Indian Affairs.