2016-21080. Renewal of Approved Information Collection; OMB Control No. 1004-0073

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

30-day notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue the collection of information that enables the BLM to manage Federal coal resources in accordance with applicable statutes. The OMB previously approved this information collection activity, and assigned it control number 1004-0073.

DATES:

The OMB is required to respond to this information collection request within 60 days but may respond after 30 days. For maximum consideration, written comments should be received on or before September 30, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Please submit comments directly to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (OMB #1004- 0073), Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, fax [phone], or by electronic mail at [e-mail]. Please provide a copy of your comments to the BLM. You may do so via mail, fax, or electronic mail.

Mail: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW., Room 2134LM, Attention: Jean Sonneman, Washington, DC 20240.

Fax: To Jean Sonneman at 202-245-0050.

Electronic mail: [e-mail].

Please indicate “Attn: 1004-0073” regardless of the form of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bill Radden-Lesage, at 202-912-7116. Persons who use a telecommunication device for the deaf may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, to leave a message for Mr. Radden-Lesage. You may also review the information collection request online at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) and OMB regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 provide that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. In order to obtain and renew an OMB control number, Federal agencies are required to seek public comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d) and 1320.12(a)).

As required at 5 CFR 1320.8(d), the BLM published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register on March 30, 2016 (81 FR 17732), and the comment period ended May 31, 2016. The BLM received one comment. The comment did not address, and was not germane to, this information collection. It consisted of a general invective against the government and the BLM. Therefore, the BLM has no response to the comment. The BLM now invites comments on the following subjects:

1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper functioning of the BLM, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. The accuracy of the BLM's estimate of the burden of collecting the information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. The quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. How to minimize the information collection burden on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.

Please send comments as directed under ADDRESSES and DATES. Please refer to OMB control number 1004-0073 in your correspondence. 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.

The following information pertains to this request:

Title: Coal Management (43 CFR parts 3400 through 3480).

OMB Control Number: 1004-0073.

Summary: 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.

Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

Forms:

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

Description of Respondents:

• 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.

Estimated Annual Responses: 1,017.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 19,897.

Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burdens: $943,153 in document processing fees.

Jean Sonneman,

Bureau of Land Management, Information Collection Clearance Officer.