Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of a currently approved information

collection.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and

respondent burden, MMS invites the public and other Federal agencies to

comment on a proposal to extend the currently approved collection of

information discussed below. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)

provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not

required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays

a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Submit written comments by June 20, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Rules Processing Team,

Minerals Management Service, Mail Stop 4700, 381 Elden Street, Herndon,

Virginia 20170-4817.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alexis London, Rules Processing Team, telephone (703) 787-1600. You may

also contact Alexis London to obtain a copy of this collection of

information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart A, General.

OMB Control Number: 1010-0030.

Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), at 43

U.S.C. 1331 et seq., requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary)

to preserve, protect, and develop oil and gas resources in the OCS;

make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as

rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy resource development with

protection of the human, marine, and coastal environment; ensure the

public a fair and equitable return on the resources offshore; and

preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. To carry out these

responsibilities, MMS has issued regulations as described in 30 CFR

Part 250. Subpart A, General, of that part contains general

requirements and procedures for oil and gas or sulfur operations in the

OCS.

The MMS uses the information collected under subpart A to ensure

that operations in the OCS are carried out in a manner that is safe and

pollution free.

If respondents submit proprietary information, it will be protected

under 30 CFR 250.18, Data and information to be made available to the

public. No items of a sensitive nature are collected. The requirement

to respond is mandatory.

Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas or sulphur

lessees.

Frequency: On occasion, varies by section.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 130.

Estimated Annual Burden: 13,343 burden hours. Based on $35 per

hour, the cost to respondents is $467,005.

Estimated Other Annual Costs to Respondents: MMS has identified no

other cost burdens on respondents for providing this information.

Comments: The MMS will summarize written responses to this notice

and address them in its submission for OMB approval. All comments will

become a matter of public record. We will also consult with a

representative sample of respondents. The estimates shown above are

those currently approved by OMB for this collection of information. As

a result of the consultations and comments we receive, we will make any

necessary adjustments for our submission to OMB. In calculating the

burden, MMS may have assumed that respondents perform many of the

requirements and maintain records in the normal course of their

activities. MMS considers these to be usual and customary. Commenters

are invited to provide information if they disagree with this

assumption and they should tell us what the burden hours and costs

imposed by this collection of information are.

(1) The MMS specifically solicits comments on the following

questions:

(a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the

proper performance of MMS's functions, and will it be useful?

(b) Are the estimates of the burden hours of the proposed

collection reasonable?

(c) Do you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality,

clarity, or usefulness of the information to be collected?

(d) Is there a way to minimize the information collection burden on

those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate

automated electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information

technology?

(2) In addition, the PRA requires agencies to estimate the total

annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the

collection of information. The MMS needs your comments on this item.

Your response should split the cost estimate into two components:

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(a) Total capital and startup cost component and

(b) Annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of services

component.

Your estimates should consider the costs to generate, maintain, and

disclose or provide the information. You should describe the methods

you use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology

acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount

rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup

costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase

to prepare for collecting information; monitoring, sampling, drilling,

and testing equipment; and record storage facilities. Generally, your

estimates should not include equipment or services purchased: (1)

before October 1, 1995; (2) to comply with requirements not associated

with the information collection; (3) for reasons other than to provide

information or keep records for the Government; or (4) as part of

customary and usual business or private practices.

Bureau Clearance Officer: Jo Ann Lauterbach, (202) 208-7744.

Dated: April 11, 1997.

E.P. Danenberger,

Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.

[FR Doc. 97-10227 Filed 4-18-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M