Notice of Proposed Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Notice of Proposed Information Collection

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 approval for the collection of

information for the permanent program inspection and enforcement

procedures at 30 CFR part 840.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received

by November 25, 1997, 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 210--SIB, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be

submitted electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request a copy of the information collection request, explanatory

information and related form, contact John A. Trelease, at (202) 208-

2783.

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 extension. This

collection is contained in 30 CFR 840.

OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect

current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden

or respondents. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for this

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.

This notice provides the public with 60 days in which to comment on

the following information collection activity:

Title: Permanent Program Inspection and Enforcement Procedures, 30

CFR part 840.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0051.

Abstract: This provision requires the regulatory authority to

conduct periodic inspections of coal mining activities, and prepare and

maintain inspection reports for public review. This information is

necessary to meet the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and

Reclamation Act of 1977 and its public participation provisions. Public

review assures the public that the State is meeting the requirements of

the Act and approved State regulatory program.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once, on occasion, and annually.

Description of Respondents: State Regulatory Authorities.

Total Annual Responses: 5,766.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 507,952.

Dated: September 22, 1997.

Richard G. Bryson,

Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.

[FR Doc. 97-25585 Filed 9-25-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-05-M