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.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is

announcing that the information collection request for the title

described below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The information collection request

describes the nature of the information collection and the expected

burden and cost.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 14, 1998, to be

assured of consideration.

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, or electronically to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

regulations at 5 CFR 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)). OSM has submitted a request to OMB to renew its approval of

the collection of information for noncoal reclamation, found at 30 CFR

Part 840. OSM is requesting a 3-year term of approval for this

information collection activity.

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 OMB control number. The OMB control number for this

collection of information is listed in 30 CFR Part 840, which is 1029-

0051.

As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), Federal Register notice

soliciting comments on these collections of information was published

on September 26, 1997 (62 FR 50624). No comments were received. This

notice provides the public with an additional 30 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

for 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: 138,384.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 507,952.

Send comments on the need for the collection of information for the

performance of the functions of the agency; the accuracy of the

agency's burden estimates; ways to enhance the quality, utility and

clarity of the information collection; and ways to minimize the

information collection burden on respondents, such as use of automated

means of collection of the information, to the following address.

Please refer to the appropriate OMB control number in all

correspondence.

ADDRESSES: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of

Management and Budget, Attention: Department of Interior Desk Officer,

725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, and to John A. Trelease,

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution

Ave., NW., Room 210-SIB, Washington, DC 20240.

Dated: December 9, 1997.

Kathryn S. O'Toole,

Acting Chief, Division of Regulatory Support.

[FR Doc. 97-32601 Filed 12-12-97; 8:45 am]

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