Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection for Disposal of Mineral Materials

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection for

Disposal of Mineral Materials

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

Forest Service announces its intent to extend the existing information

collection found in 36 CFR Part 228, Subpart C, for the disposal of

mineral materials. The current information collection will expire

August 31, 1998.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 14,

1998.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Director, Minerals and Geology

Management, mail stop 1126, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090,

Washington, D.C. 20090-6090.

The public may inspect comments in the Office of the Director. To

facilitate entrance into the building, visitors are encouraged to call

(202) 205-1042 to make arrangements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Greeley, Minerals and Geology

Management, at (202) 205-1237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

Title: Mineral Materials.

OMB Number: 0596-0081.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.

Type of Request: Extension of an existing information collection.

Abstract: The Secretary of Agriculture has the statutory authority

to dispose of petrified wood and common varieties of sand, stone,

gravel, pumice, pumicite, cinders, clay, and other similar materials on

lands administered by the Forest Service. Mineral operators must

conduct their activities in accordance with the mineral regulations at

36 CFR Part 228, Subpart C, to ensure that environmental impacts are

minimized to the extent practicable.

Disposal of mineral materials is administered with an approved form

for a sales contract or free use permit, which may include an attached

operating plan, if required. This gives the authorized officer the

opportunity to determine if the proposed operation is appropriate and

consistent with all applicable land management laws and regulations,

assures financial accountability, and provides that environmental

impacts be minimized. The information also provides the means of

documenting planned operations and the terms and conditions that the

Forest Service deems necessary to protect surface resources.

Purchasers are required to complete the form, Contract For The Sale

Of Mineral Materials (FS-2800-9). Information required includes the

purchaser's name and address, the location and dimensions of the area

to be mined, the kind of material that will be mined, the quantity of

material that will be mined, the sales price of the mined material, the

payment schedule, the amount of the bond, and the period of the

contract.

Each applicant is required to complete the form, Application/Permit

(R1-FS-2850-1), for the free use or preliminary prospecting of mineral

materials. The questions on the form require that the applicant provide

their name and address, the type of material for which the applicant

intends to mine or prospect, the period for which the applicant wants

the permit, the type of structure that will be erected, the description

of the construction, the location and dimensions of the area to be

mined or prospected, the statement of need and justification for use of

Forest Service land and minerals, the local socioeconomic and

environmental impacts that may result from the mining or prospecting,

and the measures the applicant has taken to protect the environment.

Estimate of Burden: 2.5 hours.

Type of Respondents: Mineral materials operators.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,500.

Comment is Invited

The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the

proposed collection of information is necessary 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 of the proposed collection of

information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions

used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on respondents, including the use of

automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection

techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comment

All comments, including name and address when provided, will become

a matter of public record. Comments received in response to this notice

will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management

and Budget approval.

Dated: June 9, 1998.

Robert Lewis, Jr.,

Acting Associate Chief.

[FR Doc. 98-15817 Filed 6-12-98; 8:45 am]

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