Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Antitrust Division

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

ACTION: Request OMB emergency approval; Department of Justice Federal

coal lease review information.

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The Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, has submitted the

following information collection request to the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the

emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB

approval has been requested by April 23, 1999. The proposed information

collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected

agencies. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 90 days.

Comments should be directed to OMB, Office of Information and

Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer,

Washington, DC 20530.

During the first 60 days of this same review period, a regular

review of this information collection is also being undertaken.

All comments and suggestions, or questions regarding additional

information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed information

collection instrument with instructions, should be directed to Jill A.

Ptacek, Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section, Antitrust

Division, Department of Justice, Room 536, 325 7th Street, NW.,

Washington, DC 20530.

Request written comments and suggestions from the public and

affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information.

Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate 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;

(2) Evaluate 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;

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(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to

be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those

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

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic

submission of responses.

Overview of This Information

(1) Type of information collection: Extension of a currently

approved collection.

(2) Title of the form/collection: Department of Justice Federal

Coal Lease Review Information.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the

Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Forms ATR-139, ATR-

140. Antitrust Division, United States Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as

well as a brief abstract: Primary: Business or other for-profit. Other:

None.

The Department of Justice evaluates the competitive impact of

issuances, transfers and exchanges of Federal coal leases. These forms

seek information regarding a prospective coal lessee's coal reserves

and the reserves subject to the federal lease. The Department uses this

information to determine whether the lease transfer is consistent with

the Antitrust laws.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount

of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 20 responses

per year at 2 hours per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated

with the collection: 40 annual burden hours.

If Additional Information Is Required Contact: Mr. Robert B.

Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice,

Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division,

Suite 850, Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: April 12, 1999.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.

[FR Doc. 99-9414 Filed 4-14-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-11-M