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 collections of information under 30 CFR parts 750 and 877 which relate to surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Indian Lands; and use of police power, if necessary, to effect entry upon private lands to conduct reclamation activities or exploratory studies if the landowner refuses consent or is not available, respectively.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed information collection must be received by February 22, 2005, 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 jtreleas@osmre.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request a copy of the information collection request, explanatory information and related forms, contact John A. Trelease, at (202) 208-2783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 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 approval. These collections are contained in: (1) 30 CFR part 750, Requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Indian Lands; and (2) 30 CFR part 877, Rights of entry. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for each 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.

The following information is provided for the information collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control number; (3) summary of the information collection activity; and (4) frequency of collection, description of the respondents, estimated total annual responses, and the total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for the collection of information.

Title: Requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Indian Lands—30 CFR Part 750.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0091.

Summary: Operators who conduct or propose to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Indian lands must comply with the requirements of 30 CFR 750 pursuant to Section 710 of SMCRA.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: Applicants for coal mining permits.

Total Annual Responses: 76.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,400.

Title: Rights of Entry—30 CFR Part 877.

OMB Control Number: 1029-0055.

Summary: This regulation establishes procedures for non-consensual entry upon private lands for the purpose of abandoned mine land reclamation activities or exploratory studies when the landowner refuses consent or is not available.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: Once.

Description of Respondents: State and Tribal abandoned mine land reclamation agencies.

Total Annual Responses: 103.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 103.