[Federal Register: November 9, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 218)]
[Notices]
[Page 56631-56632]
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Notices
Federal Register
Information Collection; Locatable Minerals
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and
organizations on the extension of an information collection associated
with Locatable Minerals operations on National Forest System lands.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 8,
2002 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to
Director, Minerals and Geology Management, Forest Service, USDA, 5th
Floor, RPC, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (703) 605-1575.
The public may inspect comments received at the Office of Director,
Minerals and Geology Management, 5th Floor, Rosslyn Plaza ``C''
Building, 1601 North Kent Street, Arlington, VA 22209. Visitors are
encouraged to call ahead to facilitate viewing any comments received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Hotchkiss, Minerals and Geology
Management, at (703) 605-4852, or Mary Ann Ball, Forest Service
Information Collection Coordinator, at (703) 605-4572, or send an e-
mail to maryball@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Locatable Minerals.
OMB Number: 0596-0022.
Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2002.
Type of Request: Extension with no revision.
Abstract: This collection of information is necessary to ensure
that the environmental impacts associated with locatable mineral
operations on National Forest System lands are minimized to the extent
practicable. The Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 228.5 require
operators, with some exceptions, to submit a Notice of Intent or a Plan
of Operations for conducting locatable minerals operations on National
Forest System lands. The information that an operator must provide in a
Plan of Operations is set out in 228.4(c), (d), and (e). Paragraph (g)
of 228.4 displays the OMB number assigned to this information
collection. Additionally, the rules, at 228.10 require operators to
provide certain information to the Forest Service regarding cessation
of operations. The content of a Notice of Intent is described in
228.4(a)(2).
Mineral operators notify the authorized Forest Service officer of
their intention to conduct a locatable mineral operation on National
Forest System lands by filing either a Notice of Intent or a Plan of
Operations. No specific format is required for the information
collection, but form FS-2800-5 is available for use by the operators. A
Notice of Intent includes: (1) Information sufficient to identify the
area involved; (2) the nature of the proposed operation; (3) the route
of access to the area of operations; and (4) the method of transport. A
Plan of Operations includes: (1) The name and legal mailing address of
operators (and claimants if they are not the operators) and their
lessees, assigns, or designees; (2) a map or sketch showing information
sufficient to locate the proposed area of operations on the ground,
existing and/or proposed roads or access routes to be used in
connection with the operations as set forth in 228.12 on access and the
approximate location and size of areas where surface resources will be
disturbed; and (3) information sufficient to describe the type of
operations proposed and how they would be conducted, the type and
standard of existing and proposed roads or access routes, the means of
transportation used or to be used as set forth in 228.12, the period
during which the proposed activity will take place, and measures to be
taken to meet the requirements for environmental protection in 228.8. A
Cessation of Operations statement includes verification of intent to
maintain structures, equipment, and other facilities; expected
reopening date; and an estimate of extended durations of operations.
The collected information will help ensure that the exploration,
development, and production of mineral resources are conducted in an
environmentally sensitive manner; that these mineral operations are
integrated with the planning and management of other resources using
the principles of ecosystem management; and that lands disturbed by
minerals operations are reclaimed using the best scientific knowledge
and principles and returned to other productive uses.
These collections of information are crucial for protecting surface
resources, plants, animals and their habitat, as well as the public
safety on National Forest System lands.
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Plan of operations Notice of intent
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Estimate of Annual Burden.......... 8 hours................................ 2 hours.
Type of Respondents................ Mineral Operators...................... Mineral Operators.
Estimated Annual Number of 793.................................... 3,415.
Respondents.
Estimated Annual Number of 1...................................... 1.
Responses per Respondent:.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on 6,344.................................. 6,830.
Respondents.
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[[Page 56632]]
Comment Is Invited
Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information
is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including whether the information will have
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (4) 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.
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record.
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office
of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: October 24, 2001.
Paul Brouha,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. 01-28233 Filed 11-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
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