[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88811-88813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26064]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0072; Docket ID: BOEM-2024-0007]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Commercial Prospecting, 
Noncommercial Exploration, and Scientific Research for Minerals Other 
Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur on the Outer Continental Shelf

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposes this information 
collection request (ICR) to renew Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
control number 1010-0072 with revisions.

DATES: Comments must be received by the OMB desk officer no later than 
December 9, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit your written comments on this ICR to the OMB's desk 
officer for the Department of the Interior at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. From the www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain landing page, 
find this information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. 
Please provide a copy of your comments by parcel delivery service or 
U.S. mail to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, Anna 
Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, 
Sterling, Virginia 20166; or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1d7c73737c337c697674736e72735d7f727870337a726b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bfded1d1de91decbd4d6d1ccd0d1ffddd0dad291d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a>. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 1010-0072 in the subject line of your 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Atkinson by email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#66070808074807120d0f08150908260409030b48010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="197877777837786d7270776a7677597b767c74377e766f">[email protected]</span></a>, or by telephone at 703-787-1025. Individuals in 
the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a 
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside of the United 
States should use the relay services offered within their country to 
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, BOEM provides the general public and other Federal 
agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps BOEM assess the 
impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the 
public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand BOEM's 
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in 
the desired format.
    Title of Collection: Commercial Prospecting, Noncommercial 
Exploration, and Scientific Research for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, 
and Sulfur on the Outer Continental Shelf (Applicable, in part, to 30 
CFR part 580).
    Abstract: This ICR covers the information collection requirements 
in 30 CFR part 580, ``Prospecting for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and 
Sulphur \1\ on the Outer Continental Shelf [OCS],'' which involves 
commercial prospecting and scientific research. This request also 
includes information collection requirements related to authorizations 
of noncommercial geological and

[[Page 88812]]

geophysical (G&G) exploration issued pursuant to section 11 of the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). 43 U.S.C. 1340.
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    \1\ BOEM acknowledges that the generally and scientifically 
accepted spelling for this compound is sulfur. Throughout this 
notice, BOEM uses the spelling consistent with its current 
regulations.
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    Section 11(a)(1) of the OCSLA states that ``any person authorized 
by the Secretary [of the Interior] may conduct geological and 
geophysical explorations in the Outer Continental Shelf, which do not 
interfere with or endanger actual operations under any lease maintained 
or granted pursuant to this subchapter, and which are not unduly 
harmful to aquatic life in such area.'' See 43 U.S.C. 1340(a)(1). The 
OCSLA defines the term ``exploration'' to mean the process of searching 
for minerals by, among other things, ``geophysical surveys where 
magnetic, gravity, seismic, or other systems are used to detect or 
imply the presence of such minerals.'' See 43 U.S.C. 1331(k). Section 
11(g) authorizes permits or authorizations for geological exploration 
only if the Secretary determines that the applicant is qualified and 
the exploration will not interfere with operations on an existing 
lease, unduly harm aquatic life in the area, result in pollution, 
create hazardous or unsafe conditions, unreasonably interfere with 
other uses of the area, nor disturb any site, structure, or object of 
historical or archaeological significance. See 43 U.S.C. 1340(g).
    BOEM considers applications for commercial prospecting and 
noncommercial exploration for marine minerals, as well as scientific 
research related to marine minerals. Under 30 CFR part 580, G&G 
prospecting by any person on unleased lands or on lands leased to a 
third party requires a BOEM permit. A permit also is required to 
conduct scientific research activities that involve the use of solid or 
liquid explosives, the drilling of a deep stratigraphic test, or the 
development of data and information for proprietary use or sale. See 30 
CFR 580.11(a). Otherwise, G&G activities conducted for scientific or 
academic purposes require only the submission of a scientific research 
notice. See 30 CFR 580.11(b). G&G activities are also conducted for 
noncommercial exploration purposes and may include, for example, 
searching for sand, gravel, and other sources of sediment for potential 
use in qualifying beach nourishment and coastal restoration projects. 
See 43 U.S.C. 1337(k). Because 30 CFR part 580 does not apply to 
noncommercial exploration, such G&G activities would be authorized 
directly pursuant to section 11 of the OCSLA.
    As a Federal agency, BOEM must comply with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Endangered Species 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and National Historic Preservation Act 
(54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), among other laws. Compliance with the 
Endangered Species Act requires BOEM to carry out any agency action in 
a manner that is not likely to jeopardize protected species or 
adversely modify designated critical habitat and to consult with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, 
as applicable, before engaging in a discretionary action that may 
affect a protected species.
    Applicants must submit Form BOEM-0134, ``Requirements for 
Geological and Geophysical Prospecting, Exploration, or Scientific 
Research on the Outer Continental Shelf Related to Minerals Other than 
Oil, Gas, and Sulphur,'' to provide the information necessary to 
evaluate their requests to conduct G&G activities for commercial 
prospecting, noncommercial exploration, and certain scientific research 
activities that do not involve explosives, deep stratigraphic drilling, 
or proprietary interests in the collected data. BOEM uses the submitted 
information for several purposes: (1) to ensure there will be no undue 
adverse effects to the marine, coastal, or human environment, personal 
harm, unsafe operations and conditions, nor unreasonable interferences 
with other uses; (2) to enhance personal and operational safety; (3) to 
analyze and evaluate preliminary or planned mining activities; (4) to 
monitor progress and activities on the OCS; (5) to acquire G&G data and 
information collected under a Federal permit or authorization; and (6) 
to determine eligibility for reimbursement from the Government for 
certain costs.
    Upon approval, BOEM issues applicants a permit or an authorization 
(as currently titled Form BOEM-0135, ``Permit for Geophysical 
Prospecting, Authorization for Noncommercial Geophysical Exploration, 
or Permit for Scientific Research for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and 
Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf,'' or Form BOEM-0136, ``Permit 
for Geological Prospecting, Authorization for Noncommercial Geological 
Exploration, or Permit for Scientific Research for Minerals Other than 
Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf'').
    BOEM may use the data and information collected during G&G 
activities to understand the characteristics of marine mineral-bearing 
physiographic regions of the OCS. The data and information aids BOEM in 
analyzing and weighing the potential for environmental damage, the 
discovery of marine minerals, and any associated impacts on adjacent 
coastal States.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0072.
    Form Number: BOEM-0134, ``Requirements for Geological and 
Geophysical Prospecting, Exploration, or Scientific Research on the OCS 
Related to Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur.''
    The following forms are the permit forms issued by BOEM based on 
information provided in BOEM-0134:
    BOEM-0135, ``Permit for Geophysical Prospecting, Authorization for 
Noncommercial Geophysical Exploration, or Permit for Scientific 
Research for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer 
Continental Shelf.''
    BOEM-0136, ``Permit for Geological Prospecting, Authorization for 
Noncommercial Geological Exploration, or Permit for Scientific Research 
for Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental 
Shelf.''
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Permittees, applicants, and other 
respondents, including those required to only file notices (scientific 
research).
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 45 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 826 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory or required to retain or obtain 
a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion, annual, or as specified in 
permits.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Cost Burden: $4,024 non-hour cost 
burden.
    The current approved annual burden hours are equal to 730 hours. 
This ICR increases annual burdens by 96 hours to a total of 826 hours, 
based on BOEM's recent collection of data and information. The changes 
in annual burden hours include the following:
    <bullet> For subpart B, BOEM is increasing the annual burden hours 
from 24 to 72 hours, due to an increase in the estimated time needed to 
file a notice to conduct scientific research activities related to hard 
minerals (+48 hours).
    <bullet> For subpart D, BOEM is increasing annual burden hours from 
40 to 96 hours, due to an increase in the estimated time per response 
(from 8 to 16 hours per response) and an increase in the number of 
submissions for notification and submission of G&G data and information 
from 5 submissions to 6 (+56 hours).
    <bullet> For subpart D, BOEM is also decreasing annual burden hours 
from 8

[[Page 88813]]

to 4 hours, due to a reduction in the number of submissions of G&G data 
and information related to a contractor's commitment not to sell, 
trade, license, or disclose data from 2 submissions to 1 (-4 hours).
    <bullet> BOEM is also decreasing annual burden hours from 6 to 2 
hours, due to a decrease in the number of respondents required by the 
issued permits to retain G&G data and information from 6 respondents to 
2 (-4 hours).
    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period on 
the proposed ICR was published on June 24, 2024 (89 FR 52501). BOEM 
received two comments. One commenter opposes the disturbance to the 
ocean floor, and the other does not support the granting of permits due 
to environmental impacts. These comments do not change the purpose of 
or need for the ICR, nor does it affect the cost or hour burden.
    BOEM is again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR. BOEM is 
especially interested in public comments addressing the following 
issues:
    (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of BOEM?
    (2) What can BOEM do to ensure that this information is processed 
and used in a timely manner?
    (3) Is the burden estimate accurate?
    (4) How might BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected?
    (5) How might BOEM minimize the burden of this collection on the 
respondents, including minimizing the burden through the use of 
information technology?
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record and will be available for public review on 
www.reginfo.gov. BOEM will include or summarize each comment in its ICR 
to OMB for approval of this information collection. You should be aware 
that your entire comment--including your address, phone number, email 
address, or other personally identifiable information included in your 
comment--may be made publicly available at any time. Even if BOEM 
withholds your personally identifiable information in the context of 
this ICR, your comment is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552). Your information will only be withheld if a 
determination is made that one of the FOIA exemptions to disclosure 
applies. Such a determination will be made in accordance with the 
Department of the Interior's (DOI) FOIA implementing regulations (43 
CFR part 2) and applicable law.
    For BOEM to consider withholding from disclosure your personally 
identifiable information, you must identify, in a cover letter, any 
information contained in the submittal of your comments that, if 
released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your 
personal privacy. You must also briefly describe any possible harmful 
consequences of the disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, 
injury, or other harm. BOEM will make available for public inspection, 
in their entirety, all comments submitted by organizations and 
businesses, or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives 
of organizations or businesses.
    BOEM protects proprietary information in accordance with the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), DOI's implementing 
regulations (43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR part 581.7, promulgated 
pursuant to the OCSLA) (43 U.S.C. 1352(c)).
    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 authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Karen Thundiyil,
Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-26064 Filed 11-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P


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