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 Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-HQ-NWRS-2021-0155; FXRS12610900000-223-FF09R24000; OMB Control Number 1018-0162]
 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
 ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
 SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to revise an existing collection of information.
 DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 28, 2022.
 ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request (ICR) by 
                        ( print page 4276)
                        one of the following methods (please reference “1018-0162” in the subject line of your comments): *Internet (preferred): https://www.regulations.gov.*
                         Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2021-0155.
                    *Email:**Info_Coll@fws.gov.*
                    *U.S. Mail:*
                         Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at 
                        *Info_Coll@fws.gov,*
                         or by telephone at (703) 358-2503.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. We are soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of the Service; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Service enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Service minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. *Abstract:*
                     The authority of the Service to regulate non-Federal oil and gas operations on National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands is broadly derived from the Property Clause of the United States Constitution (Art. IV, Sec. 3), in carrying out the statutory mandates of the Secretary of the Interior, as delegated to the Service, to manage Federal lands and resources under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (NWRSIA; 16 U.S.C. 668dd 
                    *et seq.*), and to specifically manage species within the NWRS under the provisions of numerous statutes, the most notable of which are the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 16 U.S.C. 715 
                    *et seq.*), the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 
                    *et seq.*), and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (FWA; 15 U.S.C. 742f). The Service's regulations at 50 CFR, part 29, subpart D provide for the continued exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights while avoiding or minimizing unnecessary impacts to refuge resources and uses. Other land management agencies have regulations that address oil and gas development, including the Department of the Interior's National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. These agencies all require the submission of information similar to the information requested by the Service. The collection of information is necessary for the Service to properly balance the exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights within refuge boundaries with the Service's responsibility to protect wildlife and habitat, water quality and quantity, wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities, and the health and safety of employees and visitors on NWRS lands. The information collected under 50 CFR, part 29, subpart D identifies the owner and operator (the owner and operator can be the same) and details how the operator may access and develop oil and gas resources. It also identifies the steps the operator intends to take to minimize any adverse impacts of operations on refuge resource and uses. No information is submitted unless the operator wishes to conduct oil and gas operations. We use the information collected to: (1) Evaluate proposed operations, (2) ensure that all necessary mitigation measures are employed to protect refuge resources and values, and (3) ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 
                    *et seq.*) and its regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the NWRSAA, as amended by the NWRSIA, and to specifically manage species within the NWRS under the provisions of numerous statutes, the most notable of which are the MBTA, the ESA, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 
                    *et seq.*), and the FWA. Proposed Revisions Automation of Application Form Via ePermits With this submission, we are proposing to automate FWS Form 3-2469 in the Service's “ePermits” system, an automated permit application system that allows the agency to move towards a streamlined permitting process to reduce public burden. Public burden reduction is a priority for the Service; the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; and senior leadership at the Department of the Interior. The intent of ePermits is to fully automate the permitting process to improve the customer experience and to reduce time burden on respondents. This system enhances the user experience by allowing users to enter data from any device that has internet access, including personal computers (PCs), tablets, and smartphones. It also links the permit applicant to pay associated permit application fees via the 
                    *Pay.gov*
                     system. Financial Assurances Costs With this submission, we will seek OMB approval of the costs associated with the financial assurances requirements as they are required per regulations contained in 50 CFR 29.103(b) and 50 CFR 29.150. These are not new costs, but rather we are bringing this requirement into compliance with the PRA as an annual non-hour burden cost. These costs were inadvertently overlooked with previous submissions for this collection of information. The estimated annual non-hour cost burden associated with the required financial assurances is captured below under “Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost.” *Title of Collection:*
                     Non-Federal Oil and Gas Operations on National Wildlife Refuge System Lands, 50 CFR 29, Subpart D. *OMB Control Number:*
                     1018-0162. *Form Number:*
                     FWS Form 3-2469. *Type of Review:*
                     Revision of a currently approved collection. *Respondents/Affected Public:*
                     Businesses that conduct oil and gas exploration on national wildlife refuges.
                    ( print page 4277) *Respondent's Obligation:*
                     Required to obtain or retain a benefit. *Frequency of Collection:*
                     On occasion. *Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost:*
                     $1,100,000 (22 annual responses × $50,000 each). Activity/requirement
Estimated
                             number of 
                             annual 
                             responses
Completion
                             time per 
                             response 
                             (hours)
Estimated
                             total annual 
                             burden 
                             hoursApplication for Temporary Access and Operations Permit (§ 29.71) (FWS Form 3-2469)
17
17
289Preexisting Operations (§ 29.61)
20
50
1,000Accessing Oil and Gas Rights from Non-Federal Surface Location (§ 29.80)
2
1
2Pre-application Meeting for Operations Permit (§ 29.91)
22
2
44Operations Permit Application (§§ 29.94-29.97)
22
140
3,080Financial Assurance (§§ 29.103(b), 29.150)
22
1
22Identification of Wells and Related Facilities (§ 29.119(b))
22
2
44**Reporting (§ 29.121)**Third-Party Monitor Report (§ 29.121(b))
150
17
2,550Notification—Injuries/Mortality to Fish and Wildlife and Threatened/Endangered Plants (§ 29.121(c))
10
1
10Notification—Accidents involving Serious Injuries/Death and Fires/Spills (§ 29.121(d))
10
1
10Written Report—Accidents Involving Serious Injuries/Deaths and Fires/Spills (§ 29.121(d))
10
16
160Report—Verify Compliance with Permits (§ 29.121(e))
120
4
480Notification—Chemical Disclosure of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids uploaded to FracFocus (§ 29.121(f))
2
1
2Permit Modifications (§ 29.160(a))
5
16
80**Change of Operator § 29.170**Transferring Operator Notification (§ 29.170)
10
8
80Acquiring Operator's Requirements for Wells Not Under a Service Permit (§ 29.171(a))
9
40
360Acquiring Operator's Acceptance of an Existing Permit (§ 29.171(b))
1
8
8**Extension to Well Plugging (§ 29.181(a))**Application for Permit
5
140
700Modification
2
16
32**Public Information (§ 29.210)**Affidavit in Support of Claim of Confidentiality (§ 29.210(c) and (d))
1
1
1Confidential Information (§ 29.210(e) and (f))
1
1
1Maintenance of Confidential Information (§ 29.210(h))
1
1
1Generic Chemical Name Disclosure (§ 29.210(i))
1
1
1Totals:
465

8,957
 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.*). Madonna Baucum, Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.


[FR Doc. 2022-01643 Filed 1-26-22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P