Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 120 / Thursday, June 20, 1996 / Notices 31547

Section 25, S1⁄2NW1⁄4, NW1⁄4SW1⁄4,

W1⁄2NE1⁄4SW1⁄4;

Section 26, NW1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4,

NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2E1⁄2SE1⁄4,

SE1⁄4;

Section 33, N1⁄2SW1⁄4NE1⁄4,

NE1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4;

Section 34, S1⁄2NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, S1⁄2SE1⁄4;

Section 35, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4NE1⁄4,

W1⁄2NE1⁄4NE1⁄4, W1⁄2NE1⁄4,

W1⁄2SE1⁄2NE1⁄4, E1⁄4NE1⁄4NW1⁄4,

SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, W1⁄2SW1⁄4, W1⁄2E1⁄2SW1⁄4,

NE1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, N1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4,

NW1⁄4NE1⁄4SE1⁄4;

T. 21 S., R.25 E.,

Section 2, NW1⁄4, N1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4,

SW1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, NW1⁄4SW1⁄4,

W1⁄2SW1⁄4SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4SW1⁄4;

Section 3, N1⁄2NE1⁄4, SE1⁄4NE1⁄4,

E1⁄2E1⁄2SE1⁄4;

Section 7, E1⁄2E1⁄2SE1⁄4;

Section 8, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4NW1⁄4NE1⁄4,

SW1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4NE1⁄4, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4,

S1⁄2SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, SW1⁄4,

W1⁄2SE1⁄4;

Section 9, SW1⁄4SE1⁄4, S1⁄2SE1⁄4SE1⁄4;

Section 10, E1⁄2NE1⁄4NE1⁄4,

NE1⁄4SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2SW1⁄4NE1⁄4,

SE1⁄4NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NE1⁄4SW1⁄4,

S1⁄2SW1⁄4SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4;

Section 11, NW1⁄4, N1⁄2N1⁄2SW1⁄4,

SW1⁄4NW1⁄4SW1⁄4, W1⁄2SW1⁄4SW1⁄4,

NW1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4;

Section 14, W1⁄2NW1⁄4NW1⁄4;

Section 15, N1⁄2NE1⁄4, W1⁄2SW1⁄4NE1⁄4,

N1⁄2NW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4;

Section 17, Lot 4, S1⁄2N1⁄2SE1⁄4, S1⁄2SE1⁄4;

Section 18, E1⁄2NE1⁄4NE1⁄4;

Section 19, N1⁄2SE1⁄4SE1⁄4;

Section 20, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4, N1⁄2SE1⁄4NE1⁄4,

E1⁄2NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4SW1⁄4;

Section 21, W1⁄2NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4,

N1⁄2SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, NW1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4.

The area described contains approximately

3, 385.9 acres in Grand County, Utah.

The purpose of the proposed

withdrawal is to protect the recreational

values of Westwater Canyon. Westwater

Canyon has long been one of the most

popular white water rafting areas in the

Western United States. In addition to its

recreational values, Westwater has other

significant resource values. Six

threatened or endangers species of

animals are present in the corridor and

it contains outstanding geologic

features, scenery, and important historic

and cultural sites.

For a period of 90 days from the date

of publication of this notice, all persons

wishing to submit comments,

suggestions, or objections in connection

with the proposed withdrawal may

present their views in writing to the

State Director at the address indicated

above.

Notice is hereby given that a public

meeting, in connection with the

proposed withdrawal, is scheduled for

October 16, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. in the

BLM Conference Room, 82 East

Dogwood Avenue, Moab, Utah.

The application will be processed in

accordance with the regulations set

forth in 43 CFR part 2300.

For a period of two years from the

date of publication of this notice in the

Federal Register, the land will be

segregated above unless the application

is denied or canceled or the withdrawal

is approved prior to that date. The

temporary uses which may be permitted

during the segregative period are leases,

permits, rights-of-way, and disposal of

vegetative resources other than under

the mining laws.

Dated: June 12, 1996.

Roger D. Zortman,

Acting State Director.

[FR Doc. 96–15699 Filed 6–19–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–M

Minerals Management Service

Agency Information Collection

Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service

(MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of information

collection.

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent

burden, MMS invites the public and

other Federal agencies to comment on a

proposal to extend a currently approved

collection of information for

abandonment of wells on the Outer

Continental Shelf (OCS). The Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) provides

that 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

Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) control number.

DATES: Submit written comments by

August 19, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments

to the Department of the Interior;

Minerals Management Service; Mail

Stop 4700; 381 Elden Street; Herndon,

Virginia 22070–4817; Attention: Chief,

Engineering and Standards Branch.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alexis London, Engineering and

Standards Branch, Minerals

Management Service, telephone (703)

787–1562.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart G,

Abandonment of Wells Abstract: The

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

(OCSLA) gives the Secretary of the

Interior (Secretary) the responsibility to

preserve, protect, and develop oil and

gas resources in the OCS consistent with

the need to make such resources

available to meet the Nation’s energy

needs as rapidly as possible; balance

orderly energy resource development

with protection of human, marine, and

coastal environments; ensure the public

a fair and equitable return on resources

of the OCS; and preserve and maintain

free enterprise competition. The OCSLA

Amendment of 1978 amended section

3(6) of the OCSLA to state that

‘‘operations in the outer Continental

Shelf should be conducted * * * using

technology, precautions, and techniques

sufficient to prevent or minimize * * *

physical obstruction to other users of

the waters or subsoil and seabed, or

other occurrences which may cause

damage to the environment or to

property, or endanger life or health.’’

To do this, the Secretary has

authorized the Director of MMS to issue

regulations governing OCS oil and gas

and sulphur lease operations. The rules

governing temporary abandonment of a

drilling well are prescribed in 30 CFR

Part 250, Subpart, G Abandonment of

Wells.

In order for MMS to decide the

necessity for allowing a well to be

temporarily abandoned, the lessee/

operator must show that there is a

reason for not permanently abandoning

the well and that the temporary

abandonment is not a significant threat

to fishing, navigation, or other uses of

the seabed. If MMS did not collect the

information, MMS could not determine:

(a) The intent of the lessee, (b) if the

final disposition of the well is being

diligently pursued, (c) any deviations

from the approved Exploration or

Development and Production Plan, and

(d) if the lessee/operator has

documented the temporary plugging of

the well and has marked the location.

Lessees’ proprietary information

submitted with an abandonment plan

will be protected according to the

Freedom of Information Act and 30 CFR

250.18. The collection does not include

items of a sensitive nature. The

requirement to respond is mandatory.

Description of Respondents: Federal

OCS oil and gas lessees.

Frequency: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

130 lessees making an estimated 1,550

annual reports per year.

Estimate of Burden: Average of onehalf hour per response.

Estimate of Total Annual Burden

Hours: 775 burden hours.

Estimate of Total Annual Cost to

Respondents for Burden Hours: Based

on $35 per hour, the total cost to lessees

is estimated to be $27,125.

Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs

to Respondents:
31548 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 120 / Thursday, June 20, 1996 / Notices

There are no other known cost

burdens to the respondents.

Type of Request: Extension of

currently approved collection.

OMB Number: 1010–0079.

Form Number: N/A.

Comments: The MMS will summarize

written responses to this notice and

address them in its submission for OMB

approval.

All comments will become a matter of

public record.

(1) The MMS specifically solicits

comments on the following questions:

(a) Is the proposed collection of

information necessary for the proper

performance of MMS’s functions, and

will it be useful?

(b) Are the estimates of the burden

hours of the proposed collection

reasonable?

(c) Do you have any suggestions that

would enhance the quality, clarity, or

usefulness of the information to be

collected?

(d) Is there a way to minimize the

information collection burden on those

who are to respond, including through

the use of appropriate automated

electronic, mechanical, or other forms of

information technology?

(2) In addition, the PRA requires

agencies to estimate the total annual

cost burden to respondents or

recordkeepers resulting from the

collection of information. The MMS

needs your comments on this item. Your

response should split the cost estimate

into two components:

(a) Total Capital and startup cost

component and

(b) Annual operation, maintenance, and

purchase of services component.

Your estimates should consider the

costs to generate, maintain, and disclose

or provide the information. You should

describe the methods you use to

estimate major cost factors, including

system and technology acquisition,

expected useful life of capital

equipment, discount rate(s), and the

period over which you incur costs.

Capital and startup costs include,

among other items, computers and

software you purchase to prepare for

collection information; monitoring,

sampling, drilling, and testing

equipment; and record storage facilities.

Generally, your estimates should not

include equipment or services

purchased: (1) before October 1, 1995;

(2) to comply with requirements not

association with the information

collection; (3) for reasons other than to

provide information or keep records for

the Government; or (4) as part of

customary and usual business or private

practices.

Bureau Clearance Officer: Carole A.

deWitt, (703) 787–1242.

Dated: June 13, 1996.

Henry G. Bartholomew,

Deputy Associate Director for Operations and

Safety Management.

[FR Doc. 96–15746 Filed 6–19–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–MR–M

Using Third Parties to Certify Training

Programs for Lessee and Contractor

Employees Working in Outer

Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil, Gas, and

Sulfur Operations

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service

(MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The MMS requires certain

people who work on the OCS to

complete training programs certified by

MMS. The MMS is considering having

one or more third parties administer the

training program certification process

and has proposed a revision of MMS

regulations to provide for this. The

MMS, while not yet looking for third

parties, invites questions on or

comments about the role a third party

might play in training program

certification, should a decision be made

to use them.

DATES: The public is invited to comment

on this notice. The MMS will consider

all comments we receive by July 22,

1996.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand-carry

your written comments on this notice to

the Department of the Interior; Minerals

Management Service, Mail Stop 4810;

381 Elden Street; Herndon, Virginia

22070–4817; Attention: Chief,

Information and Training Branch.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Joseph Levine, Chief, Information and

Training Branch, telephone (703) 787–

1033 or fax (703) 787–1575.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMS

has two principal objectives for using

third parties—

• improving workplace safety, worker

training, and preventing pollution

through the innovation third parties

could bring by serving as ‘‘think tanks’’

for improved training; and

• reducing government costs by

shifting them to the regulated industry.

The MMS has included a provision

allowing the use of third parties in the

proposed revisions (Federal Register,

vol. 60, p. 55683, 11/2/95) to its OCS

worker training regulations (30 CFR 250,

Subpart O, Training). The MMS

decision to use third parties depends, in

part, on whether MMS can identify and

secure one or more suitable third

parties. When released, the final rule

will reflect whether MMS believes it

will be able to do this. If MMS decides

not to use third parties to do

certification work, it would continue its

role as certifier, and it might begin to

recover costs from organizations seeking

training program certification. This

would not provide all the benefits of

using a third party, but it would shift

certification costs away from MMS.

Current Program

Certain OCS oil and gas workers must

pass job-specific training as required by

the Subpart O regulations. The

organization that provides the training

gives each worker who passes it an

MMS training certificate. Workers must

be re-certified from time to time through

additional training. The training

organization provides MMS with

information on worker certification

within 30 days after a worker

successfully completes training. The

MMS monitors worker training and

certification in a database. Each year

MMS must update about 20 percent of

the database’s approximate 40,000

records.

A training organization that teaches

Subpart O training must have its

programs reviewed periodically by

MMS to determine whether they meet

all regulatory requirements. If they do,

MMS certifies the training programs

conditionally, pending a successful

onsite evaluation by MMS. Certification

to teach a Subpart O training program is

valid for 4 years. A training organization

may request a 4-year renewal of a

certified program at any time expect

during the last 90 days of the initial

certification period. The MMS treats a

renewal application the same as it does

an application for a new program.

There are about 60 training

organizations teaching MMS-approved

programs in drilling, well-completion,

well-workover, and well-servicing well

control operations. The MMS processes

an average of 15 requests for training

program certification or re-certification

each year.

The MMS conducts unannounced

training site evaluations on 10 percent

of all certified training programs each

year. These evaluations, which follow

standard procedures (i.e., appropriate

entrance and exit interviews with

students, instructors, and administrative

staff, and good record checking) ensure

that organization—

• adhere to their approved training

plans and technical manuals; and

• maintain a proper learning

atmosphere with regard to classroom

instruction, hands-on instruction, and

testing.