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[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 122 (Monday, June 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32460-32461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16004]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Notice of Proposed Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 for 30 CFR part 800.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by August 23, 1996, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Dennis Rice, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave, NW, Room 
120-SIB, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
To request a copy of the information collection request, explanatory 
information and related forms, contact Dennis Rice, at (202) 208-2829.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which implement provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 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 extension. This collection is contained in 30 CFR 
part 800, Bond and Insurance Requirements for Surface Coal Mining and 
Reclamation Operations Under Regulatory Programs.
    OSM has revised burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect 
current reporting levels or adjustments based on reestimates of burden 
or respondents. 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

[[Page 32461]]

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 be included in OSM's submissions of the information 
collection requests to OMB.
    The following information is provided for the information 
collections: (1) Title of the information collections; (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: Bond and Insurance Requirements for Surface Coal Mining and 
Reclamation Operations Under Regulatory Programs--30 CFR 800.
    OMB Control Number: 1029-0043.
    Summary: The regulations at 30 CFR part 800 primarily implement 
Section 509 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 
(SMCRA or the Act), which requires that persons planning to conduct 
surface coal mining operations first post a performance bond to 
guarantee fulfillment of all reclamation obligations under the approved 
permit. The regulations also establish bond release requirements and 
procedures consistent with Sec. 519 of the Act, liability insurance 
requirements pursuant to Sec. 507(f) of the Act, and procedures for 
bond forfeiture should the permittee default on reclamation 
obligations.
    Bureau Form Number: None.
    Frequency of Collection: On Occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Surface coal mining and reclamation 
permittees and State regulatory authorities.
    Total Annual Responses: 19,398.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 174,692 hours.

    Dated: June 18, 1996.
Gene E. Krueger,
Acting Chief, Office of Technology Development and Transfer.
[FR Doc. 96-16004 Filed 6-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M
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