Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request, 67155-67158 [E6-19514]
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’
Burden: We have identified no
paperwork ‘‘non-hour cost’’ burdens
associated with the collection of
information.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an
agency may not conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number. Until OMB approves a
collection of information, you are not
obligated to respond.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.)
requires each agency ‘‘* * * to provide
notice* * * and otherwise consult with
members of the public and affected
agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information * * *’’
Agencies must specifically solicit
comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is
necessary for the agency to perform its
duties, including whether the
information is useful; (b) evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d)
minimize the burden on the
respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
To comply with the public
consultation process, on April 10, 2006,
we published a Federal Register notice
(71 FR 18113) announcing that we
would submit this ICR to OMB for
approval. The notice provided the
required 60-day comment period. In
addition, 30 CFR 254.9 displays the
OMB control number, specifies that the
public may comment at anytime on the
collection of information required in the
30 CFR 254 regulations, and provides
the address to which they should send
comments. We have received no
comments in response to those efforts.
If you wish to comment in response
to this notice, you may send your
comments to the offices listed under the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB
has up to 60 days to approve or
disapprove the information collection
but may respond after 30 days.
Therefore, to ensure maximum
consideration, OMB should receive
public comments by December 20, 2006.
Public Comment Procedures: MMS’s
practice is to make comments, including
names and addresses of respondents,
available for public review. If you wish
your name and/or address to be
withheld, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comment. MMS will honor the request
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to the extent allowable by the law;
however, anonymous comments will
not be considered. There may be
circumstances in which we would
withhold from the record a respondent’s
identity, as allowable by the law. If you
wish us to withhold your name and/or
address, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comment. In addition, you must present
a rationale for withholding this
information. This rationale must
demonstrate that disclosure ‘‘would
constitute an unwarranted invasion of
privacy.’’ Unsupported assertions will
not meet this burden. In the absence of
exceptional, documentable
circumstances, this information will be
released. All submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, will be
made available for public inspection in
their entirety.
MMS Information Collection
Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz, (202)
208–7744.
Dated: October 16, 2006.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E6–19513 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
Review; Comment Request
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of a revision of an
information collection (1010–0071).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: To comply with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), we are notifying the public that
we have submitted to OMB an
information collection request (ICR) to
renew approval of the paperwork
requirements in the regulations under
30 CFR part 203, ‘‘Relief or Reduction
in Royalty Rates.’’ This notice also
provides the public a second
opportunity to comment on the
paperwork burden of these regulatory
requirements.
Submit written comments by
December 20, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this information collection directly
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), Office of Information and
DATES:
PO 00000
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67155
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention:
Desk Officer for the Department of the
Interior via OMB e-mail:
(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov); or by
fax (202) 395–6566; identify with (1010–
0071).
Submit a copy of your comments to
the Department of the Interior, MMS,
via:
• MMS’s Public Connect on-line
commenting system, https://
ocsconnect.mms.gov. Follow the
instructions on the Web site for
submitting comments.
• E-mail MMS at
rules.comments@mms.gov. Use
Information Collection Number 1010–
0071 in the subject line.
• Fax: 703–787–1093. Identify with
Information Collection Number 1010–
0071.
• Mail or hand-carry comments to the
Department of the Interior, Minerals
Management Service, Attention: Rules
Processing Team (RPT), 381 Elden
Street, MS–4024, Herndon, Virginia
20170–4817. Please reference
‘‘Information Collection 1010–0071’’ in
your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing
Team, (703) 787–1600. You may also
contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a
copy, at no cost, of the ICR and
regulations that require the subject
collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR part 203, ‘‘Relief or
Reduction in Royalty Rates.’’
OMB Control Number: 1010–0071.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Lands Act, as amended by Public
Law 104–58, Deep Water Royalty Relief
Act (DWRRA), gives the Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary) the authority to
reduce or eliminate royalty or any net
profit share specified in OCS oil and gas
leases to promote increased production.
The DWRRA also authorized the
Secretary to suspend royalties when
necessary to promote development or
recovery of marginal resources on
producing or non-producing leases in
the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) west of 87
degrees, 30 minutes West longitude.
Section 302 of the DWRRA provides
that new production from a lease in
existence on November 28, 1995, in a
water depth of at least 200 meters, and
in the GOM west of 87 degrees, 30
minutes West longitude qualifies for
royalty suspension in certain situations.
To grant a royalty suspension, the
Secretary must determine that the new
production or development would not
be economic in the absence of royalty
relief. The Secretary must then
determine the volume of production on
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices
which no royalty would be due in order
to make the new production from the
lease economically viable. This
determination is done on a case-by-case
basis. Production from leases in the
same water depth and area issued after
November 28, 2000, also can qualify for
royalty suspension in addition to any
that may be included in their lease
terms.
In addition, Federal policy and statute
require us to recover the cost of services
that confer special benefits to
identifiable non-Federal recipients. The
Independent Offices Appropriation Act
(31 U.S.C. 9701), Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Circular A–25, and
the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub.
L. 104–133 110 Stat. 1321, April 26,
1996) authorize the Minerals
Management Service (MMS) to collect
these fees to reimburse us for the cost
to process applications or assessments.
Regulations at 30 CFR part 203
implement these statutes and policy and
require respondents to pay a fee to
request royalty relief. Section 203.3
states that, ‘‘We will specify the
necessary fees for each of the types of
royalty-relief applications and possible
MMS audits in a Notice to Lessees. We
will periodically update the fees to
reflect changes in costs as well as
provide other information necessary to
administer royalty relief.’’
The MMS use the information to
make decisions on the economic
viability of leases requesting a
suspension or elimination of royalty or
net profit share. These decisions have
enormous monetary impacts to both the
lessee and the Federal Government.
Royalty relief can lead to increased
production of natural gas and oil,
creating profits for lessees and royalty
and tax revenues for the government
that they might not otherwise receive.
We could not make an informed
decision without the collection of
information required by 30 CFR part
203.
We will protect information from
respondents considered proprietary
according to 30 CFR parts 203.6(b) and
250, and the Freedom of Information
Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing
regulations (43 CFR part 2). No items of
a sensitive nature are collected.
Responses are required to obtain a
benefit.
Frequency: On occasion.
Estimated Number and Description of
Respondents: Approximately 130
Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping ‘‘Hour’’ Burden: The
estimated annual ‘‘hour’’ burden for this
information collection is a total of 4,721
hours. The following chart details the
individual components and estimated
hour burdens. In calculating the
burdens, we assumed that respondents
perform certain requirements in the
normal course of their activities. We
consider these to be usual and
customary and took that into account in
estimating the burden.
Application fees
Citation 30 CFR 203
Reporting or recordkeeping requirement 30
CFR part 203
43(a); 46(a) ....................................................
43(b)(1), (2), (d), (e) ......................................
Notify MMS of intent to begin drilling ...........
Notify MMS that production has begun, request extension, request confirmation of
the size of RSV.
Provide data from well to confirm and attest
well drilled was an unsuccessful certified
well and request supplement.
Application—leases that generate earnings
that cannot sustain continued production
(end-of-life lease).
46 ...................................................................
51; 83; 84 .......................................................
55 ...................................................................
61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85–89 ........................
61; 62; 64; 65; 203.71; 203.83; 203.85–89 ...
Renounce relief arrangement (end-of-life)
(seldom, if ever will be used; minimal burden to prepare letter).
Application—leases in designated areas of
GOM deep water acquired in lease sale
before 11/28/95 or after 11/28/00 and are
producing (deep water expansion project).
Application—leases in designated areas of
deep water GOM, acquired in lease sale
before 11/28/95 or after 11/28/00, that
have not produced (pre-act or post-2000
deep water leases).
Application—preview assessment (seldom if
ever will be used as applicants generally
opt for binding determination by MMS instead).
74; 75 .............................................................
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61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85–89 ........................
Redetermination ...........................................
70; 81; 90; 91 ................................................
Submit fabricator’s confirmation report ........
70; 81; 90; 92 ................................................
Submit post-production development report
70; 79(a) ........................................................
Request reconsideration of MMS field designation.
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Hour
burden
Average number of
annual responses
Annual burden
hours
1
2
45
15
45
30
8
10
80
1 Application every 3
years
34 (rounded)
100
Application 1⁄3 × $8,000 = $2,667 (rounded)*
Audit 1⁄3 × $12,500 = $4,167 (rounded)
1 1 Letter every 3 years 1 (rounded)
2,000
2,000
1 Application every 3
years
667 (rounded)
Application 1⁄3 × $19,500 = $6,500
1 Application every 3
667 (rounded)
years
Application 1⁄3 × $34,000 = $11,334 (rounded)*
Audit 1⁄3 × $37,500 = $12,500
900 1 Application every 3
300
years
Application 1⁄3 × $34,000 = $11,334 (rounded)
500 1 Redetermination
167 (rounded)
every 3 years
Application 1⁄3 × $16,000 = $5,334 (rounded)*
20 1 Report every 3
7 (rounded)
years
50 1 Report* every 3
17 (rounded)
years
400 1 Request every 3
134 (rounded)
years
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices
Application fees
Citation 30 CFR 203
Reporting or recordkeeping requirement 30
CFR part 203
77 ...................................................................
Renounce relief arrangement (deep water)
(seldom, if ever will be used; minimal burden to prepare letter).
Request extension of deadline to start construction.
Application—apart from formal programs for
royalty relief for marginal producing lease
(Special Case Relief).
79(c) ...............................................................
80 ...................................................................
80 ...................................................................
Application—apart from formal programs for
royalty relief for marginal expansion
project or marginal non-producing lease
(Special Case Relief).
81; 83–89 .......................................................
Required reports ...........................................
83 ...................................................................
Application—short form to add or assign
pre-Act lease.
91 ...................................................................
Retain supporting cost records for post-production development/fabrication reports
(records retained as usual/customary
business practice; minimal burden to
make available at MMS request).
Hour
burden
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Annual burden
hours
1
1 Letter every 3 years
1 (rounded)
2
1 Request every 3
years
2 applications
1 (rounded)
250
500
Application 2 × $8,000** = $16,000
Audit 1 × $10,000 = $10,000
GOM 2 Applications
2000
1,000
Application 2 × $19,500** = $39,000
Audit 1 × $20,000 = $20,000
POCS 1 Application
40
40
Application 1 × $6,500*** = $6,500
Burden included with
0
applications
40 1 Application every 3
14 (rounded)
years
Application 1⁄3 × $1,000 = $334 (rounded)
8 2 Recordkeepers
16
Total Annual Burden ...............................
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’
Burden: There are two non-hour costs
associated with this information
collection. The estimated non-hour cost
burden is $280,670. This estimate is
based on:
(a) Application and audit fees. The
total annual estimated cost burden for
these fees is $145,670 (refer to burden
chart).
(b) Cost of reports prepared by
independent certified public
accountants. Under § 203.81, a report
prepared by an independent certified
public accountant (CPA) must
accompany the application and postproduction report (expansion project,
short form, and preview assessment
applications are excluded). The OCS
Lands Act applications will require this
report only once; the DWRRA
applications will require this report at
two stages—with the application and
post-production development report for
successful applicants. MMS estimates
approximately three submissions each
year at an average cost of $45,000 per
report, for a total estimated annual cost
burden of $135,000.
The total of the two burdens is
estimated at $280,670.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an
Average number of
annual responses
89 Responses
4,721 Hours
Total Fees = $145,670
agency may not conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number. Until OMB approves a
collection of information, you are not
obligated to respond.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.)
requires each agency ‘‘* * * to provide
notice * * * and otherwise consult
with members of the public and affected
agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information * * * ’’
Agencies must specifically solicit
comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is
necessary for the agency to perform its
duties, including whether the
information is useful; (b) evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d)
minimize the burden on the
respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
To comply with the public
consultation process, on March 15,
2006, we published a Federal Register
notice (71 FR 13420) announcing that
we would submit this ICR to OMB for
approval. The notice provided the
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
required 60-day comment period. In
addition, § 203.82 provides the OMB
control number for the information
collection requirements imposed by the
30 CFR part 203 regulations. The
regulation also informs the public that
they may comment at any time on the
collections of information and provides
the address to which they should send
comments. We received two comments
in response to these efforts. Neither
comment was germane to the IC cost or
hour burden or the subject of the
collection itself.
If you wish to comment in response
to this notice, you may send your
comments to the offices listed under the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB
has up to 60 days to approve or
disapprove the information collection
but may respond after 30 days.
Therefore, to ensure maximum
consideration, OMB should receive
public comments by December 20, 2006.
Public Comment Procedures: MMS’s
practice is to make comments, including
names and addresses of respondents,
available for public review. If you wish
your name and/or address to be
withheld, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comment. MMS will honor the request
to the extent allowable by the law;
however, anonymous comments will
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67158
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices
not be considered. There may be
circumstances in which we would
withhold from the record a respondent’s
identity, as allowable by the law. If you
wish us to withhold your name and/or
address, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comment. In addition, you must present
a rationale for withholding this
information. This rationale must
demonstrate that disclosure ‘‘would
constitute an unwarranted invasion of
primary.’’ Unsupported assertions will
not meet this burden. In the absence of
exception, documentable circumstances,
this information will be released. All
submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, will be
made available for public inspection in
their entirety.
MMS Information Collection
Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz, (202)
208–7744.
Dated: September 12, 2006.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E6–19514 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Final General Management Plan and
Comprehensive River Management
Plan/Middle and South Forks of the
Kings River and North Fork of the Kern
River; Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks, Tulare and Fresno
Counties, California; Notice of
Availability of Final Environmental
Impact Statement
Summary: Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of
the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (Pub. L. 91–190, as amended),
and the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500–
1508), the National Park Service,
Department of the Interior, has prepared
a Final Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the General Management Plan
(GMP) and Comprehensive River
Management for the Middle and South
Forks Kings River and the North Fork
Kern River and for Sequoia and Kings
Canyon National Parks located in
California. The purpose and need for the
plans is to establish a park vision for the
next 15–20 years, provide direction for
the management of wild and scenic
rivers, replace an outdated master plan,
guide management of cultural and
natural resources, address unresolved
issues in specific areas, and address the
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changing context of the parks within the
regional ecosystem.
Proposed Plan and Alternatives: The
final EIS describes and analyzes five
alternatives which respond to both NPS
planning requirements and to the issues
identified during the public scoping
process. The No-Action alternative
would continue current management
direction, and it is the baseline for
comparing the other alternatives (it was
originally Alternative B when the
alternatives were first presented to the
public in the winter of 2000). The
Preferred Alternative would
accommodate sustainable growth and
visitor enjoyment, protect ecosystem
diversity, and preserve basic character
while adapting to changing user groups
(this was also determined to be
‘‘environmentally preferred’’).
Alternative A would emphasize natural
ecosystems and biodiversity, with
reduced use and development;
Alternative C would preserve the parks’
traditional character and retain the feel
of yesteryear, with guided growth; and
Alternative D would preserve the basic
character and adapt to changing user
groups. Also included is a
comprehensive river management plan
for the portions of the Middle and South
Forks of the Kings River and the North
Fork of the Kern River, which have been
designated by Congress as components
of the national wild and scenic rivers
system. The purpose of the river
management plan is to provide direction
and overall guidance on the
management of lands and uses within
the river corridors. Regarding
wilderness, although the GMP does
address compatibility of the alternatives
with the park’s backcountry and
wilderness values, there is no new
wilderness designation proposed under
any of the alternatives. The foreseeable
environmental consequences of each
alternative, and appropriate mitigation
strategies, are identified and analyzed in
the EIS.
Public Review and Changes in the
Final Document: Prior to development
of the Draft EIS, nine scoping meetings
were held, seven planning newsletters
issued; alternatives planning workshops
were held in seven cities; and the parks
regularly communicated with the
cooperating association and
concessioners authorized to operate in
the parks. Meetings and contacts have
occurred with special use permittees,
private landowners; and numerous
other stakeholders. The project mailing
list included more than 3700 entries.
The Draft EIS was available for 150 days
review during May–October, 2004. It
was made available at local area
libraries, and could be reviewed
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Sfmt 4703
electronically via https://www.nps.gov/
seki or https://planning.den.nps.gov/seki.
Printed and CD copies were sent upon
request, and also distributed to agencies
and organizations listed as recipients in
the Consultation and Coordination
section of the EIS. Public meetings to
facilitate review and comment on the
Draft EIS were held during the comment
period both in the parks, as well as in
the following locations: Thee Rivers,
Visalia, Fresno/Clovis, Sacramento, San
Francisco, Los Angeles and Bishop.
Approximately 400 comments were
received; this information resulted in
minor corrections and clarifications to
the Draft EIS/GMP. Editorial changes
and additional explanatory text on
topics of interest were incorporated.
There were no substantive changes due
to public commentary.
Following the closure of the public
comment period, Pub. L. 108–447 was
enacted and changes to the document to
accommodate this public law were
made with regard to two areas with
special use permits: (1) The law that
appended the Mineral King area to the
park in 1978 required that use of cabins
at Mineral King be phased out upon the
deaths of the permittees of record. Pub.
L. 108–447 amended Pub. L. 95–625 by
authorizing indefinite extension of
special use permits to heirs, successors
and assigns; and (2) Pub. L. 108–447
amended Pub. L. 99–338 to allow the
Secretary to permit Southern California
Edison Co. up to two additional ten-year
permit periods of hydroelectric
operations until 2026.
Description of Alternatives: The Final
EIS for the GMP/Comprehensive River
Management Plans includes four action
alternatives and a no-action alternative
which continues current management.
The Comprehensive River management
Plan would be common to every
alternative. The No-Action Alternative
(Continue Current Management): The
parks are managed as they are now in
accordance with approved plans (such
as development concept plans, and the
1996 Giant Forest Interim Management
Plan); negative resource impacts and
visitor demands are mitigated by
relocating development, reducing some
uses, or confining new developed areas.
Visitor uses are reassessed and revised
as new information about natural and
cultural resource impacts and visitor
needs emerges. Current facilities are
inadequate for park needs and visitor
use levels, and crowding is common in
some areas.
Preferred Alternative: The parks’
appeal is broadened to be more relevant
to diverse user groups, Increased day
use is accommodated, and overnight
visitation is retained. The integrity of
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67155-67158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19514]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of a revision of an information collection (1010-0071).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we
are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information
collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 203, ``Relief or
Reduction in Royalty Rates.'' This notice also provides the public a
second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these
regulatory requirements.
DATES: Submit written comments by December 20, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection
directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for
the Department of the Interior via OMB e-mail: (OIRA--
DOCKET@omb.eop.gov); or by fax (202) 395-6566; identify with (1010-
0071).
Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior,
MMS, via:
MMS's Public Connect on-line commenting system, https://
ocsconnect.mms.gov. Follow the instructions on the Web site for
submitting comments.
E-mail MMS at rules.comments@mms.gov. Use Information
Collection Number 1010-0071 in the subject line.
Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection
Number 1010-0071.
Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the
Interior, Minerals Management Service, Attention: Rules Processing Team
(RPT), 381 Elden Street, MS-4024, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please
reference ``Information Collection 1010-0071'' in your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing Team,
(703) 787-1600. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy,
at no cost, of the ICR and regulations that require the subject
collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR part 203, ``Relief or Reduction in Royalty Rates.''
OMB Control Number: 1010-0071.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended
by Public Law 104-58, Deep Water Royalty Relief Act (DWRRA), gives the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) the authority to reduce or
eliminate royalty or any net profit share specified in OCS oil and gas
leases to promote increased production. The DWRRA also authorized the
Secretary to suspend royalties when necessary to promote development or
recovery of marginal resources on producing or non-producing leases in
the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude.
Section 302 of the DWRRA provides that new production from a lease
in existence on November 28, 1995, in a water depth of at least 200
meters, and in the GOM west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude
qualifies for royalty suspension in certain situations. To grant a
royalty suspension, the Secretary must determine that the new
production or development would not be economic in the absence of
royalty relief. The Secretary must then determine the volume of
production on
[[Page 67156]]
which no royalty would be due in order to make the new production from
the lease economically viable. This determination is done on a case-by-
case basis. Production from leases in the same water depth and area
issued after November 28, 2000, also can qualify for royalty suspension
in addition to any that may be included in their lease terms.
In addition, Federal policy and statute require us to recover the
cost of services that confer special benefits to identifiable non-
Federal recipients. The Independent Offices Appropriation Act (31
U.S.C. 9701), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25, and
the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133 110 Stat. 1321, April
26, 1996) authorize the Minerals Management Service (MMS) to collect
these fees to reimburse us for the cost to process applications or
assessments.
Regulations at 30 CFR part 203 implement these statutes and policy
and require respondents to pay a fee to request royalty relief. Section
203.3 states that, ``We will specify the necessary fees for each of the
types of royalty-relief applications and possible MMS audits in a
Notice to Lessees. We will periodically update the fees to reflect
changes in costs as well as provide other information necessary to
administer royalty relief.''
The MMS use the information to make decisions on the economic
viability of leases requesting a suspension or elimination of royalty
or net profit share. These decisions have enormous monetary impacts to
both the lessee and the Federal Government. Royalty relief can lead to
increased production of natural gas and oil, creating profits for
lessees and royalty and tax revenues for the government that they might
not otherwise receive. We could not make an informed decision without
the collection of information required by 30 CFR part 203.
We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary
according to 30 CFR parts 203.6(b) and 250, and the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR
part 2). No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are
required to obtain a benefit.
Frequency: On occasion.
Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130
Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The
estimated annual ``hour'' burden for this information collection is a
total of 4,721 hours. The following chart details the individual
components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we
assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal
course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary
and took that into account in estimating the burden.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting or Application fees
recordkeeping -----------------------------------------------------------
Citation 30 CFR 203 requirement 30 CFR Hour Average number of annual
part 203 burden responses Annual burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43(a); 46(a)................. Notify MMS of intent 1 45 45
to begin drilling.
43(b)(1), (2), (d), (e)...... Notify MMS that 2 15 30
production has
begun, request
extension, request
confirmation of the
size of RSV.
46........................... Provide data from 8 10 80
well to confirm and
attest well drilled
was an unsuccessful
certified well and
request supplement.
51; 83; 84................... Application--leases 100 1 Application every 3 years 34 (rounded)
that generate
earnings that cannot
sustain continued
production (end-of-
life lease).
Application \1/3\ x $8,000 = $2,667 (rounded)*
Audit \1/3\ x $12,500 = $4,167 (rounded)
55........................... Renounce relief 1 1 Letter every 3 years 1 (rounded)
arrangement (end-of-
life) (seldom, if
ever will be used;
minimal burden to
prepare letter).
61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85-89 Application--leases 2,000 1 Application every 3 years 667 (rounded)
in designated areas
of GOM deep water
acquired in lease
sale before 11/28/95
or after 11/28/00
and are producing
(deep water
expansion project).
Application \1/3\ x $19,500 = $6,500
61; 62; 64; 65; 203.71; Application--leases 2,000 1 Application every 3 years 667 (rounded)
203.83; 203.85-89. in designated areas
of deep water GOM,
acquired in lease
sale before 11/28/95
or after 11/28/00,
that have not
produced (pre-act or
post-2000 deep water
leases).
Application \1/3\ x $34,000 = $11,334 (rounded)*
Audit \1/3\ x $37,500 = $12,500
61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85-89 Application--preview 900 1 Application every 3 years 300
assessment (seldom
if ever will be used
as applicants
generally opt for
binding
determination by MMS
instead).
Application \1/3\ x $34,000 = $11,334 (rounded)
74; 75....................... Redetermination...... 500 1 Redetermination every 3 167 (rounded)
years
Application \1/3\ x $16,000 = $5,334 (rounded)*
70; 81; 90; 91............... Submit fabricator's 20 1 Report every 3 years 7 (rounded)
confirmation report.
70; 81; 90; 92............... Submit post- 50 1 Report* every 3 years 17 (rounded)
production
development report.
70; 79(a).................... Request 400 1 Request every 3 years 134 (rounded)
reconsideration of
MMS field
designation.
[[Page 67157]]
77........................... Renounce relief 1 1 Letter every 3 years 1 (rounded)
arrangement (deep
water) (seldom, if
ever will be used;
minimal burden to
prepare letter).
79(c)........................ Request extension of 2 1 Request every 3 years 1 (rounded)
deadline to start
construction.
80........................... Application--apart 250 2 applications 500
from formal programs
for royalty relief
for marginal
producing lease
(Special Case
Relief).
Application 2 x $8,000** = $16,000
Audit 1 x $10,000 = $10,000
80........................... Application--apart GOM 2 Applications 2000
from formal programs 1,000
for royalty relief
for marginal
expansion project or
marginal non-
producing lease
(Special Case
Relief).
Application 2 x $19,500** = $39,000
Audit 1 x $20,000 = $20,000
POCS 40 1 Application 40
Application 1 x $6,500*** = $6,500
81; 83-89.................... Required reports..... Burden included with applications 0
83........................... Application--short 40 1 Application every 3 years 14 (rounded)
form to add or
assign pre-Act lease.
Application \1/3\ x $1,000 = $334 (rounded)
91........................... Retain supporting 8 2 Recordkeepers 16
cost records for
post-production
development/
fabrication reports
(records retained as
usual/customary
business practice;
minimal burden to
make available at
MMS request).
Total Annual Burden...... ....... 89 Responses 4,721 Hours
Total Fees = $145,670
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden:
There are two non-hour costs associated with this information
collection. The estimated non-hour cost burden is $280,670. This
estimate is based on:
(a) Application and audit fees. The total annual estimated cost
burden for these fees is $145,670 (refer to burden chart).
(b) Cost of reports prepared by independent certified public
accountants. Under Sec. 203.81, a report prepared by an independent
certified public accountant (CPA) must accompany the application and
post-production report (expansion project, short form, and preview
assessment applications are excluded). The OCS Lands Act applications
will require this report only once; the DWRRA applications will require
this report at two stages--with the application and post-production
development report for successful applicants. MMS estimates
approximately three submissions each year at an average cost of $45,000
per report, for a total estimated annual cost burden of $135,000.
The total of the two burdens is estimated at $280,670.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.)
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated
to respond.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et
seq.) requires each agency ``* * * to provide notice * * * and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information * * * '' Agencies
must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to
perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b)
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d)
minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
To comply with the public consultation process, on March 15, 2006,
we published a Federal Register notice (71 FR 13420) announcing that we
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 203.82 provides the
OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed
by the 30 CFR part 203 regulations. The regulation also informs the
public that they may comment at any time on the collections of
information and provides the address to which they should send
comments. We received two comments in response to these efforts.
Neither comment was germane to the IC cost or hour burden or the
subject of the collection itself.
If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send
your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this
notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information
collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum
consideration, OMB should receive public comments by December 20, 2006.
Public Comment Procedures: MMS's practice is to make comments,
including names and addresses of respondents, available for public
review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must
state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor
the request to the extent allowable by the law; however, anonymous
comments will
[[Page 67158]]
not be considered. There may be circumstances in which we would
withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by the
law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must
state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. In addition,
you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This
rationale must demonstrate that disclosure ``would constitute an
unwarranted invasion of primary.'' Unsupported assertions will not meet
this burden. In the absence of exception, documentable circumstances,
this information will be released. All submissions from organizations
or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be
made available for public inspection in their entirety.
MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz, (202)
208-7744.
Dated: September 12, 2006.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E6-19514 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
