Office of the Solicitor; Public Forum on the Department of Labor Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Improvement Plan, 71189-71190 [E6-20922]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Notices • Los Angeles Central Library, 630 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. • Visalia Branch Library—Main Library, 200 West Oak Avenue, Visalia, CA 932891–4993. Public Disclosure Statement: Comments received in response to this notice will become part of the administrative record and are subject to public inspection. Our practice is to make comments, including names, home addresses, home phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and/or home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider withholding this information, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be released. We will always make submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Frank J. Michny, Acting Assistant Regional Director, MidPacific Region. [FR Doc. 06–9601 Filed 12–7–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029–0089 Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: 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 renewed authority for the following collection of information: 30 CFR part 702 regarding the exemption of coal extraction incidental to the extraction of other minerals. This information collection activity was previously approved by the Office of the Management and Budget VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Dec 07, 2006 Jkt 211001 (OMB), and assigned clearance number 1029–0089. DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received by February 6, 2007, to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to John A. Trelease, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW., Room 202—SIB, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be submitted electronically to jtrelease@osmre.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request a copy of the information collection request and explanatory information contact John A. Trelease, at (202) 208–2783 or e-mail at the address provided above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 an information collection that OSM will be submitting to OMB for approval. This collection is contained in 30 CFR Part 702, Exemption for Coal Extraction Incidental to the Extraction of Other Minerals. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for this 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 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 accompany OSM’s submission of the information collection request to OMB. The following information is provided for each information collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (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: 30 CFR Part 702, Exemption for Coal Extraction Incidental to the Extraction of Other Minerals. OMB Control Number: 1029–0089. Summary: This part implements the requirement in Section 701(28) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 71189 which grants an exemption from the requirements of SMCRA to operators extracting not more than 162⁄3 percentage tonnage of coal incidental to the extraction of other minerals. This information will be used by the regulatory authorities to make that determination. Bureau Form Number: None. Frequency of Collection: Once and annually thereafter. Description of Respondents: Producers of coal and other minerals and State regulatory authorities. Total Annual Responses: 120. Total Annual Burden Hours: 535. Total Non-wage Costs: $200. Dated: December 4, 2006. John R. Craynon, Chief, Division of Regulatory Support. [FR Doc. 06–9592 Filed 12–7–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–05–M DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Solicitor; Public Forum on the Department of Labor Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Improvement Plan Office of the Solicitor (SOL), Department of Labor. ACTION: Scheduling of public forum; invitation to participate and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of Labor is scheduling a public forum to seek input from the public on how it might improve the quality and efficiency of the Department’s administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This forum is part of the Department’s FOIA Improvement Plan finalized earlier in 2006. Interested persons are encouraged to submit written comments in response to the questions contained in this notice and offer additional suggestions for improving the quality and efficiency of the Department’s FOIA efforts. Attendees are invited to speak on these questions and other related issues at the public forum; those who only wish to observe the forum are welcome to attend as well. The Department’s FOIA Improvement Plan is available at https://www.dol.gov/dol/ foia/ (See link for ‘‘Agency Plan and Report’’). Background: On June 14, 2006, the Department submitted its FOIA Improvement Plan and Report pursuant to Executive Order 13392 (‘‘Improving Agency Disclosure of Information’’). As part of its FOIA Improvement Plan, the Department has been examining various components of its FOIA practices and E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM 08DEN1 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 71190 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Notices procedures. One key component of the plan is outreach to the requester community and solicitation of input concerning ways the Department could improve the quality and efficiency of its FOIA efforts. At this time, the Department is soliciting input on ways to improve its FOIA efforts and, in particular, its written communication with individual requesters. The Department is convening this forum to begin the public input process. The first part of the program will consist of presentations by Departmental officials involved in the FOIA process. The second part of the program will be set aside to allow members of the requester community and the public to make suggestions or ask questions about the Department’s FOIA Improvement Plan or its FOIA processes generally. DATES: Forum. The public forum will take place at the DOL Auditorium, Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington DC 20210. The forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., December 18, 2006. Written comments. The Department invites oral and written comments in connection with the forum. Comments may be submitted by mail, facsimile or electronically. Notice of intention to speak at the forum. In order to accommodate maximum participation at the forum, the Department asks that individuals wishing to speak submit a written intention to speak at the forum by December 14, 2006. Notices may be submitted by mail, facsimile or electronically. If possible, please include an e-mail address or fax number in your notice, so we may contact you about scheduling. The Department requests that presentations be limited to no more than 10 minutes. The amount of time allotted will depend on the number of speakers who wish to speak. ADDRESSES: Written comments and notices of intention to speak at the forum may be submitted by mail, facsimile, or electronic means: Written comments: The Department encourages written comments (including electronic or facsimile form) relating to the subject of the forum on an ongoing basis. They may be submitted to the address below. Mail: Submit three copies of written comments to: Mr. Brad Mantel, Office of Legal Counsel, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N–2700, Washington DC 20210, telephone (202) 693–4964. Facsimile: If your comments are 10 pages or fewer, you may fax them to Mr. Mantel at (202) 693–5774. VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Dec 07, 2006 Jkt 211001 Electronic: You may submit comments electronically to Mr. Mantel at mantel.brad@dol.gov. Notice of intention to speak at the forum: Mail: You may submit a notice of intention to speak to Mr. Brad Mantel, Office of Legal Counsel, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N–2700, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693–4964. Facsimile: You may fax your notice of intention to speak to Mr. Mantel at (202) 693–5774. Electronic: You may also electronically submit your intention to speak to Mr. Mantel at mantel.brad@dol.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Mantel, Office of Legal Counsel, Office of the Solicitor, telephone (202) 693– 4964. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The forum will include agency presentations from Departmental officials on the FOIA Improvement Plan and agency FOIA processes, including the Department’s Chief FOIA Officer and the FOIA Public Liaison. The forum is also designed to obtain input from the requester community through an openmicrophone session in which participants can address suggestions or questions to the Departmental FOIA agency staff. The Department is particularly interested in hearing from the requester community and the public on the following issues, but encourages input on a broad range of issues and ideas relating its FOIA process: Question 1: What additional information can the Department provide on its Web site to assist members of the public in making FOIA requests? Question 2: What additional methods can the Department utilize to improve communication with the requester community? Question 3: What is the best way of providing requesters information on the status of their FOIA requests? Question 4: What information should be included in all FOIA acknowledgement letters? Question 5: Would a continuing dialogue with the requester community about the Department’s FOIA process be useful? If so, what is the optimal format? Should DOL establish an ‘‘electronic’’ suggestion box for FOIA matters? Individuals with disabilities wishing to attend the forum who need special accommodation should contact Mr. Mantel at (202) 693–4964, or at mantel.brad@dol.gov. Authority: This notice was prepared under the direction of Robert A. Shapiro, Associate PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Solicitor for Legal Counsel and Chief FOIA Officer. Signed at Washington, DC, this 5th day of December, 2006. Robert A. Shapiro, Associate Solicitor for Legal Counsel and Chief FOIA Officer. [FR Doc. E6–20922 Filed 12–7–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–23–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Information Collection; Request for Public Comment Health Disclosure and Claims Issues Project Survey ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This program helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on a proposed new information collection entitled the Health Disclosure and Claims Issues Project Survey. A copy of the information collection request (ICR) can be obtained without charge by contacting the office listed below in the Addresses section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 2007. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Susan G. Lahne, Office of Policy and Research, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N–5716, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693–8410; Fax: (202) 219–4745. These are not toll-free numbers. Comments may also be submitted electronically to the following Internet e-mail address: ebsa.opr@dol.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background In 1999, the Department conducted a pilot project under which approximately 200 group health plans were investigated for compliance with E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM 08DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 236 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71189-71190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20922]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Office of the Solicitor; Public Forum on the Department of Labor 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Improvement Plan

AGENCY: Office of the Solicitor (SOL), Department of Labor.

ACTION: Scheduling of public forum; invitation to participate and 
request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor is scheduling a public forum to seek 
input from the public on how it might improve the quality and 
efficiency of the Department's administration of the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA). This forum is part of the Department's FOIA 
Improvement Plan finalized earlier in 2006. Interested persons are 
encouraged to submit written comments in response to the questions 
contained in this notice and offer additional suggestions for improving 
the quality and efficiency of the Department's FOIA efforts. Attendees 
are invited to speak on these questions and other related issues at the 
public forum; those who only wish to observe the forum are welcome to 
attend as well. The Department's FOIA Improvement Plan is available at 
https://www.dol.gov/dol/foia/ (See link for ``Agency Plan and Report'').
    Background: On June 14, 2006, the Department submitted its FOIA 
Improvement Plan and Report pursuant to Executive Order 13392 
(``Improving Agency Disclosure of Information''). As part of its FOIA 
Improvement Plan, the Department has been examining various components 
of its FOIA practices and

[[Page 71190]]

procedures. One key component of the plan is outreach to the requester 
community and solicitation of input concerning ways the Department 
could improve the quality and efficiency of its FOIA efforts. At this 
time, the Department is soliciting input on ways to improve its FOIA 
efforts and, in particular, its written communication with individual 
requesters.
    The Department is convening this forum to begin the public input 
process. The first part of the program will consist of presentations by 
Departmental officials involved in the FOIA process. The second part of 
the program will be set aside to allow members of the requester 
community and the public to make suggestions or ask questions about the 
Department's FOIA Improvement Plan or its FOIA processes generally.

DATES: Forum. The public forum will take place at the DOL Auditorium, 
Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington DC 20210. The forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 
12 p.m., December 18, 2006.
    Written comments. The Department invites oral and written comments 
in connection with the forum. Comments may be submitted by mail, 
facsimile or electronically.
    Notice of intention to speak at the forum. In order to accommodate 
maximum participation at the forum, the Department asks that 
individuals wishing to speak submit a written intention to speak at the 
forum by December 14, 2006. Notices may be submitted by mail, facsimile 
or electronically. If possible, please include an e-mail address or fax 
number in your notice, so we may contact you about scheduling. The 
Department requests that presentations be limited to no more than 10 
minutes. The amount of time allotted will depend on the number of 
speakers who wish to speak.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and notices of intention to speak at the 
forum may be submitted by mail, facsimile, or electronic means:
    Written comments: The Department encourages written comments 
(including electronic or facsimile form) relating to the subject of the 
forum on an ongoing basis. They may be submitted to the address below.
    Mail: Submit three copies of written comments to: Mr. Brad Mantel, 
Office of Legal Counsel, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N-2700, Washington DC 20210, 
telephone (202) 693-4964.
    Facsimile: If your comments are 10 pages or fewer, you may fax them 
to Mr. Mantel at (202) 693-5774.
    Electronic: You may submit comments electronically to Mr. Mantel at 
mantel.brad@dol.gov.
    Notice of intention to speak at the forum:
    Mail: You may submit a notice of intention to speak to Mr. Brad 
Mantel, Office of Legal Counsel, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N-2700, 
Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-4964.
    Facsimile: You may fax your notice of intention to speak to Mr. 
Mantel at (202) 693-5774.
    Electronic: You may also electronically submit your intention to 
speak to Mr. Mantel at mantel.brad@dol.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Mantel, Office of Legal Counsel, 
Office of the Solicitor, telephone (202) 693-4964.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The forum will include agency presentations 
from Departmental officials on the FOIA Improvement Plan and agency 
FOIA processes, including the Department's Chief FOIA Officer and the 
FOIA Public Liaison. The forum is also designed to obtain input from 
the requester community through an open-microphone session in which 
participants can address suggestions or questions to the Departmental 
FOIA agency staff. The Department is particularly interested in hearing 
from the requester community and the public on the following issues, 
but encourages input on a broad range of issues and ideas relating its 
FOIA process:
    Question 1: What additional information can the Department provide 
on its Web site to assist members of the public in making FOIA 
requests?
    Question 2: What additional methods can the Department utilize to 
improve communication with the requester community?
    Question 3: What is the best way of providing requesters 
information on the status of their FOIA requests?
    Question 4: What information should be included in all FOIA 
acknowledgement letters?
    Question 5: Would a continuing dialogue with the requester 
community about the Department's FOIA process be useful? If so, what is 
the optimal format? Should DOL establish an ``electronic'' suggestion 
box for FOIA matters?
    Individuals with disabilities wishing to attend the forum who need 
special accommodation should contact Mr. Mantel at (202) 693-4964, or 
at mantel.brad@dol.gov.

    Authority: This notice was prepared under the direction of 
Robert A. Shapiro, Associate Solicitor for Legal Counsel and Chief 
FOIA Officer.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 5th day of December, 2006.
Robert A. Shapiro,
Associate Solicitor for Legal Counsel and Chief FOIA Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-20922 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.