Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 32353-32354 [E8-12721]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 110 / Friday, June 6, 2008 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R6–ES–2008–N0112; 60132–1261– 60RC–P4] Keystone Oil Pipeline Project, Right-ofWay Permit Application To Cross Six Wetland Management Districts in North Dakota and South Dakota Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; right-ofway permit application. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is soliciting public comment on a right-of-way (ROW) permit application submitted by TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP (Keystone). If issued, the ROW permit would authorize the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the pipeline through easements held by the Service in North Dakota and South Dakota. The Service is a cooperating agency with the Department of State on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Keystone Oil Pipeline Project and has adopted the Final EIS. After reviewing any comments received on the ROW application, the Service will issue its own Record of Decision (ROD) on the EIS prior to granting the ROW permit. Preparation of the ROD will begin no sooner than July 7, 2008. We will consider public comments received or postmarked by that date. ADDRESSES: Comment submission: Submit comments on the ROW application to Rick Coleman, Assistant Regional Director, National Wildlife Refuge System, Region 6, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225, or electronically to Rick_Coleman@fws.gov (e-mail). Document availability: Copies of the ROW permit application, digital maps, and legal descriptions of Service wetland easements that the ROW would cross, are available for viewing and download at the Service’s Region 6 Web site: https://www.fws.gov/mountainprairie/keystonepipeline or at the field office locations listed in supplementary information. Copies of the Final EIS, Record of Decision, National Interest Determination, Presidential Permit, and other project information are available for viewing and download at the Keystone project Web site: https:// www.keystonepipeline.state.gov. PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES DATES: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:09 Jun 05, 2008 Jkt 214001 A. Background Keystone proposes to construct and operate a pipeline and related facilities to transport crude oil from Alberta, Canada, to the midwestern United States. The proposed route of the pipeline would cross lands where the Service holds an easement interest. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of State, with the Service as a cooperating agency, prepared a Final EIS assessing the impacts of constructing and operating the proposed Keystone Pipeline. The Environmental Protection Agency published a Notice of Availability of the EIS in the Federal Register on January 11, 2008 (73 FR 2027) and a notice of the agency’s comments on the EIS on March 21, 2008 (73 FR 15153). Subsequently, Keystone applied for a ROW easement per regulations at 50 CFR 29.21 for the Keystone Pipeline to cross through individual wetlands where the Service holds an easement for waterfowl management rights. The current route of the pipeline will cross 62 easement wetlands on 33 tracts. The purpose of the ROW permit, if approved, and any preliminary permit is to describe the location of the pipeline through individual easement wetlands and the measures that will be taken by Keystone to ensure that construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the pipeline will only temporarily drain or fill easement wetlands. It also will describe measures that Keystone will take to restore easement wetlands if the Service determines that pipeline construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning drains or partially drains them. If wetland hydrology cannot be adequately restored and an easement wetland is drained by this project, permit conditions will require Keystone to acquire replacement wetland habitat that will be protected by a Service easement. Based on the analysis described in the State Department’s Final EIS, Record of Decision (ROD), and National Interest Determination, the Service has adopted the State Department’s EIS and will consider issuance of a ROW permit. As required by 50 CFR 29.21–9(f), the Service is seeking public comment on the ROW application. After reviewing and considering any comments received, the Service will issue a ROD, Environmental Action Memorandum, and Environmental Action Statement before issuing a ROW permit allowing the pipeline to cross the described easement wetlands. The Service ROD will describe the rationale for the PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32353 decision and the alternatives considered in reaching this decision. It will also identify those measures (permit conditions) that have been, and will be, taken to minimize environmental harm from the decision to issue a ROW permit. B. Document Availability Copies of the ROW application and other material from the Service’s Web site can be obtained during office hours at the following Service field offices: • Tewaukon Wetland Management District, 9756 1431⁄2 Ave, SE., Cayuga, North Dakota 58013, telephone 701– 724–3598 • Devils Lake Wetland Management District, 221 Second Street Northwest, Devils Lake, North Dakota 58301, telephone 701–662–8611 • Valley City Wetland Management District, 11515 River Road, Valley City, North Dakota 58072, telephone 701– 845–3466 • Waubay Wetland Management District, 44401 134 A Street, Waubay, South Dakota 57273, telephone 605– 947–4521 • Huron Wetland Management District, 200 4th Street, SE., Room 309, Federal Building, Huron, South Dakota 57350, telephone 605–352–5894 • Lake Andes Wetland Management District, 38672 291st Street, Lake Andes, South Dakota 57356, telephone 605– 487–7603 • Madison Wetland Management District, P.O. Box 48, Madison, South Dakota 57042, telephone 605–256–2974 The information also will be available at various public offices and locations throughout North Dakota and South Dakota. To obtain these locations, call the nearest Service office listed above. Dated: May 28, 2008. James J. Slack, Deputy Regional Director. [FR Doc. E8–12473 Filed 6–5–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of a new information collection. AGENCY: SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we will submit to OMB a new information collection request (ICR) for E:\FR\FM\06JNN1.SGM 06JNN1 32354 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 110 / Friday, June 6, 2008 / Notices approval of the paperwork requirements for the Mineral Resources Program’s (MRP) Mineral Resource External Research Program (MRERP). To submit a proposal for the MRERP a project narrative must be completed and submitted via Grants.gov. Furthermore, for multi-year projects, an annual progress report must be completed, and for all projects, a final technical report is required at the end of the project period. This notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these project narrative and report requirements. The narrative and report guidance is available at https://www.usgs.gov/ contracts/Minerals/. DATES: Submit written comments by August 5, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection to the Department of the Interior, USGS, via: • E-mail pponds@usgs.gov. Use Information Collection Number 1028– NEW, MRP in the subject line. • FAX: (970) 226–9230. Use Information Collection Number 1028– NEW, MRP in the subject line. • Mail to Phadrea Ponds, U.S. Geological Survey, 2150 Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Please reference Information Collection 1028–NEW, MRP in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jeff L. Doebrich at 703–648– 6103. PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Mineral Resources Program. OMB Control Number: 1028–NEW. Form Number: Project narrative and report guidance posted on Grants.gov. Abstract: Through the MRERP, the MRP of the USGS offers an annual competitive grant and/or cooperative agreement opportunity to universities, State agencies, Tribal governments or organizations, and industry or other private sector organizations. Applicants must have the ability to conduct research in topics related to non-fuel mineral resources and that meet the goals of the MRP. The MRERP will consider all research-based proposals that address one of the MRP’s long-term goals. The long-term goals of the MRP, as described in the MRP Five-Year Plan for FY 2006–2010 (https:// minerals.usgs.gov/plan/2006-2010/ 2006-2010_plan.html) are (1) Ensure availability of up-to-date quantitative assessments of potential for undiscovered mineral deposits, (2) ensure availability of up-to-date geoenvironmental assessments of priority Federal lands, (3) ensure availability of reliable geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:09 Jun 05, 2008 Jkt 214001 locality data for the United States, and (4) ensure availability of long-term data sets describing mineral production and consumption. Furthermore, annual research priorities are provided as guidance for applicants to consider when submitting proposals. Annual research priorities are determined by USGS MRP management. Since its initiation in 2004, the MRERP has awarded more than $1.8 million to 30 different research projects across the country. We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, ‘‘Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited inspection.’’ Responses are voluntary. No questions of a ‘‘sensitive’’ nature are asked. We intend to release the project abstracts and primary investigators for awarded/ funded projects only. Frequency: Annually. Estimated Annual Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 500 research scientists from universities, State agencies, Tribal governments or organizations, and industry or other private sector organizations. Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 48. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 2160. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ‘‘Hour’’ Burden: We estimate the public reporting burden averages 45 hours per response. This includes the time for (1) Project conception and development, proposal writing and reviewing, and submitting project narrative through Grants.gov, (2) preparation of annual progress report, and (3) preparation of final technical report. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’ Burden: There are no ‘‘non-hour cost’’ burdens associated with this collection of information. Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to, 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: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) requires each agency ‘‘* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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, we publish this Federal Register notice announcing that we will submit this ICR to OMB for approval. This notice provides the required 60-day public comment period. USGS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Alfred Travnicek, 703–648–7231. Dated: May 30, 2008. Suzette M. Kimball, Associate Director for Geology. [FR Doc. E8–12721 Filed 6–5–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4311–AM–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Renewed Application for the Proposed Los Coyotes Band of ˜ Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians Fee-toTrust Transfer and Casino-Hotel Project, San Bernardino County, California AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as lead agency, with the National Indian Gaming Commission and Los Coyotes ˜ Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians (Tribe) as cooperating agencies, intends to gather information necessary for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tribe’s renewed application for a proposed 45-acre feeto-trust transfer and casino and hotel project to be located in San Bernardino County, California. The BIA did not approve the original application as submitted, hence published a Notice of Cancellation of work on the EIS on May 19, 2008, in the Federal Register (73 FR 28841). E:\FR\FM\06JNN1.SGM 06JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 110 (Friday, June 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32353-32354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12721]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a new information collection.

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

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we 
are notifying the public that we will submit to OMB a new information 
collection request (ICR) for

[[Page 32354]]

approval of the paperwork requirements for the Mineral Resources 
Program's (MRP) Mineral Resource External Research Program (MRERP). To 
submit a proposal for the MRERP a project narrative must be completed 
and submitted via Grants.gov. Furthermore, for multi-year projects, an 
annual progress report must be completed, and for all projects, a final 
technical report is required at the end of the project period. This 
notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the paperwork 
burden of these project narrative and report requirements. The 
narrative and report guidance is available at https://www.usgs.gov/
contracts/Minerals/.

DATES: Submit written comments by August 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection to 
the Department of the Interior, USGS, via:
     E-mail pponds@usgs.gov. Use Information Collection Number 
1028-NEW, MRP in the subject line.
     FAX: (970) 226-9230. Use Information Collection Number 
1028-NEW, MRP in the subject line.
     Mail to Phadrea Ponds, U.S. Geological Survey, 2150 
Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Please reference Information 
Collection 1028-NEW, MRP in your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jeff L. Doebrich at 703-648-
6103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Mineral Resources Program.
    OMB Control Number: 1028-NEW.
    Form Number: Project narrative and report guidance posted on 
Grants.gov.
    Abstract: Through the MRERP, the MRP of the USGS offers an annual 
competitive grant and/or cooperative agreement opportunity to 
universities, State agencies, Tribal governments or organizations, and 
industry or other private sector organizations. Applicants must have 
the ability to conduct research in topics related to non-fuel mineral 
resources and that meet the goals of the MRP. The MRERP will consider 
all research-based proposals that address one of the MRP's long-term 
goals. The long-term goals of the MRP, as described in the MRP Five-
Year Plan for FY 2006-2010 (https://minerals.usgs.gov/plan/2006-2010/
2006-2010_plan.html) are (1) Ensure availability of up-to-date 
quantitative assessments of potential for undiscovered mineral 
deposits, (2) ensure availability of up-to-date geoenvironmental 
assessments of priority Federal lands, (3) ensure availability of 
reliable geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral locality data 
for the United States, and (4) ensure availability of long-term data 
sets describing mineral production and consumption. Furthermore, annual 
research priorities are provided as guidance for applicants to consider 
when submitting proposals. Annual research priorities are determined by 
USGS MRP management. Since its initiation in 2004, the MRERP has 
awarded more than $1.8 million to 30 different research projects across 
the country.
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and implementing 
regulations (43 CFR part 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, 
``Data and information to be made available to the public or for 
limited inspection.'' Responses are voluntary. No questions of a 
``sensitive'' nature are asked. We intend to release the project 
abstracts and primary investigators for awarded/funded projects only.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Estimated Annual Number and Description of Respondents: 
Approximately 500 research scientists from universities, State 
agencies, Tribal governments or organizations, and industry or other 
private sector organizations.
    Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 48.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 2160.
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: We 
estimate the public reporting burden averages 45 hours per response. 
This includes the time for (1) Project conception and development, 
proposal writing and reviewing, and submitting project narrative 
through Grants.gov, (2) preparation of annual progress report, and (3) 
preparation of final technical report.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: 
There are no ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with this collection 
of information.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not 
required to respond to, 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: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 
3506(c)(2)(A) (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, we publish this 
Federal Register notice announcing that we will submit this ICR to OMB 
for approval. This notice provides the required 60-day public comment 
period.
    USGS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Alfred Travnicek, 
703-648-7231.

    Dated: May 30, 2008.
Suzette M. Kimball,
Associate Director for Geology.
[FR Doc. E8-12721 Filed 6-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4311-AM-P
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