Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines, 64986-64987 [E8-25980]

Download as PDF 64986 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 212 / Friday, October 31, 2008 / Notices Title 30 CFR 75.373 and 75.1721 require that after a mine is abandoned or declared inactive and before it is reopened, mine operations shall not begin until MSHA has been notified and has completed an inspection. Standard 75.1721 specifies that the notification be in writing and lists specific information, preliminary arrangements and mine plans which must be submitted to the MSHA District Manager. ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES II. Desired Focus of Comments Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection related to the Record of Mine Closure addressed in 30 CFR 75.1204 and 75.1204–1; the inclusion of standards requiring MSHA notification and inspection prior to mining when opening a new mine or reopening an inactive or abandoned mine addressed in 30 CFR 75.373 and 75.1721; and the inclusion of standards requiring underground and surface mine operators to prepare and maintain accurate and up-to-date mine maps addressed in 30 CFR 75.1200, 75.1200– 1, 75.1201, 75.1202, 75.1202–1, 75.1203, 75.372, 77.1200, 77.1201 and 77.1202. MSHA is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (https:// www.msha.gov/) and selecting ‘‘Rules and Regs’’, and then selecting ‘‘Fed Reg Docs.’’ VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:31 Oct 30, 2008 Jkt 217001 III. Current Actions Mine operators are required to conduct surveying such that mine maps are maintained accurate and up-to-date, the maps must be revised every 6 months and certified accurate by a registered engineer or surveyor and to submit copies of the certified underground maps to MSHA annually and an up-to-date and revised mine closure map whenever an operator permanently closes or abandons a coal mine, or temporarily closes a coal mine for a period of more than 90 days, he or she shall promptly notify the Secretary of such closure. In addition, mine operators must notify MSHA so that an inspection can be conducted whenever a new mine is opened or a previously abandoned or inactive mine is reopened. The information required to be gathered and recorded on mine maps is essential to the safe operation of the mine and essential to the effectiveness of mandatory inspections and mandated mine plan approval by MSHA. Such information cannot be replaced by any other source and anything less than continuously updated and accurate information would place miners’ safety at risk. The information collected through the submittal of mine closure maps is used by operators of adjacent coal mines when approaching abandoned underground mines. The abandoned mine could be flooded with water or contain explosive amounts of methane or harmful gases. If the operator were to mine into such an area, unaware of the hazards, miners could be killed or seriously injured. In addition, it is in the public interest to maintain permanent records of the locations, extent of workings and potential hazards associated with abandoned mines. The public safety can be adversely affected by future land usage where such hazards are not known or inaccurately assessed. MSHA collects the closure maps and provides those documents to the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation & Enforcement for inclusion in a repository of abandoned mine maps. Therefore, MSHA is continuing the certification and application of 30 CFR 75.1204 to assure the required information remains available for the protection of miners’ and public safety. In addition, MSHA has added the burden hours and cost estimates for standards which address the preparation and maintenance of certified mine maps for surface and underground coal mines and the notification of MSHA prior to the opening on new coal mines or the PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 reopening of inactive or abandoned mines. Type of Review: Extension. Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration. Title: Requirements for the Preparation and Maintenance of Accurate and Up-to-Date Mine Maps (pertains to underground and surface coal mines). OMB Number: 1219–0073. Recordkeeping: Annual or on occasion. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit. Number of Responses: 737. Number of Respondents: 1,453. Total Burden Hours: 14,572. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintaining): $18,221,257. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 28th day of October 2008. David L. Meyer, Director of Administration and Management. [FR Doc. E8–25981 Filed 10–30–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–43–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(c)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the extension of E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 212 / Friday, October 31, 2008 / Notices the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections: 75.1901(a)—Diesel Fuel Requirements; 75.1904(b)(4)(i)—Underground Diesel Fuel Tanks and Safety Cans; 75.1906(d)—Transport of diesel fuel; 75.1911(i) and (j)—Fire Suppression Systems for Diesel-Powered Equipment and Fuel Transportation Units; 75.1912(h) and (i)—Fire Suppression Systems for Permanent Underground Diesel Fuel Storage Facilities; 75.1914(f)(1), (2), (g)(5), (h)(1), and (2)— Maintenance of Diesel-Powered Equipment; and 75.1915(a), (b)(5), (c)(1) and (2)— Training and Qualification of Persons Working on Diesel-Powered Equipment. DATES: Submit comments on or before December 30, 2008. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Debbie Ferraro, Management Services Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209–3939. Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or via E-mail to Ferraro.Debbie@DOL.GOV. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at (202) 693–9821 (voice), or (202) 693–9801 (facsimile). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES I. Background The regulation addresses three major areas: Diesel engine design and testing requirements; safety standards for the maintenance and use of this equipment; and exhaust gas sampling provisions to protect miners’ health. It first requires that diesel engines and their critical components meet design specifications and tests to demonstrate that they are explosion-proof and will not cause a fire in a mine where methane may accumulate. Second, the safety requirements for diesel equipment include many of the proven features required in existing standards for electric-powered equipment, such as cabs or canopies, methane monitors, brakes and lights. The regulation also sets safety requirements for fuel handling and storage and fire suppression. Third, sampling of diesel exhaust emissions is required to protect miners from overexposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide contained in diesel exhaust. II. Desired Focus of Comments Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection requirement related to the approval, exhaust gas monitoring and safety VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:31 Oct 30, 2008 Jkt 217001 requirements for the use of dieselpowered equipment in underground coal mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the employee listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (https://www.msha.gov) and then choosing ‘‘Rules and Regs’’ and ‘‘FedReg. Docs’’. III. Current Actions Provisions under part 75 establish mandatory safety standards for dieselpowered equipment for use in underground coal mines, minimum ventilating air quantities, the incorporation of the air quantities into the mine ventilation plan, requirements for routine sampling of toxic exhaust gases, and the use of low sulfur diesel fuel. It also provides that diesel equipment maintenance be performed by adequately trained persons. In addition, the regulation includes standards for storage, transportation and dispensing of diesel fuel, and the installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems on diesel equipment and in permanent underground fuel storage facilities. Type of Review: Extension. Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration. Title: Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines. OMB Number: 1219–0119. Frequency: On Occasion. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit. Total Respondents: 213. PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64987 Total Responses: 180,252. Total Burden Hours: 42,826. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintaining): $428,272. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 28th day of October 2008. David L. Meyer, Director, Office of Administration and Management. [FR Doc. E8–25980 Filed 10–30–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–43–P MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION [MCC FR 09–01] Notice of First Amendment to Compact With the Government of Georgia Millennium Challenge Corporation. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 609(i)(2) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, as amended (Pub. L. 108– 199, Division D), the Millennium Challenge Corporation is publishing a summary, justification and the proposed text of the First Amendment to Millennium Challenge Compact between the United States of America, acting through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the Government of Georgia. Representatives of the United States Government and the Government of Georgia plan to execute this draft text in 2008. Dated: October 28, 2008. Henry C. Pitney, Deputy General Counsel, Millennium Challenge Corporation. Summary of First Amendment to Millennium Challenge Compact With the Government of Georgia The Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (‘‘MCC’’) has approved an amendment (the ‘‘Amendment’’) to the existing approximately US$295.3 million, fiveyear Millennium Challenge Compact between the United States of America, acting through MCC, and the Government of Georgia (the ‘‘Compact’’). Background The Compact was signed September 12, 2005 and entered into force on April 7, 2006. Compact projects focused on E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 212 (Friday, October 31, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64986-64987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25980]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-
Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(c)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of

[[Page 64987]]

the information collection related to the 30 CFR Sections:

75.1901(a)--Diesel Fuel Requirements; 75.1904(b)(4)(i)--Underground 
Diesel Fuel Tanks and Safety Cans; 75.1906(d)--Transport of diesel 
fuel; 75.1911(i) and (j)--Fire Suppression Systems for Diesel-Powered 
Equipment and Fuel Transportation Units; 75.1912(h) and (i)--Fire 
Suppression Systems for Permanent Underground Diesel Fuel Storage 
Facilities; 75.1914(f)(1), (2), (g)(5), (h)(1), and (2)--Maintenance of 
Diesel-Powered Equipment; and
75.1915(a), (b)(5), (c)(1) and (2)--Training and Qualification of 
Persons Working on Diesel-Powered Equipment.


DATES: Submit comments on or before December 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Debbie Ferraro, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2171, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or 
via E-mail to Ferraro.Debbie@DOL.GOV. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at 
(202) 693-9821 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The employee listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The regulation addresses three major areas: Diesel engine design 
and testing requirements; safety standards for the maintenance and use 
of this equipment; and exhaust gas sampling provisions to protect 
miners' health. It first requires that diesel engines and their 
critical components meet design specifications and tests to demonstrate 
that they are explosion-proof and will not cause a fire in a mine where 
methane may accumulate. Second, the safety requirements for diesel 
equipment include many of the proven features required in existing 
standards for electric-powered equipment, such as cabs or canopies, 
methane monitors, brakes and lights. The regulation also sets safety 
requirements for fuel handling and storage and fire suppression. Third, 
sampling of diesel exhaust emissions is required to protect miners from 
overexposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide contained in 
diesel exhaust.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection requirement related to the approval, exhaust gas 
monitoring and safety requirements for the use of diesel-powered 
equipment in underground coal mines. MSHA is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice, or viewed on the Internet 
by accessing the MSHA home page (https://www.msha.gov) and then choosing 
``Rules and Regs'' and ``FedReg. Docs''.

III. Current Actions

    Provisions under part 75 establish mandatory safety standards for 
diesel-powered equipment for use in underground coal mines, minimum 
ventilating air quantities, the incorporation of the air quantities 
into the mine ventilation plan, requirements for routine sampling of 
toxic exhaust gases, and the use of low sulfur diesel fuel. It also 
provides that diesel equipment maintenance be performed by adequately 
trained persons. In addition, the regulation includes standards for 
storage, transportation and dispensing of diesel fuel, and the 
installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems on diesel 
equipment and in permanent underground fuel storage facilities.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety Requirements 
for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines.
    OMB Number: 1219-0119.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 213.
    Total Responses: 180,252.
    Total Burden Hours: 42,826.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $428,272.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 28th day of October 2008.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. E8-25980 Filed 10-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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