MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0006, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf and Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing, Extension of a Collection; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request, 10301-10305 [2010-4695]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 43 / Friday, March 5, 2010 / Notices
(threats, vulnerabilities, and
consequences); Determining mitigation
strategies and implementation methods;
Developing strategies to facilitate the
recovery of the MTS after a
Transportation Security Incident;
Developing and describing the process
to continually evaluate overall port
security by considering consequences
and vulnerabilities, how they may
change over time, and what additional
mitigation strategies can be applied; and
Providing advice to, and assisting the
Captain of the Port in developing and
maintaining the Area maritime Security
Plan.
STAMS Committee Membership
Members of the AMSC should have at
least 5 years of experience related to
maritime or port security operations.
The South Texas AMSC has fourteen
members, made up of at least one
individual from the Corpus Christi, Rio
Grande Valley, Port of Port Lavaca-Point
Comfort and Victoria Barge Canal, Port
Security Working Groups (PSWG). We
are seeking to fill two vacancies with
this solicitation. Applicants may be
required to pass an appropriate security
background check prior to appointment
to the committee. Members’ term of
office will be for 5 years; however, a
member is eligible to serve an additional
term of office. Members will not receive
any salary or other compensation for
their service on the AMSC. In support
of the USCG policy on gender and
ethnic diversity, we encourage qualified
women and members of minority groups
to apply.
Request for Applications
Those seeking membership are not
required to submit formal applications
to the local Captain of the Port;
however, because we do have an
obligation to ensure that a specific
number of members have the
prerequisite maritime security
experience, we encourage the
´
´
submission of resumes highlighting
experience in the maritime and security
industries.
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Dated: February 19, 2010.
R.J. Paulison,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Maritime
Security Coordinator, Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2010–4649 Filed 3–4–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–5374–N–06]
Buy American Exceptions Under the
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–05, approved
February 17, 2009) (Recovery Act), and
implementing guidance of the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), this
notice advises that certain exceptions to
the Buy American requirement of the
Recovery Act have been determined
applicable for work using Capital Fund
Recovery Formula and Competition
(CFRFC) grant funds. Specifically, an
exception was granted to the Bedford
Township Housing Commission for the
purchase and use of coil roofing nails
for a re-roofing project at the Ivor
Lindsay Housing Complex.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dominique G. Blom, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Public Housing
Investments, Office of Public Housing
Investments, Office of Public and Indian
Housing, Department of Housing and
Urban Development, 451 7th Street,
SW., Room 4210, Washington, DC
20410–4000, telephone number 202–
402–8500 (this is not a toll-free
number). Persons with hearing- or
speech-impairments may access this
number through TTY by calling the tollfree Federal Information Relay Service
at 800–877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
1605(a) of the Recovery Act provides
that none of the funds appropriated or
made available by the Recovery Act may
be used for a project for the
construction, alteration, maintenance, or
repair of a public building or public
work unless all of the iron, steel, and
manufactured goods used in the project
are produced in the United States.
Section 1605(b) provides that the Buy
American requirement shall not apply
in any case or category in which the
head of a Federal department or agency
finds that: (1) Applying the Buy
American requirement would be
inconsistent with the public interest; (2)
iron, steel, and the relevant
manufactured goods are not produced in
the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably
available quantities or of satisfactory
quality, or (3) inclusion of iron, steel,
and manufactured goods will increase
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10301
the cost of the overall project by more
than 25 percent. Section 1605(c)
provides that if the head of a Federal
department or agency makes a
determination pursuant to section
1605(b), the head of the department or
agency shall publish a detailed written
justification in the Federal Register.
In accordance with section 1605(c) of
the Recovery Act and OMB’s
implementing guidance published on
April 23, 2009 (74 FR 18449), this notice
advises the public that, on February 3,
2010, upon request of the Bedford
Township Housing Commission, HUD
granted an exception to the applicability
of the Buy American requirements with
respect to work, using CFRFC grant
funds, based on the fact that the relevant
manufactured goods (coil roofing nails)
are not produced in the U.S. in
sufficient and reasonably available
quantities or of satisfactory quality.
Dated: February 26, 2010.
Sandra B. Henriquez,
Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing.
[FR Doc. 2010–4710 Filed 3–4–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS–2009–OMM–0013]
MMS Information Collection Activity:
1010–0006, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil
and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf
and Outer Continental Shelf Oil and
Gas Leasing, Extension of a
Collection; Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an
information collection (1010–0006).
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 256, ‘‘Leasing of Sulphur or Oil
and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf,’’
and 30 CFR 260, ‘‘Outer Continental
Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing,’’ and related
documents. This notice also provides
the public a second opportunity to
comment on the paperwork burden of
these regulatory requirements.
DATES: Submit written comments by
April 5, 2010.
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Submit comments by either
fax (202) 395–5806 or e-mail
(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov) directly
to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention:
Desk Officer for the Department of the
Interior (1010–0006). Please also submit
a copy of your comments to MMS by
any of the means below.
• Electronically: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled
‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter docket ID
MMS–2009–OMM–0013 then click
search. Under the tab ‘‘View By
Relevance’’ you can submit public
comments and view supporting and
related materials available for this
collection of information. The MMS will
post all comments.
• Mail or hand-carry comments to the
Department of the Interior; Minerals
Management Service; Attention: Cheryl
Blundon; 381 Elden Street, MS–4024;
Herndon, Virginia 20170–4817. Please
reference Information Collection 1010–
0006 in your subject line and include
your name and return address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787–1607. You
may also contact Cheryl Blundon to
obtain a copy, at no cost, of the
regulation and forms that require the
subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR 256, Leasing of Sulphur
or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental
Shelf, and 30 CFR 260, Outer
Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing.
Forms: MMS–150, MMS–151, MMS–
152, MMS–2028, and MMS–2028A.
OMB Control Number: 1010–0006.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C.
1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.),
authorizes the Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary) to prescribe rules and
regulations to administer leasing of the
OCS. Such rules and regulations will
apply to all operations conducted under
a lease. Operations on the OCS must
preserve, protect, and develop oil and
natural gas resources in a manner that
is consistent with the need to make such
resources available to meet the Nation’s
energy needs as rapidly as possible; to
balance orderly energy resource
development with protection of human,
marine, and coastal environments; to
ensure the public a fair and equitable
return on the resources of the OCS; and
to preserve and maintain free enterprise
competition. Also, the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA)
prohibits certain lease bidding
arrangements (42 U.S.C. 6213(c)).
The Independent Offices
Appropriations Act of 1952, 31 U.S.C.
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ADDRESSES:
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9701, authorizes Federal agencies to
recover the full cost of services that
provide special benefits. Under the
Department of the Interior’s policy
implementing this Act, the Minerals
Management Service (MMS) is required
to charge the full cost for services that
provide special benefits or privileges to
an identifiable non-Federal recipient
above and beyond those that accrue to
the public at large. Instruments of
transfer of a lease or interest are subject
to cost recovery, and MMS regulations
specify the filing fee for these transfer
applications.
These authorities and responsibilities
are among those delegated to the MMS
under which we issue regulations
governing oil and gas and sulphur
operations in the OCS. This information
collection request (ICR) addresses the
regulations at 30 CFR 256, Leasing of
Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the OCS, 30
CFR 260, Outer Continental Shelf Oil
and Gas Leasing, and the associated
supplementary Notices to Lessees and
Operators (NTLs) intended to provide
clarification, description, or explanation
of these regulations. This ICR also
concerns the use of forms to process
bonds per subpart I, Bonding, the
transfer of interest in leases per subpart
J, Assignments, Transfers and
Extensions, and the filing of
relinquishments per subpart K,
Termination of Leases. The forms are:
• MMS–150, Assignment of Record
Title Interest in Federal OCS Oil and
Gas Lease,
• MMS–151, Assignment of
Operating Rights Interest in Federal
OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
• MMS–152, Relinquishment of
Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
• MMS–2028, OCS Mineral Lessee’s
and Operator’s Bond,
• MMS–2028A, OCS Mineral Lessee’s
and Operator’s Supplemental Plugging
and Abandonment Bond.
Regulations implementing these
responsibilities are under 30 CFR part
256. Responses are mostly mandatory or
required to obtain or retain a benefit. No
questions of a sensitive nature are
asked. The MMS protects information
considered proprietary according to
section 26 of the OCS Lands Act, the
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.
552) and its implementing regulations
(43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR 256.10(d).
The MMS uses the information
required by 30 CFR part 256 to
determine if applicants are qualified to
hold leases in the OCS. Specifically,
MMS uses the information to:
• Verify the qualifications of a bidder
on an OCS lease sale. Once the required
information is filed with MMS, a
qualification number is assigned to the
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bidder so that duplicate information is
not required on subsequent filings.
• Develop the semiannual List of
Restricted Joint Bidders. This identifies
parties ineligible to bid jointly with
each other on OCS lease sales, under
limitations established by the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act.
• Ensure the qualification of
assignees and track operators on
leaseholds. Once a lease is awarded, the
transfer of a lessee’s interest to another
qualified party must be approved by an
MMS Regional Director or Regional
Supervisor. Also, a lessee may designate
an operator to act on the lessee’s behalf.
This designation must be approved by
MMS before the designated operator
may begin operations.
• Document that a leasehold or
geographical subdivision has been
surrendered by the record title holder.
The MMS will use this information to
update the corporate database which is
used to determine what leases are
available for a lease sale and the
ownership of all OCS leases. Nonproprietary information is also publicly
available from the MMS corporate
database via the Internet.
The MMS uses the information
required by subpart J—Assignments,
Transfers and Extensions, to track the
ownership of leases as to record title,
operating rights, and pipeline right-ofways.
The MMS also uses various forms
relating to this subpart. The forms allow
lessees to submit the required
information in a standardized format
that helps MMS process the data in a
more timely and efficient manner. The
five forms associated with this ICR and
their purposes are:
MMS–150—Assignment of Record Title
Interest in Federal OCS Oil and Gas
Lease
MMS–151—Assignment of Operating
Rights Interest in Federal OCS Oil and
Gas Lease
These two forms pertain to lease
ownership and status information that
are extremely important to the oil and
gas industry as they strategize longrange planning for oil and gas
development and the sharing of the
expense and liabilities of OCS offshore
drilling and development.
MMS–152—Relinquishment of Federal
OCS Oil and Gas Lease Form
Once a respondent submits this form,
the lessee has relinquished their interest
in the lease.
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MMS–2028—Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Minerals Lessee’s and Operator’s
Bond
MMS 2028A—Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Mineral Lessee’s and Operator’s
Supplemental Plugging and
Abandonment Bond
The MMS uses these two forms to
hold the surety libel for the obligations
Citation
30 CFR
Part 256 and NTLs
and liability of the principal/lessee or
operator.
Frequency: On occasion.
Description of Respondents: Potential
respondents comprise Federal oil, gas,
and sulphur lessees and operators.
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The
estimated annual hour burden for this
information collection is a total of
Reporting requirement
15,732 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.
Hour burden
Average number of
annual responses
Annual burden
hours
Non-hour cost burdens
Subparts A through F
Subparts A, C, E, H, L,
M.
None .......................................................................
Not applicable.
0.
Subparts G, H, I, J: 37;
53; 68; 70; 71; 72; 73.
Request approval for various operations or submit
plans or applications. [Approved collections include 1010–0114, 1010–0141, 1010–0142,
1010–0149, 1010–0151].
Burden included with other 30 CFR 250
approved collections.
0.
Subpart B: All sections ..
Submit suggestions and relevant information in
response to request for comments on proposed
5-year leasing program, including information
from States/local governments.
Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR
1320.3(h)(4).
0.
Subpart D: All sections ..
Submit response to Call for Information and
Nominations on areas for leasing of minerals in
specified areas in accordance with an approved
leasing program, including information from
States/local governments.
Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR
1320.3(h)(4).
0.
Subpart F: 31 .................
States or local governments submit comments/
recommendations on size, timing or location of
proposed lease sale.
4 .............................
10 responses .........
40.
Subtotal ...................
.................................................................................
................................
10 responses .........
40 hours.
Subpart G
Establish a Company File for pre-qualification;
submit updated information, submit qualifications for lessee/bidder, request exception.
2 .............................
104 responses .......
208.
41; 43; 46(g) ..................
Submit qualification of bidders for joint bids and
statement or report of production, along with
supporting information/appeal.
2 .............................
100 responses .......
200.
44; 46 .............................
Submit bids and required information ....................
5 .............................
2,000 bids ..............
10,000.
47(c) ...............................
File agreement to accept joint lease on tie bids ....
31⁄2 .........................
2 agreements .........
7.
47(e)(1), (e)(3) ...............
Request for reconsideration of bid rejection ..........
Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR
1320.3(h)(9).
0.
47(f), (i); 50 ....................
Execute lease (includes submission of evidence
of authorized agent and request for dating of
leases; lease stipulations).
1 .............................
852 leases .............
852.
Subtotal ...................
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Subpart G: 35; 46(d), (e)
.................................................................................
................................
3,058 responses ....
11,267 hours.
Subpart I
Subpart I: 52(f)(2), (g)(2)
Submit authority for Regional Director to sell
Treasury or alternate type of securities.
2 .............................
10 submissions ......
20.
53(a), 53(b); 54 ..............
OCS Mineral Lessee’s and Operator’s Bond
(Form MMS–2028).
14
⁄ ...........................
124 responses .......
31.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 43 / Friday, March 5, 2010 / Notices
Citation
30 CFR
Part 256 and NTLs
Reporting requirement
Hour burden
Average number of
annual responses
Annual burden
hours
53(c), (d), (f); 54(e) ........
Demonstrate financial worth/ability to carry out
present and future financial obligations, request
approval of another form of security, or request
reduction in amount of supplemental bond required.
31⁄2 .........................
165 submissions ....
578 (rounded).
54 ...................................
OCS Mineral Lessee’s and Operator’s Supplemental Plugging & Abandonment Bond (Form
MMS–2028A).
14
⁄ ...........................
136 responses .......
34.
55 ...................................
Notify MMS of any lapse in previous bond/action
filed alleging lessee, surety, or guarantor is insolvent or bankrupt.
1 .............................
3 notices ................
3.
56 ...................................
Provide plan/instructions to fund lease-specific
abandonment account and related information;
request approval to withdraw funds.
12 ...........................
1 submission ..........
12.
57 ...................................
Provide third-party guarantee, indemnity agreement, financial information, related notices, reports, and annual update; notify MMS if guarantor becomes unqualified.
19 ...........................
45 submissions ......
855.
57(d)(3); 58 ....................
Notice of and request approval to terminate period of liability, cancel bond, or other security.
12
⁄ ...........................
378 requests ..........
189.
59(c)(2) ..........................
Provide information to demonstrate lease will be
brought into compliance.
16 ...........................
5 responses ...........
80.
Subtotal ...................
.................................................................................
................................
867 responses .......
1,802 hours.
2 forms @ 30 min
ea = 1 hr.
1,680 applications/
forms.
1,680.
Subpart J
Subpart J: 62; 63; 64;
65; 67.
File application and required information for assignment or transfer for approval/comment on
filing fee (Forms MMS–150 and MMS–151).
1,680 Title/Rights (Transfer) Assignments @ $186–$312,480
63; 64(a)(8) ....................
Submit non-required documents, for record purposes, which respondents want MMS to file
with the lease document. [Accepted on behalf
of lessees as a service, MMS does not require
nor need the filings.].
0 .............................
2,995 documents ...
0.
2,995 @ $27 ea = $80,865
64(a)(7) ..........................
File required instruments creating or transferring
working interests, etc., for record purposes.
1 .............................
700 filings ..............
700.
Subtotal ...................
.................................................................................
................................
5,375 responses ....
2,380 hours.
$393,345 non-hour cost burdens
Subpart K
File written request for relinquishment (Form
MMS–152).
1 .............................
240 relinquishments
240.
77(c) ...............................
Comment on lease cancellation (MMS expects 1
in 10 years).
1 .............................
1 comment .............
1.
Subtotal ...................
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Subpart K: 76; 92(a) ......
.................................................................................
................................
241 responses .......
241 hours.
Subpart N
Subpart N: 92(a) ............
Request a bonus or royalty credit; submit supporting documentation.
1 .............................
1 request ................
1.
95 ...................................
Request approval to transfer bonus or credit to
another party; submit supporting information.
1 .............................
1 request ................
1.
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Citation
30 CFR
Part 256 and NTLs
Reporting requirement
Hour burden
Average number of
annual responses
.................................................................................
................................
2 responses ...........
Citation 30 CFR Part
260
Reporting requirement
Hour burden
Average number of
annual reponses
124(a) .............................
Request MMS to reconsider field assignment of a
lease.
Total Reporting .......
.................................................................................
Subtotal ...................
Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c).
9,553 Responses ...
................................
Annual burden
hours
2 hours.
Annual burden
hours
0.
15,732 Hours.
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$393,345 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden:
We have identified three paperwork
non-hour cost burdens associated with
the collection of information. Sections
256.62 and 256.64(a) require
respondents to pay service fees when
submitting either a request for
assignment of record title interest,
assignment of operating rights interest,
and/or to file documents for record
purposes. The service fees are required
to recover the Federal Government’s
processing costs. We have not identified
any other non-hour cost burdens
associated with this collection of
information, and we estimate a total
reporting non-hour cost burden of
$393,345.
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 October 6,
2009, we published a Federal Register
notice (74 FR 51316) announcing that
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we would submit this ICR to OMB for
approval. The notice provided the
required 60-day comment period. In
addition, § 256.0 provides the OMB
control number for the information
collection requirements imposed by the
30 CFR 256 regulations and their
associated forms. 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 have received no comments in
response to these 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. The
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 April 5, 2010.
Public Availability of Comments:
Before including your address, phone
number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
MMS Information Collection
Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202)
208–7744.
Dated: January 19, 2010.
William S. Hauser,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2010–4695 Filed 3–4–10; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R2–ES–2009–N278; 20124–1112–
0000–F2]
Environmental Impact Statement and
Habitat Conservation Plan for the
Incidental Take of Seven Federally
Listed Species by the Edwards Aquifer
Recovery Implementation Program
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
draft environmental impact statement
and draft habitat conservation plan;
announcement of public scoping
meetings; and request for comments.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), advise the
public that we intend to prepare a draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
to evaluate the impacts of, and
alternatives to, the proposed issuance of
an Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act), section 10(a)(1)(B)
permit to one or more members of the
Edwards Aquifer Recovery
Implementation Program (the
‘‘Applicant(s)’’) for incidental take of
seven Federally listed species from
activities associated with management
and use of the Edwards Aquifer. The
Applicant may include, among others,
the Edwards Aquifer Authority (‘‘EAA’’).
DATES: Written comments on
alternatives and issues to be addressed
in the draft EIS must be received by
close of business on June 3, 2010. Public
scoping meetings will be held at seven
locations throughout South Central and
South Texas. Public meetings will be
held between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Exact
meeting locations and times will be
noticed within 2 weeks prior to each
event in local newspapers and at the
Austin Ecological Services Office Web
site, https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/
AustinTexas/.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments by
mail to Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field
E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM
05MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10301-10305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4695]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS-2009-OMM-0013]
MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0006, Leasing of
Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf and Outer
Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing, Extension of a Collection;
Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0006).
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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 256, ``Leasing of Sulphur
or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf,'' and 30 CFR 260,
``Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing,'' and related documents.
This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on
the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.
DATES: Submit written comments by April 5, 2010.
[[Page 10302]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or e-mail
(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of
the Interior (1010-0006). Please also submit a copy of your comments to
MMS by any of the means below.
Electronically: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. In the
entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter docket ID MMS-2009-OMM-0013
then click search. Under the tab ``View By Relevance'' you can submit
public comments and view supporting and related materials available for
this collection of information. The MMS will post all comments.
Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference
Information Collection 1010-0006 in your subject line and include your
name and return address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulation and forms that require
the subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR 256, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the Outer
Continental Shelf, and 30 CFR 260, Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
Leasing.
Forms: MMS-150, MMS-151, MMS-152, MMS-2028, and MMS-2028A.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0006.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and
regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and
regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease.
Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and
natural gas resources in a manner that is consistent with the need to
make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as
rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development
with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure
the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and
to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Also, the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) prohibits certain lease
bidding arrangements (42 U.S.C. 6213(c)).
The Independent Offices Appropriations Act of 1952, 31 U.S.C. 9701,
authorizes Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that
provide special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's policy
implementing this Act, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is
required to charge the full cost for services that provide special
benefits or privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above
and beyond those that accrue to the public at large. Instruments of
transfer of a lease or interest are subject to cost recovery, and MMS
regulations specify the filing fee for these transfer applications.
These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to
the MMS under which we issue regulations governing oil and gas and
sulphur operations in the OCS. This information collection request
(ICR) addresses the regulations at 30 CFR 256, Leasing of Sulphur or
Oil and Gas in the OCS, 30 CFR 260, Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
Leasing, and the associated supplementary Notices to Lessees and
Operators (NTLs) intended to provide clarification, description, or
explanation of these regulations. This ICR also concerns the use of
forms to process bonds per subpart I, Bonding, the transfer of interest
in leases per subpart J, Assignments, Transfers and Extensions, and the
filing of relinquishments per subpart K, Termination of Leases. The
forms are:
MMS-150, Assignment of Record Title Interest in Federal
OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
MMS-151, Assignment of Operating Rights Interest in
Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
MMS-152, Relinquishment of Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
MMS-2028, OCS Mineral Lessee's and Operator's Bond,
MMS-2028A, OCS Mineral Lessee's and Operator's
Supplemental Plugging and Abandonment Bond.
Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR
part 256. Responses are mostly mandatory or required to obtain or
retain a benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The MMS
protects information considered proprietary according to section 26 of
the OCS Lands Act, the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and
its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR 256.10(d).
The MMS uses the information required by 30 CFR part 256 to
determine if applicants are qualified to hold leases in the OCS.
Specifically, MMS uses the information to:
Verify the qualifications of a bidder on an OCS lease
sale. Once the required information is filed with MMS, a qualification
number is assigned to the bidder so that duplicate information is not
required on subsequent filings.
Develop the semiannual List of Restricted Joint Bidders.
This identifies parties ineligible to bid jointly with each other on
OCS lease sales, under limitations established by the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act.
Ensure the qualification of assignees and track operators
on leaseholds. Once a lease is awarded, the transfer of a lessee's
interest to another qualified party must be approved by an MMS Regional
Director or Regional Supervisor. Also, a lessee may designate an
operator to act on the lessee's behalf. This designation must be
approved by MMS before the designated operator may begin operations.
Document that a leasehold or geographical subdivision has
been surrendered by the record title holder.
The MMS will use this information to update the corporate database
which is used to determine what leases are available for a lease sale
and the ownership of all OCS leases. Non-proprietary information is
also publicly available from the MMS corporate database via the
Internet.
The MMS uses the information required by subpart J--Assignments,
Transfers and Extensions, to track the ownership of leases as to record
title, operating rights, and pipeline right-of-ways.
The MMS also uses various forms relating to this subpart. The forms
allow lessees to submit the required information in a standardized
format that helps MMS process the data in a more timely and efficient
manner. The five forms associated with this ICR and their purposes are:
MMS-150--Assignment of Record Title Interest in Federal OCS Oil and Gas
Lease
MMS-151--Assignment of Operating Rights Interest in Federal OCS Oil and
Gas Lease
These two forms pertain to lease ownership and status information
that are extremely important to the oil and gas industry as they
strategize long-range planning for oil and gas development and the
sharing of the expense and liabilities of OCS offshore drilling and
development.
MMS-152--Relinquishment of Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease Form
Once a respondent submits this form, the lessee has relinquished
their interest in the lease.
[[Page 10303]]
MMS-2028--Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Minerals Lessee's and
Operator's Bond
MMS 2028A--Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Mineral Lessee's and
Operator's Supplemental Plugging and Abandonment Bond
The MMS uses these two forms to hold the surety libel for the
obligations and liability of the principal/lessee or operator.
Frequency: On occasion.
Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal
oil, gas, and sulphur lessees and operators.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 15,732
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.
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Average number of annual
Citation 30 CFR Part 256 and NTLs Reporting requirement Hour burden responses Annual burden hours
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Non-hour cost burdens
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Subparts A through F
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Subparts A, C, E, H, L, M........ None..................... Not applicable. 0.
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Subparts G, H, I, J: 37; 53; 68; Request approval for Burden included with other 30 CFR 250 approved collections. 0.
70; 71; 72; 73. various operations or
submit plans or
applications. [Approved
collections include 1010-
0114, 1010-0141, 1010-
0142, 1010-0149, 1010-
0151].
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Subpart B: All sections.......... Submit suggestions and Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4). 0.
relevant information in
response to request for
comments on proposed 5-
year leasing program,
including information
from States/local
governments.
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Subpart D: All sections.......... Submit response to Call Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4). 0.
for Information and
Nominations on areas for
leasing of minerals in
specified areas in
accordance with an
approved leasing
program, including
information from States/
local governments.
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Subpart F: 31.................... States or local 4............................ 10 responses................. 40.
governments submit
comments/recommendations
on size, timing or
location of proposed
lease sale.
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Subtotal..................... ......................... ............................. 10 responses................. 40 hours.
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Subpart G
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Subpart G: 35; 46(d), (e)........ Establish a Company File 2............................ 104 responses................ 208.
for pre-qualification;
submit updated
information, submit
qualifications for
lessee/bidder, request
exception.
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41; 43; 46(g).................... Submit qualification of 2............................ 100 responses................ 200.
bidders for joint bids
and statement or report
of production, along
with supporting
information/appeal.
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44; 46........................... Submit bids and required 5............................ 2,000 bids................... 10,000.
information.
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47(c)............................ File agreement to accept 3\1/2\....................... 2 agreements................. 7.
joint lease on tie bids.
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47(e)(1), (e)(3)................. Request for Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(9). 0.
reconsideration of bid
rejection.
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47(f), (i); 50................... Execute lease (includes 1............................ 852 leases................... 852.
submission of evidence
of authorized agent and
request for dating of
leases; lease
stipulations).
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Subtotal..................... ......................... ............................. 3,058 responses.............. 11,267 hours.
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Subpart I
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Subpart I: 52(f)(2), (g)(2)...... Submit authority for 2............................ 10 submissions............... 20.
Regional Director to
sell Treasury or
alternate type of
securities.
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53(a), 53(b); 54................. OCS Mineral Lessee's and \1/4\........................ 124 responses................ 31.
Operator's Bond (Form
MMS-2028).
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[[Page 10304]]
53(c), (d), (f); 54(e)........... Demonstrate financial 3\1/2\....................... 165 submissions.............. 578 (rounded).
worth/ability to carry
out present and future
financial obligations,
request approval of
another form of
security, or request
reduction in amount of
supplemental bond
required.
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54............................... OCS Mineral Lessee's and \1/4\........................ 136 responses................ 34.
Operator's Supplemental
Plugging & Abandonment
Bond (Form MMS-2028A).
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55............................... Notify MMS of any lapse 1............................ 3 notices.................... 3.
in previous bond/action
filed alleging lessee,
surety, or guarantor is
insolvent or bankrupt.
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56............................... Provide plan/instructions 12........................... 1 submission................. 12.
to fund lease-specific
abandonment account and
related information;
request approval to
withdraw funds.
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57............................... Provide third-party 19........................... 45 submissions............... 855.
guarantee, indemnity
agreement, financial
information, related
notices, reports, and
annual update; notify
MMS if guarantor becomes
unqualified.
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57(d)(3); 58..................... Notice of and request \1/2\........................ 378 requests................. 189.
approval to terminate
period of liability,
cancel bond, or other
security.
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59(c)(2)......................... Provide information to 16........................... 5 responses.................. 80.
demonstrate lease will
be brought into
compliance.
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Subtotal..................... ......................... ............................. 867 responses................ 1,802 hours.
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Subpart J
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Subpart J: 62; 63; 64; 65; 67.... File application and 2 forms @ 30 min ea = 1 hr... 1,680 applications/forms..... 1,680.
required information for
assignment or transfer
for approval/comment on
filing fee (Forms MMS-
150 and MMS-151).
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1,680 Title/Rights (Transfer) Assignments @ $186-$312,480
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63; 64(a)(8)..................... Submit non-required 0............................ 2,995 documents.............. 0.
documents, for record
purposes, which
respondents want MMS to
file with the lease
document. [Accepted on
behalf of lessees as a
service, MMS does not
require nor need the
filings.].
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2,995 @ $27 ea = $80,865
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64(a)(7)......................... File required instruments 1............................ 700 filings.................. 700.
creating or transferring
working interests, etc.,
for record purposes.
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Subtotal..................... ......................... ............................. 5,375 responses.............. 2,380 hours.
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$393,345 non-hour cost burdens
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Subpart K
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Subpart K: 76; 92(a)............. File written request for 1............................ 240 relinquishments.......... 240.
relinquishment (Form MMS-
152).
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77(c)............................ Comment on lease 1............................ 1 comment.................... 1.
cancellation (MMS
expects 1 in 10 years).
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Subtotal..................... ......................... ............................. 241 responses................ 241 hours.
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Subpart N
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Subpart N: 92(a)................. Request a bonus or 1............................ 1 request.................... 1.
royalty credit; submit
supporting documentation.
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95............................... Request approval to 1............................ 1 request.................... 1.
transfer bonus or credit
to another party; submit
supporting information.
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[[Page 10305]]
Subtotal..................... ......................... ............................. 2 responses.................. 2 hours.
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Citation 30 CFR Part 260 Reporting requirement Hour burden Average number of annual Annual burden hours
reponses
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124(a)........................... Request MMS to reconsider Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c). 0.
field assignment of a
lease.
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Total Reporting.............. ......................... 9,553 Responses.............. ............................. 15,732 Hours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$393,345 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
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Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have
identified three paperwork non-hour cost burdens associated with the
collection of information. Sections 256.62 and 256.64(a) require
respondents to pay service fees when submitting either a request for
assignment of record title interest, assignment of operating rights
interest, and/or to file documents for record purposes. The service
fees are required to recover the Federal Government's processing costs.
We have not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated with
this collection of information, and we estimate a total reporting non-
hour cost burden of $393,345.
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 October 6, 2009,
we published a Federal Register notice (74 FR 51316) announcing that we
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 256.0 provides the
OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed
by the 30 CFR 256 regulations and their associated forms. 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 have received no comments in response to these
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. The 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
April 5, 2010.
Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address,
phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202)
208-7744.
Dated: January 19, 2010.
William S. Hauser,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2010-4695 Filed 3-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
