Information Collection Activities: Unitization; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request, 56599-56602 [2014-22411]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 2014 / Notices B. Solicitation of Public Comment This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected parties concerning the collection of information described in Section A on the following: (1) 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; (2) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to these questions. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Dated: September 17, 2014. Colette Pollard, Department Reports Management Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–22484 Filed 9–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [RR04000000, 144R0680R1, RR.17549897.2014001.02] Draft Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Olmsted Hydroelectric Power Plant Replacement Project Office of the Assistant Secretary—Water and Science Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The Department of the Interior and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, as joint leads, are evaluating the impacts of a proposed replacement of the Olmsted Hydroelectric Power Plant, and have prepared an associated Draft Environmental Assessment for public review. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Submit written comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment by October 22, 2014. ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment to Mr. Chris Elison, 355 W. University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058–7303; by DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Sep 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 email to chrise@cuwcd.com; or by facsimile to 801–226–7150. Copies of the Draft Environmental Assessment are available for inspection at: • Central Utah Water Conservancy District, 355 West University Parkway, Orem, Utah 84058–7303 • Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 84606 In addition, the document is available at www.cuwcd.com, www.cupcao.gov, or www.cuwcd.com/olmsted/. Mr. W. Russ Findlay, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 84606; by calling 801–379–1084; or email at wfindlay@ usbr.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Department of the Interior, and Central Utah Water Conservancy District are publishing this notice pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The Draft Environmental Assessment presents analysis of the anticipated environmental effects of a proposed replacement of the Olmsted Hydroelectric Power Plant. The Proposed Action in the Draft Environmental Assessment includes: Constructing a new powerhouse, replacing the penstocks, modifying existing operations to utilize the 10 million gallon Olmsted Flow Equalization Reservoir, marketing the power generated, constructing operation and maintenance facilities, and improving access to the site. We are requesting public comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment. Before including your address, phone number, email 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: August 26, 2014. Reed R. Murray, Program Director, Central Utah Project Completion Act, Department of the Interior. [FR Doc. 2014–21768 Filed 9–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 56599 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement [Docket ID BSEE–2014–0005; OMB Control Number 1014–0015; 14XE1700DX EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000] Information Collection Activities: Unitization; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request ACTION: 30-day Notice. To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), BSEE is notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) for review approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under Subpart M, Unitization. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the revised paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. SUMMARY: You must submit comments by October 22, 2014. ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395–5806 or email (OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (1014–0015). Please provide a copy of your comments to BSEE by any of the means below. • Electronically go to https:// www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter BSEE–2014–0005 then click search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. We will post all comments. • Email nicole.mason@bsee.gov, fax (703) 787–1546, or mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; ATTN: Nicole Mason; 381 Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170–4817. Please reference ICR 1014–0015 in your comment and include your name and return address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Mason, Regulations and Standards Branch, (703) 787–1605, to request additional information about this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to https:// www.reginfo.gov (select Information Collection Review, Currently Under Review). DATES: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart M, Unitization. E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1 56600 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 2014 / Notices OMB Control Number: 1014–0015. 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. Section 1334(a) specifies that the Secretary ‘‘provide for the prevention of waste and conservation of the natural resources of the [O]uter Continental Shelf, and the protection of correlative rights therein’’ and include provisions for ‘‘unitization, pooling, and drilling agreements.’’ In addition to the general rulemaking authority of the OCS Lands Act at 43 U.S.C. 1334, section 301(a) of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C. 1751(a), grants authority to the Secretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as are reasonably necessary to carry out FOGRMA’s provisions. While the majority of FOGRMA is directed to royalty collection and enforcement, some provisions apply to offshore operations. For example, section 108 of FOGRMA, 30 U.S.C. 1718, grants the Secretary broad authority to inspect lease sites for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance with the mineral leasing laws. Section 109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 U.S.C. 1719(c)(2) and (d)(1), impose substantial civil penalties for failure to permit lawful inspections and for knowing or willful preparation or submission of false, inaccurate, or misleading reports, records, or other information. Because the Secretary has delegated some of the authority under FOGRMA to BSEE, 30 U.S.C. 1751 is included as additional authority for these requirements. The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104–133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 1996), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–25, authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) implementing policy, BSEE is required to charge fees for services that provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable nonFederal recipient above and beyond those which accrue to the public at large. Voluntary or revised unitization requests are required in Subpart M and are subject to cost recovery; BSEE regulations specify service fees for these requests. These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart M, concern the regulatory requirements relating to unitization on the OCS and are the subject of this collection. Responses are voluntary, mandatory, and are required to obtain or retain benefits. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The BSEE protects information considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOI’s regulations (43 CFR 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR part 250.197, Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited inspection, 30 CFR part 252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program. The BSEE must approve any lessee’s proposal to enter an agreement to unitize operations under two or more leases and for modifications when warranted. We use the information to ensure that operations under the proposed unit agreement will result in preventing waste, conserving natural resources, and protecting correlative rights including the government’s interests. Frequency: Generally on occasion. Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal OCS oil, gas, and sulphur lessees and/or operators, and holders of pipeline rights-of-way. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 5,772 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. BURDEN BREAKDOWN Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart M Recordkeeping and reporting requirement Hour burden Average number annual responses Annual burden hours Non-hour cost burdens * Requests 1301 ........................... Description of requirements ........................... Burden included in the following sections 0 1301(d), (f)(3), (g)(1), (g)(2)(ii). Request suspension of production or operations. Burden covered under Subpart A [1014–0022] 0 1302(b) ....................... Request preliminary determination on competitive reservoir. Request compulsory unitization, including submitting unit agreement, unit operating agreement, initial plan of operation, obtain approval of Regional Supervisor if required, and supporting data; serving nonconsenting lessees with documents. Request hearing on required unitization ........ 116 ............................. 1 request .................... 116 234 ............................. 1 request .................... 234 1 ................................. 1 request .................... 1 3 responses ............... 351 1 request .................... 47 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1304(b) ....................... 1304(d) ....................... Subtotal Submittals 1302(b) ....................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 Submit concurrence or objection on competitiveness with supporting evidence. 17:07 Sep 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 47 ............................... Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1 56601 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 2014 / Notices BURDEN BREAKDOWN—Continued Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart M 1302(c), (d) ................ 1303; 1304 ................. Recordkeeping and reporting requirement Hour burden Average number annual responses Submit joint plan of operations, supplemental plans, or a separate plan if agreement cannot be reached. * Submit revisions or modifications to unit agreement, unit operating agreement, plan of operation, change of unit operator, etc. 68 ............................... 1 plan ......................... 68 15 ............................... 41 revs/mods ............. 615 Annual burden hours $896 fees × 41 revisions/modifications = $36,736. 1303; 1304 ................. 1304(d) ....................... 1304(e) ....................... * Submit initial, and revisions to, participating area. Submit statement at hearing on compulsory unitization. Pay for and submit three copies of verbatim transcript of hearing. 76 ............................... 9 submissions ............ 684 5 ................................. 1 statement ................ 5 1 ................................. 1 submission .............. 1 Court reporter and 3 transcript copies for 1 hearing = $500. Subtotal 54 responses ............. 1,420 $37,236 non-hour cost burdens. General 1303 ........................... Apply for voluntary unitization, including submitting unit agreement, unit operating agreement, initial plan of operation, obtain approval of Regional Supervisor if required, and supporting data; request for variance from model agreement and other related requirements. 500 ............................. 8 apps/plans .............. 4,000 $12,619 fee × 8 applications/plans = $100,952. 1304(f) ........................ Appeal final order of compulsory unitization .. 1300–1304 ................. General departure and alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in subpart M regulations. Exempt as defined in 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c) 1 ................................. 0 1 9 responses ............... Subtotal 1 requests .................. 4,001 $100,952 non-hour cost burdens. Total Burden 66 Responses ............ 5,772 $138,188 Non-Hour Cost Burdens. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES * These requirements are specified in each Unit Agreement. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have identified three non-hour cost burdens associated with this information collection. Section 250.1303 requires respondents to pay filing fees when (1) applying for a voluntary unitization proposal or unit expansion ($12,619), as well as a (2) unitization revision ($896). The filing fees are required to recover the Federal Government’s processing costs. Section 250.1304(d) provides an opportunity for parties notified of compulsory unitization to request a hearing; therefore § 250.1304(e) requires the party seeking the compulsory unitization to (3) pay for the court VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Sep 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 reporter and three copies of the verbatim transcript of the hearing (approximately $500). It should be noted there have been no such hearings in the recent past, and none are expected in the near future. We have not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated with this collection of information. We estimate a total reporting non-hour cost burden of $138,188. Refer to the chart in Section A.12 of this supporting statement for the specific breakdown. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy 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 E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1 56602 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 2014 / Notices respondents, including the use of technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on May 19, 2014, we published a Federal Register notice (79 FR 28758) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, § 250.199 provides the OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR 250, Subpart M regulations. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We received no comments in response to the Federal Register notice. Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, phone number, email 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. Information Collection Clearance Officer: Cheryl Blundon, 703–787–1607. Dated: September 4, 2014. Robert W. Middleton, Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. [FR Doc. 2014–22411 Filed 9–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–VH–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS–R9–ES–2011–0099; FF09E40000 145 FXES11150900000] RIN 1018–AY29 Policy Regarding Voluntary Prelisting Conservation Actions Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Announcement of draft policy; extension of comment period. AGENCY: On July 22, 2014, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced a draft policy on crediting voluntary conservation actions taken for species prior to their listing under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed policy seeks to give landowners, government agencies, and others incentives to carry out voluntary conservation actions for nonlisted species by allowing the benefits to the asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Sep 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 species from a voluntary conservation action undertaken prior to listing under the Act to be used—either by the person who undertook such action or by a third party—to mitigate or to serve as a compensatory measure for the detrimental effects of another action undertaken after listing. This draft policy, if adopted, would help us further our efforts to protect native species and conserve the ecosystems on which they depend. We announce the extension of the comment period for our July 22, 2014, proposed policy to ensure the public has sufficient time to comment on the proposed policy. DATES: We will accept comments from all interested parties until November 6, 2014. Please note that if you are using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES below), the deadline for submitting an electronic comment is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on this date. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. In the Search box enter the Docket number for the proposed policy, which is FWS–R9–ES– 2011–0099. You may enter a comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment Now!’’. Please ensure that you have found the correct document before submitting your comment. • U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R9–ES–2011–0099; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; MS: PDM, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see Public Comments below for more information). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Serfis, Chief, Branch of Communications and Candidate Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: ES, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041– 3803, telephone 703/358–2171. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On July 22, 2014 (79 FR 42525), we published a draft policy on crediting voluntary conservation actions taken for species prior to their listing under the Endangered Species Act and requested comments, information, and suggestions from the public. See that document for specific questions we asked and for more detailed information. PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 We have received a request for an extension of the comment period from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies so that State fish and wildlife agencies could have adequate time to submit comments in response to the proposal. To accommodate this request, we extend the comment period for an additional 45 days. Public Comments If you previously submitted comments or information on the proposed policy, please do not resubmit them. We have incorporated them into the public record, and we will fully consider them in our final policy. Our final policy will take into consideration all written comments and any additional information we receive. We intend that a final policy will consider information and recommendations from all interested parties. We, therefore, solicit comments, information, and recommendations from governmental agencies, Indian Tribes, the scientific community, industry groups, environmental interest groups, and any other interested parties. All comments and materials received by the date listed above in DATES will be considered prior to the approval of a final document. If you submit information via https:// www.regulations.gov, your entire submission—including any personal identifying information—will be posted on the Web site. If your submission is made via a hardcopy that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: September 16, 2014. Stephen Guertin, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014–22493 Filed 9–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56599-56602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22411]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2014-0005; OMB Control Number 1014-0015; 14XE1700DX 
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Unitization; Submitted for 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request

ACTION: 30-day Notice.

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

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), BSEE 
is notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information 
collection request (ICR) for review approval of the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under Subpart M, Unitization. This 
notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the 
revised paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: You must submit comments by October 22, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or email 
(OIRASubmission@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
the Department of the Interior (1014-0015). Please provide a copy of 
your comments to BSEE by any of the means below.
     Electronically go to https://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2014-0005 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     Email nicole.mason@bsee.gov, fax (703) 787-1546, or mail 
or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of 
Safety and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; 
ATTN: Nicole Mason; 381 Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170-
4817. Please reference ICR 1014-0015 in your comment and include your 
name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Mason, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1605, to request additional information 
about this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to 
https://www.reginfo.gov (select Information Collection Review, Currently 
Under Review).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart M, Unitization.

[[Page 56600]]

    OMB Control Number: 1014-0015.
    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. Section 1334(a) specifies 
that the Secretary ``provide for the prevention of waste and 
conservation of the natural resources of the [O]uter Continental Shelf, 
and the protection of correlative rights therein'' and include 
provisions for ``unitization, pooling, and drilling agreements.''
    In addition to the general rulemaking authority of the OCS Lands 
Act at 43 U.S.C. 1334, section 301(a) of the Federal Oil and Gas 
Royalty Management Act (FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C. 1751(a), grants authority to 
the Secretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as are reasonably 
necessary to carry out FOGRMA's provisions. While the majority of 
FOGRMA is directed to royalty collection and enforcement, some 
provisions apply to offshore operations. For example, section 108 of 
FOGRMA, 30 U.S.C. 1718, grants the Secretary broad authority to inspect 
lease sites for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance 
with the mineral leasing laws. Section 109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 U.S.C. 
1719(c)(2) and (d)(1), impose substantial civil penalties for failure 
to permit lawful inspections and for knowing or willful preparation or 
submission of false, inaccurate, or misleading reports, records, or 
other information. Because the Secretary has delegated some of the 
authority under FOGRMA to BSEE, 30 U.S.C. 1751 is included as 
additional authority for these requirements.
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25, 
authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that 
confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI's) 
implementing policy, BSEE is required to charge fees for services that 
provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable non-Federal 
recipient above and beyond those which accrue to the public at large. 
Voluntary or revised unitization requests are required in Subpart M and 
are subject to cost recovery; BSEE regulations specify service fees for 
these requests.
    These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to 
BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart M, concern the regulatory 
requirements relating to unitization on the OCS and are the subject of 
this collection.
    Responses are voluntary, mandatory, and are required to obtain or 
retain benefits. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The BSEE 
protects information considered proprietary under the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOI's regulations (43 CFR 2), and 
under regulations at 30 CFR part 250.197, Data and information to be 
made available to the public or for limited inspection, 30 CFR part 
252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
    The BSEE must approve any lessee's proposal to enter an agreement 
to unitize operations under two or more leases and for modifications 
when warranted. We use the information to ensure that operations under 
the proposed unit agreement will result in preventing waste, conserving 
natural resources, and protecting correlative rights including the 
government's interests.
    Frequency: Generally on occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS oil, gas, and sulphur lessees and/or operators, and holders of 
pipeline rights-of-way.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 5,772 
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.

                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Recordkeeping and                         Average number     Annual burden
 Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart M    reporting requirement     Hour burden      annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Non-hour cost burdens *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Requests
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1301...........................  Description of            Burden included in the following    0
                                  requirements.                         sections
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1301(d), (f)(3), (g)(1),         Request suspension of   Burden covered under Subpart A [1014- 0
 (g)(2)(ii).                      production or                          0022]
                                  operations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1302(b)........................  Request preliminary     116..............  1 request........  116
                                  determination on
                                  competitive reservoir.
1304(b)........................  Request compulsory      234..............  1 request........  234
                                  unitization,
                                  including submitting
                                  unit agreement, unit
                                  operating agreement,
                                  initial plan of
                                  operation, obtain
                                  approval of Regional
                                  Supervisor if
                                  required, and
                                  supporting data;
                                  serving non-
                                  consenting lessees
                                  with documents.
1304(d)........................  Request hearing on      1................  1 request........  1
                                  required unitization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Subtotal                                   3 responses......  351
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Submittals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1302(b)........................  Submit concurrence or   47...............  1 request........  47
                                  objection on
                                  competitiveness with
                                  supporting evidence.

[[Page 56601]]

 
1302(c), (d)...................  Submit joint plan of    68...............  1 plan...........  68
                                  operations,
                                  supplemental plans,
                                  or a separate plan if
                                  agreement cannot be
                                  reached.
1303; 1304.....................  * Submit revisions or   15...............  41 revs/mods.....  615
                                  modifications to unit
                                  agreement, unit
                                  operating agreement,
                                  plan of operation,
                                  change of unit
                                  operator, etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       $896 fees x 41 revisions/modifications = $36,736.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1303; 1304.....................  * Submit initial, and   76...............  9 submissions....  684
                                  revisions to,
                                  participating area.
1304(d)........................  Submit statement at     5................  1 statement......  5
                                  hearing on compulsory
                                  unitization.
1304(e)........................  Pay for and submit      1................  1 submission.....  1
                                  three copies of
                                  verbatim transcript
                                  of hearing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Court reporter and 3 transcript copies for 1 hearing = $500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Subtotal                                   54 responses.....  1,420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       $37,236 non-hour cost burdens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1303...........................  Apply for voluntary     500..............  8 apps/plans.....  4,000
                                  unitization,
                                  including submitting
                                  unit agreement, unit
                                  operating agreement,
                                  initial plan of
                                  operation, obtain
                                  approval of Regional
                                  Supervisor if
                                  required, and
                                  supporting data;
                                  request for variance
                                  from model agreement
                                  and other related
                                  requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $12,619 fee x 8 applications/plans = $100,952.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1304(f)........................  Appeal final order of        Exempt as defined in 5 CFR       0
                                  compulsory                       1320.4(a)(2), (c)
                                  unitization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1300-1304......................  General departure and   1................  1 requests.......  1
                                  alternative
                                  compliance requests
                                  not specifically
                                  covered elsewhere in
                                  subpart M regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Subtotal                                   9 responses......  4,001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $100,952 non-hour cost burdens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Total Burden                                 66 Responses.....  5,772
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $138,188 Non-Hour Cost Burdens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* These requirements are specified in each Unit Agreement.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified three non-hour cost burdens associated with this information 
collection. Section 250.1303 requires respondents to pay filing fees 
when (1) applying for a voluntary unitization proposal or unit 
expansion ($12,619), as well as a (2) unitization revision ($896). The 
filing fees are required to recover the Federal Government's processing 
costs. Section 250.1304(d) provides an opportunity for parties notified 
of compulsory unitization to request a hearing; therefore Sec.  
250.1304(e) requires the party seeking the compulsory unitization to 
(3) pay for the court reporter and three copies of the verbatim 
transcript of the hearing (approximately $500).
    It should be noted there have been no such hearings in the recent 
past, and none are expected in the near future. We have not identified 
any other non-hour cost burdens associated with this collection of 
information. We estimate a total reporting non-hour cost burden of 
$138,188. Refer to the chart in Section A.12 of this supporting 
statement for the specific breakdown.
    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 
collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy 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

[[Page 56602]]

respondents, including the use of technology.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on May 19, 2014, we 
published a Federal Register notice (79 FR 28758) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  250.199 provides the 
OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements imposed 
by the 30 CFR 250, Subpart M regulations. The regulation also informs 
the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of 
information and provides the address to which they should send 
comments. We received no comments in response to the Federal Register 
notice.
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, email 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.
    Information Collection Clearance Officer: Cheryl Blundon, 703-787-
1607.

    Dated: September 4, 2014.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2014-22411 Filed 9-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P
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