Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; 30 CFR 551, Geological and Geophysical Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf, 8703-8707 [2018-04170]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2018 / Notices
TABLE 2—CONCESSION CONTRACTS EXTENDED AS INDICATED OR UNTIL THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF A NEW CONTRACT—
Continued
Park unit
CONCID
Point Reyes NS ...............................................
Concessioner
PORE005–08
Extension date
Steward Ranch, LLC .......................................
March 31, 2019.
TABLE 3—TEMPORARY CONCESSION CONTRACTS
Park unit
CONCID
Virgin Islands NP .............................................
VIIS008
Yellowstone NP ...............................................
YELL002
Teresa Austin,
Associate Director, Business Services.
BILLING CODE 4312–53–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–CONC–24212; PPWOBSADC0,
PPMVSCS1Y.Y00000]
Notice of Continuation of Concession
Contracts
National Park Service, Interior.
Public notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to the terms of
existing concession contracts, public
notice is hereby given that the National
Park Service has requested a
continuation of visitor services for the
periods specified below.
DATES: The continuation commences on
January 1, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Borda, Chief, Commercial
Services Program, National Park
Service, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop
2225, Washington, DC 20240,
Telephone: 202–513–7156.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
contracts listed below have been
extended to the maximum allowable
under 36 CFR 51.23. Under the
Park unit
Teresa Austin,
Associate Director, Business Services.
[FR Doc. 2018–04029 Filed 2–27–18; 8:45 am]
NACC003–86
INDE001–94
BLRI001–83
CAHA001–98
CAHA004–98
GLCA002–88
GLCA003–69
LAKE001–73
LAKE002–82
LAKE005–97
LAKE006–74
LAKE007–84
LAKE009–88
Guest Services, Inc.
Concepts by Staib, Ltd.
Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, Inc.
Koru Village Incorporated.
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, Inc.
ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment Services, Inc.
ARAMARK Leisure Services, Inc.
Rex G. Maughan and Ruth G. Maughan.
Lake Mead R.V. Village, LLC.
Rex G. Maughan and Ruth G. Maughan.
Las Vegas Boat Harbor, Inc.
Seven Resorts, Inc.
Temple Bar Marina, LLC.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; 30 CFR 551, Geological
and Geophysical Explorations of the
Outer Continental Shelf
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
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January 1, 2019.
Concessioner
[MMAA104000; OMB Control Number 1010–
0048; Docket ID: BOEM–2018–0016]
BILLING CODE 4312–53–P
April 13, 2018.
provisions of the respective concession
contracts and pending the completion of
the public solicitation of a prospectus
for a new concession contract, the
National Park Service authorizes
continuation of visitor services for a
period not-to-exceed 1 year
commencing January 1, 2018, under the
terms and conditions of the current
contract as amended. The continuation
of operations does not affect any rights
with respect to selection for award of a
new concession contract. The
publication of this notice merely reflects
the intent of the National Park Service
but does not bind the National Park
Service to continue any of the contracts
listed below.
CONCID
National Mall and Memorial Parks ........................................
Independence National Historical Park .................................
Blue Ridge Parkway ..............................................................
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ........................................
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ........................................
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ................................
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ................................
Lake Mead National Recreation Area ...................................
Lake Mead National Recreation Area ...................................
Lake Mead National Recreation Area ...................................
Lake Mead National Recreation Area ...................................
Lake Mead National Recreation Area ...................................
Lake Mead National Recreation Area ...................................
Effective date
Charter Diving, Charter Snorkeling, Charter
Sailing.
Retail, Food and Beverage, Groceries ...........
SUMMARY:
[FR Doc. 2018–04028 Filed 2–27–18; 8:45 am]
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Services
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) is proposing to renew an
information collection with revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before March
30, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on
this information collection request (ICR)
to the Office of Management and
Budget’s Desk Officer for the
Department of the Interior by email at
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov; or via
facsimile to 202–395–5806. Please
provide a copy of your comments to the
BOEM Information Collection Clearance
SUMMARY:
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Officer, Anna Atkinson, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia,
20166; or by email to anna.atkinson@
boem.gov. Please reference Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Control
Number 1010–0048 in the subject line of
your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request additional information about
this ICR, contact Anna Atkinson by
email, or by telephone at 703–787–1025.
You may also view the ICR at https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we
provide the general public and other
Federal agencies with an opportunity to
comment on new, proposed, revised,
and continuing collections of
information. This helps us assess the
impact of our information collection
requirements and minimize the public’s
reporting burden. It also helps the
public understand our information
collection requirements and provide the
requested data in the desired format.
Comments: A Federal Register notice
with a 60-day public comment period
soliciting comments on this collection
of information was published on August
31, 2017 (82 FR 41424). BOEM received
two comment letters during the 60-day
comment period. One comment from a
private citizen was not germane to the
PRA. The other comments were
received from the American Petroleum
Institute and the International
Association of Geophysical Contractors
(IAGC) on October 30, 2017. Their
comments include:
Comment 1: Rather than identifying
the specific vessel, may the applicant
provide information on the type of
vessel that will be used to conduct the
survey? BOEM can then proceed with
its review of the application. The vessel
name can be provided at a later date,
and assuming it has similar
specifications, further analysis by
BOEM would not be necessary. On
occasion application submissions are
delayed until the contractor/vessel is
known, and at other times companies
must request a modification to the
permit as contractors/vessels change.
BOEM Response: We have added the
change to Form BOEM–0327 at A.6 to
allow details of the vessel (other than
‘‘type’’) to be provided at a later date. If
the vessel information has not been
provided when the permit is ready to be
issued, BOEM will notify the permittee
that the permit is ready and they will
have 30 days to provide the vessel
information or their permit will be
canceled.
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Comment 2: Similarly, may third
party notification letters be submitted at
a later stage in the process after the
application is submitted? At times the
application is held up until these letters
are completed and distributed.
BOEM Response: Yes, they may be
submitted separately from the
application, but must be received before
the permit will be issued. BOEM is open
to discussions with IAGC on this topic.
Comment 3: Can BOEM routinely
notify all applicants of form updates?
Out of date templates have been used in
the past, which ultimately causes delay.
BOEM Response: Current fillable
forms are available on BOEM’s website
at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-OCSOperation-Forms/ and forms specific to
Geological & Geophysical (G&G)
exploration and permitting are posted at
https://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-GasEnergy-Program/Resource-Evaluation/
Regulation-of-Pre-lease-Exploration/GGPermit-Applications.aspx. All forms,
including both the application and
permit, are clearly marked with an OMB
approval date in the lower left hand
corner and state that previous editions
are obsolete.
Comment 4: BOEM has requested
comments on whether the information
collected was ‘‘processed and used in a
timely manner.’’ Currently, industry
finds the permitting process to be openended and uncertain. The Associations
recommend that BOEM establish a
timeline for permit review and
approval, similar to how drilling
permits are approved.
BOEM Response: There is no
regulatory time frame for processing
G&G permits. Internally, for GOM
applications BOEM attempts to issue
non-airgun high resolution permits, on
average, within 40 days and for bottom
disturbing and airgun permits, on
average, in 70 days. This may vary as a
result of work load at the permit
processing level and/or at the
environmental review level. In addition,
the time frames above do not include
any additional time required to obtain
additional or corrected information from
the applicant.
However, for G&G permits in the
Atlantic, the applicant must apply and
receive an Incidental Harassment
Authorization (IHA) from NMFS before
the permit will be issued. Because
NMFS is an independent agency, with
its own regulatory timelines, BOEM has
no control over their processes and
timelines.
Comment 5: BOEM acknowledges that
an application process for a single
permit in Alaska or the Atlantic takes
1,000 hours to complete, while the same
permit application in the Gulf of Mexico
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(GoM) may take 300 hours. This is a
conservative estimate and the time
required may be even greater. BOEM
explains that this extraordinary burden
is related to NEPA and the associated
mitigation requirements. However, such
a burden is unjustified, especially
considering that surveys are routinely
conducted without impact in similar
environments worldwide. Rather than
simply requesting approval for these
unjustified burdens, BOEM should
instead assess its permitting process and
determine how the burdens will be
reduced. Such a reduction would be
consistent with the purpose of the PRA.
The high permitting costs are entirely
inconsistent with the low and
effectively managed safety and
environmental risks from G&G
activities.
BOEM Response: BOEM recognizes
the commenter’s concern regarding the
burden hours associated with
processing a permit application but the
commenters did not provide specific
estimates or information to justify
modification of the burden hour
estimates. BOEM is interested in
specific estimates and recommendations
to consider modification of the burden
hours. Comments can be submitted to
OMB within 30 days of the notice’s
publication.
Additionally, in accordance with the
Trump Administration’s executive and
secretarial orders, most specifically
Executive Order 13783 and Secretary’s
Order 3350, BOEM has been working
with National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) to streamline processes and
improve efficiencies.
Comment 6: BOEM also should take
steps to reduce the estimated 300-hour
burden to apply for G&G permits in the
GoM. Thousands of such permits have
been issued and the environmental
effects have been fully assessed.
Mitigating measures have proved
effective and should not be changed
after a permit is issued. Applying for a
GoM permit should be a simple matter
of identifying the timing, location,
vessel and equipment, and mitigation.
Absent special circumstances, the
burden could be reduced by 90%
without increasing environmental risks.
BOEM Response: The burden hours
are used by the applicants to provide
BOEM with the appropriate
documentation to clearly and
completely describe their proposed
activity. This information is used by
BOEM to ensure a proper understanding
of the currently proposed activity and
the equipment to be used. This ensures
that an appropriate site/activity specific
environmental analysis is conducted.
Without the descriptive information
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being provided for each proposed
activity (thus the burden hours) BOEM
cannot ensure it is fulfilling its statutory
obligations under OCSLA and NEPA.
Comment 7: We encourage BOEM to
explore the creation of an electronic
permit application process. Efficiencies
for permit processing and man-hours
may be realized through electronic
permit applications.
BOEM Response: A web-based
process for the electronic submission/
issuance of BOEM G&G permitting is
being considered for the future.
Comment 8: Finally, while this ICR
addresses BOEM G&G permitting
activities, it fails to capture the entire
burden needed to conduct G&G
activities, which in some cases requires
(or may require in the future)
authorizations from the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) for incidental
take pursuant to the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA) and/or the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). For
example, for G&G permitting in the
Atlantic this is a required part of the
process, and the associated burdens
should be acknowledged in the ICR.
Industry’s G&G permitting experience in
the Atlantic has shown extreme delays
on the part of NMFS. Often applicants
are told that a BOEM G&G permit is
‘‘ready to be issued’’ (or has been
issued) long before the applicant
receives MMPA or ESA authorizations
from NMFS upon which the G&G permit
is contingent.
BOEM Response: NMFS, not BOEM,
has the authority for incidental take
authorizations under the MMPA and
ESA. Accordingly, the associated ICR
burden hours for these authorizations
are under the purview of NMFS. As
mentioned earlier, BOEM, NMFS, and
other Federal agencies are working
together to determine how the
permitting process might be expedited
and streamlined. However, in the final
analysis NMFS is an independent
agency with its own regulatory
timelines and processes.
We are again soliciting comments on
the proposed ICR that is described
below. We are especially interested in
public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) Is the collection
necessary to the proper functions of
BOEM? (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner?
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate?
(4) how might BOEM enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected? and (5) how
might BOEM minimize the burden of
this collection on the respondents,
including through the use of
information technology?
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Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. 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.
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
to prescribe rules and regulations to
administer leasing of mineral resources
on the OCS. The OCS Lands Act at 43
U.S.C. 1340 states that ‘‘any person
authorized by the Secretary may
conduct geological and geophysical
explorations in the OCS, which do not
interfere with or endanger actual
operations under any lease maintained
or granted pursuant to this subchapter,
and which are not unduly harmful to
aquatic life in such area.’’ The section
further provides that permits to conduct
such activities may only be issued if it
is determined that the applicant is
qualified; the activities will not interfere
with or endanger operations under any
lease issued or maintained pursuant to
OCSLA; and the activities will not be
unduly harmful to aquatic life, result in
pollution, create hazardous or unsafe
conditions, unreasonably interfere with
other uses of the area, or disturb any
site, structure, or object of historical or
archaeological significance.
Applicants for permits are required to
submit Form BOEM–0327 to provide the
information necessary to evaluate their
qualifications, and upon approval,
respondents are issued a permit.
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 OMB Circular A–25
authorize Federal agencies to recover
the full cost of services that confer
special benefits. All G&G permits are
subject to cost recovery, and BOEM
regulations specify service fees for these
requests.
Regulations to carry out these
responsibilities are contained in 30 CFR
part 551 and are the subject of this
information collection renewal. BOEM
uses the information to:
• Identify oil, gas, sulfur, and mineral
resources in the OCS;
• Ensure the receipt of fair value for
mineral resources;
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8705
• Ensure that the exploration
activities do not cause harm to the
environment or persons, or create
unsafe operations and conditions,
damage historical or archaeological
sites, or interfere with other uses;
• Analyze and evaluate preliminary
or planned drilling activities;
• Monitor progress and activities in
the OCS;
• Acquire G&G data and information
collected under a Federal permit
offshore; and
• Determine eligibility for
reimbursement from the government for
certain costs.
In this renewal, BOEM is renewing
Form BOEM–0327—Requirements for
Geological or Geophysical Explorations
or Scientific Research on the Outer
Continental Shelf. This form consists of
the requirements for G&G activities
requiring Permits and Notices, along
with the application that the respondent
submits to BOEM for approval, as well
as a nonexclusive use agreement for
scientific research, if applicable. The
requirements portion of the form lets the
respondents know the authority and
requirements, along with other relevant
information for the permit. BOEM is
making modifications to this form by
adding OCS boundary/3-mile limit to
plat information requirements.
To Attachment 1, Section A, BOEM
modified item 6 to allow for the
identification of vessel type in the event
that the vessel name is unknown. To
Attachment 1, Section C, item 2, BOEM
added ‘‘e. Submit relevant shapefiles
needed to recreate the map as part of the
required digital copy.’’ On page 11,
Section D, Proprietary Information
Attachment Required for an Application
for Geophysical Permit, item 3, BOEM
added ‘‘ping duration/cycle’’’ and ‘‘ping
rate’’ to the table and narrative.
Upon BOEM approval of the
application, respondents are issued a
permit using Form BOEM–0328, Permit
to Conduct Geophysical Exploration for
Mineral Resources or Scientific
Research on the Outer Continental
Shelf, for conducting geophysical
exploration for mineral resources or
scientific research, or Form BOEM–
0329, Permit to Conduct Geological
Exploration for Mineral Resources or
Scientific Research on the Outer
Continental Shelf, for conducting
geological exploration for mineral
resources or scientific research. These
permits are filled in by BOEM and do
not incur a respondent hour burden.
The currently approved OMB
paperwork burden is 40,954 annual
burden hours. Due to a reduction of
G&G permit applications annually in the
Gulf of Mexico, BOEM is decreasing the
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number of responses to 688 responses
and annual burden hours to 35,254
burden hours.
We protect proprietary information in
accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 522) and the
Department of the Interior’s
implementing regulations (43 CFR part
2), and under regulation at 30 CFR part
551.
Title of Collection: 30 CFR 551,
Geological and Geophysical
Citation 30 CFR 551
Explorations of the Outer Continental
Shelf.
OMB Control Number: 1010–0048.
Form Number: BOEM–0327,
Requirements for Geological or
Geophysical Explorations or Scientific
Research on the Outer Continental
Shelf.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public:
Potential respondents comprise Federal
Reporting and recordkeeping requirement
OCS oil, gas, and sulphur permittees or
notice filers.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 688 responses.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 35,254 hours.
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion,
annual, or as specified in permits.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour
Burden Cost: $136,816.
Average
number of annual
responses
Hour burden
Annual
burden
hours
Non-hour cost burden *
30 CFR 551.1 Through 551.6
551.4(a), (b); 551.5(a),
(b), (d); 551.6; 551.7.
Apply for permits (Form BOEM–0327) to
conduct G&G exploration, including deep
stratigraphic tests/revisions when necessary. Submit required information in
manner specified.
1,000 AK ** .....................
1,000 ATL & Pacific ** ...
300 GOM .......................
4 Applications ................
9 Applications ................
55 Applications ..............
4,000
9,000
16,500
68 applications × $2,012 = $136,816
551.4(b); 551.5(c), (d);
551.6.
File notices to conduct scientific research activities, including notice to BOEM prior to
beginning and after concluding activities.
1 .....................................
1 Notice ..........................
1
551.6(b) 551.7(b)(5) .......
Notify BOEM if specific actions occur; report
archaeological resources (no instances reported since 1982). Consult with other
users.
1 .....................................
1 Notice ..........................
1
Subtotal ............................................................................................................................................
70 responses .................
29,502
$136,816 non-hour cost burden
30 CFR 551.7 Through 551.9
Submit APD and Supplemental APD to
BSEE.
Burden included under BSEE regulations at 30 CFR
250, Subpart D (1014–0018).
0
551.7; 551.8(b) ...............
Submit information on test drilling activities
under a permit, including required information and plan revisions (e.g., drilling plan
and environmental report).
1 .....................................
1 Submission .................
1
551.7(c) ..........................
Enter into agreement for group participation
in test drilling, including publishing summary statement; provide BOEM copy of
notice/list of participants (no agreements
submitted since 1989).
1 .....................................
1 Agreement ..................
1
551.7(d) ..........................
Submit bond(s) on deep stratigraphic test .....
and required securities ...............................
551.8(a) ..........................
Request reimbursement for certain costs associated with BOEM inspections (no requests in many years).
1 .....................................
1 Request ......................
1
551.8(b), (c) ...................
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551.7; 551.8 ...................
Submit modifications to permits, and status/
final reports on, activities conducted under
a permit.
38 AK ** ..........................
4 Respondents ×10 Reports = 40.
9 Respondents × 10 Reports = 90.
55 Respondents × 3 Reports = 165.
1,520
3,420
⁄ ...................................
2 Notices ........................
1
Subtotal ............................................................................................................................................
300 responses ...............
5,274
Burden included under 30 CFR Part 556
(1010–0006).
38 ATL ** ........................
2 GOM ...........................
551.9(c) ..........................
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Citation 30 CFR 551
Reporting and recordkeeping requirement
Average
number of annual
responses
Hour burden
Annual
burden
hours
Non-hour cost burden *
30 CFR 551.10 Through 551.13
551.10(c) ........................
File appeals ....................................................
Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c).
0
551.11; 551.12 ...............
Notify BOEM and submit G&G data and/or
information collected and/or processed by
permittees, bidders, or 3rd parties, etc., including reports, logs or charts, results,
analyses, descriptions, information as required, and agreements, in manner specified.
4 .....................................
40 Submissions .............
160
551.13 ............................
Request reimbursement for certain costs associated with reproducing data/information.
2 .....................................
40 Submissions .............
80
Subtotal ............................................................................................................................................
80 responses .................
240
30 CFR 551.14
551.14(a), (b) .................
Submit comments on BOEM intent to disclose data and/or information to the public.
1 .....................................
2 Comments ..................
2
551.14(c)(2) ....................
Submit comments on BOEM intent to disclose data and/or information to an independent contractor/agent.
1 .....................................
2 Comments ..................
2
551.14(c)(4) ....................
Contractor/agent submits written commitment
not to sell, trade, license, or disclose data
and/or information without BOEM consent.
1 .....................................
2 Commitments ..............
2
551.1–551.14 .................
General departure and alternative compliance requests not specifically covered
elsewhere in part 551 regulations.
1 .....................................
2 Requests .....................
2
Subtotal ............................................................................................................................................
8 responses ...................
8
Extension for Permit Form & Recordkeeping
551.14(b) (BOEM–0327)
Request extension of permit time period;
enter agreements.
1 .....................................
100 Extensions ..............
100
Retain G&G data/information for 10 years
and make available to BOEM upon request.
1 .....................................
130 Recordkeepers .......
130
Subtotal ............................................................................................................................................
230 responses ...............
230
Total Burden .............................................................................................................................
688 Responses ..............
35,254
$136,816 Non-Hour Cost Burden
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* Fees are subject to modification per inflation annually.
** Burden hours for the frontier areas of the Alaska Region and Atlantic OCS are significantly higher because of NEPA and mitigation requirements. BOEM is accounting for the total time to compile/submit the necessary information to obtain the required authorizations to acquire a
BOEM permit.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
The authority for this action is the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Dated: February 26, 2018.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation and
Analysis.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8703-8707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04170]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[MMAA104000; OMB Control Number 1010-0048; Docket ID: BOEM-2018-0016]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; 30 CFR 551,
Geological and Geophysical Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is proposing to renew an
information collection with revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
March 30, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the
Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or
via facsimile to 202-395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments
to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance
[[Page 8704]]
Officer, Anna Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia, 20166; or by email to
[email protected]. Please reference Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Control Number 1010-0048 in the subject line of your
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this ICR, contact Anna Atkinson by email, or by telephone at 703-
787-1025. You may also view the ICR at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA), we provide the general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired
format.
Comments: A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment
period soliciting comments on this collection of information was
published on August 31, 2017 (82 FR 41424). BOEM received two comment
letters during the 60-day comment period. One comment from a private
citizen was not germane to the PRA. The other comments were received
from the American Petroleum Institute and the International Association
of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) on October 30, 2017. Their comments
include:
Comment 1: Rather than identifying the specific vessel, may the
applicant provide information on the type of vessel that will be used
to conduct the survey? BOEM can then proceed with its review of the
application. The vessel name can be provided at a later date, and
assuming it has similar specifications, further analysis by BOEM would
not be necessary. On occasion application submissions are delayed until
the contractor/vessel is known, and at other times companies must
request a modification to the permit as contractors/vessels change.
BOEM Response: We have added the change to Form BOEM-0327 at A.6 to
allow details of the vessel (other than ``type'') to be provided at a
later date. If the vessel information has not been provided when the
permit is ready to be issued, BOEM will notify the permittee that the
permit is ready and they will have 30 days to provide the vessel
information or their permit will be canceled.
Comment 2: Similarly, may third party notification letters be
submitted at a later stage in the process after the application is
submitted? At times the application is held up until these letters are
completed and distributed.
BOEM Response: Yes, they may be submitted separately from the
application, but must be received before the permit will be issued.
BOEM is open to discussions with IAGC on this topic.
Comment 3: Can BOEM routinely notify all applicants of form
updates? Out of date templates have been used in the past, which
ultimately causes delay.
BOEM Response: Current fillable forms are available on BOEM's
website at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-OCS-Operation-Forms/ and forms
specific to Geological & Geophysical (G&G) exploration and permitting
are posted at https://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Resource-Evaluation/Regulation-of-Pre-lease-Exploration/GG-Permit-Applications.aspx. All forms, including both the application and
permit, are clearly marked with an OMB approval date in the lower left
hand corner and state that previous editions are obsolete.
Comment 4: BOEM has requested comments on whether the information
collected was ``processed and used in a timely manner.'' Currently,
industry finds the permitting process to be open-ended and uncertain.
The Associations recommend that BOEM establish a timeline for permit
review and approval, similar to how drilling permits are approved.
BOEM Response: There is no regulatory time frame for processing G&G
permits. Internally, for GOM applications BOEM attempts to issue non-
airgun high resolution permits, on average, within 40 days and for
bottom disturbing and airgun permits, on average, in 70 days. This may
vary as a result of work load at the permit processing level and/or at
the environmental review level. In addition, the time frames above do
not include any additional time required to obtain additional or
corrected information from the applicant.
However, for G&G permits in the Atlantic, the applicant must apply
and receive an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) from NMFS
before the permit will be issued. Because NMFS is an independent
agency, with its own regulatory timelines, BOEM has no control over
their processes and timelines.
Comment 5: BOEM acknowledges that an application process for a
single permit in Alaska or the Atlantic takes 1,000 hours to complete,
while the same permit application in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) may take
300 hours. This is a conservative estimate and the time required may be
even greater. BOEM explains that this extraordinary burden is related
to NEPA and the associated mitigation requirements. However, such a
burden is unjustified, especially considering that surveys are
routinely conducted without impact in similar environments worldwide.
Rather than simply requesting approval for these unjustified burdens,
BOEM should instead assess its permitting process and determine how the
burdens will be reduced. Such a reduction would be consistent with the
purpose of the PRA. The high permitting costs are entirely inconsistent
with the low and effectively managed safety and environmental risks
from G&G activities.
BOEM Response: BOEM recognizes the commenter's concern regarding
the burden hours associated with processing a permit application but
the commenters did not provide specific estimates or information to
justify modification of the burden hour estimates. BOEM is interested
in specific estimates and recommendations to consider modification of
the burden hours. Comments can be submitted to OMB within 30 days of
the notice's publication.
Additionally, in accordance with the Trump Administration's
executive and secretarial orders, most specifically Executive Order
13783 and Secretary's Order 3350, BOEM has been working with National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to streamline processes and improve
efficiencies.
Comment 6: BOEM also should take steps to reduce the estimated 300-
hour burden to apply for G&G permits in the GoM. Thousands of such
permits have been issued and the environmental effects have been fully
assessed. Mitigating measures have proved effective and should not be
changed after a permit is issued. Applying for a GoM permit should be a
simple matter of identifying the timing, location, vessel and
equipment, and mitigation. Absent special circumstances, the burden
could be reduced by 90% without increasing environmental risks.
BOEM Response: The burden hours are used by the applicants to
provide BOEM with the appropriate documentation to clearly and
completely describe their proposed activity. This information is used
by BOEM to ensure a proper understanding of the currently proposed
activity and the equipment to be used. This ensures that an appropriate
site/activity specific environmental analysis is conducted. Without the
descriptive information
[[Page 8705]]
being provided for each proposed activity (thus the burden hours) BOEM
cannot ensure it is fulfilling its statutory obligations under OCSLA
and NEPA.
Comment 7: We encourage BOEM to explore the creation of an
electronic permit application process. Efficiencies for permit
processing and man-hours may be realized through electronic permit
applications.
BOEM Response: A web-based process for the electronic submission/
issuance of BOEM G&G permitting is being considered for the future.
Comment 8: Finally, while this ICR addresses BOEM G&G permitting
activities, it fails to capture the entire burden needed to conduct G&G
activities, which in some cases requires (or may require in the future)
authorizations from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for
incidental take pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
and/or the Endangered Species Act (ESA). For example, for G&G
permitting in the Atlantic this is a required part of the process, and
the associated burdens should be acknowledged in the ICR. Industry's
G&G permitting experience in the Atlantic has shown extreme delays on
the part of NMFS. Often applicants are told that a BOEM G&G permit is
``ready to be issued'' (or has been issued) long before the applicant
receives MMPA or ESA authorizations from NMFS upon which the G&G permit
is contingent.
BOEM Response: NMFS, not BOEM, has the authority for incidental
take authorizations under the MMPA and ESA. Accordingly, the associated
ICR burden hours for these authorizations are under the purview of
NMFS. As mentioned earlier, BOEM, NMFS, and other Federal agencies are
working together to determine how the permitting process might be
expedited and streamlined. However, in the final analysis NMFS is an
independent agency with its own regulatory timelines and processes.
We are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is
described below. We are especially interested in public comment
addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the
proper functions of BOEM? (2) will this information be processed and
used in a timely manner? (3) is the estimate of burden accurate? (4)
how might BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected? and (5) how might BOEM minimize the burden
of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of
information technology?
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. 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.
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 to prescribe rules and regulations to
administer leasing of mineral resources on the OCS. The OCS Lands Act
at 43 U.S.C. 1340 states that ``any person authorized by the Secretary
may conduct geological and geophysical explorations in the OCS, which
do not interfere with or endanger actual operations under any lease
maintained or granted pursuant to this subchapter, and which are not
unduly harmful to aquatic life in such area.'' The section further
provides that permits to conduct such activities may only be issued if
it is determined that the applicant is qualified; the activities will
not interfere with or endanger operations under any lease issued or
maintained pursuant to OCSLA; and the activities will not be unduly
harmful to aquatic life, result in pollution, create hazardous or
unsafe conditions, unreasonably interfere with other uses of the area,
or disturb any site, structure, or object of historical or
archaeological significance.
Applicants for permits are required to submit Form BOEM-0327 to
provide the information necessary to evaluate their qualifications, and
upon approval, respondents are issued a permit.
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 OMB Circular A-25 authorize Federal agencies to recover the
full cost of services that confer special benefits. All G&G permits are
subject to cost recovery, and BOEM regulations specify service fees for
these requests.
Regulations to carry out these responsibilities are contained in 30
CFR part 551 and are the subject of this information collection
renewal. BOEM uses the information to:
Identify oil, gas, sulfur, and mineral resources in the
OCS;
Ensure the receipt of fair value for mineral resources;
Ensure that the exploration activities do not cause harm
to the environment or persons, or create unsafe operations and
conditions, damage historical or archaeological sites, or interfere
with other uses;
Analyze and evaluate preliminary or planned drilling
activities;
Monitor progress and activities in the OCS;
Acquire G&G data and information collected under a Federal
permit offshore; and
Determine eligibility for reimbursement from the
government for certain costs.
In this renewal, BOEM is renewing Form BOEM-0327--Requirements for
Geological or Geophysical Explorations or Scientific Research on the
Outer Continental Shelf. This form consists of the requirements for G&G
activities requiring Permits and Notices, along with the application
that the respondent submits to BOEM for approval, as well as a
nonexclusive use agreement for scientific research, if applicable. The
requirements portion of the form lets the respondents know the
authority and requirements, along with other relevant information for
the permit. BOEM is making modifications to this form by adding OCS
boundary/3-mile limit to plat information requirements.
To Attachment 1, Section A, BOEM modified item 6 to allow for the
identification of vessel type in the event that the vessel name is
unknown. To Attachment 1, Section C, item 2, BOEM added ``e. Submit
relevant shapefiles needed to recreate the map as part of the required
digital copy.'' On page 11, Section D, Proprietary Information
Attachment Required for an Application for Geophysical Permit, item 3,
BOEM added ``ping duration/cycle''' and ``ping rate'' to the table and
narrative.
Upon BOEM approval of the application, respondents are issued a
permit using Form BOEM-0328, Permit to Conduct Geophysical Exploration
for Mineral Resources or Scientific Research on the Outer Continental
Shelf, for conducting geophysical exploration for mineral resources or
scientific research, or Form BOEM-0329, Permit to Conduct Geological
Exploration for Mineral Resources or Scientific Research on the Outer
Continental Shelf, for conducting geological exploration for mineral
resources or scientific research. These permits are filled in by BOEM
and do not incur a respondent hour burden.
The currently approved OMB paperwork burden is 40,954 annual burden
hours. Due to a reduction of G&G permit applications annually in the
Gulf of Mexico, BOEM is decreasing the
[[Page 8706]]
number of responses to 688 responses and annual burden hours to 35,254
burden hours.
We protect proprietary information in accordance with the Freedom
of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 522) and the Department of the Interior's
implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and under regulation at 30
CFR part 551.
Title of Collection: 30 CFR 551, Geological and Geophysical
Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0048.
Form Number: BOEM-0327, Requirements for Geological or Geophysical
Explorations or Scientific Research on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents comprise Federal
OCS oil, gas, and sulphur permittees or notice filers.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 688 responses.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 35,254 hours.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion, annual, or as specified in
permits.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $136,816.
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Reporting and Average number of annual Annual burden
Citation 30 CFR 551 recordkeeping requirement Hour burden responses hours
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Non-hour cost burden *
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30 CFR 551.1 Through 551.6
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551.4(a), (b); 551.5(a), (b), (d); Apply for permits (Form 1,000 AK **........................ 4 Applications..................... 4,000
551.6; 551.7. BOEM-0327) to conduct 1,000 ATL & Pacific **............. 9 Applications..................... 9,000
G&G exploration, 300 GOM............................ 55 Applications.................... 16,500
including deep
stratigraphic tests/
revisions when
necessary. Submit
required information in
manner specified.
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68 applications x $2,012 = $136,816
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551.4(b); 551.5(c), (d); 551.6..... File notices to conduct 1.................................. 1 Notice........................... 1
scientific research
activities, including
notice to BOEM prior to
beginning and after
concluding activities.
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551.6(b) 551.7(b)(5)............... Notify BOEM if specific 1.................................. 1 Notice........................... 1
actions occur; report
archaeological resources
(no instances reported
since 1982). Consult
with other users.
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Subtotal....................................................................................... 70 responses....................... 29,502
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$136,816 non-hour cost burden
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30 CFR 551.7 Through 551.9
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551.7; 551.8....................... Submit APD and Burden included under BSEE regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart D (1014- 0
Supplemental APD to BSEE. 0018).
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551.7; 551.8(b).................... Submit information on 1.................................. 1 Submission....................... 1
test drilling activities
under a permit,
including required
information and plan
revisions (e.g.,
drilling plan and
environmental report).
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551.7(c)........................... Enter into agreement for 1.................................. 1 Agreement........................ 1
group participation in
test drilling, including
publishing summary
statement; provide BOEM
copy of notice/list of
participants (no
agreements submitted
since 1989).
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551.7(d)........................... Submit bond(s) on deep Burden included under 30 CFR Part 556 0
stratigraphic test.
and required securities. (1010-0006). ..............
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551.8(a)........................... Request reimbursement for 1.................................. 1 Request.......................... 1
certain costs associated
with BOEM inspections
(no requests in many
years).
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551.8(b), (c)...................... Submit modifications to 38 AK **........................... 4 Respondents x10 Reports = 40..... 1,520
permits, and status/ ................................... 9 Respondents x 10 Reports = 90.... ..............
final reports on, 38 ATL **.......................... 3,420
activities conducted
under a permit.
2 GOM.............................. 55 Respondents x 3 Reports = 165... 330
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551.9(c)........................... Notify BOEM to relinquish \1/2\.............................. 2 Notices.......................... 1
a permit.
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Subtotal....................................................................................... 300 responses...................... 5,274
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[[Page 8707]]
30 CFR 551.10 Through 551.13
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551.10(c).......................... File appeals............. Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c). 0
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551.11; 551.12..................... Notify BOEM and submit 4.................................. 40 Submissions..................... 160
G&G data and/or
information collected
and/or processed by
permittees, bidders, or
3rd parties, etc.,
including reports, logs
or charts, results,
analyses, descriptions,
information as required,
and agreements, in
manner specified.
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551.13............................. Request reimbursement for 2.................................. 40 Submissions..................... 80
certain costs associated
with reproducing data/
information.
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Subtotal....................................................................................... 80 responses....................... 240
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30 CFR 551.14
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551.14(a), (b)..................... Submit comments on BOEM 1.................................. 2 Comments......................... 2
intent to disclose data
and/or information to
the public.
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551.14(c)(2)....................... Submit comments on BOEM 1.................................. 2 Comments......................... 2
intent to disclose data
and/or information to an
independent contractor/
agent.
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551.14(c)(4)....................... Contractor/agent submits 1.................................. 2 Commitments...................... 2
written commitment not
to sell, trade, license,
or disclose data and/or
information without BOEM
consent.
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551.1-551.14....................... General departure and 1.................................. 2 Requests......................... 2
alternative compliance
requests not
specifically covered
elsewhere in part 551
regulations.
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Subtotal....................................................................................... 8 responses........................ 8
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Extension for Permit Form & Recordkeeping
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551.14(b) (BOEM-0327).............. Request extension of 1.................................. 100 Extensions..................... 100
permit time period;
enter agreements.
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Retain G&G data/ 1.................................. 130 Recordkeepers.................. 130
information for 10 years
and make available to
BOEM upon request.
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Subtotal....................................................................................... 230 responses...................... 230
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Total Burden............................................................................... 688 Responses...................... 35,254
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$136,816 Non-Hour Cost Burden
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* Fees are subject to modification per inflation annually.
** Burden hours for the frontier areas of the Alaska Region and Atlantic OCS are significantly higher because of NEPA and mitigation requirements. BOEM
is accounting for the total time to compile/submit the necessary information to obtain the required authorizations to acquire a BOEM permit.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Dated: February 26, 2018.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2018-04170 Filed 2-27-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
