Agency Information Collection Activities; Helium Contracts, 23979-23980 [2021-09495]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 5, 2021 / Notices Alternative 2—Use the updated species-specific priors, and because bald eagle populations are increasing and additional take is sustainable (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2016a,c), accept a more risk-tolerant CRM approach for the initial permitted take number for bald eagles. Alternative 3—Given the limitations in data available to inform the bald eagle priors, initiate an expertelicitation process to further refine the bald eagle priors. Of the 58 comments received during the two comment periods, we received substantive comments from several entities, including States, environmental organizations, and wind-energy organizations or companies. Many of the comments stated that the Service’s CRM either overestimated or underestimated eagle fatalities, or stated that another method for estimating exposures and collisions should be adopted. Because the CRM has been the subject of three prior peer reviews and three rounds of public comment (February 18, 2011; May 2, 2013; May 6, 2016 [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2011, 2013, 2016]), including being considered in detail as part of the 2016 revisions to the regulations pertaining to incidental take of eagles and eagle nests (81 FR 91494, December 16, 2016), we regarded these comments as outside the scope of this notice and we did not consider them further. Most of the comments were in support of Alternative 1, use of the 80th quantile of the species-specific fatality distributions. However, many comments from the wind industry opposed Alternative 1 and asserted that approach was not based on best available science and results in unduly burdensome higher costs for eagle take that is unlikely to occur. Industry largely objected to Alternative 2 because the underlying priors are still based on data that does not represent all locations in the United States. One energy coalition suggested that Alternative 2 should not be used because a confidence interval should not be prematurely selected until the Service has validated the model. This validation process should include public input to ensure that those impacted by the take estimates have an opportunity to evaluate and opine on the impacts of any confidence interval selected. A major trade association commented that Alternative 2 using the 50th or 60th quantile of the fatality distribution for bald eagles as the permitted take number would be preferable to the current use of the 80th quantile. VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:06 May 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 Industry rejected Alternative 3 on the grounds that available data and reports on eagle and wind interaction exist that could be used to inform a reasonable risk assessment approach without the need for eliciting scientific and technical judgments from experts. However, of the State fish and wildlife agencies that commented, most supported Alternative 3 because a further refined national bald eagle prior using expert elicitation would help to inform the uncertainty in the exposure and collision probability for bald eagles given their variable densities across the landscape. Service Decision The Service is adopting Alternative 2 as the best approach given currently available data and status of eagle populations. We will use the 80th quantile of the fatality distribution as the initial permitted take number for golden eagles and the 60th quantile of the fatality distribution as the initial permitted take number for bald eagles. We regard this approach as a suitable balance between the more secure status of bald eagles and the uncertainty in their take estimates that is consistent with our 2016 Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (USFWS 2016a). With regard to initiating an expert elicitation process, we agree with many States that gathering additional information from either experts or industry has the potential to further refine the bald eagle priors. For this reason, we may choose to engage in an expert elicitation process in the future. In the meantime, the best method to gain the information needed to develop a more accurate assessment is through fatality monitoring of permitted projects. The fatality-estimation process using the CRM is an exercise in adaptive management, and as more data are collected the Service will continue to revise and update the priors over time. Should it become apparent that a different risk balance is appropriate based on additional data, we will address that scenario in conjunction with a future update of the CRM. In order to streamline the adaptive management process and ensure rapid adoption of new scientific information going forward, in the future the Service will update and implement the updated priors for both eagle species as soon as sufficient new information becomes available to warrant an update. We will notify the public of future updates by posting them on the Service’s Eagle Management web page (https:// www.fws.gov/birds/management/ PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23979 managed-species/eaglemanagement.php) or the equivalent. Upon publication of this notice, we will use the following data and risk tolerances for initial fatality predictions at wind energy facilities: The updated species-specific exposure and collision priors for both eagle species; the 80th quantile of the fatality distribution as the permitted take number for golden eagles; and the 60th quantile of the fatality distribution as the permitted take number for bald eagles. We will use the updated priors for all eagle incidental take permits issued to wind facilities, including those issued under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) when eagles are covered in a habitat conservation plan as a nonlisted species. (See 50 CFR 22.11(a).) Literature Cited U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Migratory Birds; Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance. 76:9529–9530. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. Migratory Birds; Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance: Module 1—Land-Based Wind Energy, Version 2. Federal Register 78:25758. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2016a. Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Eagle Rule Revision. Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC USA. https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/ pdf/management/FINAL-PEIS-Permits-toIncidentally-Take-Eagles.pdf. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2016b. Eagle Permits; Revisions to Regulations for Eagle Incidental Take and Take of Eagle Nests. Federal Register 242:91494–91553. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2016c. Bald and golden eagles: Population demographics and estimation of sustainable take in the United States, 2016 update. Status Reports, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC USA. https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/ pdf/management/EagleRuleRevisionsStatusReport.pdf. Martha Williams, Principal Deputy Director, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2021–09362 Filed 5–4–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLHQ310000.L13100000.PP0000; OMB Control No. 1004–0179] Agency Information Collection Activities; Helium Contracts Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\05MYN1.SGM 05MYN1 23980 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 5, 2021 / Notices In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to renew an information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before July 6, 2021. ADDRESSES: Send your written comments on this information collection request (ICR) by mail to Darrin King, Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Attention PRA Office, 440 W 200 S #500, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; or by email to BLM_HQ_PRA_ Comments@blm.gov. Please reference Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1004–0179 in the subject line of your comments. Please note that due to COVID–19, the electronic submission of comments is recommended. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Jennifer Spencer by email at j35spenc@blm.gov, or by telephone at 307–775–6261. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1– 800–877–8339 for TTY assistance. 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, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information collections require approval under the PRA. The BLM may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies 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. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following: (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:06 May 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of response. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. 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: This control number authorizes the BLM to collect information that enables in-kind sales of helium in accordance with the Helium Stewardship Act (50 U.S.C. 167–167q) and 43 CFR part 3195. This request of for OMB to renew this OMB control number for an additional three years. There are no program, form, or other policy changes proposed with this renewal request. The BLM is requesting, however, that the burden for this OMB control number be adjusted from 240 to 244 total annual burden hours. The change in burden results from changes to the number of respondents for each information collection (form number) approved under this OMB control number. Title of Collection: Helium Contracts (43 CFR part 3195). OMB Control Number: 1004–0179. Form Numbers: 3195–1; 3195–2; 3195–3; and 3195–4. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Private helium merchants that sell a major helium requirement (i.e., an amount of refined helium greater than 200,000 standard cubic feet of refined gaseous helium or 7,510 liters of liquid helium) to a Federal agency or to private helium purchasers for use in Federal Government contracts. Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 40. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 61. PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Estimated Completion Time per Response: 4 hours. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 244. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit. Frequency of Collection: Quarterly for the Refined Helium Deliveries Detail (Form 3195–4); Annually for the Calculation of Excess Refining Capacity (Form 3195–1) and Refiners’ Annual Tolling Report (Form 3195–2); and On occasion for the Refiners’ Tolling Occurrence Report (Form 3195–3). Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, 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.). Darrin A. King, Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–09495 Filed 5–4–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLHQ310000.L13100000.PP0000; OMB Control No. 1004–0034] Agency Information Collection Activities; Oil and Gas, or Geothermal Resources: Transfers and Assignments Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to renew an information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 4, 2021. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Jennifer Spencer by SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05MYN1.SGM 05MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23979-23980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09495]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLHQ310000.L13100000.PP0000; OMB Control No. 1004-0179]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Helium Contracts

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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[[Page 23980]]

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to renew an information 
collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
July 6, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send your written comments on this information collection 
request (ICR) by mail to Darrin King, Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 
Attention PRA Office, 440 W 200 S #500, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; or by 
email to [email protected]. Please reference Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1004-0179 in the subject 
line of your comments. Please note that due to COVID-19, the electronic 
submission of comments is recommended.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Jennifer Spencer by email at [email protected], 
or by telephone at 307-775-6261. Individuals who are hearing or speech 
impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY 
assistance. 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, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all 
information collections require approval under the PRA. The BLM may not 
conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to a collection 
of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies 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.
    We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of response.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. 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: This control number authorizes the BLM to collect 
information that enables in-kind sales of helium in accordance with the 
Helium Stewardship Act (50 U.S.C. 167-167q) and 43 CFR part 3195. This 
request of for OMB to renew this OMB control number for an additional 
three years. There are no program, form, or other policy changes 
proposed with this renewal request. The BLM is requesting, however, 
that the burden for this OMB control number be adjusted from 240 to 244 
total annual burden hours. The change in burden results from changes to 
the number of respondents for each information collection (form number) 
approved under this OMB control number.
    Title of Collection: Helium Contracts (43 CFR part 3195).
    OMB Control Number: 1004-0179.
    Form Numbers: 3195-1; 3195-2; 3195-3; and 3195-4.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Private helium merchants that sell a 
major helium requirement (i.e., an amount of refined helium greater 
than 200,000 standard cubic feet of refined gaseous helium or 7,510 
liters of liquid helium) to a Federal agency or to private helium 
purchasers for use in Federal Government contracts.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 40.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 61.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 4 hours.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 244.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: Quarterly for the Refined Helium 
Deliveries Detail (Form 3195-4); Annually for the Calculation of Excess 
Refining Capacity (Form 3195-1) and Refiners' Annual Tolling Report 
(Form 3195-2); and On occasion for the Refiners' Tolling Occurrence 
Report (Form 3195-3).
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and, notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, 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.).

Darrin A. King,
Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-09495 Filed 5-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P
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