Notice2023-04402
Agency Information Collection Activities; Plans and Information
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 3, 2023
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentOcean Energy Management Bureau
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposes this information collection request (ICR) to renew with revisions the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1010-0151.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 42 (Friday, March 3, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13459-13464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04402]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[OMB Control Number 1010-0151; Docket ID: BOEM-2023-0004]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Plans and Information
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) proposes this information
collection request (ICR) to renew with revisions the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1010-0151.
DATES: Comments must be received by BOEM no later than May 2, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this ICR by mail to the BOEM
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Anna Atkinson, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166;
or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#24454a4a450a45504f4d4a574b4a64464b41490a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1d7c73737c337c697674736e72735d7f727870337a726b">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference OMB Control
Number 1010-0151 in the subject line of your comments. You may also
view the ICR and its related documents by searching the docket number
BOEM-2023-0004 at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Atkinson by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#02636c6c632c6376696b6c716d6c42606d676f2c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="70111e1e115e11041b191e031f1e30121f151d5e171f06">[email protected]</span></a>, or by telephone at 703-787-1025. Individuals in
the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside of the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, BOEM provides the general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and
continuing collections of information. This helps BOEM assess the
impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the
public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand BOEM's
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in
the desired format.
BOEM is soliciting comments on this proposed ICR. BOEM is
especially
[[Page 13460]]
interested in public comments addressing the following issues: (1) is
the collection necessary to the proper functions of BOEM; (2) what can
BOEM do to ensure that this information is processed and used in a
timely manner; (3) is the burden estimate 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 minimizing the burden through
the use of information technology?
Comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. BOEM will include or summarize each comment in its ICR
to OMB for approval of this information collection, and comments will
be posted on <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov">www.reginfo.gov</a>. You should be aware that your entire
comment--including your address, phone number, email address, or other
personally identifiable information included in your comment--may be
made publicly available at any time.
Even if BOEM withholds your personally identifiable information in
the context of this ICR, your comment is subject to the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552). If your comment is requested
under FOIA, your information will only be withheld if a determination
is made that one of the FOIA exemptions to disclosure applies. Such a
determination will be made in accordance with the Department of the
Interior's (DOI) FOIA regulations (43 CFR part 2) and applicable law.
For BOEM to consider withholding from disclosure your personally
identifiable information, you must identify, in a cover letter, any
information contained in your comment that, if released, would
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your privacy. You must
also briefly describe any possible harmful consequences of the
disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, injury, or other
harm.
BOEM will make available for public inspection all comments in
their entirety (except propriety information) submitted by
organizations and businesses, or by individuals identifying themselves
as representatives of organizations or businesses. BOEM protects
proprietary information in accordance with FOIA), DOI's implementing
regulations, and 30 CFR parts 550 and 552 promulgated pursuant to the
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1352(c)).
Title of Collection: ``30 CFR 550, Subpart B, Plans and
Information.''
Abstract: This ICR concerns the paperwork requirements in the
regulations under 30 CFR part 550, subpart B, ``Plans and
Information.''
The OCS Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., as amended),
authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe regulations to
administer leasing of mineral resources on the OCS. Such regulations
apply to all operations conducted under a lease. The OCS Lands Act
requires lessees to submit exploration plans (EPs), development and
production plans (DPPs), and development operations coordination
documents (DOCDs) to the Secretary for approval prior to commencing
these activities. See 43 U.S.C. 1340 and 1351. On the Arctic OCS,
lessees and operators are required to develop an integrated operations
plan (IOP) for each exploratory program and to submit additional
planning information with their EPs.
The Secretary delegated that regulatory authority to BOEM. The BOEM
regulations at 30 CFR part 550, subpart B, require lessees to submit
plans and information before conducting OCS activities under a lease.
Those information collections are the subject of this ICR. This ICR
also covers the related notices to lessees and operators (NTLs) that
BOEM issues to provide additional guidance on its regulations.
BOEM geologists, geophysicists, and environmental scientists and
other Federal agencies (e.g., USFWS, NMFS) analyze and evaluate the
information collected under subpart B. Their analyses ensure that
planned operations are safe, conserve OCS resources, and avoid undue
effects on the marine, coastal, or human environment. BOEM uses the
information to make an informed decision on whether to approve the
proposed EP, DDP, or DOCD as submitted or require modifications. Also,
the affected States may review the information collected to ensure
consistency with their coastal zone management plans.
BOEM also provides reports (typically annually) to NMFS and USFWS
to document compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and any
issued biological opinions. These reports may include information on
mitigation effectiveness, adverse impacts of activities, and any
incidental takes, in accordance with 50 CFR 402.14(i)(3). For example,
NMFS' recent biological opinion ``Biological Opinion on the Federally
Regulated Oil and Gas Program Activities in the Gulf of Mexico,''
(Consultation Number FPR-2017-92341) dated March 13, 2020, and amended
in 2021 (GOM BiOp), covers all activities associated with the OCS oil
and gas program in the Gulf of Mexico through approximately March 2030.
The GOM BiOp addresses the impacts to and incidental take of ESA-listed
species as a result of BOEM-authorized activities. Compliance with the
GOM BiOp's relevant terms, conditions, mitigation measures, and
protocols necessitates updates to the information that lessees and
operators must submit in the appendices to their plan. Certain post-
lease approvals (e.g., for activities involving new and unusual
technologies, equipment involving entanglement risks, and all ancillary
geological and geophysical (G&G) surveys) require step-down review with
NMFS and may require additional information to fully assess the
potential for impacts to protected species. BOEM uses the information
submitted by the lessees and operators (e.g., BOEM-0137, OCS Plan
Information Form) to determine which mitigations are necessary. The GOM
BiOp modified reporting requirements compared to the prior BiOp issued
by NMFS; therefore, BOEM is revising the estimated burdens identified
in this ICR.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0151.
Form Number:
<bullet> BOEM-0137--OCS Plan Information Form
<bullet> BOEM-0138--Exploration Plan (EP) Air Quality Screening
Checklist
<bullet> BOEM-0139--Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD)
Air Quality Screening Checklist
<bullet> BOEM-0141--ROV Survey Report
<bullet> BOEM-0142--Environmental Impact Analysis Worksheet
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved information
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents compromise
Federal OCS oil, gas, and sulfur lessees and operators.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,291 responses.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 286,144 hours.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion, semi-monthly, and varies by
section.
Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: $3,688,524.
BOEM identified three non-hour costs associated with this
information collection. Those costs are fees that BOEM charges lessees
to review their planning documents, such as EPs ($4,348 fee for 95 EPs;
total $413,600 annually), DPPs or DOCDs ($5,017 fee for 180 DPPs and
DOCDs; total $903,060 annually), and conservation information documents
(CIDs) ($32,372 fee for 17 CIDs; total $550,324 annually).
[[Page 13461]]
Also, lessees incur a non-hour cost associated with the Protected
Species Observer Program. This cost totals $1,822,080 and covers
observation activities that are usually subcontracted to companies with
expertise in these areas.
The current OMB Control Number 1010-0151 accounts for 436,438
annual burden hours, 4,266 responses, and $3,939,435 non-hour cost
burdens. Based on several revisions, BOEM estimates the burden for the
renewal will be 286,144 annual burden hours with 1,291 responses, and
$3,688,524 non-hour cost burdens.
In calculating the information collection burdens, BOEM accounted
for decreases in the number of plans submitted annually and for the
changes resulting from the GOM BiOp. Per the GOM BiOp, BOEM currently
requires monthly marine mammal observation and monitoring reports and a
final report within 90 days of the completion of an OCS survey. Because
the GOM BiOp replaced BOEM's NTL 2016-G02, which had required two
reports each month, BOEM estimates an overall decrease in the burden
related to these monitoring reports.
The GOM BiOp requires additional reporting if one or more
individuals from a protected species are observed within an enclosed
moon pool, which is an opening in the bottom of a marine platform,
drill ship or vessel, through which deepwater drilling is done. The
operator must report the observation within 24 hours and daily
thereafter as long as any individuals from a protected species remain
within the moon pool. With this new requirement, BOEM estimates a
slight increase in annual reporting.
While the GOM BiOp increased certain reporting burdens for lessees
and operators in the Gulf of Mexico, the overall non-hour costs are
estimated to decrease slightly due to the anticipated reduction in the
number of plans submitted to BOEM.
The following table estimates the information collection burden
contained in 30 CFR 550, subpart B.
Burden Table
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Non-Hour costs
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Citation 30 CFR 550 Subpart B and NTLs Reporting & recordkeeping requirement Average number of annual
Hour burden responses Burden hours
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200 thru 206........................... General requirements for plans and information; Burden included with specific requirements 0
fees/refunds, etc. below.
--------------------------------------------
201 thru 206; 211 thru 228; 241 thru BOEM posts EPs/DPPs/DOCDs on FDMS, and receives Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 0
262. public comments in preparation of EAs. 1320.3(h)(4).
--------------------------------------------
204.................................... For Arctic OCS Exploration activities: submit IOP, 2,880 1 response................ 2,880
including all required information.
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Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 1 response................ 2,880
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Ancillary Activities
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208; NTL 2009-G34 *.................... Notify BOEM in writing, and if required by the 11 40 notices................ 440
Regional Supervisor notify other users of the OCS
before conducting ancillary activities.
208; 210(a)............................ Submit report summarizing & analyzing data/ 2 40 reports................ 80
information obtained or derived from ancillary
activities.
208; 210(b)............................ Retain ancillary activities data/information; upon 2 40 records................ 80
request, submit to BOEM.
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Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 120 responses............. 600
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Contents of Exploration Plans (EP)
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209; 231(b); 232(d); 234; 235; 281; Submit new, amended, modified, revised, or 150 205 changed plans......... 30,750
283; 284; 285; NTL 2015-N01 *. supplemental EP, or resubmit disapproved EP,
including required information; withdraw an EP.
209; 211 thru 228; NTL 2015-N01 *...... Submit EP and all required information (including, 600 95........................ 57,000
but not limited to, submissions required by BOEM
Forms 0137, 0138, 0142; lease stipulations;
reports, including shallow hazards surveys, H2S,
G&G, archaeological surveys & reports (550.194)
**), in specified formats. Provide notifications.
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$4,348 x 95 EP surface locations = $413,060
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220 **................................. For Arctic OCS exploration activities: submit 350 1......................... 350
required Arctic-specific information with EP.
220 **................................. For existing Arctic OCS exploration activities: 700 1......................... 700
revise and resubmit Arctic-specific information,
as required.
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Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 302 responses............. 88,800
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................................................... .............. $413,060 non-hour costs.
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[[Page 13462]]
Review and Decision Process for the EP
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235(b); 272(b); 281(d)(3)(ii).......... Appeal State's objection........................... Burden exempt as defined in 5 CFR 0
1320.4(a)(2), (c).
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Contents of Development and Production Plans (DPP) and Development Operations Coordination Documents (DOCD)
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209; 266(b); 267(d); 272(a); 273; 281; Submit amended, modified, revised, or supplemental 235 275 changed plans......... 64,625
283; 284; 285; NTL 2015-N01 *. DPP or DOCD, including required information, or
resubmit disapproved DPP or DOCD.
241 thru 262; 209; NTL 2015-N01 *...... Submit DPP/DOCD and required/supporting information 700 180....................... 126,000
(including, but not limited to, submissions
required by BOEM Forms 0137, 0139, 0142; lease
stipulations; reports, including shallow hazards
surveys, archaeological surveys & reports (CFR
550.194)), in specified formats. Provide
notification.
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$5,017 x 180 DPP/DOCD wells = $903,060.
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Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 455 responses............. 190,625
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$903,060 non-hour costs.
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Review and Decision Process for the DPP or DOCD
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267(a)................................. Once BOEM deemed DPP/DOCD submitted; Governor of Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 0
each affected State, local government official; 1320.3(h)(4)
etc., submit comments/recommendations.
--------------------------------------------
267(b)................................. General public comments/recommendations submitted Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 0
to BOEM regarding DPPs or DOCDs. 1320.3(h)(4).
--------------------------------------------
269(b)................................. For leases or units in vicinity of proposed 3 1 response................ 3
development and production activities RD may
require those lessees and operators to submit
information on preliminary plans for their leases
and units.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal............................... ................................................... .............. 1 response................ 3
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Post-Approval Requirements for the EP, DPP, and DOCD
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280(b)................................. In an emergency, request departure from your Burden included under 1010-0114. 0
approved EP, DPP, or DOCD.
--------------------------------------------
281(a)................................. Submit various BSEE applications for approval and Burdens included under appropriate subpart 0
submit permits. or form (1014-0003; 1014-0011; 1014-0016;
1014-0018).
--------------------------------------------
282.................................... Retain monitoring data/information; upon request, 4 150 records............... 600
make available to BOEM.
Prepare and submit monitoring plan for approval.... 2 6 plans................... 12
282(b)................................. Prepare and submit monitoring reports and data 3 12 reports................ 36
(including BOEM Form 0141 used in GOMR).
284(a)................................. Submit updated info on activities conducted under 4 56 updates................ 224
approved EP/DPP/DOCD.
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Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 224 responses............. 872
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Submit CIDs
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296(a); 297............................ Submit CID and required/supporting information; 100 17 documents.............. 1,700
submit CID for supplemental DOCD or DPP.
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$32,372 x 17 = $550,324
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296(b); 297............................ Submit a revised CID for approval.................. 50 8 revisions............... 400
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[[Page 13463]]
Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 25 responses.............. 2,100
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$550,324 non-hour costs
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Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Requirements
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211 thru 228; 241 thru 262............. Submit to BOEM observer training requirement 1.5 2 sets of material........ 3
materials and information.
Training certification and recordkeeping........... 1 1 new trainee............. 1
During seismic acquisition operations, submit 1.5 100 reports............... 150
monthly observer reports.
Submit final PSO report upon completion of seismic 2 25 reports................ 50
survey effort.
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Observation Duty (3 observers fulfilling an 8-hour 3 observers x 8 hours x 365 days = 8,760 hours x 4 vessels
shift each for 365 calendar days x 4 vessels = observing = 35,040 man-hours x $52/hr = $1,822,080.
35,040 man-hours). This requirement is contracted
out; hence the non-hour cost burden.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 128 responses............. 204
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$1,822,080 non-hour costs
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Vessel Strike Avoidance and Injured/Protected Species Reporting
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211 thru 228; 241 thru 262............. Notify BOEM within 24 hours (and daily thereafter) 1 5 notices................. 5
if a protected species is observed within an
enclosed moon pool for as long as the individual
remains within the moon pool.
211 thru 228; 241 thru 262............. Immediately report: 1 5 notices................. 5
<bullet> Sightings of any injured or dead protected
species.
<bullet> Unapproved transits through the Rice's
whale area.
<bullet> If vessel speeds exceeded 10 knots,
minimum separation distances were not maintained,
or transits were made during periods of low
visibility in the Rice's whale area.
<bullet> Entanglement or entrapment of a protected
species.
<bullet> Interaction, or contact with equipment by
a protected species.
<bullet> Any observation of a leatherback sea
turtle within a moon pool.
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Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 10 responses.............. 10
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General Departure
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200 thru 299........................... General departure and alternative compliance 2 25 requests............... 50
requests not specifically covered elsewhere in
Subpart B regulations.
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Subtotal........................... ................................................... .............. 25 responses.............. 50
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Total Burden................... ................................................... .............. 1,291 responses........... 286,144
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$3,688,524 non-hour costs
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* The identification number of NTLs may change when NTLs are reissued periodically to update information.
** Archaeological surveys and reports required under 30 CFR 550, subpart A in 550.194(a) are generally part of the geohazard survey report required
under 30 CFR 550, subpart B. On average it takes an archaeologist 35 hours to prepare the archaeological survey and report. This hour burden is
included in the overall hour burden estimate for submission of EPs and all required information.
[[Page 13464]]
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid
OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Karen Thundiyil,
Chief, Office of Regulations, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2023-04402 Filed 3-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.