Notice2023-15059
Agency Information Collection Activities; Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf
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
July 17, 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1010-0048.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 135 (Monday, July 17, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 135 (Monday, July 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45444-45447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15059]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[OMB Control Number 1010-0048; Docket ID: BOEM-2023-0004]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Geological and
Geophysical (G&G) 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) proposes this information
collection request (ICR) to renew Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
control number 1010-0048.
DATES: Comments must be received by BOEM no later than September 15,
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#d2b3bcbcb3fcb3a6b9bbbca1bdbc92b0bdb7bffcb5bda4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d2b3bcbcb3fcb3a6b9bbbca1bdbc92b0bdb7bffcb5bda4">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference OMB control
number 1010-0048 in the subject line of your comments. You may also
view and comment on the ICR and its related documents by searching the
docket number ``BOEM-2023-0004'' at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Atkinson by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#096867676827687d6260677a6667496b666c64276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0c1cecec18ec1d4cbc9ced3cfcee0c2cfc5cd8ec7cfd6">[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 the proposed ICR described below.
BOEM is especially 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. 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. BOEM will make
available for public inspection all comments in their
[[Page 45445]]
entirety (except proprietary 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 and the DOI's
implementing regulations.
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.
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 DOI's FOIA
implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and applicable law.
Title of Collection: 30 CFR part 551, ``Geological and Geophysical
(G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf.''
Abstract: This ICR concerns the paperwork requirement in the
regulations in 30 CFR part 551. This request also covers Form BOEM-
0327, ``Requirements for Geological and Geophysical Explorations or
Scientific Research on the Outer Continental Shelf.''
Section 11(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as
amended (43 U.S.C. 1340(g)), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior
to prescribe rules and regulations to govern the issuance of permits
for G&G exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The OCSLA
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.'' It 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.
Upon BOEM approval of the application, respondents are issued a permit
using Form BOEM-0328, ``Permit for 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 for 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 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.
Requirements for G&G Exploration or Scientific Research on the OCS
are contained in 30 CFR part 551 and are the subject of this
information collection renewal. BOEM is also renewing Form BOEM-0327.
This form outlines the requirements for G&G activities requiring
permits and notices and contains the application that the respondent
submits to BOEM for approval as well as a nonexclusive use agreement
for scientific research, if applicable.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0048.
Form Number: BOEM-0327, ``Requirements for Geological and
Geophysical Explorations or Scientific Research on the Outer
Continental Shelf.''
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents comprise Federal
OCS oil, gas, and sulfur permittees or notice filers.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 578 responses.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 21,454 hours.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion, annual, or as specified in
permit.
Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: $116,696.
The currently approved OMB paperwork burden is 35,254 annual burden
hours, 688 annual responses, and the non-hour cost burden totals
$136,816. Due to a reduction in the number of annual responses to 578,
the annual burden for this renewal is adjusted to 21,454 hours and the
non-hour cost burden is adjusted to $116,696. The following table
details the regulatory sections containing information collections and
their respective hour burden estimates. In calculating the burdens, we
assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal
course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary
and took that into account in estimating the burden.
Burden Table
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Non-hour cost burden *
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Citation 30 CFR 551 Reporting and recordkeeping Annual
requirement Hour burden Average number of burden
annual responses hours
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30 CFR 551.1 through 551.6
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551.4(a), (b); 551.5(a), (b), Apply for permits (Form BOEM- 1,000 Alaska **... 2 Applications.... 2,000
(d); 551.6; 551.7. 0327) to conduct G&G 1,000 Atlantic & 1 Application..... 1,000
exploration, including deep Pacific **. 55 Applications... 16,500
stratigraphic tests/ 300 GOM...........
revisions when necessary.
Submit required information
in manner specified.
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[[Page 45446]]
58 applications x $2,012 = $116,696
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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.
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.................... ............................. .................. 60 responses...... 19,502
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$116,696 non-hour cost
burden
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30 CFR 551.7 through 551.9
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551.7; 551.8.................... Submit Application for Permit Burden included under BSEE regulations 0
to Drill (APD) and at 30 CFR 250, Subpart D (1014-0018)
Supplemental APD to BSEE.
----------------------------------------
551.7; 551.8(b)................. Submit information on test 1................. 1 Submission...... 1
drilling activities under a
permit, including required
information and plan
revisions (e.g., drilling
plan and environmental
report).
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 (1010-0006).
required securities.
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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).
551.8(b), (c)................... Submit modifications to 38 Alaska **...... 2 Respondents x 10 760
permits, and status/final 38 Atlantic & Reports = 20. 380
reports on, activities Pacific **. 1 Respondents x 10 330
conducted under a permit. 2 GOM............. Reports = 10.
55 Respondents x 3
Reports = 165.
551.9(c)........................ Notify BOEM to relinquish a 1/2............... 2 Notices......... 1
permit..
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Subtotal.................... ............................. .................. 200 responses..... 1,474
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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
----------------------------------------
551.11; 551.12.................. Notify BOEM and submit G&G 4................. 40 Submissions.... 160
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.
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.
551.14(c)(2).................... Submit comments on BOEM 1................. 2 Comments........ 2
intent to disclose data and/
or information to an
independent contractor/agent.
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.
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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[[Page 45447]]
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 permit 1................. 100 Extensions.... 100
time period; enter
agreements.
Retain G&G data/information 1................. 130 Recordkeepers. 130
for 10 years and make
available to BOEM upon
request.
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Subtotal.................... ............................. .................. 230 responses..... 230
------------------------------------------------
Total Burden............ ............................. .................. 578 Responses..... 21,454
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$116,696 Non-Hour Cost
Burden
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* Fees are subject to modification per inflation annually.
** Burden hours for the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific 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. Survey permits under part 551 have not been
issued in the Atlantic or Pacific since 2019 and 2006, respectively, however both regions currently have a
pending survey permit application.
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. 2023-15059 Filed 7-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 17, 2023.
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.