Notice2023-20484
Information Collection; Locatable Minerals
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
September 21, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and entities on reapproval of a currently approved information collection request for locatable minerals.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65151-65152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20484]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Locatable Minerals
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency) is seeking comments from all
interested individuals and entities on reapproval of a currently
approved information collection request for locatable minerals.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing by November 20, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to the
Lands, Minerals, and Geology Management Staff, USDA Forest Service,
1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17, Lakewood, CO 80401-3305. All timely
comments, including names and addresses, will be placed in the record
and will be available for public inspection and copying. The public may
inspect comments received at the location listed in ADDRESSES during
normal business hours. Visitors are
[[Page 65152]]
encouraged to call ahead to facilitate entry into the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Knesek, Acting Deputy Director,
Lands, Minerals, and Geology Management, (208) 215-1522,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b606e7d626525782560656e786e604b7e786f6a256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7aca2b1aea9e9b4e9aca9a2b4a2ac87b2b4a3a6e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who use telecommunication devices
for deaf and hard of hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service
at 800-877-8339 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Locatable Minerals.
OMB Number: 0596-0022.
Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2018.
Type of Request: Reapproval of an information collection request.
Abstract: This information collection request is necessary to
ensure that potential adverse environmental impacts associated with
locatable mineral operations on National Forest System (NFS) lands are
minimized to the extent practicable. Forest Service regulations at 36
CFR 228.5 require mining operators, with some exceptions, to notify the
authorized Forest Service officer of their intent to conduct a
locatable mineral operation on NFS lands by filing a proposed plan of
operations. All information identified in 36 CFR part 228 must be
included in the proposed plan of operations. Forest Service form FS-
2800-5, Plan of Operations for Mining Activities on National Forest
System Lands, is available for use by mining proponents and operators
to simplify this process. The information required by 36 CFR 228.4(c),
(d), and (e) in a proposed plan of operations includes:
1. The name and legal mailing address of operators (and claimants
if they are not the same) and their lessees, assigns, or designees.
2. A map or sketch showing information sufficient to locate:
a. The proposed area of operations on the ground.
b. Existing and/or proposed roads or access routes to be used in
connection with the operation as set forth in 36 CFR 228.12 on access.
c. The approximate location and size of areas where surface
resources will be disturbed.
3. Information sufficient to describe:
a. The type of operations proposed and how they would be conducted.
b. The type and standard of existing and proposed roads or access
routes.
c. The means of transportation used or to be used as set forth in
36 CFR 228.12.
d. The period during which the proposed activity will take place.
e. Measures to be taken to meet the requirements for environmental
protection in 36 CFR 228.8.
This information collection request is crucial to protecting
surface resources, including plants, animals, and their habitat, and
addressing public safety on NFS lands. The authorized Forest Service
officer will use the collected information to ensure that prospecting
for and exploration, development, and production of mineral resources
are conducted in an environmentally sensitive manner; that these
mineral operations are integrated into planning and management of other
resources using principles of ecosystem management; and that lands
disturbed by mineral operations are reclaimed using the best scientific
knowledge and returned to other productive uses. If this information
were not collected, the Forest Service would not be able to comply with
its regulations, and locatable mineral operations could result in undue
damage to surface resources in the NFS.
Estimated Annual Burden per Respondent: 224 hours.
Type of Respondents: Mining proponents and operators.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 198.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 44,352 hours.
Comment Is Invited
Comment is invited on (1) whether this information collection
request is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance
of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information
collected will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy
of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the information collection
request, 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) ways to minimize the burden of the
information collection request on respondents, including the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record.
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget approval.
Dated: September 15, 2023.
Jacqueline Emanuel,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2023-20484 Filed 9-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 21, 2023.
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