Notice2026-07078

Agency Information Collection Activities; Non-Federal Oil and Gas Operations on National Wildlife Refuge System Lands

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
April 13, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an existing information collection without change.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 70 (Monday, April 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18869-18874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07078]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-0562; OMB Control Number 1018-0162; 
FXRS12610900000-267-FF09R24000]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Non-Federal Oil and Gas 
Operations on National Wildlife Refuge System Lands

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an 
existing information collection without change.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
June 12, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by one of the following methods (please reference Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Control No. ``1018-0162'' in the subject 
line of your comment):
    <bullet> Internet (preferred): <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-
2026-0562.
    <bullet> U.S. mail: Service Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB 
(JAO/3W); Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2960474f46766a464545694f5e5a074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="642d0a020b3b270b0808240213174a030b12">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or by 
telephone at (703) 358-2503. 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 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. You may also view the ICR at 
<a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320, all information collections require approval under the 
PRA. We 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 are again inviting 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 comments 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. 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 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 authority of the Service to regulate non-Federal oil 
and gas operations on National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands is 
broadly derived from the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (art. 
IV, Sec. 3), in carrying out the statutory mandates of the Secretary of 
the Interior, as delegated to the Service, to manage Federal lands and 
resources under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 
(NWRSAA; 16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), as amended by the National Wildlife 
Refuge System Improvement Act (NWRSIA), and to specifically manage 
species within the NWRS under the provisions of numerous statutes, the 
most notable of which are the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 16 
U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.), and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (FWA; 16 U.S.C. 742f).

[[Page 18870]]

    The Service's regulations at 50 CFR, part 29, subpart D provide for 
the continued exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights while avoiding 
or minimizing unnecessary impacts to national wildlife refuge resources 
and uses. Other land management agencies have regulations that address 
oil and gas development, including the Department of the Interior's 
National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. These agencies all require 
the submission of information similar to the information requested by 
the Service.
    The collection of information is necessary for the Service to 
properly balance the exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights within 
national wildlife refuge boundaries with the Service's responsibility 
to protect wildlife and habitat, water quality and quantity, wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities, and the health and safety of 
employees and visitors on NWRS lands.
    The information collected under 50 CFR, part 29, subpart D, 
identifies the owner and operator (the owner and operator can be the 
same) and details how the operator may access and develop oil and gas 
resources. It also identifies the steps the operator intends to take to 
minimize any adverse impacts of operations on refuge resources and 
uses. No information is submitted unless the operator wishes to conduct 
oil and gas operations.
    We use the information collected to (1) evaluate proposed 
operations; (2) ensure that all necessary mitigation measures are 
employed to protect national wildlife refuge resources and values; and 
(3) ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, 
including the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.) and the NWRSAA, as amended by the NWRSIA, and to specifically 
manage species within the NWRS under the provisions of numerous 
statutes, the most notable of which are the MBTA, the ESA, the Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), and the FWA.
    1. Preexisting Operations (Sec.  29.61)--Within 90 days after the 
effective date of these regulations or after a boundary change or 
establishment of a new refuge unit, preexisting operators without a 
Service-issued permit must submit:
    <bullet> Documentation of the right to operate within the refuge.
    <bullet> Contact information (names, phone numbers, and addresses) 
of the primary company representative; the representative responsible 
for field supervision; and the representative responsible for emergency 
response.
    <bullet> Scaled map clearly delineating the existing area of 
operations.
    <bullet> Documentation of the current operating methods, surface 
equipment, materials produced or used and monitoring methods.
    <bullet> Copies of all plans and permits required by local, State, 
and Federal agencies.
    2. Temporary Access Permit Application (Sec.  29.71)--We use Parts 
1 and 2 of Form 3-2469, Oil and Gas Operations--Special Use Permit, as 
the application for a Temporary Access Permit. The operator must 
provide the information requested in Parts 1 and 2 of the form, 
including:
    <bullet> Contact information (name, legal address, and telephone 
number) for the person(s) responsible for the overall management of the 
proposed operations.
    <bullet> Documentation demonstrating the right to operate within 
the refuge.
    <bullet> Name, legal address, telephone number, and qualifications 
of all specialists responsible for conducting the reconnaissance 
surveys.
    <bullet> Brief description of the intended operation so that we can 
determine reconnaissance survey needs.
    <bullet> Description of the survey methods used to identify natural 
and cultural resources.
    <bullet> Location map (to-scale and determined by us to be 
acceptable) delineating the proposed reconnaissance survey area in 
relation to the refuge boundary and the proposed area of operations.
    <bullet> Description of proposed means of access and routes for 
conducting the reconnaissance surveys.
    3. Accessing Oil And Gas Rights From a Non-Federal Surface Location 
(Sec.  29.80)--We encourage operators to provide the Service (at least 
60 calendar days prior to beginning operations): the names, telephone 
numbers, and addresses of the primary company representative, the 
representative responsible for field supervision, and the 
representative responsible for emergency response.
    4. Pre-application Meeting for Operations Permit (Sec.  29.91)--
Before applying for an Operations Permit, operators should participate 
in a pre-application meeting with the Service and provide:
    <bullet> Documentation demonstrating the right to operate within 
the refuge.
    <bullet> An overview of the proposed operation and timing.
    5. Operations Permit Application (Sec. Sec.  29.94, 29.95, 29.96, 
and 29.97)--We use Form 3-2469 as the application for an Operations 
Permit. All applicants must provide the information requested in Parts 
1, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10, Form 3-2469, including:
    A. Part 1 (Sec.  29.94(a)-(b))--
    <bullet> Contact information (name, legal address, and telephone 
number) for the person(s) responsible for the overall management of the 
proposed operations.
    <bullet> Documentation demonstrating the right to operate within 
the refuge.
    B. Part 3 (Sec.  29.94(c)-(f))--
    <bullet> Description of the natural features of the proposed area 
of operations such as: streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands (including 
estimated depths to the top and bottom of zones of usable water); 
topographic relief; and areas that the Service has indicated are 
sensitive.
    <bullet> Locations of existing roads, trails, railroad tracks, 
pipeline rights-of-way, pads, and other disturbed areas.
    <bullet> Locations of existing structures that the operations could 
affect, including buildings; pipelines; oil and gas wells, including 
both producing and plugged and abandoned wells; injection wells; 
freshwater wells; underground and overhead electrical lines; and other 
utility lines.
    <bullet> Descriptions of the natural and cultural resource 
conditions from reconnaissance survey reports or other sources 
collected for the proposed area of operations, including baseline 
testing of soils, surface and ground waters within the area of 
operations that reasonably may be impacted by surface operations.
    C. Part 4 (Sec.  29.94(g)-(n))--Location maps (to-scale and 
determined by the Service to be acceptable) that clearly identify:
    <bullet> Proposed area of operations, existing conditions, and 
proposed new surface uses, including the boundaries of each of the oil 
and gas tracts in relation to the proposed operations and the relevant 
refuge boundary.
    <bullet> Proposed access routes of new surface disturbances as 
determined by a location survey.
    <bullet> Location of all support facilities, including those for 
transportation (e.g., vehicle parking areas, helicopter pads, etc.), 
sanitation, occupation, staging areas, fuel storage areas, refueling 
areas, loading docks, water supplies, and disposal facilities.
    <bullet> Method and diagrams (including cross sections) of any 
proposed pad construction, road construction, cut-and-fill areas, and 
surface maintenance, including erosion control.
    <bullet> Number and types of equipment and vehicles, including an 
estimate of vehicular round trips associated with the operation.

[[Page 18871]]

    <bullet> Estimated timetable for the proposed operations, including 
any operational timing constraints.
    <bullet> Type and extent of security measures proposed at the area 
of operation.
    <bullet> Power sources and their transmission systems for the 
proposed operations.
    <bullet> Types and quantities of all solid and liquid waste 
generated and the proposed methods of storage, handling, and disposal.
    <bullet> Source, quantity, access route, and transportation/
conveyance method for all water to be used in operations (including 
hydraulic fracturing), and estimates of any anticipated wastewater 
volumes generated (including flowback fluids from hydraulic fracturing 
operations and the proposed methods of storage, handling, and recycling 
or disposal).
    D. Part 5 Geophysical Exploration (Sec.  29.95)--Applicants 
proposing geophysical exploration must also provide the information 
requested in Part 5 of Form 3-2469, including:
    <bullet> Map showing the positions of each survey line including 
all source and receiver locations as determined by a locational survey, 
and shot point offset distances from wells, buildings, other 
infrastructure, cultural resources, and environmentally sensitive 
areas.
    <bullet> Number of crews and numbers of workers in each crew.
    <bullet> Description of the acquisition methods (including the 
procedures and specific equipment that will be used), and energy 
sources (e.g., explosives, vibroseis trucks, etc.).
    <bullet> Description of methods of access along each survey line 
for personnel, materials, and equipment.
    <bullet> List of all explosives, blasting equipment, chemicals, and 
fuels that will be used in the proposed operations, including a 
description of proposed disposal methods, transportation methods, 
safety measures, and storage facilities.
    E. Part 6 Proposed Drilling Operations (Sec.  29.96)--Applicants 
proposing drilling operations must also provide the information 
requested in Part 6 of Form 3-2469, including:
    <bullet> Description of well pad construction, including dimensions 
and cross sections of cut-and-fill areas and excavations for ditches, 
sumps, and spill control equipment or structures (including lined 
areas).
    <bullet> Description of the drill rig and equipment layout, 
including rig components, fuel tanks, testing equipment, support 
facilities, storage areas, and all other well-site equipment and 
facilities.
    <bullet> Description of type and characteristics of the proposed 
drilling mud systems.
    <bullet> Description of the equipment, materials, and methods of 
surface operations associated with drilling, well casing and cementing, 
well control, well evaluation and testing, well completion, hydraulic 
fracturing or other well stimulation, and well plugging.
    F. Part 7 Production Operations (Sec.  29.97)--Applicants proposing 
production operations must also provide the information requested in 
Part 7 of Form 3-2469, including:
    <bullet> Dimensions and a to-scale layout of: the well pad, clearly 
identifying well locations and noting partial reclamation areas; 
gathering, separation, metering, and storage equipment; electrical 
lines; fences; spill control equipment or structures including lined 
areas, artificial lift equipment, tank batteries, treating and 
separating vessels, secondary or enhanced recovery facilities, water 
disposal facilities, gas compression and/or injection facilities; 
metering points; sales point (if on lease); tanker pickup points; gas 
compressor, including size and type (if applicable); and any other well 
site equipment.
    <bullet> General description of anticipated stimulations, 
servicing, and workovers.
    <bullet> Description of the procedures and equipment used to 
maintain control of the well(s).
    <bullet> Description of method and means used to transport produced 
oil and gas, including vehicular transport; flowline and gathering line 
construction and operation, pipe size, and operating pressure; cathodic 
protection methods; surface equipment use; surface equipment location; 
maintenance procedures; maintenance schedules; pressure detection 
methods; and shutdown procedures.
    <bullet> Road and well pad maintenance plan, including equipment 
and materials to maintain the road surface and control erosion.
    <bullet> Vegetation management plan for well sites, roads, pipeline 
corridors, and other disturbed surface areas, including control of 
noxious and invasive species.
    <bullet> Stormwater management plan on the well site.
    <bullet> Produced water storage and disposal plan.
    <bullet> Description of the equipment, materials, and procedures 
proposed for well plugging.
    G. Part 8 (Sec.  29.94(o))--
    <bullet> Description of proposed steps to mitigate anticipated 
adverse environmental impacts on refuge resources and uses, including: 
refuge's land features, land uses, fish and wildlife, vegetation, 
soils, surface and subsurface water resources, air quality, noise, 
lightscapes, viewsheds, cultural resources, and economic environment.
    <bullet> Description of any anticipated impacts that cannot be 
mitigated.
    <bullet> Description of all alternatives considered that meet the 
criteria of technologically feasible, least-damaging methods of 
operations, as well as the costs and environmental effects of such 
alternatives.
    H. Part 9 (Sec.  29.94(p))--
    <bullet> For spill control and emergency preparedness plan, submit 
contact information (name, address, and telephone number) for the 
appropriate officials to be contacted by the Service in the event of a 
spill, fire, or accident, including the order in which the persons 
should be contacted.
    <bullet> Notification procedures and steps taken to minimize damage 
in the event of spill, fire, or accident, including the order in which 
individuals should be contacted.
    <bullet> Identification of contaminating or toxic substances used 
within the area of operations or expected to be encountered during 
operations.
    <bullet> Trajectory analysis for potential spills that are not 
contained on location.
    <bullet> Identification of abnormal pressure, temperature, toxic 
gases or substances, or other hazardous conditions at the area of 
operations or expected to be encountered during operations.
    <bullet> Measures (e.g., procedures, facility design, equipment) to 
minimize risks to human health and safety, and the environment.
    <bullet> Steps to prevent accumulations of oil or other materials 
deemed to be fire hazards from occurring in the vicinity of well 
locations and lease tanks.
    <bullet> Equipment and methods for containment and cleanup of 
contaminating substances, including a description of the equipment 
available at the area of operations and equipment available from local 
contractors.
    <bullet> Storm water drainage plan and actions intended to mitigate 
storm water runoff.
    <bullet> Safety data sheets for each material that will be used or 
encountered during operations, including expected quantities maintained 
at the area of operations.
    <bullet> Description of the emergency actions that will be taken in 
the event of injury or death to fish and wildlife or vegetation.
    <bullet> Description of the emergency actions that will be taken in 
the event of accidents causing human injury.
    <bullet> Contingency plans for conditions and emergencies other 
than spills, such as if the area of operations is located in areas 
prone to hurricanes, flooding, tornados, fires, or earthquakes.

[[Page 18872]]

    I. Part 10 (Sec.  29.94(q)-(r))--
    <bullet> Description of the specific equipment, materials, methods, 
and schedule that will be used to meet the operating standards for 
reclamation at Sec.  29.117.
    <bullet> Itemized list of the estimated costs that a third party 
would charge to complete reclamation.
    J. Financial Assurance (Sec. Sec.  29.103(b) and 29.150-29.154)--
Before operations begin, operators must submit:
    <bullet> Financial assurance in the amount specified by the Service 
and in accordance with the requirements of Sec. Sec.  29.150 through 
29.154.
    <bullet> Proof of liability insurance with limits sufficient to 
cover injuries to persons or property caused by the operations.
    K. Identification of Wells and Related Facilities (Sec.  
29.119(b)(3))--Operators must identify wells and related facilities 
with a sign that must remain in place until the well is plugged and 
abandoned and related facilities are removed. Signs must be of durable 
construction, and the lettering must be legible and large enough to be 
read under normal conditions at a distance of at least 50 feet. Each 
sign must show the name of the well, name of the operator, and the 
emergency contact phone number.
    L. Reporting (Sec.  29.121)--Third-party monitors will report 
directly to the Service regarding compliance with the operations permit 
and efforts to protect federally owned or administered lands, waters, 
or the resources of refuges, visitor uses and experiences, and visitor 
or employee health and safety.
    <bullet> Operators must notify the Service within 24 hours of any 
injuries to or mortality of fish, wildlife, or endangered or threatened 
plants.
    <bullet> Operators must notify the Service of any accidents 
involving serious personal injury or death and of any fires or spills 
on the site immediately after the accident occurs. A written report on 
the accident must be submitted to the Service within 90 days after the 
accident occurs.
    <bullet> Operators must submit reports or other information 
necessary to verify compliance with the permit or with any provision of 
subpart D of the regulations.
    <bullet> If operations include hydraulic fracturing, the operator 
must provide a report including:

The true vertical depth of the well,
Total water volume used, and
A description of the base fluid and each additive in the hydraulic 
fracturing fluid, including the trade name, supplier, purpose, 
ingredients, Chemical Abstract Service Number (CAS), maximum ingredient 
concentration in additive (percent by mass), and maximum ingredient 
concentration in hydraulic fracturing fluid (percent by mass).

    M. Permit Modifications (Sec.  29.160(a))--To request a 
modification to operations under an approved permit, permittees must 
provide, in writing, to the Service, the operator's assigned permit 
number, a description of the proposed modification, and an explanation 
of why the modification is needed.
    N. Transferring Operator's Notifications (Sec.  29.170)--Operators 
conducting operations under Sec.  29.44, must notify the Service in 
writing within 30 calendar days from the date the new operator acquires 
the rights to conduct operations. Written notification must include:
    <bullet> Names and addresses of the person or entity conveying the 
right and of the person or entity acquiring the right.
    <bullet> Effective date of transfer.
    <bullet> Description of the rights, assets, and liabilities being 
transferred and which ones, if any, are being reserved.
    <bullet> A written acknowledgement from the new operator that the 
contents of the notification are true and correct.
    O. Acquiring Operator's Requirements for Wells Not Under a Service 
Permit (Sec.  29.171(a))--The transferee must provide to the Service 
within 30 calendar days from the date of the transfer:
    <bullet> Documentation demonstrating that it holds the right to 
operate within the refuge.
    <bullet> Names, phone numbers, and addresses of the primary company 
representative, the representative responsible for field supervision, 
and the representative responsible for emergency response.
    The transferee must submit an operations permit application in 
compliance with Sec. Sec.  29.90-97 within 90 calendar days from the 
date of the transfer. Since production operations are in place, the 
scope of information requirements would be limited and focused on 
relevant information requirements listed above for Parts 7, 8, 9, and 
10.
    P. Acquiring Operator's Acceptance of an Existing Permit (Sec.  
29.171(b))--The transferee must provide the following within 30 days of 
commencing operations:
    <bullet> Documentation demonstrating that it holds the right to 
operate within the refuge.
    <bullet> Names, phone numbers, and addresses of the primary company 
representative; the representative responsible for field supervision; 
and the representative responsible for emergency response.
    <bullet> Written agreement to conduct operations in accordance with 
all terms and conditions of the previous operator's permit.
    <bullet> Financial assurance that is acceptable to the Service and 
made payable to the Service.
    Q. Extension to Well Plugging Requirement (Sec.  29.181)--To 
maintain a well in a shut-in status for up to 5 years, operators may 
apply for either an operations permit or a modification to operations 
under an approved permit. The application or modification must include 
the information requested in Form 3-2469, including:
    <bullet> Explanation of why the well is shut-in or temporarily 
abandoned and future plans for utilization.
    <bullet> Demonstration of the mechanical integrity of the well.
    <bullet> Description of the manner in which the operator's well, 
equipment, and area of operations will be maintained in accordance with 
the standards in subpart D of the regulations.
    R. Public Information (Sec.  29.210)--
    (1) An operator, or the operator and the owner of the information 
required under this subpart, may support a claim to be exempt from 
public disclosure of information otherwise required. If required 
information is withheld, the operator must submit an affidavit Sec.  
29.210(d) that:
    <bullet> Identifies the owner of the withheld information and 
provides the name, address, and contact information for an authorized 
representative of the owner of the information.
    <bullet> Identifies the Federal statute or regulation that would 
prohibit the Service from publicly disclosing the information if it 
were in the Service's possession.
    <bullet> Affirms that the operator has been provided the withheld 
information from the owner of the information and is maintaining 
records of the withheld information, or that the operator has access 
and will maintain access to the information held by the owner of the 
information.
    <bullet> Affirms that the information is not publicly available.
    <bullet> Affirms that the information is not required to be 
publicly disclosed under any applicable local, State, or Federal law.
    <bullet> Affirms that the owner of the information is in actual 
competition and identifies competitors or others that could use the 
withheld information to cause the owner substantial competitive harm.

[[Page 18873]]

    <bullet> Affirms that the release of the information would likely 
cause substantial competitive harm to the owner and provides the 
factual basis for that affirmation.
    <bullet> Affirms that the information is not readily apparent 
through reverse engineering with publicly available information.
    (2) If the operator relies upon information from third parties, 
such as the owner of the withheld information, to make the previous 
affirmations, the operator must provide a written affidavit from the 
third party that sets forth the relied-upon information (Sec.  
29.210(e)).
    (3) We may require any operator to submit any withheld information 
and any information relevant to a claim that withheld information is 
exempt from public disclosure (Sec.  29.210(f)).
    (4) The operator must maintain records of any withheld information 
until the latter of the Service's release of the operator's financial 
assurance or 7 years after completion of operations on refuge lands 
(Sec.  29.210(h)).
    (5) If any of the chemical identity information required in this 
subpart is withheld, the operator must provide the generic chemical 
name in the submission required. The generic chemical name must be only 
as nonspecific as is necessary to protect the confidential chemical 
identity, and should be the same as or no less descriptive than the 
generic chemical name provided to the Environmental Protection Agency 
(Sec.  29.210(i)).
    The public may request a copy of Form 3-2469 associated with this 
collection by sending a request to the Service Information Collection 
Clearance Officer (see ADDRESSES, above).
    Title of Collection: Non-Federal Oil and Gas Operations on National 
Wildlife Refuge System Lands, 50 CFR 29, Subpart D.
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0162.
    Form Number: Form 3-2469.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Businesses that conduct oil and gas 
exploration on national wildlife refuges.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $2,250,000 (associated 
with financial assurances).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Estimated    Completion
                                 number of     time per      Estimated
     Activity/requirement          annual      response    total annual
                                 responses     (hours)     burden hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preexisting Operations (Sec.             40           50           2,000
 29.61).......................
Temporary Access Permit                  18           17             306
 Application (Sec.   29.71)
 Hard Copy....................
Temporary Access Permit                  18        12.75             230
 Application (Sec.   29.71)
 ePermits.....................
Accessing Oil and Gas Rights              5            1               5
 from Non-Federal Surface
 Location (Sec.   29.80)......
Pre-application Meeting for              45            2              90
 Operations Permit (Sec.
 29.91).......................
Operations Permit Application            23          140           3,220
 (Sec.  Sec.   29.94-29.97)
 Hard Copy....................
Operations Permit Application            23          105           2,415
 (Sec.  Sec.   29.94-29.97)
 ePermits.....................
Financial Assurance (Sec.                45            1              45
 Sec.   29.103(b), 29.150)....
Identification of Wells and              45            2              90
 Related Facilities (Sec.
 29.119(b))...................
Reporting (Sec.   29.121):
    Third-Party Monitor Report          300           17           5,100
     (Sec.   29.121(b)).......
    Notification--Injuries/              20            1              20
     Mortality to Fish and
     Wildlife and Threatened/
     Endangered Plants (Sec.
     29.121(c))...............
    Notification--Accidents              20            1              20
     involving Serious
     Injuries/Death and Fires/
     Spills (Sec.   29.121(d))
    Written Report--Accidents            20           16             320
     Involving Serious
     Injuries/Deaths and Fires/
     Spills (Sec.   29.121(d))
    Report--Verify Compliance           240            4             960
     with Permits (Sec.
     29.121(e))...............
    Permit Modifications (Sec.           10           16             160
       29.160(a)).............
    Notification--Chemical                5            1               5
     Disclosure of Hydraulic
     Fracturing Fluids
     uploaded to FracFocus
     (Sec.   29.121(f)).......
Change of Operator Sec.
 29.170:
    Transferring Operator                20            8             160
     Notification (Sec.
     29.170)..................
 Extension to Well Plugging
 (Sec.   29.181(a)):
        Application for Permit            5          140             700
         Hard Copy............
        Application for Permit            5          105             525
         ePermits.............
        Modification Hard Copy            3           16              48
        Modification ePermits.            3           12              36
    Acquiring Operator's                 10           40             400
     Requirements for Wells
     Not Under a Service
     Permit (Sec.   29.171(a))
     Hard Copy................
    Acquiring Operator's                 10           30             300
     Requirements for Wells
     Not Under a Service
     Permit (Sec.   29.171(a))
     ePermits.................
    Acquiring Operator's                  1            8               8
     Acceptance of an Existing
     Permit (Sec.   29.171(b))
Public Information (Sec.
 29.210):
    Affidavit in Support of               1            1               1
     Claim of Confidentiality
     (Sec.   29.210(c) and
     (d)).....................
    Confidential Information              1            1               1
     (Sec.   29.210(e) and
     (f)).....................
    Maintenance of                        1            1               1
     Confidential Information
     (Sec.   29.210(h)).......
    Generic Chemical Name                 1            1               1
     Disclosure (Sec.
     29.210(i))...............
                               -----------------------------------------
        Totals................          938  ...........          17,167
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 18874]]

    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-07078 Filed 4-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on April 13, 2026.

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