Notice2026-11183

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur

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Published
June 4, 2026

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 1010-0081.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33750-33753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11183]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0081; Docket ID: BOEM-2025-0008]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Operations in 
the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and 
Sulfur

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 1010-0081.

DATES: Comments must be received by the OMB desk officer no later than 
July 6, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Submit your written comments on this ICR to the OMB's desk 
officer for the Department of the Interior at <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. From the <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a> landing page, 
find this information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. 
Please provide a copy of your comments by parcel delivery service or 
U.S. 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#fc9d92929dd29d889795928f9392bc9e939991d29b938a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d2b3bcbcb3fcb3a6b9bbbca1bdbc92b0bdb7bffcb5bda4">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 1010-0081 in the subject line of your 
comments.

[[Page 33751]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Atkinson by email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82e3ecece3ace3f6e9ebecf1edecc2e0ede7eface5edf4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="debfb0b0bff0bfaab5b7b0adb1b09ebcb1bbb3f0b9b1a8">[email&#160;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 published a Federal Register notice with a 60-day public 
comment period on the proposed ICR on August 6, 2025 (90 FR 37882). 
BOEM received one comment. The commentor shared that the renewal of 
this information collection risks an expansion of mining activities 
without regard for long-term environmental and ecological impacts. The 
commentor indicated that the approval process should be more robust, 
incorporating a wide range of stakeholders. BOEM does provide 
opportunity for public participation in the process that would be used 
if BOEM is evaluating a delineation, testing, or mining plan submitted 
under 30 CFR part 582. The comment submitted does not change the 
purpose of or need for the ICR, nor does it affect the cost or hour 
burden. To date, no lessee has submitted a plan or related information 
requirements established in 30 CFR part 582. BOEM contacted several 
companies that have recently expressed interest in leasing OCS marine 
minerals for information pertaining to this ICR. BOEM has made a 
reasonable estimate for the cost and burden hours based on this 
information, its experience with similar noncompetitive leasing for 
marine minerals activities, and plan submittals under competitive 
leases for OCS oil and gas and offshore wind energy.
    As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, BOEM is again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR. 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?
    (5) How might BOEM minimize the burden of this collection on the 
respondents, including minimizing the burden through the use of 
information technology?
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record and will be available for public review on 
<a href="http://www.reginfo.gov">www.reginfo.gov</a>. 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. 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). 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 implementing 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 the submittal of your comments that, if 
released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your 
personal 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, 
in their entirety, all comments submitted by organizations and 
businesses, or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives 
of organizations or businesses.
    BOEM protects proprietary information in accordance with the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), DOI's implementing 
regulations (43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR part 581.7, promulgated 
pursuant to the OCSLA) (43 U.S.C. 1352(c)).
    Title of Collection: ``30 CFR 582, Operations in the Outer 
Continental Shelf for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur.''
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (the ``Act,'' see 
43 U.S.C. 1334 and 1337(k)(1)) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior 
to issue leases on available areas of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) to the highest qualified bidder to develop any mineral resources 
other than oil, gas, and sulfur. The Act also authorizes the Secretary 
to issue regulations governing such leasing and all operations under a 
mineral lease. BOEM implements this statutory program governing OCS 
mining operations other than for oil, gas and sulfur under regulations 
at 30 CFR part 582.
    Competitive leasing has not occurred for OCS minerals other than 
oil, gas, and sulfur for decades. BOEM has not issued a lease since 30 
CFR parts 581-582 were first promulgated in the late 1980s. 
Accordingly, BOEM has not collected information under 30 CFR part 582. 
However, given recent industry expression of interest, the Department's 
initiation of several competitive lease sales, and the Executive Order 
14285, ``Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and 
Resources,'' the potential exists that BOEM may require information 
under this part. Therefore, BOEM seeks OMB renewal of this information 
collection.
    BOEM will use the information required by 30 CFR part 582 to 
evaluate and approve, disapprove, or require modification of the 
proposed activities in delineation, testing, or mining plans submitted 
by lessees to explore, develop, and produce marine minerals other than 
oil, gas, and sulfur. BOEM will also use the information to ensure 
orderly resource development; to protect the human, marine, and coastal 
environments; to ensure fair and equitable return on leased minerals; 
and to inform BOEM's regulation and oversight of operations conducted 
under a lease.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0081.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: OCS lessees.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 44 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,081 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Frequency of Collection: Monthly, quarterly, or on occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Cost Burden: None.
    The current approved annual burden hours are equal to 212 hours. 
This ICR

[[Page 33752]]

increases annual burdens to a total of 2,081 hours, based on BOEM's 
recent collection of data and information. The changes in annual burden 
hours account for increased interest in leasing OCS marine minerals and 
expectations related to plan preparation and submission over the next 
three years.
    The following table details the individual components and estimated 
hour burdens.

                                                  Burden Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Reporting or
       Citation 30 CFR 582               recordkeeping         Hour burden    Average Number of    Annual burden
                                          requirement                          annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Subpart A--General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4; 21(b).........................  Governors of adjacent                 40  4..................             160
                                    States, State/Federal
                                    task forces, lessees
                                    and operators, and
                                    other interested
                                    parties review and
                                    provide comments/
                                    recommendations on all
                                    plans and environmental
                                    information.
4(b); 12(b)(2); 21; 22; 25; 26;    Submit delineation plan,             400  2 expected each                 800
 28.                                including environmental                   year in next 3
                                    information,                              years.
                                    contingency plan,
                                    monitoring program, and
                                    various requests for
                                    approval referred to
                                    throughout; submit
                                    modifications and
                                    required information..
4(c); 12(c)(2); 21; 23; 25; 26;    Submit testing plan,                 500  1 plan (BOEM                    500
 28.                                including environmental                   expects 0 in the
                                    information,                              next 3 years).
                                    contingency plan,
                                    monitoring program, and
                                    various requests for
                                    approval referred to
                                    throughout; submit
                                    modifications and
                                    required information..
4(d); 12(d)(2); 21; 24; 25; 26;    Submit mining plan,                  230  1 expected in next              230
 28.                                including environmental                   3 years;
                                    information,                              modifications,
                                    contingency plan,                         monitoring and
                                    monitoring program, and                   information
                                    various requests for                      submittals after
                                    approval referred to                      the initial plan
                                    throughout; submit                        submission will
                                    modifications and                         occur more than 3
                                    required information..                    years out.
5................................  Request non-disclosure                10  4..................              40
                                    of data and info;
                                    provide consent;
                                    demonstrate loss of
                                    competitive position..
6................................  Governors of adjacent                 10  4..................              40
                                    States request
                                    proprietary data,
                                    samples, etc., and
                                    disclosure agreement
                                    with BOEM..
7................................  Governor of affected                  10  1..................              10
                                    State initiates
                                    negotiations on
                                    jurisdictional
                                    controversy, etc., and
                                    enters agreement with
                                    BOEM..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Subtotal.......................  ........................  ..............  17 Responses.......           1,780
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subpart B--Jurisdiction and Responsibilities of Director
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11(c); 20(h); 30.................  Apply for right-of-use                30  1..................              30
                                    and easement; submit
                                    confirmations,
                                    demonstrations, and
                                    notifications..
11(d);...........................  Request consolidation/                 2  1..................               2
                                    splitting of two or
                                    more OCS mineral leases
                                    or portions..
14...............................  Submit response copy                   5  2..................              10
                                    indicating date
                                    violations (INCs)
                                    corrected..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Subtotal.......................  ........................  ..............  4 Responses........              42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subpart C--Obligations and Responsibilities of Lessees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20(a), (g); 29(i)................  Make available all        ..............  Burden included                   0
                                    mineral resource or                       with individual
                                    environmental data and                    reporting
                                    information; submit                       requirements below.
                                    reports and maintain
                                    records, as specified..
20(b) thru (e)...................  Submit designation of                  1  1..................               1
                                    payor, operator, or
                                    local representative;
                                    submit changes,
                                    terminations,
                                    notifications..
20(h)............................  Confirm oral request in                1  1..................               1
                                    writing by the lessee
                                    or holder of a right of
                                    use and easement..
21(d)............................  Notify BOEM of                        10  2..................              20
                                    preliminary activities..
29(a)............................  Submit monthly report of              10  1 report (0                      10
                                    minerals produced;                        expected in next 3
                                    request extension..                       years).
29(b), (c).......................  Submit quarterly status               40  2..................              80
                                    and final report on
                                    exploration and/or
                                    testing activities..
29(d)............................  Submit results of                     40  2..................              80
                                    environmental
                                    monitoring activities..
29(e)............................  Submit marked and                      5  1..................               5
                                    certified maps annually
                                    or as required..

[[Page 33753]]

 
29(f)............................  Maintain rock, minerals,               5  4..................              20
                                    and core samples for 5
                                    years and make
                                    available upon request..
29(g)............................  Maintain original data                 5  4..................              20
                                    and information and
                                    navigation tapes as
                                    long as lease is in
                                    effect and make
                                    available upon request..
29(h)............................  Maintain hard mineral                  5  4..................              20
                                    records and make
                                    available upon request..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Subtotal.......................  ........................  ..............  22 Responses.......             257
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Subpart D--Payments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40...............................  Submit surety, personal                2  1 Response.........               2
                                    bond, or approved
                                    alternative..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Subpart E--Appeals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50; 15...........................  File an appeal..........  ..............  Burden exempt under               0
                                                                              5 CFR
                                                                              1320.4(a)(2), (c)..
    Total Burden.................  ........................  ..............  44 Responses.......           2,081
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and 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.).

James G. Anderson,
Acting Deputy Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2026-11183 Filed 6-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on June 4, 2026.

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.