Notice of Intent To Request a Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Title: Rural Abandoned Mine Program. OMB Number: 0578-0019. Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 1998. Type of Request: To reinstate, with change, a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. Abstract: The primary objective of the Natural Resources Conservation Service is to work in partnership with the American people to conserve and sustain our natural resources. The Rural Abandoned Mine Program authorizes Federal technical and financial long-term cost- sharing assistance for conservation treatment and reclamation of abandoned coal mined land with eligible land users. The financial assistance is based on a conservation plan for reclamation which is made a part of an agreement or contract for a 5 or 10-year period of time. Under the terms of the agreement, the participant agrees to apply, or arrange to apply, the conservation treatment specified in the conservation plan. In return for this agreement, Federal cost-share payments are made to the land users, or third party, upon successful application of the conservation treatment. Information collected is used by the NRCS to ensure proper utilization of program funds. The NRCS-LTP-013 is used to record progress in applying the conservation/reclamation plan (7 CFR 632.24), such as the verification, revision or modification of the conservation plan, as well as recording the need for any follow up technical assistance. The NRCS-LTP-150 is for the land user to enter into a contract with NRCS to receive Federal cost-share assistance (7 CFR 632.22). The NRCS-LTP-151 is used to notify the participant, with an active agreement or contract, that information has been received which indicates a violation of the contract (7 CFR 632.42 (b)(1)(2)). The NRCS-LTP-152 is used during the contract period when the land user loses control of all or part of the right and interest in the land (7 CFR 632.22(f)). The NRCS-LTP-153 is used is used when non-compliance of the contract is indicated (7 CFR 632.41). The NRCS-LTP-156 is the basic document used by landowners to request assistance through the local NRCS field office (7 CFR 632.20). The NRCS-FNM-140 is used to authorize the vendor to furnish the conservation materials and services described in column (b) of the form (7 CFR 632.31(e)). This information collection is being resubmitted to reflect the elimination of two forms previously authorized (NRCS-LTP-154 and NRCS-LTP-155) and to reflect a scaled-down program. NRCS will ask for 3-year OMB approval within 60 days of submitting the request. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.50 hours per response. Respondents: Farms, individuals or households, or State, local, or Tribal governments. Estimated Number of Respondents: 438. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 223 hours. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Marcella Graham, the Agency OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5699. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the proposed collection of information,including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Marcella Graham, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013-2890. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Signed at Washington, D.C. on December 15, 1997. Thomas A. Weber, Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 97-33126 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3610-16-M