Notice of Proposed Information Collection

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which implement provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), require that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities [see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)]. This notice identifies information collections that OSM will be submitting to OMB for approval. These collections are contained in (1) 30 CFR Part 780, Surface Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Reclamation and Operation Plans; and (2) 30 CFR Part 887, Subsidence Insurance Program Grants. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for each information collection activity. Comments are invited on: (1) The need for the collection of information for the performance of the functions of the agency; (2) the accuracy of the agency's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such as use of automated means of collection of the information. A summary of the public comments will accompany OSM's submission of the information collection request to OMB. The following information is provided for the information collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control number; (3) summary of the information collection activity; and (4) frequency of collection, description of the respondents, estimated total annual responses, and the total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for the collection of information. Title: Surface Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Reclamation and Operation Plan--30 CFR Part 780. OMB Control Number: 1029-0036. Summary: Permit application requirements in sections 507(b), 508(a), 510(b), 515(b) and (d), and 522 of Public Law 95-87 require the applicant to submit the operations and reclamation plan for coal mining activities. Information collection is needed to determine whether the mining and reclamation plan will achieve the reclamation and environmental protections pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Without this information, Federal and State regulatory authorities cannot review and approve permit application requests. Bureau Form Number: None. Frequency of Collection: Once. Description of Respondents: Applicants for surface coal mine permits. Total Annual Responses: 420. Total Annual Burden Hours: 186,081.

Title: Subsidence Insurance Program Grants--30 CFR part 887. OMB Control Number: 1029-0107. Summary: States and Indian tribes having an approved reclamation plan may establish, administer and operate self-sustaining State and Indian Tribe-administered programs to insure private property against damages caused by land subsidence resulting from underground mining. States and Indian tribes interested in requesting monies for their insurance programs would apply to the Director of OSM. Bureau Form Number: None. Frequency of Collection: Once. Description of Respondents: States and Indian tribes with approved coal reclamation plans. Total Annual Responses: 0. Total Annual Burden Hours: 1.

Dated: April 13, 1999. Richard G. Bryson, Chief, Division of Regulatory Support. [FR Doc. 99-9620 Filed 4-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-05-M