The Minerals Management Service (MMS)
is responsible for the royalty management functions assigned to the
Secretary who is required by various laws to manage mineral
resources production on Federal and Indian lands, collect the
royalties due, and distribute the funds in accordance with those
laws. Under 43 CFR 3103.4-2, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
established the Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction Program. As a
benefit under this program, BLM approved royalty rate reductions
for operators of stripper oil properties for applicable sales
periods from October 1, 1992, through January 31, 2006. Effective
February 1, 2006, BLM terminated the benefits of reduced royalty
rates under this program, although this change is not currently
reflected in the CFR. For production through January 31, 2006,
reporters used Form MMS-4377, Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction
Notification, to notify MMS of royalty rate changes. Although the
benefits were terminated, MMS continues to verify previously
submitted notifications and may require the operator to submit an
amended Form MMS-4377.
The revised burden hour
estimate is 180 hours, a decrease of 900 burden hours. The decrease
in burden hours is due to a program change that was effective when
BLM terminated the benefits of the Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction
Program on February 1, 2006. The MMS continues to verify forms
submitted before that date, and operators may be required to submit
an amended form. We have fewer respondents and a corresponding
decrease in the burden hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.