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.