The BLM will use these regulations to provide field managers with a set of tools that will permit management of fencing and occupancy and create a review and approval process for new uses and occupancies.
Adjustments in estimates: The BLM estimates 120 fewer responses (applications filed) than it did in the previous collection period because it has steadily been resolving (conducting site visits and processing applications for) the initial 150 cases that it identified three years ago as being subject to new regulations under 43 CFR subpart 3715, at §§ 3715.3-4 through 3715.3-6. The BLM expects this decline in annual responses to continue over the next few years. As a result of this decline in annual responses, the BLMÂs annual estimate for burden hours for all respondents has also decreased (from 300 to 60). The BLM continues to estimate that it will take a respondent two hours to file an application (for either a new occupancy or a modification to an existing occupancy).
This is the first request for renewal of this information collection since the introduction of the ROCIS database and the first time that the BLM has chosen to split the ICR into separate Information Collections for newly initiated or proposed occupancies and amendments to existing occupancies. Each IC now contains the burden hours and cost estimates associated with information requirements for either new or modifications to existing occupancies. The BLM anticipates that there will be fewer and fewer unresolved cases concerning existing occupancies, and therefore may reconsider the need for separate ICs under ICR 1004-1069 in the ROCIS database during future collection periods.
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.