Supporting_statement[1]

14

Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

Color-of-Title Application (43 CFR Subparts 2540 and 2541)

OMB Control Number 1004-0029

Terms of Clearance: None

A. Justification:

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information

The Color-of-Title Act (43 U.S.C. 1068, 1068a, and 1068b) provides for the issuance of a land patent to a tract of public land of up to 160 acres. The claimant shows good faith and peaceful, adverse possession of the tract for more than 20 years, as well as sufficient improvement or cultivation of the land. The information covered in this submission enables the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine whether or not such a claimant has made a showing that is sufficient to obtain a land patent under the Act.

The BLM regulations provide that a color-of-title application may be submitted by any individual, group, or corporation authorized to hold title to land in the State. Any applicant who satisfies the statutory and regulatory requirements will receive a patent conveying clear title to the lands upon payment of the sale price of the lands. The BLM collects no similar information from the same universe of respondents. (43 CFR 2541.2)

The claims recognized by the Act are referred to in the regulations as claims of class 1 and claims of class 2. 43 CFR 2540.0-5. A class 1 claim is one which has been held in good faith and peaceful, adverse possession by a claimant, his ancestors or grantors, under claim or color-of-title for a minimum of 20 years, on which valuable improvements have been placed, or on which some part of the land has been reduced to cultivation. A class 2 claim is one which has been held in good faith and peaceful, adverse possession by a claimant, his ancestors or grantors, under claim or color-of-title for the period commencing not later than January 1, 1901, to the date of application. Almost all respondents file class 1 claims.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. [Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.]

The following forms comprise an application for a Color-of-Title claim: (a) 2520-1, Color-of-Title Application; (b) 2540-2, Conveyances Affecting Color or Claim of Title; and (c) 2540-3, Color-of-Title Tax Levy and Payment Record. A respondent must submit the forms at the same time (as one application), and the BLM must process the information contained on the forms at the same time (as one application) in order to determine if the respondent meets the requirements of the Color-of-Title Act and the regulations at 43 CFR Subparts 2540 and 2541. The BLM uses the information to determine if an applicant meets the statutory requirements of the Color-of-Title Act and regulations. This information is required in order to obtain the benefit of clear title to the lands that are concerned. Failure to provide the necessary information will result in the rejection of the color-of-title application. The BLM collects and uses the information as follows:

Form 2520-1 (Color-of-Title Application): The BLM uses this information to identify the respondent (applicant); identify the lands being claimed by the applicant; identify the type of claim, circumstances under which the applicant came into possession of the lands being claimed; and the current structural and cultural characteristics of the lands being claimed.

Serial Number: The BLM is responsible for creating the serial number. Each form will be labeled with an identical serial number and placed in a single case file labeled with the serial number.

Item #1: Name of applicant (first, middle initial and last): The BLM collects this information to identify the applicant (individual, group, or corporation) making the claim.

Item #2: Address (include zip code): The BLM collects this information to transact business and communicate with the applicant by mail.

Item #3: Phone (include area code): The BLM collects this information to communicate with the applicant by phone.

Item #4: Legal description of lands claimed (township, range section subdivision, meridian, county, state, number of acres): The BLM collects this information to identify the exact location of the lands the applicant is claiming.

Item #5: Type of application (class I, class 2 or both): The BLM collects this information to determine the type of claim for which the applicant is applying.

Item #6: Are you the record title holder? The BLM collects this information to determine what interest the applicant has in the land.

Item #7: By what written instrument do you assert ownership? The BLM collects this information to determine what written document (deed, will, or court order) is the basis for the applicant’s claim.

Item # 8: On what date did you first learn that you did not have clear title? The BLM collects this information to determine if the applicant held the land in good faith. Under the provisions of the Act, the land is not held in good faith when held with the knowledge that the land is owned by the United States. The date the applicant first learned they did not have clear title to the land and the source the applicant obtained the information from is essential in determining the good faith requirements of the Act.

Item #9: From what source did you obtain this information? The BLM collects this information to determine if the applicant held the land in good faith. Under the provisions of the Act, the land is not held in good faith when held with the knowledge that the land is owned by the United States. The date the applicant first learned they did not have clear title to the land and the source the applicant obtained the information from is essential in determining the good faith requirements of the Act.

Item #10 a, b, c, d, e: Have you had title to the land searched, Yes or No? If yes, please complete the following information about the examiner (name, address, area code and phone number, and date of examination). The BLM collects this information to communicate with the examiner who searched the title for the applicant, compare the examiner's information with the United States, and resolve any discrepancies in the title information that may exist.

Item #11a: Total purchase price paid by you for the above-described property? The BLM collects this information to determine the final purchase price of the lands being claimed.

Item #11b: Estimate value of structural and cultural improvements on date of purchase. The BLM collects this information to determine the final purchase price payable by the applicant to the United States. The land applied for will be appraised on the basis of its fair market value at the time of the appraisal. The value resulting from improvements or development by the applicant or his predecessors will be deducted from the appraised price and consideration will be given to the equities of the applicant.

Item #11c: Estimate value of existing structural and cultural improvement added since purchase. The BLM collects this information to determine the final purchase price payable by the applicant to the United States. The land applied for will be appraised on the basis of its fair market value at the time of the appraisal. The value resulting from improvements or development by the applicant or his predecessors will be deducted from the appraised price and consideration will be given to the equities of the applicant.

Item #11d: Amount received for forest products sold since purchase. The BLM collects this information to determine the final purchase price payable by the applicant to the United States. The amount of any revenue generated from the sale of forest products since purchase will be included in the final purchase price.

Item #12a: Is the land currently under cultivation, Yes or No? The BLM uses this information to determine if the applicant meets the requirements of a class 1 claim.

Item #13a: Specify which calendar years cultivated. The BLM uses this information to determine if the applicant meets the requirements of a class 1 claim.

Item #13b: Acres cultivated. The BLM uses this information to determine if the applicant meets the requirements of a class 1 claim.

Item #14: List any improvements to property. The land applied for will be appraised on the basis of its fair market value at the time of the appraisal. The value resulting from improvements or development by the applicant or his predecessors will be deducted from the appraised price and consideration will be given to the equities of the applicant.

Item #15: If claim originated before January 1, 1901, are you also applying for the mineral estate, Yes, No, or Not applicable? The BLM uses this information to determine if the applicant is requesting title to the minerals. Conveyance of the federally-owned minerals underlying the lands claimed by the applicant cannot be made unless the BLM prepares a mineral report to evaluate the minerals.

Item #16a: Enclose the filing fee of $10. The applicant is required by 43 CFR 2541.2(a)(2) to file an application fee of $10.

Item #16b: Enclose Form 2540-2 showing all conveyances affecting title to the lands. The applicant is required by regulation 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(1) to furnish itemized data relating to all record and non-record title conveyances. The BLM uses this information to determine if any irregularities in the chain of title exist.

Item #16c: Enclose Form 2540-3 showing levy and payment of taxes for each year of claim (Required of Class 2 claims only). The applicant is required by 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(2) to furnish itemized information relating to tax levies and payments on the lands claimed. The BLM uses this information to determine taxes levied and paid on the lands claimed.

I Certify. The applicant must certify the statement by signing and dating the application. The certification begins the process of examining the respondent’s eligibility to acquire clear title to the lands claimed under the Color-of-Title Act, 43 CFR 2542.2(a)(3).

Form 2540-2 (Conveyances Affecting Color or Claim of Title): The BLM uses this information to trace the chain of title to the lands being claimed by the respondent (applicant).

Applicant’s name. The BLM collects this information to identify the applicant making the claim and uses this to link the forms submitted by the applicant.

Legal description of lands claimed (township, range, section, subdivision, meridian, county, and state). The legal description must be listed as recorded in public records of the county concerned as required by 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(1). The BLM collects this information to identify the exact location of the lands the applicant is claiming.

Grantor. Property in the form of land must have a recorded owner. The names of the grantor and the grantee for the conveyance should be provided as required by law. The BLM uses this information to trace the land title back to the original or current land owners.

Grantee. Property in the form of land must have a recorded owner. The names of the grantor and the grantee for the conveyance should be provided as required by law. The BLM uses this information to trace the land title back to the original or current land owners.

Date. The BLM uses this information to determine when the transfer of title occurred between the grantor and grantee. The information is vital in determining if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of a class 1 claim.

Volume. The BLM uses this information to verify that each conveyance of record is recorded in the county records.

Page. The BLM uses this information to verify each conveyance of record is recorded in the county records.

Reservations, restrictions, type of conveyance (mortgage, lease, fee, etc.). The BLM uses this information to identify rights reserved in the conveyance (i.e., oil and gas, all minerals, right-of-way, etc.), and the type of conveyance document (i.e., quitclaim deed, warranty deed, will, tax sale) used to transfer title to the lands from the grantor to the grantee.

I Certify. The public official administering the county tax records or a certified abstracter gives the certification of recorded information. The official signature, address, title (of official), and date of certification are required by law to determine encumbrances and conveyances affecting the validity of the application for public lands as required by 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(1).

Form 2540-3 (Color-of-Title Tax Levy and Payment Record): The BLM uses this information to determine if there is a break in the chain of title to the lands being claimed.

Name of applicant. The BLM collects this information to identify the applicant (individual, group, or corporation) making the claim.

Legal description. The location of the claimed Federal land, also known as the Township, Range, Section, Subdivision, Meridian, County, and State must be described as provided in 43 CFR 2541.2(b). The legal description must be listed as recorded in public records of the county concerned as required by 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(1).

Tax year. The certification of the tax year, payor of the tax, amount of tax (includes levy of tax, and payment), is necessary information to legally qualify the applicant to receive a property right from the Federal government according to the regulation 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(2).

Payor. The certification of the tax year, payor of the tax, amount of tax (includes levy of tax, and payment), is necessary information to legally qualify the applicant to receive a property right from the Federal government according to the regulation 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(2).

Amount of Tax (Levy). The certification of the tax year, payor of the tax, amount of tax (includes levy of tax, and payment), is necessary information to legally qualify the applicant to receive a property right from the Federal government according to the regulation 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(2).

Amount of Tax (Payment). The certification of the tax year, payor of the tax, amount of tax (includes levy of tax, and payment), is necessary information to legally qualify the applicant to receive a property right from the Federal government according to the regulation 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(2).

Certification. The public official administering the county tax records or a certified abstracter gives the certification of recorded information. The official signature, address, title (of official), and date of certification are required by law to determine encumbrances and conveyances affecting the validity of the application for public lands as required by 43 CFR 2541.2(c)(1).

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden [and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements].

The BLM will accept as ‘‘properly filed’’ any form in electronic format that was previously available only in paper format. If you choose to file on-line, you must use the forms available from http://www.blm.gov/blmforms/Forms/index.htm. The BLM will not accept the use of electronic forms in other formats. In addition to using the form from the BLM web site, the user must also have a Federal Bridge Trusted credential. The BLM will continue to accept, filings on paper forms.

The BLM is in the process of providing an easy to use form system that will allow respondents to submit responses electronically. The BLM uses eForms which is as a part of an eAuthentication Project that supports the implementation of the GPEA requirements. Eforms is a web-based forms application that will eventually replace the paper forms used within BLM.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The information collection is unique to the Color-of-Title Act and the regulations at 43 CFR Part 2541. The BLM’s information collection is not duplicative and is the only method to process this collection.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, then describe any methods used to minimize burden.

Applicants who file Color-of-Title applications are individuals, groups, or corporations. The individuals are citizens of the United States employed in various occupations and industries. The BLM does not collect information from applicants regarding their occupation, industry of employment, or employment status because the Color-of-Title Act does not require the BLM to collect such information. Because we have no data pertaining to applicant’s occupation or industry of employment, we are using “all full-time workers in private industry” as the affected public. We estimate in the Information Service Center (RISC) and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Combined Information System (ROCIS) that all of the applicants during this collection period may qualify in the small business or small entity category. There are no special methods used to minimize the burden because the information collection methods are uniform throughout the BLM regardless of the size of the entity. The information collected by the BLM is limited to only the information required for an applicant to meet the statutory requirements of the Act and regulations.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

The BLM is the only agency responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Color-of-Title Act. The Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue a patent to an individual, group, or corporation who has a valid color-of-tile claim. Less frequent collection would mean no collection at all. Reducing the burden will preclude the collection of sufficient information to determine if the applicant meets the statutory requirements of the Act and regulations.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

*requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

*requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

*requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

*requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

*in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

*requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

*that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

*requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines. We do not exceed the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice [and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years] and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. [Please list the names, titles, addresses, and phone numbers of persons contacted.]

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years — even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

Federal Register Notice: One comment was received in response to the 60-day Federal Register notice published on May 21, 2009 (74 FR 23879). The comment did not address this information collection; rather, it was a general invective about the Department of the Interior, the BLM, and Washington politicians. Therefore, we have no response to the comment. The formal public comment period closed on July 20, 2009. A copy of the notice is attached.

Consultation Results: The applicants indicated that the data required for the application was obtained without a great deal of difficulty; one application was required; instructions on the application were clear; and the cost and hour burden are fairly accurate.

Applicants Consulted:

(1) – (Applicant) Bert & Mary Parish, (703) 237-0655, 3023 Meeting St., Falls Church, Virginia 22044.

(2) – (Applicant) Richard Dennis (801) 486-9089, 2533 Yermo Ave., Salt Lake City, Utah 84109.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

The applicant receives no payments or gifts

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

The applicant's confidentiality is protected to the extent consistent with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

The applicant is not required to answer questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.

Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14.

As explained above in Item Number 2, each color-of-title application consists of three forms. Because the forms are submitted concurrently, we have no data that would enable us to estimate separate hour and cost burdens for each form.

The information collected on the application is available to applicants through their personal knowledge, records on file in the BLM, and records on file in the county where the lands are located. The estimated hour burden per application includes the time necessary to read instruction, gather information, and complete the forms. The estimated annual hour burden is based on information obtained from the applicants, the BLM's experience with the information collection, and the average number of applications received annually within a three-year collection period from Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 through FY-2008 (10/01/2005 through 09/30/2008).

Table 12-1, below, shows our estimates of the hour and cost burdens for each application. The hourly mean wage in Table 12-1 is based on data for “Occupational Employment Statistics” on pages 6 and 13 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) May 2008 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (dated May 8, 2009), at http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes_nat.htm. The benefits multiplier of 1.4 is implied by information on page 4 of USDL 09-1098, September 10, 2009, at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf.

Table 12-1 – Estimated Hour and Cost Burdens for Each Application

(a) Occupational Category	(b) Mean Hourly Wage	(c) Benefits Multiplier	(d) Total Mean Hourly Wage (including benefits)	(e) Number of Hours Per Application	(f) Total Cost Burden Per Application
Groups/Corporations: Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	$20.24	1.4	$28.31	2.0	$56.62
Groups/Corporations: Office and Administrative Support Workers	$15.15	1.4	$21.21	1.0	$21.21
Groups/Corporations Total:				3.0 hours	$77.83
Individuals/Households: Farmers/Ranchers	$11.02	1.4	$15.43	3.0	$45.09
Individuals/Households Total:				3.0 hours	$45.09

Tables 12-2A, 12-2B, and 12-2C, below, shows our respective estimates of the annual hour and cost burdens for each applicant (i.e., individuals, groups, and corporations).

Table 12-2A – Estimated Annual Hour and Cost Burdens for Individuals

Data Category	Burden
(a) Annual applications	8 applications
(b) Burden hours per individual	3 hours
(c) Response time for all individuals annually (a x b x hour burden from Table 12-1)	24 hours
(d) Total cost per individual (cost burden from Table 12-1)	$45.09
(e) Total annual cost to individuals for collection (a x d)	$360.72

Table 12-2B – Estimated Annual Hour and Cost Burdens for Groups/Corporations

Data Category	Burden
(a) Annual applications	2 applications
(b) Burden hours per groups/individuals	3 hours
(c) Response time for all groups/individual annually (a x b x hour burden from Table 12-1)	6 hours
(d) Total cost per groups/corporations (cost burden from Table 12-1)	$77.83
(e) Total annual cost to groups/corporation for collection (c x d)	$466.98

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information [including filing fees paid]. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995; (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection; (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

Applicants incur no annual capital or start-up costs, and no recurring annual costs to prepare or respond to the information collection. Applicants are not required to purchase any computer software or hardware to comply with this information collection. Table 13-1, below, summarizes these data.

Table 13-1 - Annual Cost Burden to Respondents or Recordkeepers

Data Category	Burden
(a) Total capital and start-up cost	$0
(b) Total operation/maintenance and purchase service cost	$0

Pursuant to 43 CFR 2541.2, each application must be accompanied by a filing fee of $10, which is non-returnable. Table 13-2, below, shows our estimates of the burdens to respondents of the filing fee. The burden estimates are based on the average number of applications received within a three-year collection period from Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 through FY-2008 (10/01/2005 through 09/30/2008).

Table 13-2 – Estimated Annual Burden of the Application Filing Fee

Data Category	Totals
(a) Annual applications for collection	10
(b) Application filing fee per application	$10
(c) Application filing fee for collection ($10) x (10 applications)	$100

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

Table 14-1, below, shows our estimates of the cost burdens, per hour, to the Federal Government for each occupational category of Federal personnel that is needed to process a Color-of-Title application. The hourly mean wage in Table 14-1 is based on the BLM's experience with the information collection, and on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management 2009 General Pay Schedule located at: http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/indexGS.asp. The benefits multiplier of 1.5 is implied by information on page 4 of USDL 09-1098, September 10, 2009, at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf.

Table 14-1 – Federal Government Hourly Cost Per Position

Position	Grade (Step1)	Hourly Wage	Benefit Multiplier	Hourly Wage (including benefits)
(a) Clerical	GS-7	$16.04	1.5	$24.06
(b) Technical	GS-11	$23.74	1.5	$35.61
(c) Manager	GS-13	$33.84	1.5	$50.76

Table 14-2, below, shows our estimate of the hour and cost burdens to the Federal Government for each Color-of-Title application.

Table 14-2 – Estimated Federal Government Cost and Time to Process One Application

Position	(a) Hourly Wage (including benefits)	(b) Time to Process one application (hours)	(c) Cost (a x b)
(a) Clerical	$24.06	1	$24.06
(b) Technical	$35.61	8	$284.88
(c) Managers	$50.76	1	$50.76
(d) Total Time and Cost for One Application		10	$359.70

Table 14-3, below, shows our estimate of the total annual hour and cost burdens to the Federal Government for this information collection.

Table 14-3 – Estimated Annual Federal Government Cost and Time for Collection

Data Category	Burden
(a) Annual applications for this collection	10 applications
(b) Number of hours to evaluate one application	10 hours
(c) Cost to evaluate one application	$359.70
(d) Cost to evaluate applications ($359.70) x (10 applications)	$3,597.00

15. Explain the reasons for any adjustments.

Data Category for Collection	Previous Collection	This Collection	Difference	Explanation
(a) Annual applications	7	10	+3	Adjustment
(b) Applicants burden hours	21	30	+9	Adjustment
(c) Applicants’ burden costs	$1,260	$828	-$432	Adjustment
(d) Application filing fee	$70	$100	+$30	Adjustment
(e) Costs to Federal Government	$1,680	$3,597	+$1917	Adjustment

Table 15(a) – Annual Applications: Adjustment for this collection is due to an increase in the number of applications received annually.

Table 15(b) – Applicants’ Burden Hours: Adjustment for this collection is due to an increase in the number of applications received annually.

Table 15(c) – Applicants’ Burden Costs: Adjustment for this collection is due to the requirement to use Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data to calculate the costs. The BLM did not use nor was required to use BLS data to calculate the costs for the previous collection.

Table 15(d) – Application Service Fee: Program adjustment for this collection is due to an increase in the number of applications received annually.

Table 15(e) – Costs to Federal Government: Program adjustment for this collection is due to the requirement to use the U.S. Office of Personnel Management 2009 General Pay Schedule to calculate costs. The BLM did not use nor was required to use BLS data to calculate the costs for the previous collection.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

We have no plans to publish this information collection.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

We are not requesting approval to not display the expiration date.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions".

There are no exceptions identified.