Sections 11 and 25 of the amended OCS Lands Act require the holders of OCS oil and gas or sulphur leases to submit exploration plans (EPs) or development and production plans (DPPs) to the Secretary for approval prior to commencing these activities. As a Federal agency, we have a continuing affirmative duty to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This includes a substantive duty to carry out any agency action in a manner that is not likely to jeopardize protected species as well as a procedural duty to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries) before engaging in a discretionary action that may affect a protected species.
This collection has both program changes and adjustments.The currently approved annual hour burden is 291,414 hours.This submission requests 190,480 hours.The currently approved annual reporting and recordkeeping non-hour cost burden is $4,853,530.This submission requests $3,597,157.(a)There is a program decrease of 44,178 hours that is a result of revising all the forms associated with this subpart.While the forms were revised dramatically, industry had the opportunity to review the changes to the forms since they were published in the FR for the 60-day notice.We believe that the burden for these requirements has lessened in part due to familiarity and the use of computers.There is also an adjustment decrease of 56,756 hours.The information is based on re-estimating the average number of annual responses and the amount of time required to respond based on consultations.(b)There is an adjustment decrease of $1,256,373 for non-hour cost burdens that is a result of re-estimating the number of annual responses received; specifically those associated with cost recovery fees.It should be noted that as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident, the hour burdens and non-hour costs decreased (over the average 3 year period) in part due to the temporary moratorium on many activities on the OCS.
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.
Form 0141 281; 284 - Post-Approval Requirements for the EP, DPP, and DOCD
1010-0151 30-day notice.pdf
0151-11-ss[1]9-22-11.doc
209-285 - Contents of Exploration Plans (EP)