Supporting statement 08.12.14

17

SUPPORTING STATEMENT A

AUTHORIZING GRAZING USE (43 CFR 4110 and 4130)

FORMS 4130-1, 4130-1A, 4130-1B, 4130-3A, 4130-4 AND 4130-5

OMB CONTROL NUMBER 1004-0041

Terms of clearance: None

General Instructions

A completed Supporting Statement A must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. When the question “Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?” is checked "Yes," then a Supporting Statement B must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.

Specific Instructions

Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 (43 U.S.C. 315 – 315r) and Subchapter IV of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1751 - 1753) authorize the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to administer domestic livestock grazing on public lands, consistent with land use plans, multiple use objectives, sustained yield, environmental values, economic considerations, and other relevant factors. Maintaining accurate records of permittee and lessee qualifications for a grazing permit or lease, base property used in conjunction with public lands, and the actual use made by livestock authorized to graze on the public lands, is an important and integral part of the program administration and grazing management. The regulations at 43 CFR 4110.1 and 43 CFR 4110.2 require from the public an application and notice to the BLM to transfer grazing preference and to apply for a permit or lease in conjunction with a preference transfer. The regulations at 43 CFR 4130.1 require existing permittees and lessees to apply to the BLM for changes in their authorized grazing. The regulations at 43 CFR 4130.3-2(d) allow the BLM to require permittees or lessees operating under a grazing permit or lease to submit an actual grazing use report within 15 days after completing their annual grazing use, or as otherwise specified in the permit or lease. The regulations at 43 CFR 4130.6-1 allow the BLM to enter into “exchange-of-use” agreements with applicants who own or control lands that are unfenced and intermingled with public lands within an allotment. The BLM requires applicants, permittees, and lessees to submit the required information on Forms 4130-1, 4130-1a, 4130-1b, 4130-3a, 4130-4, and 4130-5.

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 BLM uses the information on Forms 4130-1, 4130-1a, and 4130-1b to allocate grazing use, adjudicate conflicting requests for grazing use, determine legal qualifications of applicants, issue permits, and document transfers. The BLM requires a permit or lease to authorize livestock to graze on public lands. We request the following information on the Grazing Schedule — Grazing Application (Form 4130-1):

1. Applicant’s name and address;

2. Location of grazing use requested (allotment name, number, and pasture number);

3. Description of requested use (number of livestock; kind; and period of time); and

d. Identification markings of livestock that will be grazing under the permit or lease.

The BLM uses information on the Grazing Application and Preference Transfer Application (Form 4130-1a), as well as related nonform information, to collect information that is necessary to determine whether or not to grant or transfer a grazing preference. We request the following information on Form 4130-1a:

1. Applicant’s name and address;

2. Description of the private lands or water offered as base property used in conjunction with the grazing permit or lease;

3. The amount of public land permitted for grazing use, expressed in animal unit months (AUM’s) and location of use, identified by allotment and associated with the offered base property; and

4. If the application transfers preference for permitted use from another base property to the applicant’s base property, a description of the base property from which the preference for permitted use is detached and concurrence with this action by the original base property owner as well as any lienholder.

The instructions on Form 4130-1a include a statement that, in addition to form information, the BLM may require nonform information to support or verify the information respondents provide on the form. Such additional nonform information enables the BLM to determine whether or not an applicant owns or controls land or water base property and is eligible to obtain authorization to use public lands for domestic livestock grazing, in accordance with 43 CFR 4110.1 and 4110.2-1.

The BLM uses the form titled, “Grazing Application — Supplemental Information” (Form 4130-1b) in conjunction with Form 4130-1a to enable applicants to certify that they are qualified for a grazing permit or lease and to provide other information necessary to the administration of the grazing permit or lease. We request the following information on Form 4130-1b:

1. Applicant’s name and address;

2. Whether the applicant is a U.S. citizen or has petitioned for citizenship, a group or association, or a corporation;

3. Whether the applicant has a satisfactory performance record as required under 43 CFR 4110.1(b);

4. Identification of the party or parties that will own the livestock that will graze under the permit or lease;

5. The date that a livestock control agreement, if required, will be submitted to the BLM by the applicant;

6. The brands and other identifying markings of the livestock that will graze under the permit or lease;

7. A listing of land owned or leased by the applicant that is within BLM grazing allotments;

8. Disclosure of grazing authorizations issued by other BLM offices and other Federal, state, or local agencies; and

9. The identity and contact information of the person, if any, who the applicant has authorized to represent them to the BLM.

The BLM uses the Automated Grazing Application (Form 4130-3a) to make periodic adjustments in grazing use within the terms and conditions of existing permits or leases, and to determine the amount of grazing fees. Form 4130-3a is an electronic copy of each permit and lease maintained by the BLM in its Rangeland Administration System (RAS). The RAS thus serves as a repository of data pertaining to almost 20,000 grazing permits and leases managed by the BLM. Additionally, RAS maintains electronic files about allotments, authorizations, and billing history.

The BLM does not provide public access to the RAS. However, at least once a year, the BLM provides a paper copy of Form 4130-3a to permittees and lessees, and asks them to review the following information provided on the form:

1. Permittee’s name and address;

2. Name and number of permitted grazing allotment(s);

3. Number of livestock authorized;

4. Period(s) of grazing use authorized; and

5. Other terms and conditions of grazing use necessary for management.

The permittee/lessee then has the option of indicating on the pre-completed form to reflect any desired changes in grazing use and return the form to the BLM. If a permittee or lessee receives this form but does not return it (or returns it unchanged), then the BLM issues the permittee a bill for the active use shown on Form 4130-3a. If a permittee/lessee requests changes, the completed form must be returned to the BLM 30 to 60 days before the permitted date to begin grazing. If the form is returned with changes, the BLM uses the information to determine:

1. Whether the level of grazing use the permittee/lessee requests will be consistent with the terms and conditions of the permit or lease;

2. Whether the change(s) the permittee/lessee requests will be consistent with multiple use objectives stated in the applicable land use plan; and

3. Whether the changes requested otherwise comport with the requirements of the grazing regulations.

After deciding whether or not to grant the requested changes, the BLM will assess grazing fees accordingly.

An Application for Exchange-of-Use Grazing Agreement (Form 4130-4) is used by a private landowner who wants to use BLM-managed lands for grazing and, in exchange, offers to allow a BLM grazing permittee to use the privately owned land for grazing. In order to be eligible for such an agreement, an applicant must own or control unfenced non-federal lands within a BLM-designated grazing allotment. This type of agreement assists the BLM in managing allotments with mixed ownership, and recognizes the reality that livestock will roam across unfenced lands in the course of grazing regardless of land ownership. No fees for livestock forage are charged by either party to an exchange-of-use agreement. The BLM requests the following information on Form 4130-4:

1. The applicant’s name and address;

2. A legal land description of the land being offered for exchange of use;

3. The applicant’s estimate of the grazing capacity of the land being offered in exchange of use, rated by the kind of livestock for which grazing is desired;

4. The name of the allotment and the administering BLM field office where the lands are located; and

5. The terms and conditions of grazing use requested (livestock number, kind, and period of use) and the estimated forage consumption in animal unit months (AUMs) that would result from such use.

By policy, the BLM generally limits the term of exchange-of-use agreements to five years before it is renegotiated. This recognizes that forage production on rangelands is dynamic and subject to change over time. Following completion of the application, the BLM verifies that it is accurate and that the grazing use desired will be in harmony with the management objectives for the allotment and will be compatible with existing livestock operations. If this is the case, the BLM then issues an exchange-of-use grazing authorization to the applicant, or, if the applicant is also a Federal permittee within the allotment, ensures that the terms of the agreement are incorporated into the Federal grazing permit or lease.

The BLM uses the information on the Actual Grazing Use Report (Form 4130-5) for two specific purposes:

1. To calculate billings (payment due to the Government for the amount of authorized livestock grazing use). The BLM issues a billing notice when fees are due, and must receive payment in full prior to authorizing grazing use, except when an allotment management plan provides for delayed payment and is incorporated into a grazing permit or lease. In this latter situation, the BLM issues a billing notice based upon actual grazing use at the end of the grazing period/year or for a normal operation prior to the grazing period/year followed by an adjusted billing notice based upon the actual use reported after the completed grazing use (43 CFR 4130.8-1(e)). If the BLM fails to collect this information, it will prevent us from managing the program properly.

2. As a baseline for monitoring and evaluating livestock grazing use on the public lands to determine if we need to adjust the amount of grazing use or if other management actions are having the desired effects. Knowledge of actual livestock use is essential for monitoring and evaluating the livestock grazing management program. Information on the specific use is essential for an accurate and complete analysis and evaluation of the effects of livestock grazing during particular periods of time, considered with other factors such as the climate, growth characteristics of the vegetation, and utilization levels on the plants. Failure to collect this information would result in less than satisfactory data and reduce our capability to make or require adjustments.

The BLM provides Form 4130-5 to permittees or lessees before we authorize the livestock to graze for one grazing period/year. This enables the permittee or lessee to complete the form as the use is made. This is necessary for the BLM to maintain a uniform and accurate billing process.

Since the BLM uses the information supplied by the reports for billing purposes, the permittee or lessee must keep accurate and current records for the period of time covered by their permit or lease.

Form 4130-5 requires the following entries:

Allotment and Pasture. Permits and leases authorize livestock use in specified areas (e.g., allotments and/or pastures). This entry identifies where livestock grazing use occurred.

Date. This entry identifies the day a change was made. The BLM uses this information to calculate total time grazed for billing purposes. This is key information along with the other entries to identify a specific event.

Number and Kind of Livestock. This entry requires the identification of the numbers of livestock allowed to graze. Information on the kind of livestock is important for billing purposes (e.g., the fee for five sheep is equivalent to the fee for one cow). It is also important for the monitoring and evaluation program, since different kinds of livestock have different forage (vegetation) preferences and effects on the vegetation and other resources.

Remarks (Reverse Side). This enables the permittee or lessee to provide information they believe should be important to the BLM. For example, the permittee may believe that unusual circumstances occurred during the reporting period, such as abnormally dry weather or the presence of poisonous plants which may cause livestock death losses. The BLM considers this information in its monitoring and evaluation program.

Signature. The permittee or lessee certifies completeness and accuracy when signing the report. The permittees or lessees are prohibited from knowingly or willfully making false statements in actual use reports (43 CFR 4140.1(b)(8)).

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.

In this supporting statement, under Item Number 8, we describe modifications we have made to the forms for this collection. We have made those changes in response to comments from respondents.

Upon approval of the modifications by OMB, and with one exception, we will make the forms for this collection electronically available to the public in fillable, printable format on the BLM’s Forms Central website: http://www.blm.gov/noc/st/en/business/eForms/4000-4999.html. For each of these forms, a respondent who chooses to submit it electronically may do so by scanning and then emailing it to the appropriate BLM office.

The exception is the Automated Grazing Application (Form 4130-3a), which is automated, in the sense that the BLM can retrieve from its Rangeland Administration System (RAS) a computer-generated (electronic) version of Form 4130-3a for each of the almost 20,000 grazing permits and leases it administers. Each Form 4130-3a includes data specific to the permit or lease. The public cannot download a blank copy of Form 4130-3a directly from the BLM’s Forms Central website, since the form is generated from the RAS.

A permittee or lessee uses Form 4130-3a to request changes to the use authorized by their existing permit/lease. Each year, up to 120 days before the first date of authorized grazing use, the BLM generates a paper copy of the form from RAS and provides it to the permittee/lessee. That paper copy re-states the terms and conditions of the existing permit or lease. Upon receiving Form 4130-3a, the permittee/lessee may request changes by marking up the paper form. The permittee/lessee may then return the paper form to the BLM by mail or email for processing, as discussed above under Item Number 2. If a permittee or lessee receives this form but does not return it (or returns it unchanged), then the BLM issues the permittee a bill for the active use shown on the form.

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 BLM must obtain this information in order to monitor and evaluate the program and to facilitate billing for grazing use of public lands. The information we request is unique to each permittee or lessee, so the BLM can only obtain the necessary information from the respondents. There is no similar information already available and no duplication of information collection.

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

Small businesses or other small entities are among the respondents. We review the requirements to ensure that the information requested of small organizations and all other potential respondents is the minimum necessary. There are no special provisions for small organizations. We structure the request to require only necessary data.

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.

If we did not conduct the information collection, or if we conducted it less frequently, we would not be able to: (1) meet statutory and regulatory requirements for regulating domestic livestock grazing on public lands, (2) obtain current information necessary for billing to meet statutory financial responsibilities, or (3) sufficiently evaluate and monitor the success of grazing management practices.

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 requiring the collection to be conducted in a manner described above.

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.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three 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.

On January 10, 2014, the BLM published the required 60-day notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 1884), and the comment period ended March 11, 2014. The BLM received one comment. The comment did not address, and was not germane to, this information collection. Therefore, we have no response to the comment.

The BLM has consulted with the following respondents to obtain their views on the availability of data; frequency of collection; the clarity of instructions; the recordkeeping, disclosure, and reporting formats; and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported:

Name	Affiliation	Phone Number
Mike Fry	Jerusalem Cattle Co	(208) 793-2369
Jeremy Larson	Jerusalem Cattle Co	(208) 793-2369
Gene Hess	Jerusalem Cattle Co	(208) 793-2369
Monte Funkhouser	Jerusalem Cattle Co	(208) 793-2369
Karen Chavez	Public Land Grazing Permittee	(575) 635-2095
Thomas Mobley	Public Land Grazing Permittee	(575) 526-2112
Clayton Wade	Public Land Grazing Permittee	(575) 538-6339
Joe Moya	Public Land Grazing Permittee	(575) 647-4743
Peggy Price	Miles Land and Livestock Co.	(307) 265-2818

While the majority of respondents told us that they found the forms’ instructions are straightforward, clear, and reasonable as to information requirements, they indicated that either they visit the BLM field office where a Rangeland Management Specialist can assist and discuss any questions or problems they may have or BLM completes most of the forms for them, and they review and sign them. Some respondents have not used Form 4130-1a (Grazing Application and Preference Transfer Application) or 4130-1b (Grazing Application-Supplemental Information) because they have not applied for a transfer of preference for permitted use. Several respondents have not used Form 4130-4 (Application of Exchange of Use of Agreement) because they have not applied for Exchange-of-Use. These reports are consistent with our estimates of fewer responses for Forms 4130-1a, 4130-1b, and 4130-4 than for Forms 4130-1, 4130-3a, and 4130-5.

The respondents reported ranges of response times that varied between a low of 5-10 minutes and a high of 1 hour. Most respondents indicated that Forms 4130-1 and 4130-3a (Grazing Application-RAS generated) took the least time and Forms 4130-1a and 4130-1b took the most time to complete. The vast majority of forms take an estimated average of 20 minutes to complete. Most respondents also indicated that they already keep the records needed to complete the forms.

These observations verify our estimated response times. Two of our lowest estimated response times are for Forms 4130-1 and 4130-3a (15 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively) and our two highest estimated response times are for Forms 4130-1a and 4130-1b (35 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively). While none of our estimated response times reflect the observation that any of the forms might take an hour to complete, that observation seems to be an outlier, in view of the consensus that the forms in this collection require on average 20 minutes to complete.

One respondent suggested that we modify Form 4130-1 (Grazing Schedule — Grazing Application) by adding definitions of “% PL Use” (i.e. “Public Land Use” at column 6) and “Type Use” (column 7). We have made the suggested changes to Form 4130-1.

Several respondents suggested increasing the font size on Forms 4130-1a (Grazing Preference Application and Preference Transfer Application) and 4130-1b (Grazing Application Supplemental Information). However, other respondents said that asked us not to increase the font size if that would increase the number of pages for the form (or if it would increase the number of pages from an even number to an odd number). These respondents said they would prefer to keep the font size the same to minimize the number of pages that are filed in a case file.

As a compromise, we have increased the font size on two sentences of Form 4130-1a regarding payment and documentation requirements. That form will continue to be two pages long.

Since Form 4130-1b is currently three pages (two pages if printed front/back), we will increase the font size on the entire form, except for the Notice. With those changes, the form will be four pages long. However, when the form is printed front/back, it will still continue to be two pages.

One respondent suggested adding a block to Forms 4130-1, 4130-1a, and 4130-5 (Actual Grazing Use Report) to indicate the respondent’s printed name next to the respondent’s signature. We have revised those forms in accordance with that suggestion.

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

We provide no payments or gifts to the respondents.

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

As described at 72 FR 9025 (Feb. 28, 2007), a Privacy Act system of records is associated with this information collection: Interior / LLM-2, Range Management System. Also, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3601 – 3606, 40 U.S.C. 305, and 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), respondents are informed that providing the information is necessary to obtain or maintain a benefit.

On December 29, 2010, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a notice in the Federal Register (75 FR 82061) (“Bureau of Land Management’s Range Management System—Interior, LLM–2; Notice To Amend an Existing System of Records”) proposing to change the way BLM manages and releases grazing permit and lease information, including names and addresses. This change became final on February 8, 2011. The BLM’s public website (http://www.blm.gov/ras/) provides information about grazing administration on the National System of Public Lands, including names and addresses of all grazing permit and lease holders who graze livestock on these lands. This information is provided in consideration of a United States District Court, District of Idaho decision in Case No. CV 09-482-CWD. In that case, the Court found that there was substantial public interest in understanding the scope of the grazing and rangeland program, including knowing how many individuals or entities actually graze cattle on public lands, as well as the size and scope of their operations, and that this public interest outweighed the permit holders’ privacy interest in their names, addresses and authorization numbers.

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.

We do not require the respondents 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.

* 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 under “Annual Cost to Federal Government.”

Table 12-1, below, shows our estimate of the hourly cost burdens for respondents. The mean hourly wages for Table 12-1 were determined using national Bureau of Labor Statistics data at: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm.

The benefits multiplier of 1.4 is supported by information at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm.

Table 12-1 – Hourly Cost Calculation

A. Occupational Category	B. Mean Hourly Wage	C. Total Mean Hourly Wage (Column B x 1.4)
SOC Code Number 11-9013 Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers	$35.20	$49.28

Table 12-2, below, details the individual components and respective hour burden estimates of this information collection request.

Table 12-2 - Estimates of Hour and Cost Burdens

A. Type of Response	B. Number of Responses	C. Time Per Response	D. Total Hours (Column B x Column C)	E. Annual Cost (Column D x $49.28)
Grazing Schedule — Grazing Application 43 CFR 4130.1-1 Form 4130-1	3,000	15 minutes	750	$36,960
Grazing Preference Application and Preference Transfer Application (Base Property Preference Attachment and Assignment) 43 CFR 4110.1(c), 4110.2-1(c), and 4110.2-3 Form 4130-1a and related nonform information	900	35 minutes	525	$25,872
Grazing Application Supplemental Information 43 CFR 4110.1 and 4130.7 Form 4130-1b	900	30 minutes	450	$22,176
Automated Grazing Application 43 CFR 4130.4 Form 4130-3a	14,000	10 minutes	2,333	$114,970
Application for Exchange-of-Use Grazing Agreement (43 CFR 4130.6-1) Form 4130-4	10	18 minutes	3	$148
Actual Grazing Use Report 43 CFR 4130.3-2(d) Form 4130-5	15,000	15 minutes	3,750	$184,800
Totals	33,810		7,811	$384,926

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* 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 for form processing). 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.

Respondents maintain grazing information in the course of conducting usual and customary ranch business. Respondents are not required to purchase any additional computer hardware or software to comply with these information requirements. There are no capital and start-up costs involved with this information collection. Respondents incur a $10 service charge for the processing of Form 4130-1. That estimated burden is shown below:

Table 13 - Estimated Non-Hour Cost Burdens

A. Type of Response	B. Number of Responses	C. Amount of Service Charge Per Response	D. Annual Cost (Column B x Column C)
Grazing Schedule — Grazing Application 43 CFR 4130.1-1 Form 4130-1	3,000	$10	$30,000

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.

The estimate of annual cost to the Federal Government is based on a calculation of hours and hourly wages involved in processing the responses. This calculation includes the cost incurred by the BLM from the receiving point of the respondent’s application or report to the issuance or approval of the land use authorization, reconciliation billing, or recording and analysis of the report. This includes the time for clerical staffs to receive the application or report, route it to appropriate technical staff for processing, managerial staff to review and approve the authorization and technical and clerical staff to issue the subsequent land use authorization.

The hourly cost to the Federal Government is based on U.S. Office of Personnel Management Salary Table data at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/14Tables/html/GS_h.aspx. The benefits multiplier of 1.5 is implied by information at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm. The hourly cost calculations are shown below:

Table 14 -1 — Hourly Cost Calculations

A. Position	B. Pay Grade	C. Hourly Pay Rate ($/hour)	D. Hourly Rate with Benefits (Column C x 1.5)	E. Percent of the Information Collection Completed by Each Occupation	F. Weighted Avg. ($/hour) (Column D x Column E)
Range Clerk	GS-7/5	$18.64	$27.96	40%	$11.18
Rangeland Management Specialist	GS-9/5	$22.80	$34.20	50%	$17.10
Supervisory Rangeland Management Specialist	GS-12/5	$33.06	$49.59	10%	$4.96
Weighted Average Hourly Pay Rate ($/hour): $33.24

Table 14-2, below, shows the annualized Federal costs for each component of this collection of information. The estimated time spent to process the information collections is based on the BLM's experience. The hourly wage is shown at Table 14-1, above.

Table 14-2 — Estimated Annual Cost to the Government

A. Type of Response	B. Number of Responses	C. Time Per Response	D. Total Hours (Column B x Column C)	E. Total Wage Cost (Column D x $33.24)
Grazing Schedule — Grazing Application 43 CFR 4130.1-1 Form 4130-1	3,000	40 minutes	2,000	$66,480
Grazing Preference Application and Preference Transfer Application (Base Property Preference Attachment and Assignment) 43 CFR 4110.1(c), 4110.2-1(c), and 4110.2-3 Form 4130-1a and related nonform information	900	75 minutes	1,125	$37,395
Grazing Application Supplemental Information 43 CFR 4110.1 and 4130.7 Form 4130-1b	900	70 minutes	1,050	$34,902
Automated Grazing Application (43 CFR 4130.4) Form 4130-3a	14,000	30 minutes	7,000	$232,680
Application for Exchange-of-Use Grazing Agreement 43 CFR 4130.6-1 Form 4130-4	10	75 minutes	12.5	$416
Actual Grazing Use Report 43 CFR 4130.3-2(d) Form 4130-5	15,000	70 minutes	17,500	$581,700
Totals	33,810		28,688	$953,573

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

We have revised the forms as discussed under Item Number 8, above.

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.

The BLM publishes grazing authorization information in the Public Land Statistics once a year. In addition, BLM grazing authorization information is available to the public in real time on a permit and allotment basis via the use of Geographic Information System technologies. See: http://www.geocommunicator.gov/NILS-PARCEL2/map.jsp?MAP=GA.

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.

BLM will display the expiration date of the OMB approval.

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

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.