This information collection request is approved for only current G&G monitoring and mitigation requirements. This approval does not include the Long Term Monitoring Plan in the Gulf of Mexico, as discussed at 79 FR 66402.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2018
36 Months From Approved
03/31/2015
4,265
0
4,343
432,512
0
190,480
3,939,435
0
3,713,665
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 190,480 hours. This submission requests 432,512 hours. The currently approved annual reporting and recordkeeping non-hour cost burden is $3,713,665. This submission requests $3,939,435.
Hours: We made a program decrease of 17,650 hours due to requirements/burdens being transferred to BSEE regulations and approved by OMB under 1014-0023 and 1014-0024. We also made an adjustment increase of 259,682 hours primarily due to an increase in the number of annual responses for plan submissions and their revisions (EP's §§ 550.211-228 and DPP's/DOCD's §§ 550.241-262). Since the last renewal, BOEM has greatly improved its techniques for querying the database and therefore reporting a greater number of plans/plan revisions. Also, the increase is due to some companies having submitted all new air quality plans based on operator audits. Ancillary activities (§§ 550.207-210) also increased because more companies are performing preliminary work (e.g., surveys and core sampling) to avoid well issues in the future.
Costs: We made a program decrease of $40,032 for deleting requirements with cost recovery fees that were transferred to BSEE and approved by OMB under 1014-0024. There is also an adjustment increase of $265,802 due to the increase in the number of annual responses for plan submissions and revisions, as noted above.
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 BOEM-0138 Air Emission Calculations for EPs
FR-30-day-1010-0151.pdf
0151 SS comp rev 3_3_15.doc
30 CFR 550 Subpart B.docx
200-209; 211-228; 231-285 - Contents of Exploration Plans (EP)