Pursuant to public comment, BOEM must review whether it is necessary to collect information on Simsource surveys. BOEM's findings must be reported in supporting statement part A when this control number is renewed.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2018
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2015
707
0
561
40,954
0
1,033
175,044
0
148,888
BOEM uses the information to ensure there is no environmental degradation, personal harm, damage to historical or archaeological sites, or interference with other uses; to analyze and evaluate preliminary or planned drilling activities; to monitor progress and activities in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); to acquire G&G data and information; and to determine eligibility for reimbursement.
Burden Hours: The currently approved annual hour burden is 1,033 hours. This submission requests 40,954 hours. We made a program increase of 12,420 hours to allow for estimated G&G activity and permit applications for the Atlantic OCS (§§ 551.4-551.8), as a result of the BOEM Record of Decision identified in Item No.1. We also made a program increase of 1 hour to account for the BOEM regulatory portion of a requirement regarding test drilling under a permit (§§ 551.7, 551.8). This hour burden was originally covered under a joint Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement information collection that is now under the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement; therefore, BOEM is now covering the estimated burden. In addition, there is an adjustment increase of 27,500 hours due to re-estimating the number of annual responses and the amount of time required to respond, based on respondent consultations and public comment, primarily for permit applications.
In response to public comments received, BOEM has increased the burden estimate for permit applications from 3 to 300 hours in the Gulf OCS Region and from 300 to 1,000 hours in the other OCS Regions. This change multiplied by the increased number of applications accounts for a significant increase in burden hours for this collection. Although the work required for industry to comply with MMPA, NEPA, and ESA requirements does not stem directly from BOEM's permit forms, industry has asked us to recognize the significant time constraints involved before they are able to apply for a BOEM permit. BOEM is therefore doing such in this renewal request.
Non-Hour Costs: The currently approved annual reporting and recordkeeping non-hour cost burden is $148,888. This submission requests $175,044. We made a program increase of $18,108 for the permit application fees estimated for the Atlantic OCS as a result of the BOEM Record of Decision. We also made an adjustment increase of $8,048 due to the increase in the estimated number of annual permit applications submitted, primarily for the Alaska 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.