In May 2013, President Obama issued the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, which acknowledges the emerging economic opportunities in the Alaska area, as well as the need for careful stewardship and decision making for the area. The strategy emphasizes that efforts to explore and develop the minerals resource potential for the Arctic OCS must be conducted cautiously, safely, and responsibly, especially given the unique and sensitive Alaska environment, its marine resources, and the Alaska Native communities who depend on this region and its resources for subsistence. This collection addresses the provisions in a final rulemaking to revise regulations dealing with plans associated with activity on the Arctic OCS in support of this strategy.
This rulemaking will add 779 burden hours and $250,000 non-hour cost burdens as a program increase due to new regulatory requirements that are Arctic specific:
As stated previously, this rulemaking also pertains to several regulations. Once this rule becomes effective, the hour and non-hour cost burdens will be removed from this collection of information and consolidated with the IC burdens under OMB Control Numbers:
⢠30 CFR part 250, subpart A, 1014-0022, expiration 8/3/2017
⢠30 CFR part 250, subpart C, 1014-0023, expiration 11/30/2018
⢠30 CFR part 250, subpart D, 1014-0018, expiration 10/31/17
⢠30 CFR part 250, subpart S, 1014-0017, expiration 11/30/2018; and
⢠30 CFR part 254, 1014-0007, expiration 11/30/2018.
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.