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 3,930
burden hours as a program increase due to new regulatory
requirements that are Arctic specific (IOP). Once the rule becomes
effective, these burden hours will be consolidated into the primary
collection for plans (1010-0151), and this new collection will be
discontinued. There are no non-hour cost burdens associated with
this collection.
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.