In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is filing comment and withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the proposed rulemaking and will include in the supporting statement of the next ICR--to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stage--a description of how the agency has responded to any public comments on the ICR, including comments on maximizing the practical utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2020
01/31/2020
12/31/2020
64,200
0
64,200
90,170
0
90,170
0
0
0
The BLM is proposing a rule that would remove several regulations pertaining to reducing wasteful venting, flaring, and leaks of natural gas from onshore wells. The proposed rule would result in the removal of 21 information collection activities and the addition of 1 new information collection activity, plus some adjustments that respond to comments received during review of the proposed rule under Executive Ordeer 12866.
US Code:
30 USC 351-360
Name of Law: Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands
US Code:
30 USC 1701-1759
Name of Law: Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act
US Code:
25 USC 396 and 396a
Name of Law: Indian Mineral Leasing Act
US Code:
30 USC 221-237
Name of Law: Subchapter IV of the Mineral Leasing Act
US Code:
25 USC 2101-2108
Name of Law: Indian Mineral Development Act
US Code:
42 USC 4321-4370h
Name of Law: National Enfironmental Policy Act
The net effects of the program changes and adjustments would be 63,125 fewer responses (1,075 minus 64,200 responses) and 86,160 fewer hours (4,010 minus 90,170 hours).
Adjustments
The BLM made adjustments in response to comments submitted during the review of the proposed rule under Executive Order 12866. The net adjustments are 250 additional responses and 700 additional hours. The specific adjustments are as follows:
1, The hours per response for the activity titled, "Request for Approval for Royalty-Free Uses On-Lease or Off-Lease" were increased from 4 to 8. Multiplied by 50 responses, the total adjustment is 200 additional hours.
2. The number of responses for the activity titled, "Request for Extension of Royalty-Free Flaring During Initial Well Testing" was increased from 500 to 750. Multiplied by 2 hours per responses, the total adjustment is 500 additional hours.
Program Changes
Program changes in this proposed rule would consist of the removal of 21 information collection activities, and the addition of 1 new information collection activity. The net effects of these program changes would be 63,125 fewer responses than in the 2016 final rule, as revised in the recent 2017 suspend / delay rule (1,075 responses minus 64,200 responses) and 86,160 fewer burden hours than in the 2016 final rule, as revised in the recent 2017 suspend / delay rule (4,010 hours minus 90,170 responses). These program changes, and their reasons, are itemized at Tables 15-1 and 15-2 of the supporting statement.
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.
Oil Well Gas