30-day notice

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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 159 / Friday, August 20, 2021 / Notices
The BLM also welcomes suggestions
for other potential approaches to the
Federal coal program including
approaches that may differ from those
articulated below. We encourage
commenters to be as specific as possible
in identifying the types of changes to
the program that the BLM should
consider, including changes to
regulations, guidance, and management
practices.
BLM also solicits input on the
following:
1. Potential new leasing models, or
potential reforms to the previous or
existing leasing models of regional
leasing and lease by application;
2. Other approaches to increase
competition in the leasing process;
3. Data or analyses that justify a
specific change to the royalty rate;
4. Potential approaches to improve
the pre-sale estimate of fair market
value;
5. Whether, and how, to account in
the leasing process for the extent to
which reclamation responsibilities have
been met;
6. Potential approaches to design a
‘‘budget’’ for the amount of Federal coal
and/or acreage to be leased over a given
period; and
7. How to account for export potential
in the leasing process.
In submitting written comments,
individuals should be aware that their
entire comment—including personal
identifying information (including
address, phone number, and email
address)—may be made publicly
available at any time. While the
commenter can request in the comment
that the commenter’s personal
identifying information be withheld
from public review, this cannot be
guaranteed. All comments from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, will be
available for public inspection in their
entirety.
The DOI will consult with Indian
tribes on a government-to-government
basis in accordance with Executive
Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal
concerns, including impacts on Indian
trust assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local
agencies, along with Tribes and other
stakeholders that may be interested in or
affected by the Federal coal program, are
invited to participate in the review.
Following closure of the comment
period, the BLM will prepare a
comment summary report, make the
report available to the public, and will
detail the scope and form of its

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programmatic review. The BLM’s goal is
to announce additional steps for the
programmatic review by November
2021.
(Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq., 30 U.S.C.
181 et seq., 30 U.S.C. 351 et. seq.)
Nada Wolff Culver,
Deputy Director, Programs and Policy, Bureau
of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 2021–17827 Filed 8–19–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–84–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[OMB Control Number 1010–0072; Docket
ID: BOEM–2017–0016]

Agency Information Collection
Activities; Commercial Prospecting,
Noncommercial Geological and
Geophysical Exploration, and
Scientific Research for Minerals Other
Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur on the Outer
Continental Shelf
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:

In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) proposes to renew an
information collection request (ICR).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
September 20, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent to
the Office of Management and Budget’s
Desk Officer for the Department of the
Interior within 30 days of publication of
this notice at www.reginfo.gov/public/
do/PRAMain. Find this information
collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under
Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or
by using the search function. Please
provide a copy of your comments to the
BOEM Information Collection Clearance
Officer, Anna Atkinson, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166; or by email to anna.atkinson@
boem.gov. Please reference Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Control
Number 1010–0072 in the subject line of
your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anna Atkinson by email at
[email protected] or by
telephone at 703–787–1025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, BOEM provides
SUMMARY:

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the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on
new, proposed, revised, and continuing
collections of information. This helps
BOEM assess the impact of the
information collection requirements and
minimize the public’s reporting burden.
It also helps the public understand
BOEM’s information collection
requirements.
Title of Collection: Commercial
Prospecting, Noncommercial Geological
and Geophysical Exploration, and
Scientific Research for Minerals Other
Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur on the Outer
Continental Shelf.
Abstract: This ICR covers the
information collection requirements in
30 CFR part 580, ‘‘Prospecting for
Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and
Sulphur 1 on the Outer Continental
Shelf [OCS],’’ which concern
commercial prospecting and scientific
research. This request also includes
information collection requirements
related to authorizations of
noncommercial geological and
geophysical (G&G) exploration issued
pursuant to section 11 of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCS
Lands Act), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1340
et seq., and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
The OCS Lands Act authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to
prescribe rules and regulations to
administer leasing of mineral resources
on the OCS. Section 8 of the OCS Lands
Act authorizes the Secretary ‘‘to grant to
the qualified persons offering the
highest cash bonuses on a basis of
competitive bidding leases of any
mineral other than oil, gas, and sulphur
in any area of the [O]uter Continental
Shelf not then under lease for such
mineral upon such royalty, rental, and
other terms and conditions as the
Secretary may prescribe at the time of
offering the area for lease.’’ 43 U.S.C.
1337(k)(1). Additionally, the Secretary
may noncompetitively negotiate
agreements for the use of OCS sand,
gravel, and shell resources for use in
shore protection, beach restoration, or
coastal wetlands restoration projects
undertaken by a Federal, State, or local
government agency, or for use in a
construction project funded in whole or
in part by or authorized by the Federal
Government. 43 U.S.C. 1337(k)(2).
Section 11 of the OCS Lands Act
states that ‘‘any person authorized by
the Secretary may conduct geological
and geophysical explorations in the
[O]uter Continental Shelf, which do not
1 BOEM acknowledges that the generally and
scientifically accepted spelling for this compound
is sulfur. Throughout this notice, BOEM uses the
spelling consistent with its current regulations.

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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 159 / Friday, August 20, 2021 / Notices

interfere with or endanger actual
operations under any lease maintained
or granted pursuant to this subchapter,
and which are not unduly harmful to
aquatic life in such area.’’ 43 U.S.C.
1340(a)(1). The OCS Lands Act defines
the term ‘‘exploration’’ to mean the
process of searching for minerals by,
among other things, ‘‘geophysical
surveys where magnetic, gravity,
seismic, or other systems are used to
detect or imply the presence of such
minerals.’’ 43 U.S.C. 1331(k). Section 11
authorizes permits or authorizations for
geological exploration only if the
Secretary determines that the applicant
is qualified and the exploration will
neither interfere with operations on an
existing lease, unduly harm aquatic life
in the area, result in pollution, create
hazardous or unsafe conditions,
unreasonably interfere with other uses
of the area, nor disturb any site,
structure, or object of historical or
archaeological significance. 43 U.S.C.
1340(g).
BOEM considers applications for
commercial prospecting and
noncommercial exploration for marine
minerals, as well as scientific research
related to marine minerals. Under 30
CFR part 580, G&G prospecting by any
person on unleased lands or on lands
leased to a third party requires a BOEM
permit. G&G activities conducted for
scientific or academic purpose require
submission of a scientific research
notice.2 See 30 CFR 580.11. Because 30
CFR part 580 does not apply to
noncommercial exploration, such
activities are authorized directly
pursuant to section 11 of the OCS Lands
Act. Noncommercial exploration
includes searching for sand, gravel, and
other sources of sediment for potential
use in qualifying beach nourishment
and coastal restoration projects.
As a Federal agency, BOEM must
comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.), Endangered Species Act
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), National
Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C.
300101 et seq.), and Marine Mammal
Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.),
among other environmental laws.
Compliance with the Endangered
Species Act includes a substantive duty
to carry out agency action in a manner
that is unlikely to jeopardize protected
species or adversely modify designated
critical habitat and a procedural duty to
consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and National Marine Fisheries
2 A permit is required for scientific research
activities that involve the use of solid or liquid
explosives, the drilling of a deep stratigraphic test,
or the development of data for proprietary use or
sale. 30 CFR 580.11(a).

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Service, as applicable, before engaging
in a discretionary action that may affect
a protected species.
Under 30 CFR 580.12(a), applicants
must submit form BOEM–0134,
‘‘Requirements for Geological and
Geophysical Prospecting, Exploration,
or Scientific Research on the Outer
Continental Shelf Related to Minerals
Other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur,’’ to
provide the information necessary to
evaluate requests to conduct G&G
activities for commercial prospecting,
noncommercial exploration, and certain
scientific research.3 Under 30 CFR
580.11(b) and 580.12(c), a notice must
be filed with BOEM for scientific
research activities that do not involve
explosives, deep stratigraphic drilling,
or proprietary interests in the collected
data. BOEM uses the submitted
information for several purposes: (1) To
ensure there are neither adverse effects
to the marine, coastal, or human
environments nor unreasonable
interferences with other uses; (2) to
enhance personal and operational
safety; (3) to analyze and evaluate
preliminary or planned mining
activities; (4) to monitor progress and
activities on the OCS; (5) to acquire G&G
data and information collected under a
Federal permit or authorization; and (6)
to determine eligibility for
reimbursement from the Government for
certain costs.
Upon approval, BOEM issues
applicants a permit or an authorization
(as currently titled form BOEM–0135,
‘‘Permit for Geophysical Prospecting for
Mineral Resources or Scientific
Research on the Outer Continental Shelf
Related to Minerals Other than Oil, Gas,
and Sulphur,’’ or form BOEM–0136,
‘‘Permit for Geological Prospecting for
Mineral Resources or Scientific
Research on the Outer Continental Shelf
Related to Minerals Other than Oil, Gas,
and Sulphur).
BOEM may use the information
collected during G&G activities to
understand the characteristics of marine
mineral-bearing physiographic regions
of the OCS. The information aids BOEM
in analyzing and weighing the potential
for environmental damage, the
discovery of marine minerals, and any
associated impacts on adjacent coastal
States.
OMB Control Number: 1010–0072.
Form Number: Please note: Upon
OMB approval of this ICR, BOEM will
implement new titles for the three
existing forms discussed previously as
3 Form BOEM–0134 is required for scientific
research activities involving explosives, deep
stratigraphic drilling, or proprietary interests in the
collected data. 30 CFR 580.11(a)(1)–(3).

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follows. BOEM–0134, ‘‘Requirements
for Geological and Geophysical
Prospecting, Exploration, or Scientific
Research on the OCS Related to
Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and
Sulphur.’’
The following forms are the permits
or authorizations issued by BOEM based
on information provided in BOEM–
0134:
BOEM–0135, ‘‘Permit for Geophysical
Prospecting, Authorization of
Noncommercial Geophysical
Exploration or Permit for Scientific
Research Related to Minerals Other
Than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the
Outer Continental Shelf.’’
BOEM–0136, ‘‘Permit for Geological
Prospecting, Authorization of
Noncommercial Geological Exploration,
or Permit for Scientific Research Related
to Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and
Sulphur on the Outer Continental
Shelf.’’
Type of Review: Renewal of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public:
Permittees, applicants, and other
respondents, including those required to
only file notices (scientific research).
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 49 responses.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 730 hours.
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory
or required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion,
annual, or as specified in permits or
authorizations.
Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour
Burden Cost: $4,024 non-hour cost
burden.
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Hour Burden: BOEM
estimates 730 burden hours for this
renewal, which is a 245-hour increase in
annual burden hours over the currently
approved information collection. The
increase in burden hours is attributed to
the expected increase in the number of
annual applications, permits, and
authorizations.
A Federal Register notice with a 60day public comment period on this
proposed ICR was published on April 5,
2021 (86 FR 17636). BOEM did not
receive any comments during the 60-day
comment period.
BOEM is again soliciting comments
on this proposed ICR. BOEM is
especially interested in public comment
addressing the following issues: (1) Is
the collection necessary to the proper
functions of BOEM; (2) what can BOEM
do to ensure this information will be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might BOEM enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the

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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 159 / Friday, August 20, 2021 / Notices
information to be collected; and (5) how
might BOEM minimize the burden of
this collection on the respondents,
including minimizing the burden
through the use of information
technology?
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. BOEM will include or
summarize each comment in its request
to OMB for approval of this ICR. You
should be aware that your entire
comment—including your address,
phone number, email address, or other
personally identifying information—
may be publicly disclosed. In order to
inform BOEM’s decision whether it can
withhold from disclosure your
personally identifiable information, you
must identify any information contained
in your comment that, if released,
would clearly constitute an
unwarranted invasion of your privacy.
Also, you must briefly describe possible
harmful consequences of disclosing that
information, such as embarrassment,
injury, or other harm. While you can ask
BOEM in your comment to withhold
your personally identifiable information
from public disclosure, BOEM cannot
guarantee that it will be able to do so.
BOEM protects proprietary
information in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA, 5
U.S.C. 552), and the Department of the
Interior’s implementing regulations (43
CFR part 2).
A Federal agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
The authority for this action is 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995).
Signed:
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation, and
Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2021–17831 Filed 8–19–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

[Docket No. BOEM–2021–0066]

Notice of Availability of a Final
Environmental Impact Statement for
South Fork Wind, LLC’s Proposed
Wind Energy Facility Offshore Rhode
Island
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; final
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:

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In accordance with National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
regulations, BOEM announces the
availability of the final environmental
impact statement (FEIS) for the
construction and operation plan (COP)
submitted by South Fork Wind, LLC,
(South Fork Wind) for its proposed
South Fork Wind Farm (SFWF) and
South Fork Export Cable (SFEC) Project
(Project). The FEIS analyzes the
potential environmental impacts of the
Project as described in the COP (the
proposed action) and alternatives to the
proposed action and will inform
BOEM’s decision whether to approve,
approve with modifications, or
disapprove the COP.

SUMMARY:

The FEIS can be found on
BOEM’s website at: https://
www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/stateactivities/south-fork.

ADDRESSES:

For
information on the FEIS or BOEM’s
policies associated with this notice of
availability (NOA), please contact:
Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166, (703) 787–1722 or
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action: South Fork Wind
seeks approval to construct, operate,
maintain, and eventually decommission
the Project—a wind energy facility on
the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
offshore Rhode Island and an associated
export cable. The Project would be
developed within the range of design
parameters outlined in the South Fork
Wind COP, subject to applicable
mitigation measures. The SFWF as
proposed in the COP would include up
to 15 wind turbine generators with a
nameplate capacity of 6 to 12 megawatts
per turbine, submarine cables between
the wind turbine generators (inter-array
cables), and an offshore substation. The
SFWF would be located entirely on the
OCS in the area covered by Renewable
Energy Lease OCS–A 0517 (Lease Area),
approximately 19 miles southeast of
Block Island, RI, and 35 miles east of
Montauk Point, NY. The SFEC is an
alternating current electric cable that
would connect the SFWF to the existing
mainland electric grid in East Hampton,
NY. The Project also would include an
operations and maintenance facility
located onshore at either Montauk in
East Hampton, NY, or Quonset Point in
North Kingstown, RI, and a facility to
connect the SFEC with the Long Island
Power Authority electric transmission
and distribution system in the town of
East Hampton, NY.

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Alternatives: BOEM considered 22
alternatives when preparing the draft
environmental impact statement (DEIS)
and carried forward four alternatives for
further analysis in the DEIS and FEIS.
These four alternatives include three
action alternatives and the no action
alternative. Eighteen alternatives were
rejected because they did not meet the
purpose and need for the proposed
action or did not meet screening criteria.
The screening criteria included
consistency with law and regulations;
operational, technical, and economic
feasibility; environmental impact; and
geographical considerations.
Availability of the FEIS: The FEIS,
South Fork Wind COP, and associated
information are available on BOEM’s
website at: https://www.boem.gov/
South-Fork/. BOEM has distributed
digital copies of the FEIS to all parties
listed in the FEIS appendix B, which
also includes the location of all libraries
receiving a copy. If you require a CD or
paper copy, BOEM will provide one
upon request, as long as copies are
available. You may request a CD or
paper copy of the FEIS by calling (703)
787–1662.
Cooperating Agencies: The following
10 agencies and governmental entities
participated as cooperating agencies in
the preparation of the FEIS: Bureau of
Safety and Environmental Enforcement;
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Coast
Guard; the Massachusetts Office of
Coastal Zone Management; Rhode
Island Department of Environmental
Management; Rhode Island Coastal
Resource Management Council; and
Town of East Hampton, and Trustees of
the Freeholders and Commonality of the
Town of East Hampton.
Authority: This NOA was prepared
under 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (NEPA, as
amended) and 40 CFR 1506.6.
William Yancey Brown,
Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2021–17829 Filed 8–19–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
[RR83550000, 212R5065C6,
RX.59389832.1009676]

Quarterly Status Report of Water
Service, Repayment, and Other WaterRelated Contract Actions
AGENCY:

Bureau of Reclamation,

Interior.

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