1004-0NEW_Sustanined-Yield_Supporting Statement NPRM xAE92 02072023

NPRM RIN 1004-AE92

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

Supporting Statement A

Ecosystem Resilience AND CONSERVATION (43 CFR Part 6100)

OMB Control Number 1004-0NEW

Terms of Clearance: Not applicable. This is a request for a new OMB Control Number.

Abstract: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes new regulations that, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and other relevant authorities, support the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, by incorporating climate resiliency and conservation, which includes preservation and restoration, in the management of public lands. The objectives of these regulations include maintaining healthy ecosystems, promoting conservation and preservation, achieving land health standards, prioritizing inventories and monitoring, accelerating habitat restoration, and ensuring resiliency to environmental change. The proposed rule would allow for conservation as an authorized use of public lands and revises existing regulations specific to Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) to clarify how the BLM will designate and manage these areas. These regulations would be included in 43 CFR 6100 – Ecosystem Resilience – and would provide an overarching framework for multiple BLM programs to promote ecosystem sustainability on public lands. This request is being submitted in connected with the proposed rule for 43 CFR Parts 6000 and 6100 (RIN 1004-AE92).

Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes new regulations that, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and other relevant authorities, will advance BLM’s mission to manage for the multiple use and sustained yield of public lands by prioritizing the resilience of ecosystems across those lands. To ensure the resilience of public lands, the proposed rule provides that BLM will protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data. To support these activities, the proposed rule applies land health standards to all public lands and uses, clarifies conservation as a use within FLPMA’s multiple use framework, and revises existing regulations to better meet FLPMA’s requirement that BLM give priority to designating and protecting Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). The proposed rule would add new Part 6100 – Ecosystem Resilience – to title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations and would revise existing regulations at Subpart 1610 – Resource Management Planning – to provide an overarching framework for multiple BLM programs to promote ecosystem resilience on public lands.

This proposed rule establishes an operational definition of sustained yield and defines conservation in the context of a changing climate. It provides a framework to implement conservation both for its own sake and to support ecosystem sustainability, by identifying best practices to conserve and restore lands and waters to desired conditions based on land health standards and high-quality information. It promotes conservation, preservation, and restoration opportunities designed to foster public involvement, honor the Bureau’s commitment to work closely with Tribes and other governmental entities, and respond more effectively to changing resource conditions and increasing demands on public lands and waters.

The BLM is requesting approval for new collections of information contained in the BLM’s proposed rule for 43 CFR 6100 titled, “Ecosystem Resilience.” The authority for these new collections of information; including the underlying proposed rule are as follows:

• Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, is the BLM’s ‘‘organic act’’; it establishes the agency’s mission to manage public lands. FLPMA establishes that it is the policy of the United States that public lands be managed in a manner that recognizes the nation’s need for natural resources from those lands, provides for outdoor recreation and other human uses, maintains habitat for fish and wildlife, preserves certain public lands in their natural condition, and protects the quality of the scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, water-resource, and archaeological values of the nation’s lands (43 USC 1701);

• The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. § 7202) legislatively established the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS), to include public lands carrying certain executive or congressional designation and set parameters for the management of lands within the system. The regulations proposed would support the BLM’s execution of the statutory direction to “manage the [NLCS] in a manner that protects the values for which the components of the system were designated” (16 U.S.C. § 7202(c)(2)).

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.

The proposed rule contains the new information collection requirements that require approval by the Office of

Management and Budget. These new information collection requirements are discussed below.

Section 6102.5-1 (e) and (f) - Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders

Section 6102.5-1 would allow in certain limited circumstances authorized officers to approve third parties as mitigation fund holders to establish mitigation accounts for use by entities granted land use authorizations by the BLM. The authorized officer will approve the use of a mitigation account by a permittee only if a mitigation fund holder has a written agreement with the BLM. The authorized officer may approve third parties as mitigation fund holders if the party demonstrates that it meets the minimum qualifications listed below:

a. It is a nonprofit organization that:

i. has a history of successfully performing holding and managing mitigation accounts;

ii. qualifies for tax-exempt status in accordance with Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(3);

iii. is a public charity bureau for the state in which the mitigation area is located, or otherwise complies with applicable state laws;

iv. is a third party organizationally separate from (having no corporate or family connection to) the mitigation sponsor (e.g., the entity accomplishing the mitigation project), the BLM, the project proponent, or the permittee;

v. adheres to generally accepted accounting practices that are promulgated by the Financial Account Standards Board, or any successor entity; and

vi. has the capability to hold, invest, and manage the mitigation funds to the extent allowed by law and consistent with modern “prudent investor” and endowment law, such as the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act of 2006 (UPMIFA) or successor legislation when funds are needed for long-term management and monitoring (i.e., stewardship). UPMIFA incorporates a general standard of prudent spending measured against the purpose of the fund and invites consideration of a wide array of other factors. For states that have not adopted UPMIFA, such as Pennsylvania, analogous state legislation (e.g., the Pennsylvania Uniform Trust Act) can be relied upon to achieve this purpose.

b. It is an accredited land trust that has a history of successfully performing this service and that meets the qualifications listed under section (a) above.

Section 6102.5-1(g) - Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders / State and local government agencies

State and local government agencies are limited in their ability to accept, manage, and disburse funds for the purpose outlined in Section 6200.10 and generally should not be approved by the BLM to hold mitigation funds for compensatory mitigation sites on public or private lands. An exception may be made where a government agency is able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the BLM, that they are acting as a fiduciary for the benefit of the mitigation project or site, essentially as if they are a third party, and can show that they have the authority and ability to:

• collect the funds;

• protect the account from being used for purposes other than the management of the mitigation project or site;

• disburse the funds to the entities conducting the mitigation project or management of the mitigation site;

• demonstrate that they are organizationally separate from (having no corporate or family connection to) the mitigation sponsor (e.g., the entity accomplishing the mitigation program or project), the BLM, the project proponent or the permittee; and

• adhere to generally accepted accounting practices that are promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board or any successor entity.

The information required under section 6102.5-1is required to ensure that accountability through restoration monitoring and tracking is carried out effectively and that project goals are being met. Further, these requirements will help ensure a no-net-loss standard when requiring public land users to implement compensatory mitigation to address residual impacts to important, scarce, or sensitive resources.

Section 6102.4 (b) and (c) - Conservation Lease / Application process for a conservation lease

Applications for conservation lease must be filed with the Bureau of Land Management office having jurisdiction over the public lands covered by the application. Applications for conservation use authorizations shall include a description of the proposed conservation use in sufficient detail to enable the authorized officer to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed conservation use, the impacts, if any, on the environment, the public or other benefits from the land use, the approximate cost of the proposed conservation use, any threat to public health and safety posed by the proposed use, and whether the proposed use is, in the opinion of the applicant, in conformance with the Bureau of Land Management plans, programs, and policies for the public lands covered by the proposed use. The description shall include but not be limited to:

• details of the proposed uses and activities;

• a description of all facilities for which authorization is sought, including access needs and special types of easements that may be needed;

• a geospatial map of sufficient scale to allow the required information to be legible as well as a legal description of primary and alternative project locations;

• schedule for restoration or land improvement activities;

• name and legal mailing address of the applicant or, if the applicant is other than an individual, the application shall include the name and address of an agent authorized to receive notice of actions pertaining to the application; and

• the following additional information, upon request of authorized officers:

  • Additional studies or environmental data, if such studies or data are necessary for the BLM to decide whether to issue, issue with modification, or deny the proposed conservation lease.

  • Documentation of or proof of application for additional private, State, local or other Federal agency licenses, permits, easements, certificates, or other approvals.

  • Evidence that the applicant has, or prior to commencement of conservation activities will have, the technical and financial capability to operate, maintain, and terminate the authorized conservation use.

If any of the information required in this section has already been submitted as part of a separate conservation use proposal, the application need only refer to that proposal by filing date, office, and case number. The applicant shall certify that there have been no changes in any of the information.

Section 6102.4(c)(1)(E) - Conservation Lease / additional information for a conservation lease

After review of the project description, the authorized officer may require the applicant to provide additional studies or environmental if such data are necessary for the BLM to decide whether to issue, issue with modification, or deny the proposed conservation use. An application for the use of public lands may require documentation or proof of application for additional private, State, local or other Federal agency licenses, permits, easements, certificates, or other approval documents. The authorized officer may require evidence that the applicant has, or prior to commencement of conservation activities will have the technical and financial capability to operate, maintain, and terminate the authorized land use.

Section 6102.4-1(d)(3) - Termination and Suspension of Conservation Leases /written request to resume or suspended activity

Upon determination that there is noncompliance with the terms and conditions of a conservation use authorization which adversely affects land or public health or safety, or impacts ecosystem sustainability, the authorized officer shall issue an immediate temporary suspension. Any time after an order of suspension has been issued, the holder may file with the authorized officer a request for permission to resume. The request shall be in writing and shall contain a statement of the facts supporting the request.

Section 6102.4-2(a) - Bonding for Conservation Leases

Prior to the commencement of surface-disturbing activities, the conservation use holder shall submit a surety or a personal bond, conditioned upon compliance with all the terms and conditions of the entire holder(s) covered by the bond, as described in this subpart. The bond amounts shall be not less than the minimum amounts described in this subpart in order to ensure reclamation of the conservation use area(s) and the restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by conservation use operations. Such restoration may be required after the abandonment or cessation of operations by the conservation use lessee in accordance with, but not limited to, the standards and requirements set forth by the authorized officer. Surety bonds shall be issued by qualified surety companies approved by the Department of the Treasury. Personal bonds shall be accompanied by the following information:

• Cashier’s check;

• Certified check;

• Negotiable Treasury securities of the United States of a value equal to the amount specified in the bond. Negotiable Treasury securities shall be accompanied by a proper conveyance to the Secretary of full authority to sell such securities in case of default in the performance of the terms and conditions of a conservation use; or

The information collection requirement contained in part 6100 will allow the BLM to ensure that a conservation easement available to qualified individuals or businesses, State, local, or Tribal governments, or other Federal agencies for the purpose of ensuring ecosystem sustainability.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.

There are no forms associated with this information collection that would require automation. The information that is collected may be emails to the BLM so long as it is on a signed document in PDF format.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The information collected is unique to each respondent. There is no similar information already available and no duplication.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

Small entities are not impacted by this collection of information.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

The information is collected on an “on occasion’ basis, there is no regular frequency required for collecting the information. Without this information, the BLM would be inhibited in carrying out its obligation under the Federal FLPMA and implementing the principles of multiple use and sustained yield management that govern the BLM’s stewardship of America’s public lands and promoting conservation as a tool to ensure the sustainable productive capabilities of renewable public land resources for future generations.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

* in connection with a statistical survey that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information, unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

The information is collection is consistent with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2). None of the above exceptions would apply.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years, and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three years — even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

Consistent with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.11, the BLM published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on XXXXX, XX, XXXX (XX FR XXXXXX) soliciting public comments on the information collection requirements contained in the proposed rule.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

The BLM provides no payments or gifts to the respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

Not applicable.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

Respondents are not required to answer questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here.

Table 12-1 shows the estimated per-hour cost for respondents. The mean hourly wages for government respondents were determined using national Bureau of Labor Statistics data at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm and the estimated per-hour cost for businesses and associations (private sector) were determined using national Bureau of Labor Statistics data at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm. The benefits multipliers of 1.4 for private-sector respondents, and 1.6 for government respondents, are implied by information at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm.

Tables 12-2, below, shows our estimates of the annual hour and hour-related cost burdens for each information collection activity. All the information collections occur upon occasion. There are no established reporting frequencies associated with these information collections.

Table 12-1: Estimated Hourly Cost for Respondents

Position and Occupational Code	Respondent Type	Activity	Mean Hourly Wage	Benefits Multiplier	Hourly Rate with Benefits	Percent of Collection Time Completed by Each Occupation	Weighted Average Hourly Cost
11-9121 Natural Resource Manager	Nonprofit organizations	Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5(e) and (f))	75.05	1.4	105.07	100%	$105.07
Total Weighted Hourly Wage for Non-profit organization:						100%	$105.07
19-1031 Conservation Scientist	State and local government agencies	Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5-1(g))	29.70	1.6	47.52	100%	$47.52
Total Weighted Hourly Wage for State and local governments:						100%	$47.52
11-1021 General Operations Manager	Private sector	Application process for a conservation lease (43 CFR 6102.4 (b) and (c))	55.41	1.4	77.57	20%	$15.51
11-9121 Natural Resource Manager	Private sector	Additional information for a conservation lease (43 CFR 6102.4(c))(1)(E))	75.05	1.4	105.07	60%	$63.04
11-1021 General Operations Manager	Private sector	Conservation Use /written request to resume or suspended activity (43 CFR 6102.4-1(d)(3)	55.41	1.4	77.57	10%	$7.76
11-1021 General Operations Manager	Private sector	Bonding for Conservation Leases (43 CFR 6102.4-2(a))	55.41	1.4	77.57	10%	$7.76
Total Weighted Hourly Wage for Private Sector:						100%	$94.07

Table 12-2: Estimates of Annual Burden Hours and Related Costs

Collection of Information	Respondent Type	Number of Responses	Hours Per Response (hours)	Total Hours	Hourly Rate	Dollar Equivalent
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5-1(e) and (f))	Nonprofit organizations	4	5	20	$105.07	$2,101
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5-1(g))	State and local government agencies	4	5	20	$47.52	$950
Application process for a conservation easement (43 CFR 6102.4(b) and (c)	Private sector	10	10	100	$94.07	$9,407
Additional information permitting or application process for a conservation easement 43 CFR 6102.4(c)(1)(E)	Private sector	8	25	200	$94.07	$18,814
Conservation Use /written request to resume suspended activity (43 CFR 6102.4-1(d)(3)	Private sector	1	240	240	$94.07	$22,577
Bonding Obligations (43 CFR 6102.4-2(a)	Private sector	10	80	800	$94.07	$75,256
Totals:		37	----	1,380	----	$128,205

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no filing fees or other cost associated with this information collection other than those accounted for in Table 12-2, above.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

Tables 14-1 and 14-2 show the BLM’s estimates of the hourly cost burdens to the Federal government. The hourly pay rates for the General Schedule (GS) positions are at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2022/RUS_h.pdf. The annual pay rates for the Executive Schedule positions are at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2023/EX.pdf.

The BLM calculated the Executive Schedule hourly pay rates by dividing the annual pay rate by 2,080 hours. Information at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm implies the benefits multiplier of 1.6.

Table 14-1: Estimated Hourly Federal Wage Cost

Position and Pay GS Grade	Collection of Information	Hourly Pay Rate	Benefits Multiplier	Hourly Rate with Benefits	Percent of the Information Collection Completed by Each Occupation	Weighted Average Cost Per Hour
GS-0401-13 Branch Chief	Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5-1(e) and (f))	45.22	1.6	72.35	5%	$3.62
GS-0401-14 Mitigation Coordinator	Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5-1(e) and (f))	53.34	1.6	85.34	20%	$17.07
GS-0401-9 Program Lead	Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5-1(e) and (f))	26.22	1.6	41.95	30%	$12.59
GS-0301-12 Field Office Manager	Application process for a conservation easement (43 CFR 6102.4(b) and (c)	38.03	1.6	60.85	5%	$3.04
GS-0482-09 Program Lead	Additional information permitting or application process for a conservation easement 43 CFR 6102.4(c)(1)(E)	26.22	1.6	41.95	30%	$12.59
GS-0301-12 Field Office Manager	Conservation Use /written request to resume suspended activity (43 CFR 6102.4-1(d)(3)	38.03	1.6	60.85	5%	$3.04
GS-0301-12 Field Office Manager	Bonding Obligations (43 CFR 6102.4-2(a)	38.03	1.6	60.85	5%	$3.04
Totals:		—	—	—	100%	$54.99

Table 14-2: Estimated Annual Cost to the Federal Government

Collection of Information	Number of Responses	Staff Hours per Response	Total Hours	Weighted Hourly Rate	Dollar Equivalent
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders (43 CFR 6102.5-1(e) and (f))	8	80	488	$54.99	$26,835
Application process for a conservation easement (43 CFR 6102.4(b) and (c)	10	20	200	$54.99	$10,998
Additional information permitting or application process for a conservation easement 43 CFR 6102.4(c)(1)(E)	8	20	160	$54.99	$8,798
Conservation Use /written request to resume suspended activity (43 CFR 6102.4-1(d)(3)	1	120	120	$54.99	$6,599
Bonding Obligations (43 CFR 6102.4-2(a)	10	20	200	$54.99	$10,998
Total:					$64,228

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

This is a request for a new OMB control number. Therefore, all the information collection requirements and burdens included in this request a new and are considered a program change due to agency discretion. The propped rule is estimated to result in 1,380 new burden hours. The proposed rule is not expected to result in any new non-hour cost burdens.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The BLM has no plans to publish the results of this collection of information.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

There are no forms associated with these information collection activities. The OMB control number and expiration date are available at www.reginfo.gov.

18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

There are no exceptions to the certification requirements outlined in 5 CFR 1320.9.

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