1029-0035.prt779_783.SSA.2025

Supporting Statement A

30 CFR Parts 779 & 783:

Surface and Underground Mining Permit Applications -

Minimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources

OMB Control Number 1029-0035

Terms of Clearance: None

Introduction

This information collection clearance package is being submitted by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) to request information collection renewal authority for 30 CFR Part 779 - Surface Mining Permit Applications – Minimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources, and 30 CFR Part 783 - Underground Mining Permit Applications – Minimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources. These regulations govern the minimum requirements for information on environmental resources for coal mining permit applications. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) previously reviewed and approved this collection of information and assigned it control number 1029-0035.

Since the last collection clearance package was approved there have been no program changes affecting compliance requirements. However, the downward trend in the number of annual new permit applications and revisions has continued. The number of applications is reduced by 25 and now estimated to be 100 (44 new permits + 56 significant revisions). Of permit applications 94 are expected to be processed by the State Regulatory Authorities (SRAs), and the remaining 6 processed by OSMRE as the regulatory authority. Total responses are reduced from 1,225 to 970. Consequently, this submission requests a decrease of 22,079 hours from the currently approved collection burden of 108,855 hours to 86,776 hours.

General Instructions

A completed Supporting Statement A must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. When the question “Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?” is checked "Yes," then a Supporting Statement B must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.

Specific Instructions

Justification

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

Sections 507 and 508 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Act), 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.,require that the permit application contain adequate descriptions of the premining environmental resources and cultural, historic, and archeological values existing within the permit area and adjacent areas. The information required of an applicant is needed by the regulatory authority to determine the premining condition of the permit area and adjacent areas so that these resources and values may be protected from any adverse effects of coal mining.

Section 507(b)(12) of the Act, requires the permit application to contain a statement of climatological factors peculiar to the locality of the land to be affected, including the average seasonal precipitation, the average direction and velocity of prevailing winds, and the seasonal temperature ranges, if requested, by the regulatory authority.

30 CFR 779/783.19, as required by sections 507(b) and 508(a)(2)(B) of the Act, states that, if required by the regulatory authority, the permit application shall contain a map depicting existing vegetative types and a description of the plant communities within the proposed permit area and any reference areas if requested by the regulatory authority.
In addition Section 507(b) of the Act, requires that the permit application include maps locating all boundaries, structures, roads, parks, historical sites, cemeteries, or Indian burial grounds in the permit area and the affected area.

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.

Sections 779/783.11 & .12:
Section 779/783.11 requires a mining permit application to contain a description of the existing premining environmental resources within the proposed permit area and adjacent areas that may be affected or impacted by the proposed mining activities.

Section 779/783.12 establishes permitting requirements that describe the coal mining operation, its size, and the sequence and timing of the operation. It further requires the identification of cultural, historic and archeological values that may be lost to man. This material allows for the specific identification of operational changes and the development of remedial measures. Section 779/783.12 requires that each permit application describe and identify the following:

(a)--The lands subject to surface coal mining operations over the estimated life of those operations and the size, location and timing of each phase of the operation. This information is necessary to determine the impact of the coal mining operation, its physical boundaries and reclamation and operational impacts over the estimated life of the coal mining operation. This allows for the identification of critical environmental impacts, physical impacts, the degree and timing of specific impacts and the identification of operational impacts. It allows the operator, the regulatory authority and the public to identify potential adverse impacts to human safety, health and welfare as well as to the environment. It provides the necessary data to identify, over time, cumulative impacts and allows for the design of necessary remedial actions and operational changes.

(b) -- Identification of cultural, historic, and archeological data essential to identify, evaluate, and prevent impacts on retrievable national, regional, local and cultural resources. This information is essential in preventing the loss of artifacts necessary to understand and study man's historic development. Most of the information is a summary of existing data available at state and Federal agencies. The archeological data not currently available can only be delivered through site-specific surveys.

The Act requires the regulatory authority to determine that the mining operation will minimally impact environmental resources by ensuring that reclamation is possible and that the land can be restored to its former use or approved alternative use. Without this information, an analysis of the permit, the impacts of the operation, needed reclamation and remedial measures, and operational modifications necessary to be in compliance with the Act would be impossible to discern. In addition, the Secretary would not be able to comply with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act that requires that significant historic, cultural, and archeological resources be identified in an area proposed for mining so that these resources can be dealt with appropriately.

Section 779/783.18:

Section 779/783.18, when requested by the SRA, requires that the application contain a statement of the climatological factors that are representative of the proposed permit area including: average seasonal precipitation, average direction and velocity of prevailing winds, and seasonal temperature ranges. The regulatory authority may also request additional data as deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the requirement of Subchapter G. Although this information is not explicitly required by Federal regulations, SRAs routinely request this climatological information.


This information may be needed by the regulatory authority to determine whether the applicant will be able to comply with the performance standards of topsoil, roads, hydrologic balance, sedimentation ponds, disposal of excess spoil, coal waste, backfilling and grading, revegetation and postmining land use. The operator's plan for controlling wind and water erosion, revegetation potential, sedimentation pond design, etc., is evaluated on the collected information. In some cases the information may be obtained from the weather bureau. If so, it would not be required of the permit applicant. Failure to include this information would make it difficult for the regulatory authority to determine whether the operation could meet the performance standards of Subchapter K.

Section 779/783.19:

The use of the information or records required by each of the specific paragraphs of this section is as follows:

Paragraph (a) – This section requires a map that delineates existing vegetative types and a description of plant communities. The information is necessary to determine whether there exists endangered or threatened species, as well as long and short-term reduction of productivity and capability of the land involved. Such data analysis and baseline information requirements may be necessary in developing a revegetation plan that meets the Act's requirements for reestablishment of a diverse, permanent, self-reproducing plant cover natural to the area, the restoration of normal plant succession, season and geographic diversity of permanent vegetation associated with the mine area or affected area. The data establishes a means of documenting bond release standards and identifying critical habitats of other dependent biota.

Paragraph (b) ‑‑ Requires that the area adjacent to the permit area be included in the mapping with descriptions to allow evaluation of the vegetation community's importance to fish, wildlife and related resource values. This information is needed to determine the significance of the vegetation community to the biota, dependent on it for its critical life cycle requirements. The removal of critical vegetation community for a period equal to a normal coal mining operation could result in the loss of a regional, local, or national protected species. The information collected is used by the regulatory authority in determining if the reclamation and mining operations are of such a nature as to protect, minimize, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife, and related resources, held in public trust by the state or Federal government.

Section 779/783.24:

(a) Maps to show all boundaries of lands and names of present owners of record, both surface and subsurface included in or contiguous to the permit area. This information should be readily available to the applicant, since the information would be a normal part of the database associated with any mine operation. Such information is typically required as part of complying with legal requirements regarding proper title to the resources and lands in question. Because of the site-specific nature of the information, it is generally reported for individual mines, or particular operations.

(b) Requires the maps to show the boundaries of land and wetlands within the proposed permit area upon which the applicant has the legal right to enter and begin mining activities. This information is part of the existing information associated with any coal mining operation, and is used to comply with the requirements of local land and resource managing agencies, as well as in other activities associated with coal mining operations.

(c) Requires maps to show the boundaries of all areas including wetlands proposed to be affected over the estimated life of the proposed surface mining activities with a description of the size, sequence and timing of the mining of sub-areas for which it is anticipated that additional permits will be sought. The information requested is part of the general plan of operations that is developed by a mine operator to manage the progress of mining activity. The information can be used by regulatory authorities to pre-plan for the processing of additional permits, thereby reducing administrative costs of the operator and to the regulatory authority.

(d) Location of all buildings in and within 1,000 feet of the proposed permit area, with identification of the current use of the buildings. The information is used by the regulatory authority to assure that, where appropriate, such structures will not be disturbed or destroyed by the proposed mining activity. The information is site specific to the permit area and should be easily available. The costs of assembling it should be minor.

(e) Location of surface and sub-surface man-made features within, passing through, or passing over the proposed permit area, including, but not limited to major electric transmission lines, pipelines, and agricultural drainage tile fields. The information requested is used by the regulatory authority to assure that where appropriate, such structures will not be disturbed or destroyed by the proposed mining activity. Existing maps and other descriptive material would normally be used by the applicant to comply with this information requirement.

(f) Identification on a map of the location and boundaries of any proposed reference areas for determining the success of revegetation. The information is used to assess the progress of revegetation and associated reclamation efforts during the reclamation phase of the operation. Because of the site-specific nature of the information, it must be developed for specific permits, rather than on a higher level of aggregation. However, such information should normally be found in existing data bases, and easily abstracted from them.

(g) Location of water supply intakes for current users of surface water flowing into, out of, and within a hydrologic area defined by the regulatory authority and those surface waters which will receive discharges from affected areas in the proposed permit area. This information is used by the regulatory authority to assure compliance with the Act's provisions mandating protection of water quality, of wetlands and the overall hydrologic balance and integrity of the mine permit area and areas which may be affected by activities on the permit area. Normally, the information would be developed through site-specific surveys that would allow information concerning hydrology to be developed. In larger areas, existing aquifers would be known, and their general hydrologic characteristics described in records maintained by such agencies as state water resources agencies. This information should be readily available to applicants, but site-specific data may have to be developed to supplement this information for submission to the regulatory authority.

(h) Identification on a map of each public road located within 100 feet of the proposed permit area. The information is used by the regulatory authority to assure that mining activity does not occur within 100 feet of these roads, since such activity is prohibited by Section 522(e)(4) of the Act. The information should be readily available, and part of the required database for conducting any mining activity.

(i) Identification of the boundaries of any public park and locations of any cultural or historical resources listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic places as well as any known archeological sites within the permit and adjacent areas. The information is used to assure that the planned operation does not conflict with the requirement of Section 522(e)(3) of the Act that prohibits such activities. As a rule, the information should be available from local or state agencies, such as the State Historic Preservation Office. Such maps may be submitted as overlays to other maps, thus reducing the cost of submitting the information.

(j) Location of a cemetery in or within 100 feet of the proposed permit area. This information is used by the regulatory authority to assure that mining activities do not knowingly disturb such sites without proper considerations.

(k) Identification on a map of any land within the proposed permit area which is within the boundaries of any units of the National Trails System or the Wild and Scenic Rivers system. The information is used by the regulatory authority to assure compliance with Section 507(b)(13) of the Act. Normally, much of the information would be readily available to the applicant through county, state, or Federal records systems. The incidence of submittal should be relatively low, since mining activities adjacent to the Trails or the Wild and Scenic Rivers system is not a typical occurrence.

Section 779/783.25:
Since the issuance of this rule in 1979, significant technological improvements have been made available to the regulatory authorities. Most relevant is OSMRE's Technical Innovation and Professional Services (TIPS) software and data analysis capabilities which have been provided to each regulatory authority and which allow premining slopes to be computed.

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.


Nationally, OSMRE estimates that the SRAs receive approximately 85% of permit applications electronically.

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.

No similar information is collected by OSMRE or by other Federal agencies. Also, circumstances vary with each proposed coalmine site in which a permit application has been received. Therefore, there is no available information which can be used in lieu of that supplied on each application.

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


There are no special provisions for small businesses or other small entities. Special provisions are not appropriate because the requested information is the minimum needed to document the permit and to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations. Adequate documentation is essential to ensure protection of public health and safety, water quantity and quality, wildlife habitat, while encouraging to maximize the production or recovery of coal reserves and to minimize the environmental disturbances around the coal mining site. Therefore, the hour burden on any small entity subject to these regulations and associated collections of information cannot be reduced to accommodate them.

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.


Information is collected only at the time an application is made; therefore, frequency of collection does not apply here.

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.


This information collection is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2). The number of copies of each permit application submitted to the SRA is determined by state regulations and may not be limited by OSMRE.

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.



Contacts with industry and state respondents include the following:

Howard Engineering & Geology, Inc.

2550 W HWY 72, Suite 1

Harlan, KY 40831

Schnabel Engineering

10900 Nuckols Rd, Suite 210

Glen Allen, VA 23060

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

DEQ Coal Section

1218 E 6th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601

Knoxville Field Office, Technical Group

710 Locust Street

Knoxville, TN 37902

Industry and state representatives expressed no concerns regarding the availability of data, frequency of collection, clarity of instructions and record keeping of the required information to be collected.

On August 28, 2024, OSMRE published in the Federal Register (89 FR 68927) a notice requesting comments from the public regarding the need for the collection of information, the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to enhance the information collection, and ways to minimize the burden on respondents. This notice gave the public 60 days in which to comment. No comments were received during this comment period.

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

Payments or gifts are not provided to respondents.

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

While Sections 507(b)(17), 508(a)(12), and 508(b) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA or the Act) require that certain types of permit application information may be kept confidential, 30 CFR 773.13(d) specifies that each permit application must be available for public inspection. The applicant has the right to request confidentiality for certain types of information in the application, such as analyses of the physical and chemical properties of the coal and the location of archaeological resources.

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.


Sensitive questions are not asked.

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. Instead, this cost should be included under “Annual Cost to Federal Government.”

a. Estimate of Burden to Respondents:

The total number of applicant responses is estimated to be 100 (44 new permits + 56 significant revisions), a reduction of 25 since the previous renewal of this collection. The annual estimate is based actual permitting activity of the most recent years (FY2021-FY2024). This reflects the ongoing decline in mining over the past decade. Of the 100 total applications from permittees, we estimate that 94 of the applications will be processed by 23 states with regulatory authority, and the remaining six (2 new permits and 4 significant revisions) will be processed where OSMRE is the regulatory authority. There are no expected changes in hours per response given that compliance requirements remain unchanged for all sections. Consequently, with reduced responses from permitting activity this renewal requests a decrease of 22,079 hours from the currently approved collection burden of 108,855 hours to 86,776 hours.

Permitting activity FY 2021-2024
	New Permit Applications			Significant permit revisions
Fiscal year	Surface	Underground	Total	Surface	Underground	Total
2021	31	10	41	33	9	42
2022	32	11	43	49	17	66
2023	33	15	48	49	14	63
2024	35	7	42	37	13	50
Expected annually	33	11	44	43	13	56

Burden hours for permittee applicants: Parts 779 & 783
Sections	Permittee annual responses	Hours per response	Permittee total annual hours
779/783.11&12	100	415	41,500
779/783.18	100	3	300
779/783.19	100	15	1,500
779/783.24	100	130	13,000
779/783.25	100	160	16,000
All sections	500		72,300

Burden hours for State Regulators: Parts 779 & 783
Sections	State annual responses	Hours per response	State total annual hours
779/783.11&12	94	80	7,520
779/783.18	94	1	94
779/783.19	94	3	282
779/783.24	94	30	2,820
779/783.25	94	40	3,760
All sections	470		14,476

Summary of total burden hours: Parts 779 & 783
Sections	Permittee total Hours	State Total Hours	Total Hours Requested	Current hours	Change in hours
779/783.11&12	41,500	7,520	49,020	61,475	-12,455
779/783.18	300	94	394	495	-101
779/783.19	1,500	282	1,782	2,235	-453
779/783.24	13,000	2,820	15,820	19,850	-4,030
779/783.25	16,000	3,760	19,760	24,800	-5,040
All sections	72,300	14,476	86,776	108,855	-22,079

b. Estimated Annual Wage Cost to Respondents
OSMRE uses the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures for calculating cost burden placed on respondents. For industry occupation cost are derived from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_212100.htm. State government occupation wages are found at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm.

We have also included a benefits factor at a rate of 1.4 of salaries for the industry and a benefits factor of 1.6 for state government employees based on BLS news release USDL-24-2561, dated December 17, 2024, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation – September 2024 (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf).

OSMRE has determined the majority of hours spend for the preparation of permit applications are provided by mining and geological engineers. For simplicity, we have used single base rate for this occupational class as a proxy of $49.16 per hour. This rate represents the applicants wage from the combination of staff submitting the industry application. The industry hourly rate with benefits is $68.82 per hour (based on a multiplier of 1.4). Total wage cost for the industry is $4,975,686 (72,300 hours x $68.82 per hour).

Similarly, for the State’s wage cost we use a single representative wage rate for a mining and geological engineer at a base rate $64.48. The State hourly rate with benefits is $103.17 per hour (based on a multiplier of 1.6). Total wage cost for the state is $1,493,489 (14,476 hours x $103.17 per hour).

Total annual wage cost to all respondents is $6,469,175 ($4,975,686 + $1,493,489).

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.


Total Annual Non-Wage Cost Burden to Respondents

a. Annualized Capital and Start-Up Costs:

The information collection requirements for each section of 30 CFR Parts 779 and 783 do not involve any capital or start-up costs apart from expenditures associated with: (1) customary business practices concerning establishment and operation of a mining entity, or (2) general administration of a regulatory agency.

b. Operation and Maintenance Costs:

There are no distinct operation costs or maintenance costs associated with the information collection requirements for these sections.

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.

OSMRE has calculated employee costs using Federal employee pay tables from the Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/RUS_h.pdf. We have included a 1.6 multiplier in accordance with BLS news release USDL-24-2561, dated December 17, 2024, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation – September 2024 (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf).

The cost to the Federal Government is based on a wage rate for a GS 13/5 (Natural Resource Program Specialist). Base wage for this position is $56.16 per hour, or $89.87 per hour with benefits (1.6).

Oversight: For three sections (779/783.11 & .12,.24, and .25) OSMRE anticipates that it will conduct an oversight review of each topic per year requiring an average of 10 hours. For sections 779/783.18 and .19 OSMRE expects it will conduct an oversight review of each topic in one state program per year and that the review requires an average of 1 hour and 3 hours, respectively. Total oversight activity amounts to 34 hours per year (see table below).

Federal Programs: Based on analysis of Federal program staff, OSMRE estimates that it will receive 6 applications for new permits and/or significant revisions for operations for which OSMRE is the regulatory authority. Total Federal program hours amount to 924 hours for all sections (see below). Total wage hours for Federal cost are 958 (34 hours + 924 hours). Annualized cost to the Federal governments is $86,095 (958 hours x $89,87/hour).

Government Cost for 30 CFR PARTS 779/783
Sections	Oversight Hours	Federal Program Hours	Total Hours	Total Cost ($) @$89.87/hour
779/783.11 & .12	10	480	490	44,036
779/783.18	1	6	7	629
779/783.19	3	18	21	1,887
779/783.24	10	180	190	17,075
779/783.25	10	240	250	22,468
Total	34	924	958	86,095

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

There are 108,855 hours currently approved for all sections (Parts 779/783). This information collection request reduces burden hours by 22,079. This adjustment is the result of reduced annual permitting activity from applications submitted by respondents. Total burden hours will change as follows:

108,855 hours currently approved

- 22,079 hours due to an adjustment

86,776 hours requested

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.


There are no plans for publication of this 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.


OSMRE is not seeking a waiver from the requirement to display the expiration date for OMB approval, when appropriate.

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



There is no exception to the "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."