Supporting Statement A

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION 
Supporting Statement A

Resource Management Planning (43 CFR Part 1600)
OMB Control Number 1004-0212


Terms of Clearance: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided the following Terms of Clearance when it last approved the collections of information under this OMB Control Number (see OMB Notice of Action dated September 8, 2023):

Previous terms of clearance apply, in that the elements of the Bureau of Land Management's Land Use Planning Handbook that provide guidance regarding the collection of information are subject to review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Any changes to these portions of the handbook must be submitted to OIRA for approval and may be processed as a change request.

Since OMB last approved the information collections under OMB control number 1004-0212, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has made only one change to the Bureau of Land Management’s Land Use Planning Handbook that provide guidance regarding the external collection of information. The one change reflects that the BLM now accepts electronically submitted protests.

Abstract: The information collections contained in 43 CFR Part 1600 and approved under this OMB Control Number provide the process for State Governors to work with the BLM to resolve possible inconsistencies between BLM land use plans and State or local plans, policies, or programs; and contains the process for protests of land use plans and plan amendments by the BLM. This information collection request is submitted to OMB covering proposed revisions contained in the proposed rule for RIN 1004-AF53 and in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.11.

Justification

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

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. 

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, is the BLM’s “organic act” that establishes the agency’s mission to manage public lands on the basis of multiple-use and sustained yield, unless otherwise specified by law. Through FLPMA, Congress declared it is the policy of the United States that the BLM is directed to manage the public lands “in a manner that will protect the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, and archeological values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands in their natural condition; that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals; and that will provide for outdoor recreation and human occupancy and use” (43 U.S.C. 1701 (a)(8); Section 102 (a)(8)). 

Section 202 of FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1712) directs the Secretary of the Interior to “develop, maintain, and, when appropriate, revise land use plans which provide by tracts or areas for the use of the public lands” (43 U.S.C. 1712(a)) and outlines requirements for developing and revising land use plans. In particular, section 202(f) (43 U.S.C. 1712(f)) directs the Secretary of the Interior, by regulation, to “establish procedures . . . to give Federal, State, and local governments and the public, adequate notice and opportunity to comment upon and participate in the formulation of plans and programs relating to the management of the public lands.” 

The BLM proposes to revise existing regulations that establish the procedures to prepare, revise, or amend lands use plans pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), which appear at 43 CFR Part 1600, Planning, Programming, Budgeting. The BLM is requesting approval to revise a collection of information for resource management planning.  

The authorities for collecting the information are as follows:

    • Sections 103, 201, and 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1702, 1711, and 1712);
    • 43 CFR part 1600.

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 would revise two (2) existing information collection requirements and introduce one (1) new Information collection requirement. The information collection requirements are discussed below in this section and the public reporting burdens are provided in section 12, below, and the nature of the changes are discussed below in section 15.

Section 1610.41(a)(2): Preparing for Planning - State, Local, or Tribal Resource Plans [NEW IC]

The BLM will request officially approved and adopted resource related plans of State and local governments and Indian tribes and that the State and local governments or Indian tribes identify uses germane to the development of land use plans for public lands which are prohibited in the officially approved and adopted resource related plans. State and local governments and Indian tribes have 45 calendar days to provide the requested information for it to be considered by the Bureau of Land Management.

The BLM proposes this information be sought before the State Director identifies guidelines for the plan in order to inform the planning process and to help avoid conflicts with State, local, or Tribal land use plans. 

Section 1610.51: Protests [REVISED IC]

Section 1610.51 provides the process for any person who participated in the planning process to protest proposed plans and plan amendments to the Director of the BLM.  This regulation enables compliance with the statutory requirement (at 43 U.S.C. 1712(f)) to facilitate participation in the planning process by federal, state, and local governments, and by the public.  Respondents include:

    • State local, and tribal governments;
    • Individuals and households; and
    • Businesses and associations.

Any protest shall be in writing and shall be filed electronically with the Director Bureau of Land Management Headquarters through the agency’s official National Environmental Policy Act register. Consistent with § 1610.2(c), any protest must be received within 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of its effective date proposed plan or amendment on the agency’s official National Environmental Policy Act register.

The following information is required for a valid protest:

    1. The protester’s name, and interest of the person filing the protest.  The BLM needs this information in order to contact the protester.
    2. A statement of the issue or issues being protested. BLM needs this information to know why the plan or amendment is being protested. 
    3. A concise statement explaining why the State Director’s proposed decision is believed to be inconsistent with relevant law, regulation, or policy. This information is needed for BLM to understand the potential changes that may be needed to a proposed land use decision. 

Section 1610.52: Governor’s Consistency Review Procedures and 1610.53: Local government consistency review procedures [REVISED IC]

Section 1610.52 provides the procedures for Governors of affected states to identify possible inconsistencies between proposed BLM land use plans and State and local plans, policies, or programs.  This regulation enables compliance with the statutory requirement (at 43 U.S.C. 1712(c)(9)) to resolve, to the extent practical, inconsistencies between federal and non-federal plans. 

The BLM is proposing a new section of § 1610.53, titled “Local governments’ consistency review procedures.” This new section establishes a parallel process to the Governor’s consistency review that provides an opportunity for local government officials to submit recommendations to resolve inconsistencies prior to the BLM’s approval of the plan, revision, or amendment. Under the current regulations at § 1610.3-2(e), the BLM submits inconsistencies with local plans to the State Governor for resolution. The proposed change would bring local government officials directly to the table to present recommendations to resolve inconsistencies without needing to go through the intermediary of the Governor. This proposed new section would parallel the process of BLM working directly with the local governments and generally involve the same information collected that involves a governor’s consistency review in section 1610.52.

Prior to the approval of a proposed resource management plan, or amendment to a management framework plan or resource management plan public release of a proposed land use plan or amendment, the State Director submits to the Governor of the State(s) and local governments involved, the proposed land use plan or amendment and identifies any known inconsistencies with officially approved or adopted State or local plans, policies or programs.  The Governor(s) and local governments shall have 30 calendar days beginning the day after receipt of the proposed land use plan or amendment in which to identify additional inconsistencies and provide recommendations for resolving inconsistencies in writing to the State Director. Recommendations from the Governor or local governments must be received within 30 calendar days to be considered by the Bureau of Land Management. If the Governor(s) or local governments do not provide a recommendation to resolve inconsistencies, they are presumed resolved. 

Following receipt of a proposed plan or plan amendment from a BLM State Director, Governor(s) and local governments will have a period of 30 days to submit to the Deciding Official a written document that:

    • Identifies any inconsistencies with state or local plans, policies or programs; and
    • Recommends remedies for the identified inconsistencies.

This information is necessary to identify and resolve inconsistencies between the BLM land use plans and State and local plans, plans, polices, or programs.

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.

Section 1610.41(a)(2) does not require a prescribed procedure for submitting officially approved or adopted resource related plans of State and local governments and Indian tribes. This information may be submitted electronically or hard copy.

Section 1610.51 requires that a protest be submitted to the BLM Director in writing and provides that the protest may be filed as a hard copy or electronically.  The Responsible BLM Official must specify the filing procedures for each resource management plan, including the method the public may use to submit a protest electronically.  The BLM uses the ePlanning platform to allow for electronic submissions through the BLM website.  The ePlanning platform is an online national register for land use planning and NEPA documents.  This would reduce burden on the public by eliminating the time and cost associated with sending a hard copy of the protest.

Section 1610.52 requires that the Governor submit a written document identifying inconsistencies to the Deciding Official.  The BLM reduces the burden on the Governor by accepting either an electronic document or a hard copy.  For example, the Governor could choose to submit the document through email correspondence.

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 collection activities are necessary in order to provide opportunities for public involvement in the land use planning process and to resolve possible inconsistencies between State and local plans, policies, or programs and BLM resource management plans.  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 businesses and other small entities potentially are among those that are eligible to protest a plan or plan amendment.  The planning regulations clearly identify the information required for complete submission of a valid protest, and are intended to minimize the burden on all protesters.  

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.

Full compliance with Section 202 of FLPMA would be impossible if the BLM did not conduct the information collection activities, or if it conducted them less frequently.

Section 202(c)(9) of FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1712(c)(9)) requires that the Secretary of the Interior “assist in resolving, to the extent practical, inconsistencies between Federal and non-Federal Government plans.”  This responsibility is delegated to the BLM Director and accomplished, in part, through the “Governor’s Consistency Review” process described in section 1610.3-3(b).  The collection of information is necessary for this process and for compliance with section 202(c)(9) of FLPMA.

Section 202(f) of FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1712(f)) requires that the Secretary of the Interior “allow an opportunity for public involvement and by regulation… establish procedures… to give Federal, State, and local governments and the public, adequate notice and opportunity to comment upon and participate in the formulation of plans and programs relating to the management of public lands.”  The protest procedures provide the public an opportunity to seek administrative review of proposed land use plan decisions with respect to matters raised initially in comments submitted previously in the planning process.  These procedures will provide the Director of the BLM with an opportunity to reconsider decisions made by others within the BLM and make timely corrections if necessary.

Without the collection of this information, the BLM would not be able to provide an opportunity to seek reasonable solutions to conflicting views of plan components before a responsible official approves a plan, plan amendment, or plan revision.  If the information is not collected, the Bureau could not accept and consider objections, and would be in violation of FLPMA.

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 BLM is not requesting approval for any of the special circumstances listed above.

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.

On November 10, 2026, the BLM published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register soliciting comments for a period of 60 days on this collection of information (91 FR 72495).  The comment period will close on January 11, 2026. Additionally, comments that are received in response to the NPRM will be addressed in the preamble to the final rule. Comments specific to the proposed information collection requirements will be summarized, along with the BLM’s response in the information collection request submitted to OMB under the final 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.

The BLM provides the respondents no assurance of confidentiality in its provisions requiring the BLM to make information available to the public.

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 and individuals and households.  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 individuals, 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. The estimated number of respondents and burdens are based on the BLM’s years of experience administering this program and the associated 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

Lawyers
23-1011
Government Respondents
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.32(b))

$51.16
1.6
$81.86 
70%
$57.30 
Legal Secretaries
43-6012
Government Respondents
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.32(b))

$25.95
1.6
$41.52 
30%
$12.46 
Conservation Scientists
19-1031
Government Respondents
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$30.85
1.6
$49.36 
10%
$4.94 
Lawyers
23-1011
Government Respondents
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$51.16
1.6
$81.86 
80%
$65.48 
Legal Secretaries
43-6012
Government Respondents
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$25.95
1.6
$41.52 
10%
$4.15 
Weighted Hourly Rate for Government Respondents
$144.33
Conservation Scientists
19-1031
Businesses and Associations
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$30.85
1.4
$43.19 
10%
$4.32 
Lawyers
23-1011
Businesses and Associations
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$51.16
1.4
$71.62 
80%
$57.30 
Legal Secretaries
43-6012
Businesses and Associations
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$25.95
1.4
$36.33 
10%
$3.63 
Weighted Hourly Rate for Businesses and Associations 
$65.25
All Occupations
00-0000
Individuals and Households
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$32.75
1.4
$45.85 
100%
$45.85
Weighted Hourly Individuals and Households
$35.00

Table 12-2: Estimates of Annual Burden Hours and Related Costs
Collection of Information 
Respondent Type
Number of Annual Responses
Hours Per Response
(hours)
Total Hours

Hourly Rate 
Dollar Equivalent 


Preparing for Planning – State, Local, or Tribal Resource Plans
(43 CFR 1610.41(a)(2)) [NEW]
Government Respondents
16
61
975*
$144.33
$140,722
Protests / Governments
(43 CFR 1610.51) 
[REVISED]
Government Respondents
16
10
160
$144.33
$34,639 
Protests / Businesses and Associations
(43 CFR 1610.51)
[REVISED]
Businesses and Associations
56
10
560
$65.25
$54,810 
Protests / Individuals and Households
(43 CFR 1610.51)
[REVISED]
Individuals and Households
32
10
320
$45.85
$22,008 
Consistency Requirements
(43 CFR 1610.52 & 1610.53)
[REVISED]
Government Respondents
27
15
405
$144.33
$58,454 
Totals: 
147
----
2,420*
----
$310,633
*Differences due to rounding.


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.

This collection of information imposes no non-hour burdens.  No filing fees are associated with this collection of information.  Respondents incur no annual capital or start-up costs in preparing or submitting information under this control number.  Respondents do not need to purchase any computer software or hardware to submit information under this control number.

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/2026/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/2022/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 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

Administrative Assistant - GS-9,
Step 1
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610. 4-1(a)(2))
$24.65
1.6
$39.44
10%
$3.94
Planner - GS-11, Step 1
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610. 4-1(a)(2))
$29.82
1.6
$47.41
60%
$28.45
State Planning and Environmental Coordinator - GS-13, Step 1
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610. 4-1(a)(2))
$42.50
1.6
$68.00
20%
$13.60
State Director - Executive Schedule, Level III
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.52 & 1610.53)
$176,900 annually / 2,080 hours per year =
$85.05
1.6
$136.08
10%
$13.61
Administrative Assistant - GS-9,
Step 1
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.52 & 1610.53)
$24.65
1.6
$39.44
10%
$3.94
Planner - GS-11, Step 1
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.52 & 1610.53)
$29.82
1.6
$47.41
20%
$9.48
State Planning and Environmental Coordinator - GS-13, Step 1
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.52 & 1610.53)
$42.50
1.6
$68.00
60%
$40.80
State Director - Executive Schedule, Level III
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.52 & 1610.53)
$176,900 annually / 2,080 hours per year =
$85.05
1.6
$136.08
10%
$13.61
Writer/Editor - GS-9, Step 1
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$24.65
1.6
$39.44
10%
$3.94
Planning Analyst - GS-13, Step 1
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$42.50
1.6
$68.00
50%
34.00
Planning and Environmental Coordinator - GS-14, Step 1
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$50.23
1.6
$80.37
20%
$16.07
Planning and NEPA Branch Chief - GS-14, Step 1
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$50.23
1.6
$80.37
10%
$8.04
Assistant Director - Executive Schedule, Level III
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
$176,900 annually / 2,080 hours per year =
$85.05
1.6
$136.08
10%
$13.61
Totals:
—
—
—
—
100%
$203.09

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

Preparing for Planning – State, Local, or Tribal Resource Plans
(43 CFR 1610.41(a)(2))
65
15
975
$203.09
$198,013
Protests (43 CFR 1610.51)
104
12
1,248
$203.09
$253,456
Consistency Requirements (43 CFR 1610.52 & 1610.53)
27
10
270
$203.09
$54,834
Totals:
$506,303

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

The proposed rule would add one new information collection and revise two existing information collections. These changes, along with the associated burden impacts, are discussed below.

New Information Collection

Section 1610.41(a)(2) - Preparing for Planning – State, Local, or Tribal Resource Plans: This proposed section would provide that State and local governments and Indian tribes and that the State and local governments or Indian tribes identify uses germane to the development of land use plans for public lands which are prohibited in the officially approved and adopted resource related plans. State and local governments and Indian tribes would have 45 calendar days to provide the requested information for it to be considered by the Bureau of Land Management. This new information collection is expected to result in 16 new annual responses and 975 new annual burden hours.

Revised Information Collections

Section 1610.51 – Protests: The proposed rule would reduce the amount of information collected when filing a protest.

Current Information Collected:
    1.  The protester’s name, mailing address, telephone number or e-mail address.  
    2. The protester’s interest that may be adversely affected by the planning process.  
    3. How the protester participated in the planning process.   
    4. The core plan component or components believed to be inconsistent with law, regulation, or policy.  
    5. A concise explanation of why the core plan component is believed to be inconsistent with law, regulation, or policy and of the associated issue or issues raised during the planning process.  
    6. Copies of all documents addressing the issue or issues that were submitted during the planning process by the protesting party or an indication of the date the issue or issues were discussed for the record.  

Proposed Revised Information Collected:
    1. The protester’s name, and interest of the person filing the protest.  The BLM needs this information in order to contact the protester.
    2. A statement of the issue or issues being protested. BLM needs this information to know why the plan or amendment is being protested. 
    3. A concise statement explaining why the State Director’s proposed decision is believed to be inconsistent with relevant law, regulation, or policy.

The proposed rule would reduce redundancy and streamlines the information requirements for protests. This proposed change would result in a reduction of 520 annual burden hours (from 1,560 to 1,040).

Section 1610.52 and 1610.53 – Consistency Requirements: 

The proposed rule would reduce a governor’s timeframe to respond to a proposed land use plan or amendment in which to identify additional inconsistencies and provide recommendations from 60 to 30 calendar days. This change is not expected to change the burden hours associated with this IC.

Additionally, as previously noted in Item 2, above, the BLM is proposing a new section of § 1610.53, titled “Local governments’ consistency review procedures.” This new section establishes a parallel process to the Governor’s consistency review that provides an opportunity for local government officials to submit recommendations to resolve inconsistencies prior to the BLM’s approval of the plan, revision, or amendment. The information collected would be the same as in 1610.52; however, the inclusion of local governments is not projected to add to the estimated number of annual responses for this information collection as many local government participants that previously responded through a governor’s office could respond directly to the BLM.

Currently, 131 annual response and 1,965 annual burden hours are approved under this OMB Control Number. The proposed change would result in 16 new annual responses (from 131 to 147) and 455 new annual burden hours (from 1,965 to 2420).  Therefore, the new burden under this OMB Control Number would be 147 total annual responses and 2,420 total annual burden hours.  Table 15-1, below, summarizes the projected burden changes that would result from the proposed rule. 
Table 15-1: Summary of Burden Changes
Information Collection
Annual Responses
Annual Hours
Current Burdens
131
1,965
Burden Changes
Section 1610.41(a)(2) - Preparing for Planning – State, Local, or Tribal Resource Plans (New IC)
+16
+975
Section 1610.51 – Protests: The proposed rule would reduce the amount of information collected when filing a protest (Revised IC)
+/-0
-520
Section 1610.52 & 1610.53 – Consistency Requirements (Revised IC)
+/-0
+/-0
Net Burden Changes
+16
+455
New Total Annual Burdens
147
2,420
 No non-hour cost burdens are involved with this OMB Control Number. See Item 13 above.

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.

Individual protests received under Section 5-1 are not publicly posted but summaries of protest issues received and responses are published online in a report, generally within 3 months from the start of the information call. A concise summary of the protests received is also generally noted in the decision document for the planning effort, generally made available within 4 months from the start of the information call.

Individual consistency review letters submitted by governors are not publicly posted but a concise summary of the Governor’s feedback and State Director’s response are generally noted in the decision document for the planning effort, generally made available within 4 months from the start of the information call.

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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