FR 2021-00875

The document published by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is a formal request for public commentary on the proposal to renew an existing information collection practice. This initiative falls under the auspices of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aiming to ensure that the process of data collection related to permits for special types of mining continues smoothly and efficiently. The information gathered will be instrumental in assessing whether applicants meet the requisite performance standards for particular mining activities. Public comments are invited until March 16, 2021, allowing stakeholders to express their views through both mail and email.

The issues presented in the document involve several nuanced concerns. A primary concern is the wide variability in the estimated time required to respond to the information collection, ranging from 10 to 1,000 hours. This significant range might leave potential respondents with uncertainties about the specific time commitments involved. Furthermore, the document notes that there are no nonhour burden costs associated with this information collection, which may be unconventional and warrants further explanation for transparency.

Another essential aspect that could cause confusion is the reliance on terminology and laws like Public Law 95-87, without providing adequate context or summaries. For those unfamiliar with these legal references, the document could be somewhat inaccessible or challenging to interpret.

The document also addresses privacy concerns but provides a caveat that, although requests to withhold personal information might be considered, there is no assurance that this information can be kept private. This could lead to apprehensions about privacy among potential commenters. Finally, while the document solicits public comment, it does not clearly articulate how these comments will influence the overall decision-making process, potentially undermining the perceived importance of public input.

The implications of this document are twofold. On a broad level, the proposal aims to streamline and improve the OSMRE's ability to regulate special mining activities, ensuring they align with established standards. This action could promote better environmental practices and foster more efficient regulatory oversight.

For specific stakeholders, such as state governments and mining permittees, the document's impacts are more pronounced. These groups might experience direct changes in their operational processes due to the renewed information collection requirements. The outcome of this renewal process can significantly influence their administrative burden and compliance costs. Positive impacts could include a clearer framework for permit applications that might simplify compliance, whereas negative effects might stem from the potential administrative burden posed by extensive information requirements.

Overall, the document is an essential procedural step toward updating how information for specific mining permits is collected and utilized. While aiming to reinforce regulatory frameworks, it is critical that the issues raised do not overshadow the intent of promoting transparency and efficiency in mining practices. Improved clarity and addressing the noted concerns could enhance stakeholder engagement and trust in the process.

The Federal Register document in question, titled "Agency Information Collection Activities; Requirements for Permits for Special Categories of Mining," addresses proposed information collection requirements by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). An essential component of this document is the financial reference, which is notably concise.

Financial Reference Overview

The document mentions a Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost of $0. This suggests that, aside from the time spent (measured in hours) by respondents to comply with the information collection requirements, there are no additional financial burdens imposed on state governments or mine permittees participating in this activity. Such nonhour costs typically would include fees, purchases, or any other monetary expenditures related to the completion of the required information submissions.

Relation to Identified Issues

One of the identified issues is the lack of explanation regarding the absence of nonhour burden costs. In many regulatory or compliance-based documentations, there are often costs associated with administrative processes, such as application fees or specialized reporting software. The assertion of $0 in nonhour costs might be uncommon in contexts involving intricate activities like special mining permits. This absence raises questions and could benefit from further clarification within the document to reassure stakeholders of its accuracy and the reasons behind it.

Additionally, the document notes a wide range of estimated completion times, from 10 to 1,000 hours, depending on the activity. While time-related burdens do not fall under financial costs directly in this context, they significantly impact respondents' resources. This broad range highlights potential indirect costs associated with manpower and time diverted from other activities to fulfill permit application requirements. The broad range might obscure precise predictions of the actual burden on respondents, indirectly affecting their operational budgeting and planning.

In summary, the Federal Register document references minimal direct financial obligation, focusing solely on time as a regulatory cost aspect. However, the financial implications of this information collection could be indirectly significant, especially given the diverse range of estimated hours required for compliance. Clearer insights into both the absence of financial costs and the range of time burdens could help stakeholders better understand and prepare for the demands of this regulatory requirement.