FR 2024-28734

The document, published by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), announces a proposal to renew an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This endeavor centers around the reclamation of private lands affected by mining activities, authorized by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The agency is calling for public comment until February 4, 2025, particularly interested in feedback on the necessity, timeliness, and burden of this information collection.

General Summary

This notice from the OSMRE indicates a routine regulatory action aimed at continuing the collection of information related to the reclamation of private lands. This is part of maintaining compliance with federal requirements and ensuring responsible environmental management practices following mining operations. The notice includes details on how the public and other entities can provide feedback, emphasizing an email and mail option for submitting comments.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document raises a few notable issues that might concern the public and stakeholders. Firstly, the information collection is estimated to require 120 hours per response, which seems extensive. However, there is no detailed explanation or breakdown of this estimate, making it difficult to assess its accuracy or reasonableness.

Moreover, the document notes that only one respondent is expected annually, which could raise questions about the overall cost-efficiency and utility of this process. For an information collection system to be sustained, it should ideally have more than a single annual stakeholder involved.

Another concern is the potential public exposure of personal information submitted with comments. While the agency clarifies that such information might become publicly available, it cannot promise confidentiality. This lack of assurance could dissuade individuals from participating in the comment process, impacting the diversity and richness of feedback.

Broad Public Impact

For the general public, this document is not expected to have widespread immediate effects. However, it underlines the ongoing regulatory efforts the government undertakes to manage the environmental impacts of mining. An informed public might appreciate the opportunity to comment on such initiatives, though the complexity and technical language used could present a barrier to effective participation.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The most direct impact lies with state and tribal governments, which are identified as the primary respondents in this information collection process. The lone respondent figure and the substantial burden of 120 hours for completion indicate potential administrative and resource challenges for these entities, particularly if they have limited capacity or expertise in handling such detailed submissions.

On the positive side, the document could offer an opportunity for these governments to voice concerns, suggest improvements, and influence federal reclamation policies. For stakeholders deeply involved in mining reclamation, such as environmental groups or landowners near mining operations, this process could be seen as a window to advocate for more comprehensive or effective environmental protections.

In conclusion, while this notice represents a routine aspect of regulatory management, the issues it underscores—such as the demanding response burden and potential data confidentiality concerns—highlight areas where improvements could be considered to enhance stakeholder engagement and operational efficiency.

The Federal Register document under review concerns an information collection request by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). In relation to the financial aspects of this document, there is notably limited information provided.

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost

The document's sole financial reference pertains to the "Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost," which is stated to be $0. This indicates that beyond the time spent by respondents, there are no additional monetary costs or financial allocations associated with the information collection process itself. The absence of a monetary expense could imply that the only resource required from the respondents is their time. However, this reference raises several points worthy of consideration, particularly when examined alongside the issues outlined in the document.

Relation to Identified Issues

One of the primary issues identified in the document is the extensive estimated completion time of 120 hours per response. While there are no direct financial costs indicated, this long completion time could represent an implicit financial burden for the respondent due to the opportunity cost of dedicating significant staff hours without a direct financial allocation to cover these or compensate for the time invested.

Further, with the notification that there is generally only one respondent annually, it prompts questions about the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of maintaining this information collection process. The absence of a financial burden cost might suggest minimal fiscal impact; however, the scalability and practicality of such an effort remain questionable given the low level of participation. It also highlights potential inefficiencies in investing effort into a collection process that impacts such a limited audience without apparent direct costs associated.

In conclusion, while the document indicates no additional financial costs beyond the time commitment, the substantial time required could indirectly equate to a financial consideration for respondents, particularly state and tribal governments. This aspect, combined with questions around the process's utility, suggests room for improvement in terms of clarity and efficiency — potentially through enhancement of information technologies or alterations to the information collection approach.