FR 2025-01896

The Federal Register notice issued by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) seeks public feedback on the renewal of an information collection effort as part of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This process involves gathering data related to the regulation and eventual termination of surface coal mining operations as dictated by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The information collection is expected to guide legal and procedural protocols essential to managing and mitigating the impacts of such mining activities.

General Overview

This document is essentially a call for public involvement in the review of current practices around information collection by the OSMRE. The importance of this lies in its connection to the legal and operational framework set forth for surface coal mining reclamation efforts. Interested parties are urged to contribute comments by March 31, 2025, to influence how these collections might be improved in effectiveness and efficiency. This participatory approach is designed to both reduce administrative burdens and enhance data reliability.

Significant Issues or Concerns

One of the major themes of the notice is the necessity of balancing data collection with minimizing the burdens placed on respondents. The agency is particularly interested in public feedback that challenges the necessity of the information, assesses the timeliness of its processing, and questions any potentially inaccurate burden estimates. Another significant concern is ensuring the public's privacy, as personal information included in the feedback may become public despite requests for confidentiality.

Broad Public Impact

From a broader societal perspective, the information collected by the OSMRE plays a crucial role in how surface coal mining activities are controlled across the United States. Proper oversight ensures that mining operations comply with environmental standards, safeguarding landscapes and communities from the potential adverse effects of such industrial activities. Additionally, public involvement in refining this process underscores a democratic approach, where citizens can directly impact regulatory frameworks.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The implications for specific stakeholders are varied. For State and Tribal governments, engaging in this review process provides an opportunity to advocate for rules and requirements that align closely with their jurisdictional needs and realities. For individual respondents, particularly those directly affected by mining operations, this is a chance to voice their opinions regarding the influence these activities have on their communities and to press for more effective oversight mechanisms.

Finally, aligning information collection with technological advancements could potentially ease the reporting burden, especially for stakeholders with limited resources. Modern digital solutions can streamline data submission, rendering the entire process more efficient and less resource-intensive.

Overall, this notice encapsulates a vital regulatory function that impacts a wide range of environmental, social, and economic considerations, reinforcing the importance of public participation in governmental processes.

In this Federal Register document, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has submitted a notice regarding the renewal of an information collection as mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Specifically, the financial aspect of this notice is noteworthy even though the document primarily focuses on regulatory and procedural topics.

The document in question makes reference to financial considerations in the context of the administrative responsibilities connected with information collection processes. Of particular focus is the estimated cost associated with these processes.

Financial Elements

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $0

This monetary element indicates that there are no additional costs, outside of time (or labor), that can be attributed to responding to this information collection. Such costs, if any, might typically include expenses for materials, technology, or services necessary to fulfill the collection requirements. Here, the estimation of a non-existent nonhour burden cost suggests a streamlined process where respondents do not incur out-of-pocket expenses beyond the time spent providing the information.

Contextual Analysis

In this context, the financial reference to a $0 nonhour burden cost is significant as it underscores the intention to minimize financial impositions on the respondents. This aligns with a broader goal outlined in the document, which is minimizing the public's reporting burden. When federal agencies request information from state and tribal governments or individuals, ensuring minimal financial impact is often a critical consideration to facilitate compliance and participation.

Considering the reported estimation of 63 annual burden hours spread across an expected 5 respondents, the focus here shifts entirely to the time commitment required to respond. Should these activities incur no additional costs, this reflects careful planning by the agency to reduce unnecessary expenditures for respondents, thereby supporting the Paperwork Reduction Act’s objectives.

In conclusion, the explicit mention of the $0 cost simplifies compliance for stakeholders and reflects a focused effort by the OSMRE to limit financial burdens while ensuring adherence to statutory requirements through effective data collection. This financial neutrality plays an important role in encouraging transparency and cooperation from respondents.