Sealing of Abandoned Areas

OMB Control No: 1219-0142	ICR Reference No: 200804-1219-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200705-1219-003
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No: RIN 1219-AB52
Title: Sealing of Abandoned Areas
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 06/12/2008
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 04/18/2008
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2011	36 Months From Approved	06/30/2008
Responses	555,695	0	893,135
Time Burden (Hours)	33,560	0	82,038
Cost Burden (Dollars)	2,522,660	0	2,325,456

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Abstract: These standards strengthen the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of seals and monitoring and control of atmospheres behind seals in order to reduce the risk of seal failure and the risk of explosions in abandoned areas of underground coal mines.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 109 - 236 10 Name of Law: Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006    PL: Pub.L. 91 - 173 101(b) and 103(h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Health & Safety Act of 1977

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 109 - 236 10 Name of Law: Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1219-AB52	Final or interim final rulemaking	73 FR 21181	04/18/2008

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	72 FR 28796	05/22/2007
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	72 FR 71791	12/19/2007
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Sealing of Abandoned Areas

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	555,695	893,135	0	1,224	-338,664	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	33,560	82,038	0	456	-48,934	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	2,522,660	2,325,456	0	3,482	193,722	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The burden hours have been reduced by approximately 48,500 hours from the ETS. The major reason for this reduction is that the burden for sampling was incorrectly included in both the burden hours and burden costs. In addition, burden hours have been reduced because the requirement in the ETS for mine operators to file sampling protocols and action plans in the mine ventilation plan has been deleted from the final rule. Also, the requirement for mine operators to prepare for training was inadvertently included as burden hours in the information collection package that accompanied the ETS. Since the ETS, the final rule has added burden for: revising mine ventilation plans to allow for welding, cutting, and soldering activities; immediately notifying MSHA after an additional sample is taken under final § 75.336(c); evaluating the atmosphere in sealed areas to verify correct sampling locations; and labeling sampling pipes to indicate the location of the sampling point when more than one sampling pipe is installed through a seal.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Debra Ferraro 202-693-9821 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 04/18/2008

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