Sealing of Abandoned Areas Standard

OMB Control No: 1219-0142	ICR Reference No: 201706-1219-002
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201403-1219-008
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Sealing of Abandoned Areas Standard
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 12/19/2017
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 10/30/2017
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2020	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2017
Responses	15,800	0	54,857
Time Burden (Hours)	3,525	0	6,380
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,068,083	0	1,510,674

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Abstract: MSHA's standards for sealing abandoned areas in underground coal mines includes requirements covering the design and construction of new seals and the maintenance and repair of all seals. Records that will be collected under this rule will help assure that the construction and maintenance of seals are done correctly; certified persons conducting sampling in sealed areas are adequately trained; and results from sampling in sealed areas are recorded, so that problems can be found and fixed.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 30 USC 811, 101(a) Name of Law: Federal Mine Health and Safety Act    US Code: 30 USC 813(h), 103(h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Health and Safety Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 26952	06/12/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 50164	10/30/2017
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

IC Title Form No. Form Name Sealing of Abandoned Areas Standard

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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	15,800	54,857	0	0	-39,057	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	3,525	6,380	0	0	-2,855	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,068,083	1,510,674	0	0	-442,591	0

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The number of producing underground coal mines has decreased from 301 to 242. In addition, the percentage of sealed areas with seals of less than 120 psi strength continues to decrease as operators build new, stronger seals. Due to the decrease in respondents, responses decreased as well from 54,857 to 15,800, and burden hours decreased from 6,380 to 3,525. Response time increased for annual burden hours and to notify MSHA under section 75.336(c) but this increase in burden hours did not offset the overall decrease in burden hours. Costs decreased from $1,510,674 to $1,068,083.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $58,905

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Nicole Bouchet 202 646-2814 [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: 10/30/2017

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