1004-0218_Public Lands Rule_Supporting Statement NFRM xAE92 OMB

Final Rule - RIN 1004-AE92

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

Supporting Statement A

Ecosystem Resilience (43 CFR Part 6100)

OMB Control Number 1004-0218

Terms of Clearance: Not applicable. This is a request for a new OMB Control Number.

Abstract: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to clarify and support the principles of multiple use and sustained yield in the management of the public lands. This rule would incorporate climate resiliency and restoration through conservation in the management of the public lands pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and other relevant authorities. This final rule rests within 43 CFR 6000, which includes Preservation and Conservation, and would provide an overarching framework governing multiple resource areas to ensure land health and sustained yield. The rule also updates 43 CFR 1610.7–2 Designation of areas of critical environmental concern, to provide consistency in implementing FLPMA’s directive that the BLM give priority to the designation and protection of areas of critical environmental concern (ACEC). This rule would affirm the important role of restoration and protection actions in building and maintaining sustainable land management practices to ensure healthy and productive ecosystems for current and future generations. This request is being submitted in connection with the final rule for 43 CFR Parts 6100 and 6100 (RIN 1004-AE92).

Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes new regulations that, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and other relevant authorities, will advance BLM’s mission to manage for the multiple use and sustained yield of public lands by prioritizing the resilience of ecosystems across those lands. To ensure the resilience of public lands, the final rule provides that BLM will protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data. To support these activities, the final rule applies land health standards to all public lands and uses, clarifies conservation as a use within FLPMA’s multiple use framework, and revises existing regulations to better meet FLPMA’s requirement that BLM give priority to designating and protecting Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). The final rule adds a new Part 6100 – Ecosystem Resilience – to title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations and would revise existing regulations at Subpart 1610 – Resource Management Planning – to provide an overarching framework for multiple BLM programs to promote ecosystem resilience on public lands.

This rule establishes an operational definition of sustained yield and defines conservation in the context of a changing climate. It provides a framework to implement conservation both for its own sake and to support ecosystem sustainability, by identifying best practices to conserve and restore lands and waters to desired conditions based on land health standards and high-quality information. It promotes conservation, preservation, and restoration opportunities designed to foster public involvement, honor the Bureau’s commitment to work closely with Tribes and other governmental entities, and respond more effectively to changing resource conditions and increasing demands on public lands and waters.

The BLM is requesting approval for new collections of information contained in the BLM’s rule for 43 CFR 6100 titled, “Ecosystem Resilience.” The authority for these new collections of information; including the underlying rule are as follows:

• Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, is the BLM’s ‘‘organic act’’; it establishes the agency’s mission to manage public lands. FLPMA establishes that it is the policy of the United States that public lands be managed in a manner that recognizes the nation’s need for natural resources from those lands, provides for outdoor recreation and other human uses, maintains habitat for fish and wildlife, preserves certain public lands in their natural condition, and protects the quality of the scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, water-resource, and archaeological values of the nation’s lands (43 USC 1701);

• The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. § 7202) legislatively established the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS), to include public lands carrying certain executive or congressional designation and set parameters for the management of lands within the system. The regulations final support the BLM’s execution of the statutory direction to “manage the [NLCS] in a manner that protects the values for which the components of the system were designated” (16 U.S.C. § 7202(c)(2)).

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.

The rule contains the new information collection requirements that require approval by the Office of

Management and Budget. These new information collection requirements are discussed below.

The BLM may authorize restoration leases or mitigation leases under such terms and conditions as the authorized officer determines are appropriate for the purpose of restoring degraded landscapes or mitigating impacts of other uses. In particular, 43 CFR 6102.4(a) provides that restoration or mitigation leases on the public lands may be authorized for the following purposes:

• Restoration of land and resources by passively or actively assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed to a more natural, native ecological state; and

• Mitigation to offset impacts to resources resulting from other land use authorizations.

Paragraph (2) provides that authorized officers may issue restoration or mitigation leases to any qualified entity that can demonstrate capacity for implementing restoration or mitigation projects (as appropriate) and meets the lease requirements.

Section 6102.4(a)(6) and (7) - Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Restoration or Mitigation Development Plan

An application for a restoration or mitigation lease must be filed using an approved application form¹ with the BLM office having jurisdiction over the public lands covered by the application. An application must include a restoration or mitigation development plan that describes the proposed restoration or mitigation use in sufficient detail to enable authorized officers to evaluate the feasibility, impacts, benefits, costs, threats to public health and safety, collaborative efforts, and conformance with BLM plans, programs, and policies, including compatibility with other uses. The development plan shall include but not be limited to:

• Results from land health assessments, watershed condition assessments, and other high-quality information (see Subpart 6103) that identify the current conditions of the site(s) of the proposed restoration or mitigation action.

• The desired future condition of the proposed lease area including clear goals, objectives, and measurable performance criteria needed to achieve the objectives.

• Justification for passive restoration or mitigation if proposed.

• A description of all facilities for which authorization is sought, including access needs and any other special types of authorizations that may be needed.

• A map of sufficient scale to allow the required information to be legible as well as a legal description of primary and alternative project locations.

• Justification of the total acres proposed for the restoration or mitigation lease.

• A schedule for restoration activities if applicable; and

• Information on outreach conducted or to be conducted with existing permittees, lease holders, adjacent land managers or owners, and other interested parties.

• Restoration lease development plans must be consistent with § 6102.3.

Section 6102.4(a)(8)- Additional Information for Restoration Lease or Mitigation Leases

After review of the restoration or mitigation development plan, the authorized officer may require the applicant to provide the following additional information:

• Additional high-quality information, if such information is necessary for the BLM to decide whether to issue, issue with modification, or deny the proposed lease.

• Documentation of or proof of application for any required private, State, local, or other Federal agency licenses, permits, easements, certificates, or other approvals.

• Evidence that the applicant has, or prior to commencement of lease activities will have, the technical and financial capability to operate, maintain, and terminate the authorized lease activities.

Section 6102.4(a)(9) - Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Monitoring Plan

• If approved, the lease holder shall provide a monitoring plan that describes how the terms and conditions of the lease will be applied, the monitoring methodology and frequency, measurable criteria, and adaptive management triggers.

Section 6102.4(a)(9) - Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Annual Report

The lease holder shall provide a lease activity report annually and at the end of the lease period. At a minimum, the report shall describe:

• the restoration or mitigation activities taken as of the time of the report;

• any barriers to meeting the stated purpose of the lease;

• proposed steps to resolve any identified barriers; and

• monitoring information and data that meet BLM methodology requirements and data standards (see § 6103.2(c)).

Section 6102.4.1(d)(3) - Termination and Suspension of Restoration and Mitigation Leases /written request to resume or suspend activity

Upon determination that the holder has failed to comply with any terms or conditions of a lease and that such noncompliance adversely affects or poses a threat to land or public health or safety, or impacts ecosystem resilience, authorized officers shall issue an immediate temporary suspension. Any time after an order of temporary suspension has been issued, the holder may file with authorized officers a request for permission to resume. The request shall be in writing and shall contain a statement of the facts supporting the request. Authorized officers may grant the request upon determination that the adverse effects or threat to land or public health or safety or impacts to ecosystem resilience are resolved.

Section 6102.4.2(a) - Bonding for Restoration and Mitigation Leases

Prior to the commencement of surface-disturbing or active management activities, the authorized officer may require the restoration or mitigation lease holder to submit a reclamation, decommission, or performance bond conditioned upon compliance with all the terms and conditions of the lease covered by the bond, as described in this subpart. For mitigation leases, the lease holder will usually be required to provide letters of credit or establish an escrow account for the full amount needed to ensure the development plan meets all performance criteria. The bond amounts shall be sufficient to ensure reclamation of the restoration and mitigation lease area(s) and the restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by restoration or mitigation lease operations. Such restoration may be required after the abandonment or cessation of operations by the restoration or mitigation lease holder in accordance with, but not limited to, the standards and requirements set forth by authorized officers. Personal bonds shall be accompanied by:

• Cashier’s check;

• Certified check; or

• Negotiable Treasury securities of the United States of a value equal to the amount specified in the bond. Negotiable Treasury securities shall be accompanied by a proper conveyance to the Secretary of full authority to sell such securities in case of default in the performance of the terms and conditions of a conservation use authorization.

Section 6102.5.1 (e) - Mitigation / Approval of third parties as mitigation fund holders

Section 6102.5.1 would allow in certain limited circumstances authorized officers to approve third parties as mitigation fund holders to establish mitigation accounts for use by entities granted land use authorizations by the BLM. The BLM may approve, through a formal agreement, a third-party mitigation fund holder to administer funds for the implementation of compensatory mitigation programs or projects. The authorized officer may approve third parties as mitigation fund holders if the party demonstrates that it meets the minimum qualifications listed in 6102.5.1(e) (1) and (2) which includes providing the following evidence:

• Qualify for tax-exempt status in accordance with Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(3); provide evidence that they can successfully hold and manage mitigation accounts; be a public charity bureau for the state in which the mitigation area is located, or otherwise comply with applicable state laws; be a third party organizationally separate from and having no corporate or family connection to the entity accomplishing the mitigation program or project, BLM employees, or the permittee; adhere to generally accepted accounting practices that are promulgated by the Financial Account Standards Board, or any successor entity; and have the capability to hold, invest, and manage the mitigation funds to the extent allowed by law; or

• Be a state or local government agency, if the government agency is able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the BLM, that it is acting as a fiduciary for the benefit of the mitigation project or site and can show that it has the authority and ability to collect the funds, protect the account from being used for purposes other than the management of the mitigation project or site, and disburse the funds to the entities conducting the mitigation project or management of the mitigation site; demonstrate that it is organizationally separate from and has no corporate or family connection to the entity accomplishing the mitigation program or project, BLM employees, or the permittee; and adhere to generally accepted accounting practices that are promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board or any successor entity.

Section 6102.5.1(e) - Mitigation / Approval of third parties as mitigation fund holders / Annual Fiscal Reports

Approved third-party mitigation fund holders must file with the BLM annual fiscal reports. This requirement applies to non-profit organizations and state or local government agencies that the BLM has approved as third-party mitigation fund holders.

The information collection requirement contained in part 6100 will allow the BLM to ensure that restoration or mitigation leases are available to qualified individuals or businesses, State, local, or Tribal governments, or other Federal agencies for the purpose of ensuring ecosystem sustainability.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.

There are no forms associated with this information collection that would require automation. The information that is collected may be emails to the BLM so long as it is on a signed document in PDF format.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The information collected is unique to each respondent. There is no similar information already available and no duplication.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

Small entities are not impacted by this collection of information.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

The information is collected on an “on occasion” basis; there is no regular frequency required for collecting the information. Without this information, the BLM would be inhibited in carrying out its obligation under the Federal FLPMA and implementing the principles of multiple use and sustained yield management that govern the BLM’s stewardship of America’s public lands and promoting conservation as a tool to ensure the sustainable productive capabilities of renewable public land resources for future generations.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

* in connection with a statistical survey that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information, unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

The information is collection is consistent with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2). None of the above exceptions would apply.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years, and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three years — even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

Consistent with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.11, the BLM published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on April 3, 2023 (88 FR 19583) soliciting public comments on the information collection requirements contained in the proposed rule. While numerous comments were submitted in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, none of the comments specifically addressed the information collection aspects of the proposed rule nor the associated burden estimates. The comments that were received are addressed in the Preamble to the final rule.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

The BLM provides no payments or gifts to the respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

Not applicable.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

Respondents are not required to answer questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here.

Table 12-1 shows the estimated per-hour cost for respondents. The mean hourly wages for government respondents were determined using national Bureau of Labor Statistics data at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_999200.htm and the estimated per-hour cost for businesses and associations (private sector) were determined using national Bureau of Labor Statistics data at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm. The benefits multipliers of 1.4 for private-sector respondents, and 1.6 for government respondents, are implied by information at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm.

Tables 12-2, below, shows our estimates of the annual hour and hour-related cost burdens for each information collection activity. All the information collections occur upon occasion. There are no established reporting frequencies associated with these information collections.

Table 12-1: Estimated Hourly Cost for Respondents

Position and Occupational Code	Respondent Type	Mean Hourly Wage	Benefits Multiplier	Hourly Rate with Benefits	Percent of Collection Time Completed by Each Occupation	Weighted Average Hourly Cost
11-9121 Natural Resource Manager	Nonprofit organizations	75.05	1.4	105.07	100%	$105.07
Weighted average Hourly Wage for Nonprofit organization:					100%	$105.07
19-1031 Conservation Scientist	State and local government agencies	29.70	1.6	47.52	100%	$47.52
Weighted average Hourly Wage for State and local government agencies:					100%	$47.52
11-1021 General Operations Manager	Private sector	55.41	1.4	77.57	40%	$15.51
11-9121 Natural Resource Manager	Private sector	75.05	1.4	105.07	60%	$47.28
Weighted average Hourly Wage for Private sector:					100%	$62.79

Table 12-2: Estimates of Annual Burden Hours and Related Costs

Collection of Information	Respondent Type	Number of Responses	Hours Per Response (hours)	Total Hours	Hourly Rate	Dollar Equivalent
Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Restoration or Mitigation Development Plan - 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(6) and (7)	Private sector	10	10	100	$62.79	$6,279
Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Additional Information 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(8)	Private sector	8	25	200	$62.79	$12,558
Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Monitoring Plan - 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(9)	Private sector	9	5	45	$62.79	$2,826
Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Annual Report - 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(9)	Private sector	9	2	18	$62.79	$1,130
Termination and Suspension of Restoration and Mitigation Leases /written request to resume or suspended activity – 43 CFR 6102.4-1(d)(3)	Private sector	1	240	240	$62.79	$15,070
Bonding for Restoration and Mitigation Leases – 43 CFR 6102.4-2(a)	Private sector	10	80	800	$62.79	$50,232
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders - 43 CFR 6102.5-1(e)	Nonprofit organizations	4	5	20	$105.07	$2,101
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders - 43 CFR 6102.5-1(g)	State and local government agencies	4	5	20	$47.52	$950
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders / Annual Fiscal Reports – 43 CFR 6102.5-1(e)	Nonprofit organizations	4	2	8	$105.07	$841
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders / Annual Fiscal Reports – 43 CFR 6102.5-1(e)	State and local government agencies	4	2	8	$47.52	$380
Totals:		63	----	1,459	----	$92,367

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no filing fees or other cost associated with this information collection other than those accounted for in Table 12-2, above.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

Tables 14-1 and 14-2 show the BLM’s estimates of the hourly cost burdens to the Federal government. The hourly pay rates for the General Schedule (GS) positions are at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/RUS_h.pdf. The annual pay rates for the Executive Schedule positions are at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2023/EX.pdf. The BLM calculated the Executive Schedule hourly pay rates by dividing the annual pay rate by 2,080 hours. Information at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm implies the benefits multiplier of 1.6.

Table 14-1: Estimated Hourly Federal Wage Cost

Position and Pay GS Grade	Hourly Pay Rate	Benefits Multiplier	Hourly Rate with Benefits	Percent of the Information Collection Completed by Each Occupation	Weighted Average Cost Per Hour
GS-0401-13 Branch Chief	$45.22	1.6	$72.35	5%	$3.62
GS-0401-14 Mitigation Coordinator	$53.34	1.6	$85.34	20%	$17.07
GS-0401-9 Program Lead	$26.22	1.6	$41.95	30%	$12.59
GS-0301-12 Field Office Manager	$38.03	1.6	$60.85	5%	$3.04
GS-0482-09 Program Lead	$26.22	1.6	$41.95	30%	$12.59
GS-0301-12 Field Office Manager	$38.03	1.6	$60.85	10%	$3.04
Totals:				100%	$54.99

Table 14-2: Estimated Annual Cost to the Federal Government

Collection of Information	Number of Responses	Staff Hours per Response	Total Hours	Weighted Hourly Rate	Dollar Equivalent
Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Restoration or Mitigation Development Plan - 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(6) and (7)	10	20	200	$54.99	$10,998
Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Additional Information 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(8)	8	20	160	$54.99	$8,798
Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Monitoring Plan - 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(9)	9	5	45	$54.99	$2,475
Termination and Suspension of Restoration and Mitigation Leases /written request to resume or suspended activity – 43 CFR 6102.4-1(d)(3)	1	120	120	$54.99	$6,599
Bonding for Restoration and Mitigation Leases – 43 CFR 6102.4-2(a)	10	20	200	$54.99	$10,998
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders - 43 CFR 6102.5-1(e)	8	80	488	$54.99	$26,835
Mitigation / Approval third parties as mitigation fund holders / Annual Fiscal Reports – 43 CFR 6102.5-1(e)	8	2	16	$54.99	$880
Total:					$67,583

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

This is a request for a new OMB control number. Therefore, all the information collection requirements and burdens included in this request are new and are considered a program change due to agency discretion. The rule is estimated to result in 1,459 new burden hours. The rule is not expected to result in any new non-hour cost burdens.

Information collection changes from proposed to final rule

The BLM introduced the following information collection requirements that were not in the proposed rule:

• Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Monitoring Plan – 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(9);

• Restoration and Mitigation Leasing / Annual Report – 43 CFR 6102.4(a)(9); and

• Mitigation / Approval of third parties as mitigation fund holders / Annual Fiscal Reports – 43 CFR 6102.5-1(e).

These ICs are necessary to provide monitoring mechanisms to help the BLM assure that we are achieving the desired outcomes of the mitigation plans.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The BLM has no plans to publish the results of this collection of information.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

There are no forms associated with these information collection activities. The OMB control number and expiration date are available at www.reginfo.gov.

18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

There are no exceptions to the certification requirements outlined in 5 CFR 1320.9.

1 Prior to implementation, relevant materials will be submitted to OMB under this OMB control number and in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

12