Published 30 Day Notice

66434

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices

members would be interested in
participating in the study. Adult
participants for screener interviews will
be household members who would
likely complete a screener
questionnaire, such as a head of
household or adult sportsperson or
wildlife watcher. We plan to request
that a screener respondent (a respondent
who finished the screen interview), or
another household member aged 16 and
up who participates in fishing, hunting,
or wildlife watching activities, complete

the wave questionnaires. In addition,
two to three respondents who do not
participate in the relevant activities will
be recruited for interviews in order to
test the functioning of the instruments
with non-participants.
Title of Collection: National Survey of
Fishing, Hunting, and WildlifeAssociated Recreation (FHWAR).
OMB Control Number: 1018–0088.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved information
collection.

Respondents/Affected Public:
Individuals/households.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: We estimate
the pre-test/cognitive interviews to
begin in 2025 or 2026. The results will
be used to inform the next full survey
estimated to be conducted in 2027, or
possibly 2028.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour
Burden Cost: None.

Estimated
number of
household
responses

Activity

Screener Survey:
Screener: Web ......................................................................................................................
Screener: Phone ...................................................................................................................
Screener: PAPI .....................................................................................................................
Wave 1 Survey:
Wave Questionnaires: Web ..................................................................................................
Wave Questionnaires: Phone ...............................................................................................
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI .................................................................................................
Wave 2 Survey:
Wave Questionnaires: Web ..................................................................................................
Wave Questionnaires: Phone ...............................................................................................
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI .................................................................................................
Wave 3 Survey:
Wave Questionnaires: Web ..................................................................................................
Wave Questionnaires: Phone ...............................................................................................
Wave Questionnaires: PAPI .................................................................................................
Wave 3 Coastal Freshwater/Saltwater Ratio Questionnaire ................................................
Pre-test/Cognitive Interviews (NEW) ...........................................................................................
Grand Total: ..................................................................................................................

Median
completion
time per
response
(minutes)

Estimated
burden
hours *

27,639
1,000
31,361

9
15
10

4,146
250
5,227

43,068
833
6,972

13
22
14

9,331
305
1,627

32,173
833
3,645

13
22
14

6,971
305
851

46,773
950
11,811
13,500
70

13
22
14
3
70

10,134
348
2,756
675
82

220,628

........................

43,008

* Rounded.

An agency may not conduct or
sponsor and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
The authority for this action is the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–18208 Filed 8–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
[220D2641EA; DS61800000;
DEA100000.000000. DX61801; OMB Control
Number 1093–0012]

Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Application
Requirements for States and Tribes To
Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Funding
Consideration, and Ongoing State and
Tribal Reporting Requirements for
Funding Recipients
Office of the Secretary, Interior.
Notice of information collection;
request for comment.

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

AGENCY:
ACTION:

In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), the Office of the Secretary of the
Interior (Interior), through the Orphaned
Wells Program Office (OWPO), proposes

SUMMARY:

VerDate Sep<11>2014

17:25 Aug 14, 2024

Jkt 262001

PO 00000

Frm 00093

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

to revise an OMB-approved information
collection.
DATES: Interested parties are invited to
submit comments on or before
September 16, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Written comments for the
proposed information collection should
be submitted to www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. This particular
information collection can be found by
selecting ‘‘Currently under Review—
Open for Public Comments’’ or by using
the search function. Please provide a
copy of any submitted comments to
Jeffrey Parrillo, Departmental
Information Collection Clearance
Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior,
1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC
20240, or by email to DOI-PRA@
ios.doi.gov. Please reference ‘‘OMB
Control Number 1093–0012 Orphaned
Wells Program Office’’ in the subject
line of any comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request additional information about
this proposed information collection,
please contact Ron Lev, Management

E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM

15AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices
and Program Analyst, OWPO, by email
at orphanedwells@ios.doi.gov, or by
phone at (771) 233–5722. Individuals in
the United States who are deaf,
deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. The
information request can also be viewed
at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR
1320.10, Interior is again providing the
general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to
comment on new, proposed, revised,
and continuing collections of
information. This helps Interior assess
the impact of its information collection
requirements and minimize the public’s
reporting burden. It also helps the
public understand Interior’s information
collection requirements and provide the
requested data in the desired format.

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

1. Prior 60-Day Public Comment Period
That Ran Through July 1, 2024
A Federal Register notice was
published on May 2, 2024, which
solicited comments on this proposed
information collection. See 89 FR
35849. Interested parties were invited to
submit comments on or before July 1,
2024. One Tribal Nation stated it did not
have concerns with the proposed
information collection. A total of 13
other parties jointly submitted
comments, which are discussed
immediately below.
2. Comments Submitted by the 13
Parties and Interior’s Response
Public comments: The commenters
recommended that the Consolidated
Workplan be expanded to request more
information on States’ definitions of
orphaned well, and processes for
recouping remediation costs and
redeeming financial assurances. The
commenters reasoned that this is
necessary because, for State and private
lands, Interior did not provide a
standardized definition of the term
orphaned well. The commenters also
stated that ‘‘This absence of a
standardized definition has created
opportunities for states—intentionally
or otherwise—to use federal grant funds
to plug wells for which there is a
solvent, financially responsible party.’’
Interior’s Response: As part of their
applications or technical reports, States
generally submit the information
discussed by the commenters. States are

VerDate Sep<11>2014

17:25 Aug 14, 2024

Jkt 262001

also required to maintain records that
support the contents of their
applications, including showing the that
the actions are consistent with the
State’s submitted certifications
concerning the use of available financial
assurance to cover plugging,
reclamation, and restoration costs.
States are also required to maintain
records that demonstrate that the uses of
awarded federal funds are consistent
with the BIL and other federal law and
authorities.
The term orphaned well is defined in
Section 40601(a)(5) of the BIL. For State
or private lands, the statutory definition
of orphaned wells adopts the applicable
definition under state law. Interior’s
approach is consistent with the text of
the BIL.
While Interior defers to State law as
to what constitutes an orphaned well,
States that use awarded federal funds to
plug non-orphaned wells may be subject
to negative consequences. Similarly,
States failing to use available financial
assurance to cover the cost of plugging,
remediation, and/or reclamation may
also be subject to negative
consequences.
Public comments: The commenters
requested that Interior collect additional
information concerning costs of
plugging wells, contracting processes,
qualifications of contractors, and the
actual well plugging practices.
Interior’s Response: Interior receives
relevant information concerning State
law and other authorities that concern
well-plugging practices. Interior
requires that a State with established
and documented well plugging
standards and regulations require their
contractors to meet those standards and
regulations. For States that do not have
established well plugging standards,
Interior requires that the work meet or
exceed the plugging standards in either
43 CFR 3172.12, for onshore wells, or 30
CFR part 250, for offshore wells. Interior
also monitors awarded funds, consistent
with 2 CFR part 200 and other federal
law and authorities, and samples wells
to verify that contractors adhered to the
relevant plugging standards.
Interior intends to collect well
plugging standards and procedures and
reward States for strengthening those
standards and procedures. Interior may
also collect State program information
that concerns orphaned wells, including
contracting procedures, the qualification
of contractors, and the costs of plugging,
reclamation, and/or restoration.
Public comments: For Plugging
Standards RIG applications, the
commenters suggested that Interior
collect additional information that
concerns State documentation of plug

PO 00000

Frm 00094

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

66435

quality and integrity. Similarly, for
Program Standards RIG applications, the
commenters suggested that Interior
collect additional information with
respect to State financial assurance
requirements.
Interior’s Response: Interior proposes
to collect State requirements for plug
quality and integrity as part of its
Plugging Standards RIG program.
Interior also proposes to collect
information on whether a State adopts
full-cost well financial assurance
requirements, and information on
whether a State’s financial assurance
requirements account for field or area
risks, technical risks, financial risks,
and/or aggregate risks associated with
multiple-well assurance for Program
Standards RIGs.
Public comments: In addition to the
information discussed in the previous
comments, the commenters suggest that
Interior collect information that
concerns State plugging and idling
triggers and requirements of well
transfers. The commenters also
suggested additional items for the two
Scoresheets.
Interior’s Response: In 2021, the
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact
Commission (IOGCC) published Idle
and Orphan Oil and Gas Wells: State
and Provincial Regulatory Strategies.
The 2021 IOGCC report stated that ‘‘the
primary purpose of this report is to help
states and provinces evaluate their idleand orphan-well programs and identify
useful regulatory tools and strategies
from other jurisdictions.’’ The 2021
IOGCC report updated a 2019 report,
which the IOGCC stated ‘‘served as a
useful reference in the development of
federal legislation.’’
On October 20, 2023, Request for
Information to Inform the Orphaned
Wells Program Office’s Development of
Regulatory Improvement Grants Under
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was
published in the Federal Register (RFI).
See 88 FR 72528. A total of 20 parties
submitted responses to the RFI,
including the IOGCC, 13 states, 5
environmental groups, and 1
anonymous party.
Interior utilized comments it received
in response to the RFI, the 2021 IOGCC
report, and other IOGCC reports to
develop the two RIG programs.
Consequently, Interior considers the
categories and subcategories under
which States are evaluated as part of the
two programs to be comprehensive.
Public comments: For the
Consolidated Workplan, the 13
commenters supported the remaining 22
items, which are not discussed above.
The commenters also supported the
remaining 9 Plugging Standards RIG and

E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM

15AUN1

66436

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

7 Program Standards RIG items that
Interior proposes to collect.
Interior’s Response: Interior
appreciates the commenters’ support of
Interior’s efforts to develop and
administer financial assistance
programs to create a legacy of
environmental stewardship.
3. 30-Day Public Comment Period
As part of Interior’s continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, it is again soliciting comments
from the public and other federal
agencies on the proposed information
collection request that is described
below. Interior is especially interested
in public comment addressing the
following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether or not the
information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of Interior’s estimate
of the burden for this collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) How might Interior minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of response.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice are a matter of public record.
Before including any address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in a
comment, a commenter should be aware
that the entire comment—including any
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While a commenter can request the
withholding of personal identifying
information from public review, Interior
cannot guarantee that it will be able to
do so.
Abstract: Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117–58)
(November 15, 2021), which is also
known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law (BIL), Section 40601, ‘‘Orphaned
well site plugging, remediation, and
restoration,’’ amends Section 349 of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
15907). Section 40601 designates
Interior as the key agency responsible
for implementing grant and other
financial assistance programs for
applicable government entities to fund
plugging, remediation, and reclamation
of orphaned wells and well sites located

VerDate Sep<11>2014

17:25 Aug 14, 2024

Jkt 262001

on lands covered by the BIL. The
associated investments will rebuild
America’s critical infrastructure, tackle
the climate crisis, advance
environmental justice, and drive the
creation of good-paying union jobs.
Interior will issue financial assistance
through grant awards to State and Tribal
governments under Assistance Listing
(CFDA) program 15.018 Energy
Community Revitalization Program
(ECRP). With respect to Tribal In Lieu
of Grant Assistance, OWPO will
coordinate with the Bureau of Indian
Affairs. The authority for the above
assistance is the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, Division D,
Title VI, Section 40601.
The types of assistance contained in
Section 40601 are as follows:
1. Initial Grants to States
2. Formula Grants to States
3. Performance Grants to States, which
includes:
• Regulatory Improvement Grants to
States
• Matching Grants to States
4. Grants to Tribes and Tribal In Lieu of
Grant Assistance
The BIL requires Interior to collect
information necessary to ensure that
awarded grant and other funds
authorized by this legislation are used
in accordance with the BIL, Office of
Management and Budget Guidance for
Grants and Agreements (i.e., 2 CFR part
200) and other applicable federal law
and authorities. Interior anticipates that
information will be collected by the
OWPO, which has and will issue
guidance concerning the above
assistance programs. Interior seeks OMB
approval of the proposed information
collection to manage and monitor
financial assistance applications and
awards to ensure that States and Tribes
comply with the BIL, 2 CFR part 200,
and other applicable federal law and
authorities.
Consolidated Workplan
Interior proposes to collect the
following from all State and Tribal grant
applicants, unless noted otherwise, as
part of each entity’s consolidated
workplan:
(a) An applicant’s process for
determining a well has been orphaned,
including what efforts will be made to
redeem financial assurances or
otherwise recoup remediation costs
from any responsible parties;
(b) A description of an applicant’s
plugging standards, including the
witnessing requirements (e.g.,
qualifications of witness,
documentation);
(c) An applicant’s prioritization
process for evaluating and ranking

PO 00000

Frm 00095

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

orphan wells and associated surface
reclamation, including criteria,
weighting, and how such prioritization
will address resource and financial risk,
public health and safety, potential
environmental harm (including methane
emissions where applicable), and other
land use priorities;
(d) If no prioritization process
currently exists, an applicant’s
description of its plans to develop and
implement a prioritization process;
(e) Details of how a State applicant
will identify and address any
disproportionate burden of adverse
human health or environmental effects
of orphaned wells on disadvantaged
communities, low-income communities,
and Tribal and indigenous
communities;
(f) How applicants will identify and
incorporate into their work plans health,
safety, habitat, and environmental
benefits of plugging, remediating, or
reclamation of orphaned wells
(Proposed revision);
(g) The methodology to be used by the
applicant to measure and track methane
and other gases associated with
orphaned wells, including how the
applicant will confirm the effectiveness
of plugging activities in reducing or
eliminating such emissions;
(h) The methodology to be used by the
applicant to measure and track
contamination of groundwater and
surface water associated with orphaned
wells, including how the applicant will
confirm the effectiveness of plugging
activities in reducing or eliminating
such contamination;
(i) The methodology to be used to
decommission or remove associated
pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure
and to remediate soil and restore habitat
that has been degraded due to the
presence of orphaned wells and
associated infrastructure;
(j) Methods the applicant will use to
solicit recommendations from local
officials and the public regarding the
prioritization of well plugging and site
remediation activities, and any other
processes the applicant will use to
solicit feedback on the program from
local officials and the public;
(k) Latitude/Longitude and all other
data elements and associated units of
measure as indicated in State and Tribal
data reporting templates. See the Data
Associated with Wells Plugged Using
Federal BIL Funds portion of this
proposed information collection;
(l) How the applicant will use funding
to locate currently undocumented
orphaned wells;
(m) Plans the applicant has to engage
third parties in partnerships around
well plugging and site remediation, or

E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM

15AUN1

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices
any existing similar partnerships the
applicant currently belongs to;
(n) Training programs, registered
apprenticeships, and local and
economic hire agreements for workers
the applicant intends to conduct or fund
in well plugging or site remediation;
(o) Plans the applicant has to support
opportunities for all workers, including
workers underrepresented in well
plugging or site remediation, to be
trained and placed in good-paying jobs
directly related to the project;
(p) For State applicants, plans the
State applicant has to incorporate equity
for underserved communities into their
planning, including supporting the
expansion of high-quality, good paying
jobs through workforce development
programs and incorporating workforce
strategy into project development;
(q) Procedures the applicant will use
to coordinate with federal, State, or
Tribal agencies to determine whether
efficiencies may exist by combining
field survey, plugging, or surface
remediation work across lands covered
by the BIL;
(r) The applicant’s authorities to enter
private property, or an applicant’s
procedures to obtain landowner consent
to enter private property, in the event
that any wells to be plugged will be
accessed from privately owned surface;
(s) A work schedule covering the
period of performance for the grant;
(t) If applicable, a federally approved
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or
statement regarding applicant’s
intention to negotiate or utilize the de
minimis rate;
(u) How an applicant will assist
Interior to ensure that activities funded
by the grant it applied for will comply
with relevant federal law and
authorities, such as the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA),
and the National Historic Preservation
Act, as amended (NHPA) (Proposed
revision);
(v) For Performance Grants, how a
State applicant will place a higher
priority on the use of the federal funds
to lower unemployment in the State,
including workforce development
activities related to orphaned well
plugging, remediation, and reclamation
(Proposed revision); and
(w) For Performance Grants, how a
State applicant will place a higher
priority on the use of the federal funds
to improve economic conditions in
economically distressed areas of the
State, provided that the use of the funds
is related to orphaned well plugging,
remediation, and reclamation (Proposed
revision).

VerDate Sep<11>2014

17:25 Aug 14, 2024

Jkt 262001

Regulatory Improvement Grants—State
Applicants Only (Proposed Revision)
Under Section 40601(c)(5)(E)(i), a
Regulatory Improvement Grant (RIG)
may be awarded to an eligible State if
either: (1) ‘‘The State has strengthened
plugging standards and procedures
designed to ensure that wells located in
the State are plugged in an effective
manner that protects groundwater and
other natural resources, public health
and safety, and the environment’’
(Plugging Standards RIG); or (2) ‘‘The
State has made improvements to State
programs designed to reduce future
orphaned well burdens, such as
financial assurance reform, alternative
funding mechanisms for orphaned well
programs, and reforms to programs
relating to well transfer or temporary
abandonment’’ (Program Standards
RIG). In addition to a consolidated
workplan, and other information
required from RIG applicants that is
discussed in this proposed information
collection, Interior proposes to collect
the following from applicants.
For Plugging Standards RIGs: Interior
proposes to collect from Plugging
Standards RIG applicants information
pertaining to their statutes, regulations,
policies, and procedures, which were
implemented during the 10-year period
specified in the BIL, that demonstrate
the ‘‘State has strengthened plugging
standards and procedures designed to
ensure that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.’’ The list, (a) through
(j), below, are examples of information
Interior proposes to collect. In
determining whether a ‘‘State has
strengthened plugging standards and
procedures,’’ Interior may request
additional types of information.
(a) Drilling well construction, and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(b) Allowable well control equipment
to manage actions of perforating,
cutting/pulling of casing, or retrieving
seal assemblies, and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.

PO 00000

Frm 00096

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

66437

(c) Allowable barrier types, and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(d) Allowable barrier placement
locations, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(e) Allowable barrier placement
techniques, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(f) Wellbore integrity and barrier
verification, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(g) Spacer medium between well
barriers, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(h) Wellbore capping requirements,
and the resulting actual or anticipated
positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(i) Plugging procedure approval
requirements, plugging procedure
changes, plugging operations
notification requirements, post-plugging
reporting requirements, alternative
materials or methods, and the resulting
actual or anticipated positive effects of
these changes, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that

E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM

15AUN1

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

66438

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices

protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(j) Internal inspection and oversight,
and long-term monitoring of plugged
wells processes, and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
For Program Standards RIGs: Interior
proposes to collect from Program
Standards RIG applicants information
pertaining to their statutes, regulations,
policies, and procedures, which were
implemented during the 10-year period
specified in the BIL, that demonstrate
the ‘‘State has made improvements to
State programs designed to reduce
future orphaned well burdens, such as
financial assurance reform, alternative
funding mechanisms for orphaned well
programs, and reforms to programs
relating to well transfer or temporary
abandonment.’’ The list, (a) through (g),
below, are examples of information
Interior proposes to collect. In
determining whether a ‘‘State has made
improvements to State programs
designed to reduce future orphaned well
burdens,’’ Interior may request
additional types of information.
(a) Liable parties, scope of liability,
and state access (e.g., non-operator
liable parties, predecessor in interest
liability, and state targeting of liable
parties through increased or enhanced
enforcement), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens.
(b) Transfers of interest (e.g., notice of
transfer to state from transferor and
transferee, state assessment of transferor
and/or transferee, and transferor
maintenance of assurance), and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to reduce
future orphaned well burdens.
(c) Financial Assurance (e.g., bonding
adjusted for field, well, or operator
risks), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens, including considerations
for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(d) Non-assurance State financial
protections and plugging incentives
(e.g., fees, taxes, penalties (including
increased or enhanced enforcement),
and incentives), and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or

VerDate Sep<11>2014

17:25 Aug 14, 2024

Jkt 262001

documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens, including considerations
for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(e) Reporting and public notice of
orphaned or potentially orphaned wells
(e.g., reporting mechanisms, for
responsible parties, online notice of
aggregate financial assurance, and
online notice of marginal, orphaned,
and all other wells by responsible
party), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens, including considerations
for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(f) Consideration for air, groundwater,
and other natural resources, as well as
public safety and environmental justice
(e.g., considerations for surface and
groundwater or soil, including
hazardous materials or other
contamination, special considerations
for oil and gas wells converted to water
wells, and considerations for public
safety and environmental justice), and
the resulting actual or anticipated
positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to reduce
future orphaned well burdens,
including considerations for idle,
marginal, and producing wells.
(g) Orphaned-wells-related internal
and external workforce development
(e.g., State internal workforce
enhancements, State contracting
process, and oversight of State vendors,
including certificate programs), and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to reduce
future orphaned well burdens.
For both Plugging Standards and
Program Standards Applications: For all
Plugging Standards and Program
Standards RIG applicants, Interior also
proposes to collect the following:
Scoring Template: A list of questions
related to the specific type of RIG they
are applying for in a scoring template
(e.g., ‘‘Yes’’ or ‘‘No’’). Applicants will
also need to provide support for the
scoring template that they submit.
Interior will use the requested
information to determine grant
eligibility, including eligible amount,
and to ensure that program objectives
are being met, evaluate the applicant’s
readiness to obligate grant funds, and
evaluate the applicant’s approach to
execute grant objectives and the grantfunded work that will be monitored by
Interior.
Grant Applications
Interior proposes to collect the
following additional elements from
applicants:

PO 00000

Frm 00097

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

• Standard forms (SF) from the SF–
424 Series: Applicants must submit the
following SF–424 series of forms:
Æ SF–424, Application for Federal
Assistance;
Æ SF–424A, Budget Information for
Non-Construction Programs or SF–424C,
Budget Information for Construction
Programs;
Æ SF–424B, Assurances for NonConstruction Programs, or SF–424D,
Assurances for Construction Programs;
Æ SF–428, Tangible Personal Property
Report; and
Æ SF–LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities, when applicable.
• Indirect Cost Statement: If
requesting reimbursement for indirect
costs, all applicants must include in
their application a statement regarding
how they anticipate charging indirect
costs.
• Budget Narrative and/or Template:
Applicants must provide a narrative
and/or template that describes and
justifies, with sufficient detail, the
requested budget items and costs, and
provides a description of how the
applicant determined its totals by cost
category in their application (Proposed
revision).
• Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate
Agreement (NICRA): When applicable, a
copy of the applicant’s current federalagency-approved Negotiated Indirect
Cost Rate Agreement is required.
• Single Audit Reporting Statement:
All U.S. governmental entities and nonprofit applicants must submit a
statement regarding their single audit
reporting status.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
Applicants must notify the Interior in
writing of any actual or potential
conflicts of interest known at the time
of application or that may arise during
the life of this award, in the event the
Interior makes an award to the entity.
• Certification Statement: State
applicants for the Initial Grant part of
this program must provide a signed
State Certification statement consistent
with Section 40601(c)(3)(A)(ii)(III) or
40601(c)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the BIL. State and
Tribal Applicants may also be required
to submit other certifications for other
grant programs, consistent with
guidance issued by the OWPO.
Tribal in Lieu of Grant Assistance
Requests—Tribal Applicants Only
(Proposed Revision)
Tribes, in lieu of grant assistance, may
request that Interior administer and
carry out plugging, remediation, and
reclamation activities related to eligible
orphaned wells on behalf of the Tribe.
Interior proposes to collect the

E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM

15AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices
following information to evaluate and
administer such requests:
• A letter of request for assistance,
from the Tribe, bearing the signature of
the authorized representative of the
Tribe’s governing body;
• A description of activities (e.g.,
plugging and abandonment,
remediation, and/or reclamation) for
which the Tribe is requesting assistance;
• A brief description of the Tribe’s
territories, including the number and
locations of known orphan wells; and
• A summary of known supporting
data or information, including existing
inventories and assessments and
environmental compliance documents.

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

Amendments
For many budget and program plan
revisions, 2 CFR part 200 requires
recipients submit revision requests to
the federal awarding agency in writing
for prior approval. Interior reviews such
requests received to determine the
eligibility and allowability of new or
revised activities and costs and
approves certain items of cost.
Reporting/Recordkeeping Requirements
To ensure that activities funded by
Section 40601 are consistent with the
BIL, 2 CFR part 200, and other federal
law and authorities, Interior proposes to
collect the following information from
all grant and other funding recipients:
• Financial Reports: Recipients are
required to submit all financial reports
on the Standard Form 425, Federal
Financial Report. Recipients must
submit financial reports in accordance
with 2 CFR part 200. The frequency of
submission may vary but will typically
be annually or semi-annually. Interior,
however, may require submission of
financial reports more frequently in
certain circumstances, such as where
more frequent reporting is necessary for
the effective monitoring of the federal
award or could significantly affect
program outcomes (Frequency is
proposed revision).
• Performance Reports: Recipients
must submit performance reports in
accordance with 2 CFR part 200. This
information is necessary for Interior to
track accomplishments and
performance-related data. Interior uses
these reports to ensure that the recipient
is accomplishing its work on schedule,
and to identify any problems that the
recipient may be experiencing in
accomplishing the work. While the
frequency of performance reporting may
vary, recipients typically will be
required to submit their performance
reports annually or semi-annually.
Interior, however, may require the
submission of these reports more

VerDate Sep<11>2014

17:25 Aug 14, 2024

Jkt 262001

frequently in certain circumstance, such
as where more frequent reporting is
necessary for the effective monitoring of
the federal award or could significantly
affect program outcomes (Frequency is
proposed revision). Performance reports
must include:
Æ A comparison of actual
accomplishments to the goals and
objectives established for the reporting
period, the results/findings, or both;
Æ If the goals and objectives were not
met, the reasons why, including
analysis and explanation of cost
overruns or high unit costs compared to
the benefit received to reach an
objective;
Æ Performance trend data and
analysis to be used by the awarding
program to monitor and assess recipient
and federal awarding program
performance;
Æ Consolidated long-term work plan
and accomplishments updates, when
award is part of a large scale or longterm effort funded under multiple
awards over time; and
Æ Other information that Interior
requires to track State and Tribal
accomplishments, collect performancerelated data, identify and risks and
failure to achieve certain milestones,
and is otherwise necessary to ensure
that the State’s or Tribe’s actions
comply with the relevant guidance
issued by the OWPO (Proposed
revision).
• Final 15-month Report for State
Initial Grants: As required in the BIL,
State recipients under the Initial Grants
part of the program must submit a report
no later than 15 months after the date
on which the State receives the funds,
describing the means by which the State
used the funds in accordance with its
application and certification, and
including the reporting parameters
described in this guidance.
• Recordkeeping Requirements:
Recipients must retain financial records,
supporting documents, statistical
records, and all other records pertinent
to a federal award, per 2 CFR part 200
requirements.
• Data Associated with Wells Plugged
Using Federal BIL Funds: Recipients
must periodically provide data, which
upon Interior’s request, may include
pictures, video, or other media, for any
well plugged with BIL funds. This may
include data associated with
reclamation or restoration of land or
infrastructure associated with a well
(Proposed revision).
Upon request, but no more frequently
than annually, recipients must submit
requested information related to
aggregate orphaned-well data (e.g., the
total number of documented orphaned

PO 00000

Frm 00098

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

66439

wells located in a State, and the
rationale for why the orphaned well
inventory has increased or decreased
during a certain time period). Interior
will use this information to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programs funded by
the BIL.
• Information Concerning State or
Tribal Unmet Needs: When requested,
States and Tribes must submit requested
information related to unmet needs for
orphaned well plugging, the
decommission or removal of the
associated infrastructure, and the
restoration and reclamation of the lands,
surface water, ground water, or other
natural resources that are impacted or
potentially impacted. States or Tribes
may also be required to provide
information regarding employment and
economically distressed areas, or
environmental justice (Proposed
revision).
• Compliance with Environmental
and Other Statutes: Recipients must
submit information to Interior to allow
Interior to ensure that federal BIL funds
are utilized in a manner that is
consistent applicable federal law, such
as the ESA and NHPA, and other
authorities and policy (Proposed
revision).
• Change in RIG Eligibility (Scoring
Template): During the ten-year period
that begins on the date of receipt of the
grant funds, each RIG recipient must
periodically (e.g., annually) submit an
updated Scoring Template. This
submission will allow Interior to ensure
that the State recipient is not required
to reimburse Interior for all or a portion
of its RIG for ‘‘failure to maintain
protections,’’ under Section
40601(c)(5)(E)(iii). Recipients will also
be required to submit documentation
that supports any changes between the
submitted Scoring Template and the one
that was previously submitted
(Proposed revision).
Interior also proposes to rename the
information collection from Application
Requirement for States to Apply for
Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Grant
Consideration to Application
Requirements for States and Tribes to
Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Funding
Consideration, and Ongoing State and
Tribal Reporting Requirements for
Funding Recipients (Proposed revision).
Title of Collection: Application
Requirements for States and Tribes to
Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Funding
Consideration, and Ongoing State and
Tribal Reporting Requirements for
Funding Recipients.
OMB Control Number: 1093–0012.

E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM

15AUN1

66440

Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2024 / Notices

Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Up to
92 (27 State and 65 Tribal governments).
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Respondents: 524 (relating to 9 different
activities).
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 1,011 (relating to 9 different
activities).
Estimated Completion Time per
Annual Response: Varies from 1 to 40
hours, depending on activity.
Total Estimated Number of One-Time
Respondents: 54 (relating to 2 different
activities).
Total Estimated Number of One-time
Responses: 108 (relating to 2 different
activities).
Estimated Completion Time per Onetime Response: Varies from 1 to 24
hours, depending on activity.
Total Estimated Number of Tribal In
Lieu of Grant Respondents: 3.
Total Estimated Number of Tribal In
Lieu of Grant Responses: 3.
Estimated Completion Time per Onetime Response: 8 hours.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Non-hour
Burden Cost: None.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. The authority for this
action is the PRA and 5 CFR 1320.10.
Jeffrey Parrillo,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–18278 Filed 8–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334–63–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NV_FRN_MO#4500179583]

Notice of Application for Withdrawal
Extension for Base Camp and
Opportunity for Public Meeting;
Nevada
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES

AGENCY:

The United States Air Force
(USAF) has filed an application
requesting that the Secretary of the
Interior extend the withdrawal
established by Public Land Order (PLO)
No. 7634 for an additional 20-year
period. PLO No. 7634 withdrew 1,979

SUMMARY:

VerDate Sep<11>2014

17:25 Aug 14, 2024

Jkt 262001

acres of public lands from settlement,
sale, location, or entry under the general
land laws, including the United States
mining laws, but not from leasing under
the mineral leasing laws, subject to
valid existing rights, for a period of 20
years and reserved the land for use by
the USAF to protect support facilities
for the safe and secure operation of
national defense activities at the Nevada
Test and Training Range (NTTR). This
notice advises the public of a 90-day
opportunity to comment on the
withdrawal extension application and to
request a public meeting.
DATES: Comments and request for a
public meeting must be received by
November 13, 2024.
ADDRESSES: All comments and meeting
requests should be sent to the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) Nevada State
Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, NV
89502. Also, comments will be available
for public review at the Tonopah Field
Office, P.O. Box 911 (1553 South Main
Street), Tonopah, NV 89049, during
regular business hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edison Garcia, Land Law Examiner,
Nevada State Office, at (775) 861–6530,
email: egarcia@blm.gov. Individuals in
the United States who are deaf,
deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or Tele Braille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
withdrawal established by PLO No.
7634 on May 6, 2005 (70 FR 24114) will
expire on May 5, 2025. The purpose of
the withdrawal and reservation is for
the USAF to protect support facilities
for the safe and secure operation of
national defense activities at the NTTR.
The purpose for this withdrawal
warrants its extension.
The legal land description and
acreage figure described in PLO No.
7634 is revised herein to reflect the BLM
Cadastral Survey’s Specification for
Descriptions of Land. The revised land
description does not change the
footprint of the lands originally
withdrawn by PLO No. 7634.
The 1,979 acres of public lands are
located in central Nye County,
approximately 60 miles east of
Tonopah, Nevada. Public access to these
lands has been restricted since the
1960s. Recreation, mining, and other
uses are open on public lands

PO 00000

Frm 00099

Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

surrounding the 1,979 acres. The 1,979
acres withdrawn by PLO No. 7634 are
legally described as:
Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada
A parcel of land situated in T. 5 N., R. 50
E., partially unsurveyed, T. 5 N., R. 51 E., and
T. 6 N., R. 51 E., and being more particularly
described as follows:
From the northwest corner of section 12, T.
5 N., R. 50 E.,
Proceed southeast 1,874.10 feet on a
bearing of 155°48′00″ to starting point;
Thence southeast 5,551.20 feet on a bearing
of 122°54′00″;
Thence northeast 15,530.30 feet on a
bearing of 33°18′00″;
Thence northwest 5,551.20 feet on a
bearing of 302°54′00″;
Thence southwest 15,530.30 feet on a
bearing of 213°18′00″ to the starting
point, excepting Tybo Road.

The area described contains
approximately 1,979 acres.
There is no suitable alternative site.
No water rights would be needed to
fulfill the purpose of this withdrawal
extension.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personally identifiable information—
may be made publicly available at any
time. While you may ask the BLM in
your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from
public review, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
Notice is hereby given that an
opportunity for a public meeting is
afforded in connection with the
application for withdrawal extension.
All interested persons who desire a
public meeting for the purpose of being
heard on the USAF application must
submit a written request to the State
Director, BLM Nevada State Office, at
the address in the ADDRESSES section,
within 90 days from the date of
publication of this notice. If the
authorized officer determines that a
public meeting will be held, a notice of
the date, time, and place will be
published in the Federal Register, local
newspapers, and on the BLM website at
www.blm.gov at least 30 days before the
scheduled date of the meeting.
This withdrawal extension
application will be processed in
accordance with the regulations set
forth in 43 CFR 2310.4.
(Authority: 43 CFR 2310.4)
Jon K. Raby,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024–18314 Filed 8–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331–21–P

E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM

15AUN1