# Agency Information Collection Activities; Mining and Mining Claims and Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights
**AGENCY:**
National Park Service, Interior.
**ACTION:**
Notice of information collection; request for comment.
**SUMMARY:**
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the National Park Service (NPS, we) are proposing to renew a currently approved information collection without changes.
**DATES:**
Interested persons are invited to submit comments, which NPS must receive on or before March 30, 2026.
**ADDRESSES:**
Written comments and suggestions on the information collection requirements should be submitted by the date specified above in *DATES* to *https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.* Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Please provide a copy of your comments to the NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer (ADIR-ICCO), 13461 Sunrise Valley Drive, (MS-263) Herndon, VA 20191 (mail); or *[email protected]* (email). Please reference Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number “1024-0064” in the subject line of your comments.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Stephen Simon, Policy and Regulatory Specialist, Energy and Minerals Branch, Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, Lakewood, Colorado 80225; or by email at *[email protected].* Please reference OMB Control Number 1024-0064 in the subject line of your comments. 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 of contact in the United States.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501et seq *.* ) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
A *Federal Register* notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on September 4, 2025 (90 FR 42776). No comments were received.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
We are 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 our 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.
(4) How might the agency 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 that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this information collection request. 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 personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
*Abstract:* The Organic Act of 1916 (NPS Organic Act) (54 U.S.C. 100101) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to develop regulations for units of the national park system (System units) under the Department's jurisdiction. The Mining in the Parks Act (54 U.S.C. 100731 *et seq.* ) directs the Secretary of the Interior to regulate all operations in System units in connection with the exercise of mineral rights on patented and unpatented mining claims.
The regulations codified in 36 CFR part 9, subparts A and B, ensure that mining and non-Federal oil and gas activities in System units are conducted in a manner consistent with conserving each System unit for the benefit of present and future generations. The information required by Subpart A identifies the claim, claimant, and operator (the claimant and operator are often the same) and details how the operator intends to access and develop the minerals associated with the claim. It also identifies the steps the operator intends to take to minimize any adverse impacts of the mining operations on park resource and values. No information, except claim ownership information, is submitted unless the claimant wishes to conduct mining operations. The information required by Subpart B identifies the owner and operator (the owner and operator are often the same) and details how the operator intends to access and develop the oil and gas rights. It also identifies the steps the operator intends to take to minimize any adverse impacts on park resources and values. No information is submitted unless the owner wishes to conduct oil and gas operations. The information collected is used to evaluate proposed operations, ensure that all necessary mitigation measures are employed to protect park resources and values, and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
*Title of Collection:* Mining and Mining Claims and Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights, 36 CFR part 9, subparts A and B.
*OMB Control Number:* 1024-0064.
*Form Number:* None.
*Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection.
*Respondents/Affected Public:* Businesses.
*Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses:* 799.
*Estimated Completion Time per Response:* Varies from 1 hour to 140 hours, depending on respondent and/or activity.
*Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours:* 3,473 hours.
*Respondent's Obligation:* Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
*Frequency of Collection:* On occasion.
*Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost:* $102,300.
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.* ).
Phadrea Ponds,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.