[Federal Register: November 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 221)] [Notices] [Page 62684] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr17no99-85] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AK990-2000-5101-NH-FL07-262F] Proposed Information Collection--Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Employee Concerns Program Survey AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intention to request approval to collect information from employees of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) concerning operation of the employee concerns program. This information would allow the Joint Pipeline Office to monitor and assess how the employee concerns program is working. DATES: BLM must receive comments on the proposed information collection by January 18, 2000, to assure its consideration of them. ADDRESSES: Mail comments to: Director (630), Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street, NW, Room 401LS, Washington, DC 20240. Send comments via Internet to: WoComment@blm.gov. Please include ``ECP survey'' and your name and return address in your Internet message. You may hand-deliver comments to the Bureau of Land Management Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW, Washington, DC. BLM will make comments available for public review at the L Street address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.), Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob McWhorter, 907/271-3664. To get a copy of the proposed survey, contact Carole Smith, BLM clearance officer at 202/425-5127. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a) BLM must provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a proposed collection of information to solicit comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 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. BLM will receive and analyze any comments sent in response to this notice and include them with its request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is the Nation's largest crude oil pipeline. It runs 800 miles through pristine Alaska lands, delivering about 1.1 million barrels of North Slope crude oil to tankers in Valdez, Alaska, each day. This quantity represents about eight percent of total U.S. oil consumption. Most of this product is used to supply petroleum needs on the West coast. The TAPS is operated for seven oil shippers by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, a company of about 850 employees, which also utilizes the services of about 1,350 contractor employees. Alyeska's operation of the pipeline is subject to oversight by the Joint Pipeline Office (JPO), which comprises a number of Federal and State of Alaska agencies whose interests are affected by the pipeline. The Bureau of Land Management provides the majority of funding for the JPO. Testimony at Congressional hearings in 1992, 1993 and 1994 indicated that the contractors who operate the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) maintained a repressive, retaliatory atmosphere to discourage workers from raising concerns about operation of the pipeline. Due to the serious impact on the U.S. economy and on the Alaskan environment that a major TAPS failure would have, Congress believes that the pipeline operator should be more responsive to employee concerns. Congress asked Alyeska to take steps to change the culture of the pipeline work environment and asked JPO to monitor and report on progress. This information collection, the Employee Concerns Program (ECP) survey, will be given annually to the approximately 2,200 employees and supervisors employed by Alyeska and other TAPS contractors. Responses to the survey are voluntary and confidential The survey consists of a series of statements to which the respondent indicates his or her level of agreement or disagreement. The survey contains 35 statements divided into four parts. Part one, containing 14 statements, asks for employee perceptions of the employee concerns program. Part two, containing 15 statements, asks about perceived management support for the program. Part three, containing five statements, is for supervisors and asks them about their knowledge of the ECP and participation in training about the ECP. The fourth part asks about the respondent's affiliation and work location. This survey is JPO's only comprehensive, non-anecdotal means of gathering opinions from Alyeska and other contractors' employees and supervisors about how well the Employee Concerns Program is working. JPO will use the results, over time, to measure, compare, and report on employee satisfaction with the ECP. This is the most effective way to assess whether and how much the repressive culture is changing. BLM estimates that the public reporting burden for the information collected averages 15 minutes per response. The respondents are employees of the trans-Alaska pipeline system. The frequency of response is once per year. The maximum possible number of responses per year is estimated to total 2,200. The estimated total annual burden on new respondents is about 550 hours. BLM specifically requests your comments on its estimate of the amount of time that it takes to prepare a response. BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. Responses to this notice will also become a matter of public record. Dated: November 9, 1999. Carole Smith, Bureau of Land Management, Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 99-30034 Filed 11-16-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-84-M