In accordance with 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements of this part and assigned it control number 1029-0043. The regulatory authority uses information collected under this part to ensure that bond, insurance, and financial assurance instruments are valid and meet all requirements of section 509 of SMCRA, which requires that persons planning to conduct surface coal mining operations first post a performance bond to guarantee fulfillment of all reclamation obligations under the approved permit. The regulatory authority also uses information collected under this part to ensure compliance with the bond release requirements and procedures of section 519 of SMCRA, the liability insurance requirements of section 507(f) of SMCRA, and bond forfeiture requirements and procedures. Persons planning to conduct surface coal mining operations must respond to obtain a benefit. A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Room 203-SIB, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240.