AGENCY:
Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
DATES:
Comments must be received no later than September 22, 2009.
ADDRESSES:
Submit written comments on any or all of the following proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, “Comments on OMB control number 2130-0509.” Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at robert.brogan@dot.gov, or to Ms. Jackson at nakia.jackson@dot.gov. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6470). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law No. 104-13, § 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days notice to the public for comment on information collection activities before seeking approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of proposed information collection activities regarding (i) Whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes information collection requirements in a “user friendly” format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
Below is a brief summary of the currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:
Title: State Safety Participation Regulations and Remedial Actions.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0509.
Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR part 212, and requires qualified State inspectors to provide various reports to FRA for monitoring and enforcement purposes concerning State investigative, inspection, and surveillance activities regarding railroad compliance with Federal railroad safety laws and regulations. Additionally, railroads are required to report to FRA actions taken to remedy certain alleged violations of law.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.33/61/67/96/96A/109/110/111/112.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: States and Railroads.
Reporting Burden:
| CFR section | Respondent universe | Total annual responses | Average time per response | Total annual burden hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application For Participation | 15 States | 15 updates | 2.53 hours | 38 |
| Training Funding Agreement | 30 States | 30 agreements | 1 hour | 30 |
| State Inspector Travel Vouchers | 30 States | 300 vouchers | 1 hour | 300 |
| Annual Work Plan | 30 States | 30 reports | 15 hours | 450 |
| Inspection Form (Form FRA F 6180.96) | 30 States | 18,000 forms | 15 minutes | 4,500 |
| Violation Report—Motive, Power, and Equipment Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.109) | 19 States | 600 reports | 4 hours | 2,400 |
| Violation Report—Operating Practices Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.67) | 16 States | 50 reports | 4 hours | 200 |
| Violation Report—Hazardous Materials Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.110) | 14 States | 150 reports | 4 hours | 600 |
| Violation Report—Hours of Service Law (F 6180.33) | 16 States | 21 reports | 4 hours | 84 |
| Violation Report—Accident/Incident Reporting Rules (Form FRA F 6180.61) | 16 States | 10 reports | 4 hours | 40 |
| Violation Report—Track Safety Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.111) | 24 States | 300 reports | 4 hours | 1,200 |
| Violation Report—Signal and Train Control Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.112) | 13 States | 10 reports | 4 hours | 40 |
| Remedial Actions Reports | 573 Railroads | 3,933 reports | 15 minutes | 983 |
| Violation Report Challenge | 573 Railroads | 813 challenges | 1 hour | 813 |
| Delayed Reports | 573 Railroads | 393 reports | 30 minutes | 197 |
Total Responses: 24,655.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 11,875 hours.
Status: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Issued in Washington, DC on July 20, 2009.
Martin Eble,
Acting Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-17612 Filed 7-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P