01-1957. Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget for review and comment. The ICRs describes the nature of the information collection requirements and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on November 3, 2000 (65 FR 66294).

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before February 22, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: [phone]) or Dian Deal, Office of Information Technology and Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: [phone]). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13, section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 C.F.R. part 1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506; 3507; 5 C.F.R. 1320.5, 1320.8 (d)(1), 1320.12. On November 3, 2000, FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was seeking OMB approval. 65 FR 66294. FRA received no comments in response to this notice.

Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30-day notice informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.

Below is a brief summary of currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:

Title: Special Notice For Repairs.

OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.

Abstract: The collection of information is used by state and Federal inspectors to remove freight cars or locomotives from service until they can be restored to a serviceable condition. It is also used by state and Federal inspectors to reduce the maximum authorized speed on a section of track until repairs can be made. Additionally, the collection of information provides railroads written notice that an inspector has recommended to the FRA Administrator to remove from service a section of track that is not safe to use at any speed. Railroads must return the required form after the necessary repairs have been made.

Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.8 and FRA F 6180.8a.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

Estimated Annual Burden: 7 hours.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Title: Designation of Qualified Persons.

OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.

Abstract: The collection of information is used to prevent the unsafe movement of defective freight cars. Railroads are required to inspect the freight cars for compliance and to determine restrictions on the movement of defective cars.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 C.F.R. 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, D.C. on January 16, 2001.

Kathy A. Weiner,

Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal Railroad Administration.