2011-1495. Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Air Cargo Security Requirements

AGENCY:

Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION:

30-day notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request (ICR), OMB control number 1652-0040, abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments, of this collection of information on October 14, 2010, 75 FR 63192. TSA has not received any comments. The collections of information that make up this ICR involve five broad categories affecting airports, passenger aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, indirect air carriers operating under a security program, and all-cargo carriers. These five categories are: Security programs, security threat assessments (STA), known shipper data via the Known Shipper Management System (KSMS), cargo screening reporting, and evidence of compliance recordkeeping.

DATES:

Send your comments by February 24, 2011. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed or delivered to Joanna Johnson, PRA Officer, Office of Information Technology, TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20596-6011. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be addressed to Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security/TSA, and sent via electronic mail to [e-mail] or faxed to [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joanna Johnson, Office of Information Technology, TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011; telephone [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available at http://www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to—

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

Title: Air Cargo Security Requirements.

Type of Request: Renewal of one currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR).

OMB Control Number: 1652-0040.

Form(s): Aviation Security Known Shipper Verification Form, Aircraft Operator or Air Carrier Reporting Template, Security Threat Assessment Application, Aviation Security Known Shipper Verification Form.

Affected Public: The collections of information that make up this ICR involve regulated entities including airports, passenger aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, indirect air carriers operating under a security program, and all-cargo carriers.

Abstract: TSA is seeking renewal of an expiring collection of information. Congress set forth in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Public Law 107-71, two specific requirements for TSA in the area of air cargo security: (1) To provide for screening of all property, including U.S. mail, cargo, carry-on and checked baggage, and other articles, that will be carried aboard a passenger aircraft; and (2) to establish a system to screen, inspect, report, or otherwise ensure the security of all cargo that is to be transported in all-cargo aircraft as soon as practicable. TSA must proceed with the ICR for this program in order to meet the Congressional mandates and current regulations (49 CFR 1542.209, 1544.205, 1546.205, and part 1548) that enable them to accept, screen, and transport air cargo. The uninterrupted collection of this information will allow TSA to continue to ensure implementation of these vital security measures for the protection of the traveling public.

This information collection requires the “regulated entities,” who may include passenger and all-cargo aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and indirect air carriers (IACs), to implement a standard security program or to submit modifications to TSA for approval, and update such programs as necessary. The regulated entities must also collect personal information and submit such information to TSA so that TSA may conduct security threat assessments (STA) for individuals with unescorted access to cargo, and any individual who has responsibility for screening cargo under 49 CFR parts 1544, 1546, or 1548. Aircraft operators and foreign air carriers must report the volume of accepted and screened cargo transported on passenger aircraft. Further, TSA will collect identifying information for both companies and individuals whom aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and IACs have qualified to ship cargo on passenger aircraft. This information is primarily collected electronically via the Known Shipper Management System (KSMS). Whenever the information cannot be entered into KSMS, the regulated entity must conduct a physical visit of the shipper using the Aviation Security Known Shipper Verification Form and subsequently enter that information into KSMS. These regulated entities must also maintain records pertaining to security programs, training, and compliance.

Number of Respondents: 4,890.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 73,567 hours.

Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on January 18, 2011.

Joanna Johnson,

Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.