2011-1552. Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Certified Cargo Screening Program

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 1652-0053, 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 the following collection of information on October 14, 2010, 75 FR 63191. TSA has received no comments. The collections include: (1) Applications from entities that wish to become Certified Cargo Screening Facilities (CCSF) or operate as a TSA-approved validation firm; (2) personal information to allow TSA to conduct security threat assessments on key individuals employed by the CCSFs and validation firms; (3) implementation of a standard security program or submission of a proposed modified security program; (4) information on the amount of cargo screened; (5) recordkeeping requirements for CCSFs and validation firms; and (6) submission of validation reports to TSA. TSA is seeking the renewal of the ICR for the continuation of the program in order to secure passenger aircraft carrying cargo by the deadlines set out in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

DATES:

Send your comments by February 25, 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: Certified Cargo Screening Program.

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

OMB Control Number: 1652-0053.

Form(s): The forms used for this collection of information include the CCSF Facility Profile Application (TSA Form 419B), CCSF Principal Attestation (TSA Form 419D), Security Profile (TSA Form 419E), Security Threat Assessment Application (TSA Form 419F), TSA Approved Validation Firms Application (TSA Form 419G), Aviation Security Known Shipper Verification (TSA Form 419H), CCSF Indirect Air Carrier Reporting Template, CCSF Shipper Reporting Template, and the CCSF Independent Cargo Screening Facility Reporting Template.

Affected Public: The collections of information that make up this ICR involve entities other than aircraft operators mostly located off-airport and includes facilities upstream in the air cargo supply chain, such as shippers, manufacturers, warehousing entities, distributors, third party logistics companies, and Indirect Air Carriers located in the United States.

Abstract: TSA is seeking continued approval from OMB for the collections of information contained in the ICR. Congress identified specific requirements for TSA in the area of air cargo security in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Public Law 107-71: (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 on passenger aircraft as soon as practicable. In the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Public Law 110-53, Congress requires that 50 percent of cargo transported on passenger aircraft is screened by February 2009, and 100 percent of such cargo be screened by August 2010. TSA issued an interim final rule (IFR) on September 16, 2009, 74 FR 47672, amending title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to implement this statutory requirement.

TSA must proceed with the ICR for this program in order to continue to meet the Congressional mandates, and current and new regulations (49 CFR 1522, 1542.209, 1544.205, 1546.205, 1548, and 1549) that enable aircraft operators and other entities upstream in the air cargo supply chain 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.

TSA certifies qualified facilities as CCSFs. Companies seeking to become CCSFs are required to submit an application to TSA at least 90 days before the intended date of operation. TSA allows the regulated entity to operate as a CCSF in accordance with a TSA-approved security program. Prior to certification, the CCSF must also submit to an assessment by a TSA-approved validator. 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 who have responsibility for screening cargo under 49 CFR parts 1544, 1546, or 1548. CCSF facilities must provide information on the amount of cargo screened and other cargo screening metrics at an approved facility. CCSFs must also maintain screening, training, and other security-related records of compliance. A firm interested in operating as a TSA-approved validation firm must also apply for TSA approval. Validation firms will need to provide the following information: (1) Applications from entities seeking to become TSA-approved validation firms; (2) personal information so individuals performing, assisting or supervising validation assessments, and security coordinators can undergo STAs; (3) implementation of a standard security program provided by TSA or submission of a proposed modified security program; (4) recordkeeping requirements, including that validation firms maintain assessment reports; and (5) submission of validation reports conducted by validators.

Number of Respondents: 5,663.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 718,481 hours.

Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on January 20, 2011.

Joanna Johnson,

Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.