E7-20095. Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection abstracted below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The nature of the information collection is described as well as its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 17, 2007. No comments were received.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before November 13, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mitch Hudson, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: [phone]; or e-mail: [e-mail]. Copies of this collection also can be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Maritime Administration (MARAD).

Title of Collection: Requirements for Establishing U.S. Citizenship—46 CFR parts 355 and 356.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information collection.

OMB Control Number: 2133-0012.

Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of approval by the Office of Management and Budget.

Affected Public: Vessel owners acquiring ships from MARAD on credit, companies chartering ships from MARAD, and companies having Title XI guarantee obligations.

Form Numbers: None.

Abstract: Maritime Administration implementing regulations at 46 CFR parts 355 and 356 set forth requirements for establishing U.S. citizenship in accordance with MARAD statutory authority. Those receiving benefits under 46 U.S.C. Chapters 531, 535, and 537 (formerly the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended), or applicants seeking a fishery endorsement eligibility approval pursuant to the American Fisheries Act must be citizens of the United States within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. 50501, (formerly Section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916, as amended). In either case, whether seeking program benefits or fishery endorsement eligibility, Section 50501 sets forth the statutory requirements for determining whether an applicant, be it a corporation, partnership, or association is a U.S. citizen. 46 CFR Part 356 is distinguished from 46 CFR Part 355 in that Part 356 establishes requirements for U.S. citizenship exclusively in accordance with the AFA while Part 355 is applied for purposes of establishing citizenship across multiple MARAD programs arising under other statutory authority. Most program participants are required to submit to MARAD on an annual basis the form of affidavit prescribed by Part 355 or Part 356.

Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of approval by the Office of Management and Budget.

Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 2,500 hours.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: MARAD Desk Officer.

Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect, if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

Dated: October 4, 2007.

Daron T. Threet,

Secretary, Maritime Administration.