2016-24609. 30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval: Arbitration Option Notices

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

AGENCY:

Surface Transportation Board.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice that it is requesting from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of an extension for the collection of Arbitration Option Notices, which is further described below. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register. 81 FR 26,303 (May 2, 2016). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received.

DATES:

Comments on this information collection should be submitted by November 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be identified as “Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, Surface Transportation Board: Arbitration Option Notice.” These comments should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Chandana L. Achanta, Surface Transportation Board Desk Officer, by email at [e-mail]; by fax at [phone]; or by mail to Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Please also direct comments to Chris Oehrle, Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, or to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For further information regarding this collection, contact Michael Higgins, Deputy Director, Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at [phone] or at [e-mail]. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments are requested concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate; and (4) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board's request for OMB approval.

Description of Collection

Title: Arbitration Option Notices.

OMB Control Number: 2140-0020.

STB Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Extension with change.

Respondents: All regulated rail carriers.

Number of Respondents: 1.

Estimated Time per Response: .5 hours.

Frequency: Annually.

Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): .5 hours.

Total “Non-hour Burden” Cost: None identified. Filings are submitted electronically to the Board.

Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR 1108.3, rail carriers may agree to participate in the Board's arbitration program by filing a notice with the Board to “opt in.” Once a rail carrier is participating in the Board's arbitration program, it may discontinue its participation only by filing a notice to “opt out” with the Board, which would become effective 90 days after its filing.

Under the PRA, a federal agency that conducts or sponsors a collection of information must display a currently valid OMB control number. A collection of information, which is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c), includes agency requirements that persons submit reports, keep records, or provide information to the agency, third parties, or the public. Section 3507(b) of the PRA requires, concurrent with an agency's submitting a collection to OMB for approval, a 30-day notice and comment period through publication in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information.

Dated: October 6, 2016.

Brendetta S. Jones,

Clearance Clerk.