05-23547. Request for Public Comments and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Approval of an Existing Information Collection (2137-0589)

AGENCY:

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT.

SUMMARY:

This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process regarding the renewal of an existing PHMSA collection of information for response plans for onshore oil pipelines. PHMSA is requesting OMB approval for renewal of this information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. With this notice, PHMSA invites the public to submit comments over the next 60 days on ways to minimize the burden associated with collection of information related to response plans for onshore oil pipelines.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before January 31, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-98-4957 and may be submitted in the following ways:

• DOT Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. To submit comments on the DOT electronic docket site, click “Comment/Submissions,” click “Continue,” fill in the requested information, click “Continue,” enter your comment, then click “Submit.”
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System; Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• E-Gov Web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. This site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency.

Instructions: You should identify the docket number, PHMSA-98-4957, at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, you should submit two copies. If you wish to receive confirmation that PHMSA received your comments, you should include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov, and may access all comments received by DOT at http://dms.dot.gov by performing a simple search for the docket number. Note: All comments will be posted without changes or edits to http://dms.dot.gov including any personal information provided.

Privacy Act Statement: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments received for any of our dockets. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Fuentevilla at [phone], or by e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments are invited on whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collections; 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.

This information collection request pertains to 49 CFR part 194, Response Plans for Onshore Oil Pipelines. This rule requires an operator of an onshore oil pipeline facility to prepare and submit an oil spill response plan to PHMSA for review and approval when, because of its location, the facility could reasonably be expected to cause substantial harm to the environment if it were to discharge oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. The rule established the planning requirements for oil spill response plans to reduce the environmental impact of oil discharged from onshore oil pipelines, as mandated by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). The rule provides greater specificity and guidance to facilities than is provided in OPA 90's statutory language in order to enhance private sector planning capabilities to minimize the impacts of oil spills from pipelines.

The information collection required by the rule is the submission of response plans to PHMSA by affected pipeline operators. Additionally, operators must review and resubmit their response plans at least every 5 years, or in response to new or different operating conditions. Operators must submit any change or update to response plans within 30 days of making such a change. This information collection supports the DOT strategic goal of environmental stewardship by reducing pollution and other adverse environmental effects of transportation and transportation facilities.

As used in this notice, “information collection” includes all work related to preparing and disseminating information related to this recordkeeping requirement including completing paperwork, gathering information and conducting telephone calls.

Type of Information Collection Request: Renewal of Existing Collection.

Title of Information Collection: Response Plans for Onshore Oil Pipelines.

Respondents: 367 hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 50,186 hours.

Issued in Washington DC on November 28, 2005.

Florence L. Hamn,

Director of Regulations, Office of Pipeline Safety.