02-31838. 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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection abstracted below has been forwarded 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 September 25, 2002 (67 FR 60279).

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before January 17, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jean McKeever, Associate Administrator for Shipbuilding, Maritime Administration, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: [phone]; FAX: [phone], or E-mail: [e-mail]. Copies of this collection can also be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Maritime Administration (MARAD).

Title: Capital Construction Fund and Exhibits.

OMB Control Number: 2133-0027.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Owners and operators of U.S.-flag vessels.

Form(s): None.

Abstract: This information collection consists of application for a Capital Construction Fund (CCF) agreement under Section 607 of the Merchant Marine Act, and annual submissions of appropriate schedules and exhibits. The Capital Construction Fund is a tax-deferred ship construction fund that was created to assist owners and operators of U.S.-flag vessels in accumulating the large amount of capital necessary for the modernization and expansion of the U.S. merchant marine. The program encourages construction, reconstruction, or acquisition of vessels through the deferment of Federal income taxes on certain deposits of money or other property placed into a CCF.

Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 2130 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: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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.

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2002.

Joel C. Richard,

Secretary, Maritime Administration.