[Federal Register: February 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 32)]
[Notices]
[Page 8135]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe05-78]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information
Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The
ICRs describes the nature of the information collections and their
expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment
period soliciting comments on the following collection of information
was published on December 10, 2004 (69 FR 71869).
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 21, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6292), or Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6139). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Pub. L. 104-13, 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44
U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR Part 1320,
require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on
information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork
packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On
December 10, 2004, FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal
Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was seeking OMB
approval. 69 FR 71869. FRA received no comments after issuing this
notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection
activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 1320.5(a)
and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR
1320.12(c).
Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C.
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30 day
notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also
60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30 day notice
informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords
the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
The summary below describes the nature of the information
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The proposed
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by
the PRA.
Title: Safety Integration Plans.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0557.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Form(s): N/A.
Abstract: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Surface
Transportation Board (STB), working in conjunction with each other,
issued joint final rules establishing procedures for the development
and implementation of safety integration plans (``SIPs'' or ``plans'')
by a Class I railroad proposing to engage in certain specified merger,
consolidation, or acquisition of control transactions with another
Class I railroad, or a Class II railroad with which it proposes to
amalgamate operations. The scope of the transactions covered under the
two rules is the same. FRA will use the information collected, notably
the required SIPs, to maintain and promote a safe rail environment by
ensuring that affected railroads (Class Is and some Class IIs) address
critical safety issues unique to the amalgamation of large, complex
railroad operations.
Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 528 hours.
ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding these information collections to the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20503, Attention:
FRA Desk Officer.
Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed
collections of information are 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 estimates 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 collections 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 of this notice in the Federal
Register.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 9, 2005.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-3015 Filed 2-16-05; 8:45 am]
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