FR Doc E8-26088

[Federal Register: November 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 213)]
[Notices]
[Page 65441-65444]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03no08-113]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its
implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently
approved information collection activities. Before submitting these
information collection requirements (ICRs) for clearance by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on
specific aspects of the activities identified below.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than January 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of
Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC
20590, or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20,
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop
35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge
receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed
stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-0505,
or OMB control number 2130-0556, or OMB control number 2130-0506.''
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6265 or (202) 493-6170, or e-mail to Mr. Brogan at
robert.brogan@dot.gov, or to Ms. Nakia Jackson at
nakia.jackson@dot.gov. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number
in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received
in response to this notice in a subsequent

[[Page 65442]]

notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB
for approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200
New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone:
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology,
RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE.,
Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6073). (These
telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Pub. L. No. 104-13, Sec. 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 provide 60 days notice to the public
for comment on information collection activities before seeking
approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A);
5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA
invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of
proposed information collection activities regarding (i) Whether the
information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly
execute its functions, including whether the activities will have
practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden
of the information collection activities, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of
information collection activities on the public by automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(I)-(iv); 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1)(I)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will
promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens
associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal
regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will
advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure
that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user
friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii)
accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
Below is a brief summary of the currently approved ICRs that FRA
will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:
Title: Inspection and Maintenance Standards for Steam Locomotives.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0505.
Abstract: The Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act (LBIA) of 1911
required each railroad subject to the Act to file copies of its rules
and instructions for the inspection of locomotives. The original LBIA
was expanded to cover the entire steam locomotive and tender and all
its parts and appurtenances. This Act then requires carriers to make
inspections and to repair defects to ensure the safe operation of steam
locomotives. The collection of information is used by tourist or
historic railroads and by locomotive owners/operators to provide a
record for each day a steam locomotive is placed in service, as well as
a record that the required steam locomotive inspections are completed.
The collection of information is also used by FRA Federal inspectors to
verify that necessary safety inspections and tests have been completed
and to ensure that steam locomotives are indeed ``safe and suitable''
for service and are properly operated and maintained.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 82 owners/operators.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion; annually.

Reporting Burden
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Respondent Total annual Average time per Total annual
CFR section universe responses response burden hours
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230.6--Waivers................ 82 owners....... 2 waiver letters...... 1 hour................ 2
230.12--Conditions for 82 owners/ 5 tags................ 6 minutes............. 1
movement--Non-Complying operators.
Locomotives.
230.14--31 Service Day 82 owners/ 100 reports........... 20 minutes............ 33
Inspection. operators.
--Notifications........... 82 owners/ 2 notifications....... 5 minutes.............
operators. .17...................
230.15--92 Service Day 82 owners/ 100 reports........... 20 minutes............ 33
Inspection. operators.
230.16--Annual Inspection-- 82 owners/ 100 reports........... 30 minutes............ 50
Reports. operators.
--Notifications........... 82 owners/ 100 notifications..... 5 minutes............. 8
operators.
230.17--1,472 Service Day 82 owners/ 10 forms.............. 30 minutes............ 5
Inspection. operators.
230.20--Alteration and Repair 82 owners/ 5 reports............. 1 hour................ 5
Reports for Steam Locomotive operators.
Boilers.
230.21--Steam Locomotive 82 owners/ 1 document............ 2 minutes............. .033
Number Change. operators.
230.33--Welded Repairs/ 82 owners/ 5 letters............. 10 minutes............ 1
Alterations--Written Request operators. 5 letters............. 10 minutes............ 1
to FRA for Approval--Unstayed 82 owners/
Surfaces. operators.
230.34--Riveted Repairs/ 82 owners/ 10 requests........... 5 minutes............. 1
Alterations. operators.
230.49--Setting of Safety 82 owners/ 38 tags............... 2 minutes............. 1
Relief Valves. operators.
230.96--Main, Side, and Valve 82 owners/ 1 letter.............. 10 minutes............ .17
Motion Rods. operators.
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RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
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230.13--Daily Inspection 82 owners/oper.. 3,650 reports......... 2 minutes............. 122
Reports.
230.17--1,472 Service Day 82 owners/ 10 reports............ 15 minutes............ 3
Inspection. operators.
230.18--Service Day Report.... 82 owners/ 150 reports........... 15 minutes............ 38
operators.
230.19--Posting of Copy....... 82 owners/ 300 forms............. 1 minute.............. 5
operators.
230.41--Flexible Staybolts 82 owners/ 10 entries............ 1 minute.............. .17
with Caps. operators.
230.46--Badge Plates.......... 82 owners/ 3 reports............. 30 minutes............ 2
operators.
230.47--Boiler Number......... 82 owners/ 1 stamping............ 15 minutes............ .25
operators.
230.75--Stenciling Dates of 82 owners/ 50 tests.............. 15 minute............. 1
Tests and Cleaning. operators.

[[Page 65443]]

230.98--Driving, Trailing, and 82 owners/ 1 stamp............... 15 minutes............ .25
Engine Truck Axles--Journal operators.
Diameter Stamped.
230.116--Oil Tanks............ 82 owners/ 30 signs.............. 1 minute.............. 1
operators.
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Total Responses: 4,689.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 314 hours.
Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
Title: U.S. Locational Requirement for Dispatching U.S. Rail
Operations.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0556.
Abstract: Part 241 requires, in the absence of a waiver, that all
dispatching of railroad operations that occurs in the United States be
performed in this country, with a minor exception. A railroad is
allowed to conduct extraterritorial dispatching from Mexico or Canada
in emergency situations, but only for the duration of the emergency. A
railroad relying on the exception must provide written notification of
its action to the FRA Regional Administrator of each FRA region in
which the railroad operation occurs; such notification is not required
before addressing the emergency situation. The information collected
under this rule will be used as part of FRA's oversight function to
ensure that extraterritorial dispatchers comply with applicable safety
regulations.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Respondent Universe: 4 Railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On Occasion.

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241.13--Prohibitions against track 4 railroads........... Included under Sec. Included under Sec. Included under Sec. Included under Sec.
owner's requiring or permitting 241.9. 241.9. 241.9. 241.9.
use of its line for a railroad
operation dispatched by an
extraterritorial dispatcher;
exceptions.
241.15--Penalties--False Reports/ $628.................. None.................. N/A.................. N/A.................. N/A.
Records.

Total Responses: 3.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 16 hours.
Title: Identification of Cars Moved in Accordance with Order 13528.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0506.
Abstract: This collection of information identifies a freight car
being moved within the scope of Order 13528 (now codified under 49 CFR
232.3). Otherwise, an exception will be taken, and the car will be set
out of the train and not delivered. The information that must be
recorded is specified at 49 CFR Part 232.3(d)(3), which requires that a
car be properly identified by a card attached to each side of the car
and signed stating that such movement is being made under the authority
of the order. Sec. 232.3(d)(3) does not require retaining cards or
tags. When a car bearing a tag for movement under this provision
arrives at its destination, the tags are simply removed.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Respondent Universe: 685 Railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

Reporting Burden
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Total annual Average time per Total annual
CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours
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232.3--Identification of Cars 685 Railroads...... 800 tags........... 5 minutes.......... 67
Moved in Accordance with Order
13528.
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Total Responses: 800
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 67 hours.
Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b),
1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not
conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2008.
Belinda Ashton,
Acting Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-26088 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P