[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 9, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48796-48797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20100]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements Agency Information 
Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 Requests (ICR) abstracted below have been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs 
describe the nature of the information collections and their expected 
burdens. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period 
soliciting public comments on the following information collections was 
published on May 5, 2000 [65 FR 26269].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 8, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Scott, (202) 366-4104 (for 
OMB Nos. 2125-0519 and 2125-0522) and Mr. Robert Winans, (202) 366-4656 
(for OMB No. 2125-0521), Federal Highway Administration, 400 7th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    1. Title: Developing and Recording Costs for Utility Adjustments.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0519 (Expiration Date: November 30, 2000).
    Affected Public: State highway agencies and public utilities.

[[Page 48797]]

    Abstract: Under 23 U.S.C. 123, the FHWA reimburses the State 
highway agencies when they have paid the costs of utility facilities' 
relocations that are required by the construction of Federal-aid 
highway projects. The FHWA requires the utilities to document the costs 
for adjusting their facilities. The utilities must have a system for 
recording labor, materials, supplies and equipment costs incurred when 
undertaking adjustments to accommodate the highway projects. This 
record of costs forms the basis for payment by the State highway agency 
to the utility and in turn the FHWA reimburses the State for its 
payment to the utility. The utilities are required to maintain these 
records of costs for three years after final payment is received.
    Estimated Annual Burden: The FHWA estimates that this collection 
imposes a total annual burden of 72,000 hours; i.e., approximately 
9,000 reimbursable utility adjustments are made yearly by approximately 
3,000 of the 30,000 utility firms. The average amount of time required 
by these firms to calculate the adjustment costs and maintain the 
required records is estimated at 8 hours for each adjustment.

    2. Title: Utility Use and Occupancy Agreements.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0522 (Expiration Date: October 31, 2000).
    Affected Public: State/local highway authorities and public 
utilities.
    Abstract: Under 23 U.S.C. 116, the FHWA requires the State and/or 
local highway authorities to maintain the highway rights-of-way 
including the control of its use by the utilities. In controlling the 
utilities' use of the highway rights-of-way the State/local highway 
authorities are required to document the terms under which the utility 
is to cross or otherwise occupy the highway rights-of-way. This 
documentation, consisting of a use and occupancy agreement (permit), 
must be in writing and must be maintained in the State/local highway 
authority's files for a three-year retention period.
    Estimated Annual Burden: The FHWA estimates that the total annual 
burden imposed on the public by this collection is 414,000 hours; i.e., 
nearly 4,600 of the 6,700 State and local highway authorities are 
involved in an average of 15 use and occupancy agreements per year, and 
the estimated average amount of time required by these entities to 
process each permit is 6 hours.

    3. Title: Developing and Recording Costs for Railroad Adjustments.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0521 (Expiration Date: October 31, 2000).
    Affected Public: State highway agencies and railroad companies.
    Abstract: Under 23 U.S.C. 130, the FHWA reimburses the State 
highway agencies when they have paid for the cost of projects that (1) 
eliminate hazards at railroad/highway crossings, or (2) adjust railroad 
facilities to accommodate the construction of highway projects. The 
FHWA requires the railroad companies to document their costs incurred 
for adjusting their facilities. The railroad companies must have a 
system for recording labor, materials, supplies, and equipment costs 
incurred when undertaking the necessary railroad work. This record of 
costs forms the basis for payment by the State highway agency to the 
railroad company, and in turn FHWA reimburses the State for its payment 
to the railroad company.
    Estimated Annual Burden: The FHWA estimates that the total annual 
burden imposed on the public by this collection is 9,600 hours; i.e., 
nearly 120 of the 500 railroad companies are involved in an average of 
10 railroad/highway projects per year, and the average number of hours 
required to calculate the railroad adjustment costs and maintain the 
required records is 8 hours for each adjustment.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101, 116, 121, 123, 130 and 315; 49 CFR 
1.48.


ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20503, Attention: DOT Desk Officer. 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 
collection; 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. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it 
within 30 days of publication of this Notice.

    Issued on: August 3, 2000.
James R. Kabel,
Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 00-20100 Filed 8-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P