[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 60237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25973]


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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.) and its implementing regulations, this 30-day 
notice announces that the Information Collection Requirement (ICR) 
abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of 
the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal 
Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the 
following collections of information was published on July 25, 2000 (65 
FR 45825).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 9, 2000.

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 Dian Deal, Office of Information Technology and 
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6133). (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 C.F.R. 
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 C.F.R. 1320.5, 
1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On July 25, 2000, FRA published a 60-day notice 
in the Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was 
seeking OMB approval. 65 FR 45825. FRA received no comments in response 
to this notice.
    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 summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The revised 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Regional Inspection Point Listing Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-New.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.106(a)-(e).
    Abstract: Through a direct comparison of inspection data with 
accident/incident data, the collection of information proposes to 
develop a profile county-by-county of what there is to inspect, and how 
much inspection activity was done by Federal and State railroad 
inspectors each year nationwide. The information collected will produce 
``snapshots'' which will allow FRA to determine where the gaps are in 
inspection territories so that it can focus inspection resources where 
they will do the most good. As a result of the proposed information 
collection, FRA will be better able to equalize inspector workloads, 
and will be able to make informed hiring decisions regarding the most 
effective placement of new inspectors. More targeted inspections will 
permit FRA to maximize its limited resources, and will serve to enhance 
overall safety on the nation's rail system.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 3,387.
    Addressee: 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 FRA, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; the accuracy of FRA'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 October 3, 2000.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal 
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-25973 Filed 10-6-00; 8:45 am]
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