[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 9, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63010-63012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25645]


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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 December 9, 2002.

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, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 
20590, or Ms. Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and 
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 
Vermont Ave., NW., 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 2130-0548.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6265 or (202) 493-6170, or e-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Ms. Debra Steward at 
[email protected]. 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 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, 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), 
Public Law 104-13, section 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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                                                                                           Total
                                    Respondent        Total annual    Average time per     annual       Total
          CFR section                universe          responses          response         burden       annual
                                                                                           hours     burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
230.6--Waivers................  82 owners........  2 waiver letters.  1 hour..........            2          $68
230.12--Conditions for          82 owners/         10 tags..........  6 minutes.......            1           30
 movement-- Non-Complying        operators.
 Locomotives.
230.14--31 Service Day          82 owners/         100 reports......  20 minutes......           33          990
 Inspection.                     operators.
    --Notifications...........  82 owners/         2 notifications..  5 minutes.......          .17            6
                                 operators.

[[Page 63011]]

 
230.15--92 Service Day          82 owners/         100 reports......  20 minutes......           33          990
 Inspection.                     operators.
230.16--Annual Inspection.....  82 owners/         100 reports......  30 minutes......           50        1,500
                                 operators.
--Notifications...............  82 owners/         100 notifications  5 minutes.......            8          272
                                 operators.
230.17--1,472 Service Day       82 owners/         10 forms.........  30 minutes......            5          150
 Inspection.                     operators.
230.20--Alteration Reports for  82 owners/         5 reports........  1 hour..........            5          150
 Steam Locomotive Boilers.       operators.
230.21--Steam Locomotive        82 owners/         1 document.......  2 minutes.......         .033            1
 Number Change.                  operators.
230.33--Welded Repairs/         82 owners/         5 letters........  10 minutes......            1           34
 Alterations.                    operators.
    --Written Request to FRA    82 owners/         5 letters........  10 minutes......            1           34
     for Approval--Unstayed      operators.
     Surfaces.
230.34--Riveted Repairs/        82 owners/         10 requests......  5 minutes.......            1           34
 Alterations.                    operators.
230.49--Setting of Safety       82 owners/         38 tags..........  2 minutes.......        1. 25           38
 Relief Valves.                  operators.
230.96--Main, Side, and Valve   82 owners/         1 letter.........  10 minutes......          .17            5
 Motion Rods.                    operators.
Record Keeping Requirements:
230.13--Daily Inspection        82 owners/oper...  3,650 reports....  2 minutes.......          122        3,660
 Reports.
230.17--1,472 Service Day       82 owners/         10 reports.......  15 minutes......            3           90
 Inspection.                     operators.
230.18--Service Day Report....  82 owners/         150 reports......  15 minutes......           38        1,140
                                 operators.
230.19--Posting of Copy.......  82 owners/         300 forms........  1 minute........            5           15
                                 operators.
230.41--Flexible Stay Bolts     82 owners/         10 entries.......  1 minute........          .17            5
 with Caps.                      operators.
230.46--Badge Plates..........  82 owners/         3 reports........  30 minutes......            2           60
                                 operators.
230.47--Boiler Number.........  82 owners/         1 report.........  15 minutes......          .25            8
                                 operators.
230.75--Stenciling Dates of     82 owners/         50 tests.........  15 minute.......            1           30
 Tests and Cleaning.             operators.
230.98--Driving, Trailing, and  82 owners/         1 stamp..........  15 minutes......          .25            8
 Engine Truck Axles--Journal     operators.
 Diameter Stamped.
230.116--Oil Tanks............  82 owners/         10 signs.........  1 minute........          .17            5
                                 operators.
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    Total Responses: 4,674.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 313 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0548.
    Abstract: Prior to the enactment of the Transportation Equity Act 
for the 21st Century (``TEA 21''), Title V of the Railroad 
Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (the ``Act''), 45 
U.S.C. 821 et seq., authorized FRA to provide railroad financial 
assistance through the purchase of preference shares (45 U.S.C. 825), 
and the issuance of loan guarantees (45 U.S.C. 831). The FRA 
regulations implementing the preference share program were eliminated 
on February 9, 1996, due to the fact that the authorization for the 
program expired (28 FR 4937). The FRA regulations implementing the loan 
guarantee provisions of Title V of the Act are contained in 49 CFR Part 
260. Section 7203 of TEA 21, Public Law 105-178 (June 9, 1998), 
replaces the existing Title V financing programs. The collection of 
information is used by FRA staff to determine the financial eligibility 
of applicants for a loan or loan guarantee regarding eligible projects 
for the improvement/rehabilitation of rail equipment or facilities, the 
refinancing of outstanding debt for these purposes, or the development 
of new intermodal or railroad facilities. The aggregate unpaid 
principal amounts of obligations can not exceed $3.5 billion at any one 
time and not less than $1 billion is to be available solely for 
projects benefitting freight railroads other than Class I carriers.
    Affected Public: State and local governments, governments sponsored 
authorities and corporations, railroads (including Amtrak), and joint 
ventures that include at least one railroad.
    Respondent Universe: 21,956 potential applicants.
    Frequency of Submission: Annual.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                             Average       Total
                                                          Total annual       time per      annual       Total
           CFR section            Respondent universe       responses        response      burden       annual
                                                                            (in hours)     hours     burden cost
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260.23--Form and content of       21,956 potential     20 applications...           20          400      $16,036
 application generally.            applicants.
260.25--Additional information    555 applicants.....  18 financial                 40          720       27,936
 for applicants without credit                          document pkgs.
 ratings.
260.31--Execution and filing of
 application:
    --Certificate of President..  21,956 pot.          20 certificates...           .6           12          526
                                   applicants.
    --Certificate of Chief        21,956 pot.          20 certificates...           .6           12          519
     Financial Officer.            applicants.

[[Page 63012]]

 
    --Transmittal letter........  21,956 pot.          20 letters........           .6           12          519
                                   applicants.
    --Copy/mail app. pkg........  21,956 pot.          20 app. pkgs......          1.5           30          912
                                   applicants.
260.33--Information Request.....  21,956 pot.          20 statements.....            1           20          851
                                   applicants.
260.35--Environmental Assessment  21,956 pot.          1 envir. Doc......        4,475        4,475      537,000
                                   applicants.
260.43--Inspection and Reporting  21,956 pot.          20 Docs...........           10          200        8,510
                                   applicants.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 159.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,881 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 3, 2002.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal 
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-25645 Filed 10-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P