[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51409-51410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17212]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Innovative Technology Administration

[Docket No. BTS-2005-22232]


Notice of Request for Clearance of a New Information Collection: 
National Ferry Database

AGENCY: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Research and 
Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the 
intention of the BTS to request the Office of Management and Budget's 
(OMB's) approval for a new information collection related to the 
Nation's ferry operations. The information to be collected will be used 
to inventory existing ferry operations and to periodically update the 
report required by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
(TEA-21) (P.L. 105-178), section 1207(c).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before October 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You can mail or hand-deliver comments to the U.S. Department 
of Transportation (DOT), Dockets Management System (DMS). You may 
submit your comments by mail or in person to the Docket Clerk, Docket 
No. BTS-2005-22232, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should 
identify the docket number; paper comments should be submitted in 
duplicate. The DMS is open for examination and copying, at the above 
address, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt of your 
written comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard 
with the following statement: ``Comments on Docket BTS-2005-22232.'' 
The Docket Clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to returning it to 
you via the U.S. mail. Please note that due to delays in the delivery 
of U.S. mail to Federal offices in Washington, DC, we recommend that 
persons consider an alternative method (the Internet, fax, or 
professional delivery service) to submit comments to the docket and 
ensure their timely receipt at U.S. DOT. You may fax your comments to 
the DMS at (202) 493-2251.
    If you wish to file comments using the Internet, you may use the 
DOT DMS Web site at http://dms.dot.gov. Please follow the online 
instructions for submitting an electronic comment. You can also review 
comments on-line at the DMS Web site at http://dms.dot.gov. The 
electronic docket is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. 
Please follow the instructions online for more information and help. An 
electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and 
suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office 
Electronic Bulletin Board Service at telephone number 202-512-1661. 
Internet users may reach the Federal Register's home page at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at 
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    Please note that anyone is able to electronically search all 
comments received into our docket management system by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment if submitted 
on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may 
review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register 
published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; pages 19475-19570) 
or you may review the Privacy Act Statement at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. June Taylor Jones, (202) 366-4743

[[Page 51410]]

Passenger Travel Program Manager, BTS, RITA, Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office 
hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Ferry Database.
    Background: The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
(TEA-21) (Pub. L. 105-178), section 1207(c), directed the Secretary of 
Transportation to conduct a study of ferry transportation in the United 
States and its possessions. In 2000, the Federal Highway Administration 
(FHWA) Office of Intermodal and Statewide Planning conducted a survey 
of approximately 250 ferry operators to identify: (1) Existing ferry 
operations including the location and routes served; (2) source and 
amount, if any, of funds derived from Federal, State, or local 
governments supporting ferry construction or operations; (3) potential 
domestic ferry routes in the United States and its possessions and to 
develop information on those routes; and (4) potential for use of high 
speed ferry services and alternative-fueled ferry services. The Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for 
Users (SAFETEA-LU; H.R. 3, Section 1801(e)) requires that the 
Secretary, acting through the BTS, shall establish and maintain a 
national ferry database containing current information regarding 
routes, vessels, passengers and vehicles carried, funding sources and 
such other information as the Secretary considers useful.
    The new data collection will rely on a written survey and telephone 
follow-up. An electronic version of the questionnaire will also be 
available to respondents on request. Data will be collected from the 
entire population of ferry operators (estimate 300 or less). Before the 
survey begins, the Passenger Vessel Association will mail letters to 
its respective members advising them of the purpose of the survey and 
encouraging their participation. The survey will request the 
respondents to provide information such as: (1) The points served; (2) 
the amount and source of Federal, State, and/or local funds used in the 
past 24 months; (3) the type of ownership; (4) the number of passengers 
and vehicles carried in the past 12 months; (5) any new routes expected 
to be added within the next five years; and (6) the highways that are 
connected by the ferries.
    Respondents: The target population for the survey will be all of 
the approximately 300 operators of existing ferry services in the 
United States.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: The burden per respondent is 
estimated to be an average of 20 minutes. This average is based on an 
estimate of 10 minutes to answer new questions and an additional 5-15 
minutes to review (and revise as needed) previously submitted data.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: The total annual burden is estimated 
to be 100 hours (that is 20 minutes per respondent for 300 respondents 
equals 6,000 minutes or 100 hours).
    Frequency: This survey will be updated every other year.
    Public Comments Invited: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including, but not limited to: (1) The necessity and utility of the 
information collection for the proper performance of the functions of 
the DOT; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) 
ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of 
the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's 
clearance of this information collection.

    Authority: The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, 
(Pub. L. 105-178), section 1207(c) and H.R. 3, The Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy 
for Users (SAFETEA-LU) 2005 and 49 CFR 1.46.

    Issued in Washington, DC on the 24th day of August, 2005.
Mary Hutzler,
Associate Director, Office of Statistical Programs, Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-17212 Filed 8-29-05; 8:45 am]
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