[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 245 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76064-76065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7684]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


 Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One Public Collection of 
Information; Port Security Training Exercise Program (PortSTEP)

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS.

ACTION: Notice to withdraw and supersede previous notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice serves to withdraw the previous Federal Register 
notice on this subject, published May 25, 2005 (70 FR 30132), and 
supersedes all information contained in that notice. TSA is 
coordinating the collection of information concerning surface 
transportation modes within the nation's public and private port 
terminals and facilities, in order to develop a full understanding of 
critical links and dependences to maritime transportation modes within 
each port. TSA invites public comment on the new information collection 
requirements abstracted below that will be submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in compliance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act.

DATES: Send your comments by February 21, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Katrina Wawer, 
Information Collection Specialist, Office of Transportation Security 
Policy, TSA-9, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th 
Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katrina Wawer at the above address or 
by telephone (571) 227-1995 or facsimile (571) 227-2594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Therefore, 
in preparation for submission to renew clearance of the following 
information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

Purpose of Data Collection

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directed the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop and implement a 
security response training exercise program that addresses security 
measures across all transportation modes. Unlike existing response 
exercise programs, this security exercise program will address the 
unique aspects of prevention and the measures needed to counter 
credible security threats pre-incident, in coordination with on-going 
response efforts. TSA, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard 
(USCG), has chosen the maritime transportation modes as the prototype 
sector to develop such a program. The USCG holds lead responsibility 
for regulating security in maritime transportation, exercised 
substantially through the Area Maritime Security Committees and Plans. 
TSA supports USCG in this mission, contributing particular expertise in 
security across all transportation modes. As part of this effort, TSA 
and the USCG have identified a need for information regarding the type, 
amount, and complexity of surface transportation assets (for example: 
Rail, truck, etc.) and infrastructure located within the nation's 
ports.
    The ports of the United States are unique entities in that they 
form a nexus between maritime and surface transportation modes of the 
Nation's transportation network. TSA is focusing efforts on the areas 
where surface transportation modes intersect at the Nation's ports, 
while the Coast Guard is focused on the waterside and maritime 
transportation aspects of the ports. TSA and USCG are interested in 
learning more about the inter-dependence and economic importance of 
these modal assets as they come together in the port environment. TSA 
was able to locate several sources of data. However, most available 
data did not include information or assessments specific to the surface 
transportation modes and their inter-dependence with the maritime 
transportation modes. Although some information exists for public port 
authorities, information is not readily available for private 
terminals. A Port Security Training Exercise Program (PortSTEP) 
Internet Web site is being developed as part of this program. Data will 
be collected from registered users as described further below.

Description of Data Collection

    TSA will conduct the information collection via the Internet, using 
a web-based survey. The information collection will target public and 
private ports and terminals nationwide to capture data concerning the 
interdependency and importance of linkages between the maritime and 
surface transportation modes, in and around the port environment. This 
is a voluntary collection of information. Port directors and managers 
may choose to obtain input from relevant port stakeholders in the area, 
including USCG Area Maritime Security Committees, State and local 
transportation security managers, emergency managers and emergency 
responders, private port service providers, and industry and labor 
associations. However, this is not required. TSA estimates the total 
number of respondents for the PortSTEP survey to be 360, and the 
estimated annual reporting burden to be 150 hours annually.
    TSA and USCG PortSTEP Project Officers may need to re-administer 
this survey periodically after 2007 to refine and refresh data 
collections. However, this requirement is not certain. PortSTEP Project 
Officers will provide an Internet Web site for registered and non-
registered users to share data and provide releasable information to 
the public. Users include members of the maritime community, such as 
Federal,

[[Page 76065]]

State, and local agency representatives and industry individuals. User 
registrations will be required for access to certain data shared and 
collected, which may be sensitive in nature. Also, users must submit 
personal information so that TSA can verify an individual's identity 
and establish the access accounts to the registered user's site.

Use of Results

    TSA will compile data from the survey results and assign weights to 
produce a score that TSA and USCG PortSTEP Project Officers will use to 
determine the appropriate level of TSA involvement in the management, 
conduct, and oversight of training response exercises conducted with 
surface transportation in the port area. TSA will also use the 
information collected to group ports based on their similarities, 
characteristics, and the degree of surface transportation exposure, in 
order to help focus the design, conduct, and evaluation of PortSTEP 
responses on the surface transportation issues. Much can be learned 
about the interactions and coordination between the surface and 
maritime transportation modes if the series of response exercises in 
PortSTEP are designed, conducted, and evaluated with this in mind. TSA 
and USCG will use the findings to refine and customize future PortSTEP 
iterations to the needs of the transportation mode being exercised. TSA 
and USCG plan to share and discuss this data with other agencies within 
the Federal Government.
    Data collected from registered Web site users will be retained to 
verify account status and access permissions. TSA will assign users an 
account to determine access to certain information, and group users for 
administrative purposes. All data will be stored securely.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on December 16, 2005.
Lisa S. Dean,
Privacy Officer.
 [FR Doc. E5-7684 Filed 12-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-52-P