[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 140 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41513-41514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11592]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board


Notice and Request for Comments

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA), gives 
notice that the Board will seek from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) an extension of approval for the currently approved 
collection of rail system diagram maps. The Board is seeking comments 
from rail carriers that have recently filed amended or new system 
diagram maps (or, in the case of small carriers, the alternative 
narrative description of rail system) concerning (1) whether the 
particular collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the 
collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's 
burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology when appropriate. Submitted comments will be summarized and 
included in the Board's request for OMB approval.

Description of Collection

    Title: System Diagram Maps.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0003.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Respondents: Common carrier freight railroads that are either new 
or reporting changes in the status of one or more of their rail lines.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4.5 hours, based on average time 
reported in informal survey of respondents conducted in 2003.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 18 hours.
    Total Annual ``Non-Hour Burden'' Cost: None have been identified.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR 1152.10-1152.13, all railroads subject 
to the Board's jurisdiction are required to keep current system diagram 
maps on file, or alternatively in the case of a Class III carrier (a 
carrier with assets of not more than $20 million in 1991 dollars), to 
submit the same information in narrative form. The information

[[Page 41514]]

sought in this collection identifies all lines in a particular 
railroad's system, categorized to indicate the likelihood that service 
on a particular line will be abandoned and/or whether service on a line 
is currently provided under the financial assistance provisions of 49 
U.S.C. 10904. Carriers are obligated to amend these maps as the need to 
change the category of any particular line arises. The Board uses this 
information to facilitate informed decision making, and this 
information, which is available to the public from the carrier by 
request, 49 CFR 1152.12(c)(3), may serve as notice to the shipping 
public of the carrier's intent to abandon or retain a line.

DATES: Persons wishing to comment on this information collection should 
submit comments by September 19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Marilyn Levitt, Surface 
Transportation Board, Room 614, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20423 or [email protected] or by fax at (202) 565-9001. When 
submitting comments, refer to the OMB number and title of the 
information collection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara G. Saddler, (202) 565-1656. 
Requests for a copy of the regulations pertaining to this information 
collection may be obtained by contacting Barbara G. Saddler at (202) 
565-1656 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA, a Federal agency conducting 
or sponsoring a collection of information must display a currently 
valid OMB control number. Collection of information, which is defined 
in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c), includes agency requirements 
that persons submit reports, keep records, or provide information to 
the agency, third parties, or the public. Under section 3506(c)(2)(A) 
of the PRA, Federal agencies are required to provide a 60-day notice 
and comment period through publication in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before 
submitting the collection to OMB for approval.

    Dated: July 21, 2006.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-11592 Filed 7-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P