[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66362-66363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19179]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board


Notice and Request for Comments

ACTION: 30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Maps in 
Abandonment Exemption Proceedings.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board), as part of its 
continuing

[[Page 66363]]

effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA), has submitted a 
request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension 
of approval for the currently approved collection of maps in 
abandonment exemption proceedings. The Board previously published a 
notice about these collections in the Federal Register on July 12, 
2006, at 71 FR 39395. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review 
and comment period. No comments were received.
    The purpose of the current notice is to allow an additional 30 days 
for public comment to satisfy the requirements of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b). Comments are sought from interested persons concerning (1) 
whether the collection of maps 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.

Description of Collection

    Title: Maps Required in Abandonment Exemption Proceedings.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0008.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Respondents: Railroads initiating abandonment exemption 
proceedings.
    Number of Respondents: 91.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour, based on average time reported 
in informal survey of respondents conducted in 2003.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 91.
    Total Annual ``Non-Hour Burden'' Cost: None has been identified.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(2) and 1152.60(b), the 
Board requires in each abandonment exemption proceeding a detailed map 
of the rail line, depicting the line's relation to other rail lines, 
roads, water routes, and population centers. The Board uses this 
information to determine the scope and the impact of the proposed 
abandonment. In addition, this information is posted on the Board's Web 
site and serves as a form of notice to current and/or potential 
shippers, and to persons who might want either to continue rail service 
under 49 U.S.C. 10904; to acquire the line as a trail under the 
National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C 1247(d); or to acquire the line 
for another public purpose under 49 U.S.C. 10905.
    Deadline: Comments on this information collection should be 
submitted by December 14, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be in writing and directed to the Office of 
Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Attention: Surface Transportation Board Desk Officer, Room 10235, 725 
17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, or to [email protected]. Comments should be identified as ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Comments, Surface Transportation Board, Maps Submitted in 
Abandonment Proceedings, OMB Control Number 2140-0008.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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]. These rules can also 
be found on the Board's Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov by searching 
under ``E-Library,'' and then ``Research Aids.''

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. Section 3507(b) of the PRA 
requires, concurrent with an agency's submitting a collection to OMB 
for approval, a 30-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.

    Dated: November 14, 2006.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-19179 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P