[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66363-66364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19180]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board


Notice and Request for Comments

ACTION: 30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: System 
Diagram Maps.

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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), has 
submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an 
extension of approval for the currently approved collection of rail 
system diagram maps. The Board previously published a notice about 
these collections in the Federal Register on July 21, 2006, at 71 FR 
41513. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment 
period. One comment was received. As pertinent here, the commenter 
emphasized the importance of the Board's collection of system diagram 
maps in providing advance notice to the public about rail service that 
is likely to be abandoned, especially in light of the importance of 
that notice to the viability of the Board's feeder-line program, 49 
U.S.C. 10907, which enables shippers and communities to acquire 
marginal rail lines that are likely to be downgraded or abandoned.
    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 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), as 
well as from members of the shipping public who may make use of these 
maps, 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.

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.

[[Page 66364]]

    Total Annual Burden Hours: 18 hours (4 respondents x 4.5 hours).
    Total Annual ``Non-Hour Burden'' Cost: Range is between $.50 and 
$2,550, depending on size and class of carrier.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 U.S.C. 10903(c)(2) and 49 CFR 1152.10-
1152.13, all rail carriers subject to the Board's jurisdiction are 
required to maintain, publish, and submit to the Board a complete 
diagram of the transportation system operated. These carriers are also 
required to publish and submit any amendments to their system diagram 
maps (SDMs) as necessary to keep the SDMs current. Under the Board's 
regulations, 49 CFR 1152.10(a), a Class III carrier (a carrier with 
assets of not more than $20 million in 1991 dollars), may submit the 
same information in narrative form. The information 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. 
This information constitutes advance notice to the Board and the public 
about likely decreases in the availability of rail service and provides 
a valuable planning tool for the Board and the shipping public. It 
facilitates informed decision making by the Board, and permits shippers 
and communities to participate in Board proceedings that may affect 
them, to submit timely proposals for continuing rail service under the 
feeder-line acquisition program (49 U.S.C. 10907(b)(i)), and/or to plan 
for alternative means of transportation.
    Deadline: Persons wishing to comment on this information collection 
should submit comments by December 14, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be 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, System Diagram 
Map, OMB Control Number 2140-0003.''

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. E6-19180 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P