[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 213 (Monday, November 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65441-65444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26088]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its 
implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently 
approved information collection activities. Before submitting these 
information collection requirements (ICRs) for clearance by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on 
specific aspects of the activities identified below.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than January 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following 
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of 
Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 
20590, or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 
35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge 
receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed 
stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-0505, 
or OMB control number 2130-0556, or OMB control number 2130-0506.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6265 or (202) 493-6170, or e-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Ms. Nakia Jackson at 
[email protected]. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number 
in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received 
in response to this notice in a subsequent

[[Page 65442]]

notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB 
for approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning 
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, 
RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., 
Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6073). (These 
telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Pub. L. No. 104-13, Sec.  2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised 
at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR Part 
1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60 days notice to the public 
for comment on information collection activities before seeking 
approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 
5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA 
invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of 
proposed information collection activities regarding (i) Whether the 
information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly 
execute its functions, including whether the activities will have 
practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden 
of the information collection activities, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways 
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of 
information collection activities on the public by automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(I)-(iv); 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1)(I)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will 
promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens 
associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal 
regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will 
advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure 
that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user 
friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) 
accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce 
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
    Below is a brief summary of the currently approved ICRs that FRA 
will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:
    Title: Inspection and Maintenance Standards for Steam Locomotives.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0505.
    Abstract: The Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act (LBIA) of 1911 
required each railroad subject to the Act to file copies of its rules 
and instructions for the inspection of locomotives. The original LBIA 
was expanded to cover the entire steam locomotive and tender and all 
its parts and appurtenances. This Act then requires carriers to make 
inspections and to repair defects to ensure the safe operation of steam 
locomotives. The collection of information is used by tourist or 
historic railroads and by locomotive owners/operators to provide a 
record for each day a steam locomotive is placed in service, as well as 
a record that the required steam locomotive inspections are completed. 
The collection of information is also used by FRA Federal inspectors to 
verify that necessary safety inspections and tests have been completed 
and to ensure that steam locomotives are indeed ``safe and suitable'' 
for service and are properly operated and maintained.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 82 owners/operators.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion; annually.

                                                Reporting Burden
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                                   Respondent          Total annual          Average time per      Total annual
          CFR section               universe             responses               response          burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
230.6--Waivers................  82 owners.......  2 waiver letters......  1 hour................               2
230.12--Conditions for          82 owners/        5 tags................  6 minutes.............               1
 movement--Non-Complying         operators.
 Locomotives.
230.14--31 Service Day          82 owners/        100 reports...........  20 minutes............              33
 Inspection.                     operators.
    --Notifications...........  82 owners/        2 notifications.......  5 minutes.............
                                 operators.                               .17...................
230.15--92 Service Day          82 owners/        100 reports...........  20 minutes............              33
 Inspection.                     operators.
230.16--Annual Inspection--     82 owners/        100 reports...........  30 minutes............              50
 Reports.                        operators.
    --Notifications...........  82 owners/        100 notifications.....  5 minutes.............               8
                                 operators.
230.17--1,472 Service Day       82 owners/        10 forms..............  30 minutes............               5
 Inspection.                     operators.
230.20--Alteration and Repair   82 owners/        5 reports.............  1 hour................               5
 Reports for Steam Locomotive    operators.
 Boilers.
230.21--Steam Locomotive        82 owners/        1 document............  2 minutes.............            .033
 Number Change.                  operators.
230.33--Welded Repairs/         82 owners/        5 letters.............  10 minutes............               1
 Alterations--Written Request    operators.       5 letters.............  10 minutes............               1
 to FRA for Approval--Unstayed  82 owners/
 Surfaces.                       operators.
230.34--Riveted Repairs/        82 owners/        10 requests...........  5 minutes.............               1
 Alterations.                    operators.
230.49--Setting of Safety       82 owners/        38 tags...............  2 minutes.............               1
 Relief Valves.                  operators.
230.96--Main, Side, and Valve   82 owners/        1 letter..............  10 minutes............             .17
 Motion Rods.                    operators.
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                                           RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
230.13--Daily Inspection        82 owners/oper..  3,650 reports.........  2 minutes.............             122
 Reports.
230.17--1,472 Service Day       82 owners/        10 reports............  15 minutes............               3
 Inspection.                     operators.
230.18--Service Day Report....  82 owners/        150 reports...........  15 minutes............              38
                                 operators.
230.19--Posting of Copy.......  82 owners/        300 forms.............  1 minute..............               5
                                 operators.
230.41--Flexible Staybolts      82 owners/        10 entries............  1 minute..............             .17
 with Caps.                      operators.
230.46--Badge Plates..........  82 owners/        3 reports.............  30 minutes............               2
                                 operators.
230.47--Boiler Number.........  82 owners/        1 stamping............  15 minutes............             .25
                                 operators.
230.75--Stenciling Dates of     82 owners/        50 tests..............  15 minute.............               1
 Tests and Cleaning.             operators.

[[Page 65443]]

 
230.98--Driving, Trailing, and  82 owners/        1 stamp...............  15 minutes............             .25
 Engine Truck Axles--Journal     operators.
 Diameter Stamped.
230.116--Oil Tanks............  82 owners/        30 signs..............  1 minute..............               1
                                 operators.
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    Total Responses: 4,689.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 314 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: U.S. Locational Requirement for Dispatching U.S. Rail 
Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0556.
    Abstract: Part 241 requires, in the absence of a waiver, that all 
dispatching of railroad operations that occurs in the United States be 
performed in this country, with a minor exception. A railroad is 
allowed to conduct extraterritorial dispatching from Mexico or Canada 
in emergency situations, but only for the duration of the emergency. A 
railroad relying on the exception must provide written notification of 
its action to the FRA Regional Administrator of each FRA region in 
which the railroad operation occurs; such notification is not required 
before addressing the emergency situation. The information collected 
under this rule will be used as part of FRA's oversight function to 
ensure that extraterritorial dispatchers comply with applicable safety 
regulations.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Respondent Universe: 4 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On Occasion.

                                                Reporting Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Respondent         Total annual      Average time per      Total annual
           CFR section                 universe            responses           response          burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
241.7--Waivers--(a) General.....  4 railroads.......  1 waiver petition.  4 hours...........  4 hours.
(c) Fringe Border Disptaching...  4 railroads.......  1 waiver petition.  4 hours...........  4 hours.
241.9--Prohibition against        4 railroads.......  1 notification....  8 hours...........  8 hours.
 extraterritorial dispatching;
 exceptions--Notification.
241.11--Prohibition against       4 railroads.......  Included under      Included under      Included under
 conducting a railroad operation                       Sec.   241.9.       Sec.   241.9.       Sec.   241.9.
 dispatched by an
 extraterritorial dispatcher;
 exceptions.
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241.13--Prohibitions against track   4 railroads...........  Included under Sec.     Included under Sec.    Included under Sec.    Included under Sec.
 owner's requiring or permitting                              241.9.                  241.9.                 241.9.                 241.9.
 use of its line for a railroad
 operation dispatched by an
 extraterritorial dispatcher;
 exceptions.
241.15--Penalties--False Reports/    $628..................  None..................  N/A..................  N/A..................  N/A.
 Records.

    Total Responses: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 16 hours.
    Title: Identification of Cars Moved in Accordance with Order 13528.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0506.
    Abstract: This collection of information identifies a freight car 
being moved within the scope of Order 13528 (now codified under 49 CFR 
232.3). Otherwise, an exception will be taken, and the car will be set 
out of the train and not delivered. The information that must be 
recorded is specified at 49 CFR Part 232.3(d)(3), which requires that a 
car be properly identified by a card attached to each side of the car 
and signed stating that such movement is being made under the authority 
of the order. Sec.  232.3(d)(3) does not require retaining cards or 
tags. When a car bearing a tag for movement under this provision 
arrives at its destination, the tags are simply removed.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Respondent Universe: 685 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

                                                Reporting Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
232.3--Identification of Cars      685 Railroads......  800 tags...........  5 minutes..........              67
 Moved in Accordance with Order
 13528.
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[[Page 65444]]

    Total Responses: 800
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 67 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 
1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not 
conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2008.
Belinda Ashton,
Acting Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-26088 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P