[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 162 (Monday, August 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42732-42733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20254]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2009-0001-N-20]


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 re-approval of the following 
information collection activities. Before submitting these information 
collection requirements 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 October 23, 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 2130-0583.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Ms. Jackson at [email protected]. 
Please refer to the assigned OMB control number and the title of the 
information collection in any correspondence submitted. FRA will 
summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent 
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

[[Page 42733]]

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), 
Public Law 104-13, section 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 of such activities 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 proposed information collection 
activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under 
the PRA:
    Title: ARRA Solicitation of Applications and Notice of Funds 
Availability for High-Speed Rail Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail 
Service--Capital Assistance and Planning Grants Program.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0583.
    Abstract: On June 23, 2009, FRA published a Notice of Funds 
Availability (NOFA) and Interim Guidance for the High-Speed Rail (HSR)/
Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) Grant Program. See 74 FR 29900. The NOFA 
and Interim Guidance documents and additional information about the 
HSR/IPR Grant Program are available on FRA's public Web site at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2243. FRA plans on publishing a Final 
Guidance shortly in the Federal Register, and will also then place the 
Final Guidance on its Web site. The HSR/IPR Grant Program builds upon 
President Obama's ``Vision for High-Speed Rail in America,'' which was 
issued on April 16, 2009, and which describes a collaborative effort 
among the Federal Government, States, railroads and other key 
stakeholder to transform America's transportation system by investing 
in an efficient, high-speed passenger rail network of 100 to 600 mile 
intercity corridors.
    The Interim/Final Guidance documents detail HSR/IPR Grant Program 
funding opportunities as well as specific application requirements and 
procedures. The evaluation and selection criteria are intended to 
prioritize projects that deliver transportation, economic recovery and 
other public benefits, including energy independence, environmental 
quality, and livable communities; ensure project success through 
effective program management, financial planning and stakeholder 
commitments; and emphasize a balanced approach to project types, 
locations, innovation, and timing. The program grant funds are being 
made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
(ARRA) and the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act of 
fiscal years 2008 and 2009. ARRA established the HSIPR Program--a new 
program that provides $8 billion to support the Administration's vision 
for developing high-speed rail in America.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.132; FRA F 6180.133; FRA F 6180.134; FRA 
F 6180.135; FRA F 6180.138; FRA F 6180.139.
    Affected Public: States/Amtrak.
    Respondent Universe: 50 States and Amtrak.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

                                                Reporting Burden:
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                                                                  Total annual     Average time
             RFEI notice                 Respondent universe        responses      per response    Total annual
                                                                 (applications)       (hours)      burden hours
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--Track 1 Application Forms..........  States/Amtrak..........                75             100           7,500
--Track 2 Application Forms..........  States/Amtrak..........                20             200           4,000
--Track 3 Application Forms..........  States/Amtrak..........                20              50           1,000
--Track 4............................  States/Amtrak..........                20              50           1,000
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    Total Responses: 135.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 13,500 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    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 August 18, 2009.
Kimberly Orben,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-20254 Filed 8-21-09; 8:45 am]
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