[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 210 (Monday, October 31, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67250-67251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28027]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket No. MARAD 2011 0140]


Information Collection Available for Public Comments and 
Recommendations

Action: Notice and request for comments

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) intentions to 
request approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to 
conduct a new information collection entitled, ``the Maritime 
Administration's Panama Canal Expansion Study Outreach Program.'' This 
program is being implemented as part of MARAD's comprehensive study of 
the 2014 Panama Canal Expansion (Study) and its anticipated impacts on 
U.S. Ports and infrastructure.

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before December 30, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Yvette M. Fields, Director, Office 
of Deepwater Ports and Offshore Activities, Maritime Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W21-309, Washington, DC 20590, Telephone: 
(202) 366-0926 or Email: mailto:[email protected]. Copies of this 
collection also can be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Maritime Administration's Panama Canal 
Expansion Study Outreach Program.
    Type of Request: New Collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2133-NEW.
    Forms: Shipper Survey.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of approval by 
OMB.
    Summary of Collection of Information: This three-tiered information 
collection process will directly support MARAD's efforts to evaluate 
and assess the impacts of the Panama Canal Expansion on U.S. Ports and 
infrastructure when the project is completed in 2014. First, a series 
of up to five (5) public meetings (Listening Sessions) will be 
conducted to provide a forum for stakeholders to present their views on 
the issues that MARAD should consider in the development of the Study 
and to assess the various infrastructure requirements that will be 
associated with future trade involving the Panama Canal. Second, one-
on-one interviews will be conducted with approximately 80 key 
executives from various U.S. ports, port operators, manufacturers, and 
transportation service providers to identify their specific plans, 
investment strategies, and perspectives concerning market trends, which 
are a critical part of the subject of the Study. Finally, MARAD's on-
line Panama Canal Shipper Survey will be conducted to garner 
information regarding the current decision processes used by 
``Beneficial Cargo Owners'' to determine potential changes to their 
logistics networks and the contingency plans that have been developed 
(or will be developed) to address the potential impacts on their costs 
and routing strategies as a result of the Panama Canal Expansion.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information obtained through 
this process will be used to present to Federal leaders considerations 
for policy, investment, and funding options as well as recommendations 
for policy changes that will favorably impact the overall shift in the 
Nation's trade patterns.
    Description of Respondents: Ports and Port Operators, 
Manufacturers, Service Providers, Shippers, (Railroad/Trucking/Third 
Party Logistics [3PLs]), Investors and Investment Institutions, 
Industry Associations, Academic/Research Institutions and State and 
local governmental planning and development agencies.
    Annual Responses: 1,480 responses.
    Annual Burden: 4,075 hours.
    Comments: Comments should refer to the docket number that appears 
at the top of this document. Written comments may be submitted to the 
Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590. Comments also may be submitted by electronic 
means via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Specifically 
address whether this information collection is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency and will have practical 
utility, accuracy of the burden estimates, ways to minimize this 
burden, and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected. All comments received will be available 
for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT (or 
EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An electronic 
version

[[Page 67251]]

of this document is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://www.regulations.gov.

    Authority:  49 CFR 1.66.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

    Dated: October 25, 2011.
Julie Agarwal,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-28027 Filed 10-28-11; 8:45 am]
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