[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64376-64377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25767]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board


Information Collection Activities

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 
3501-3519 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives 
notice of its intent to seek from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approval of the information collections required under 49 U.S.C. 
11301 and 49 CFR part 117 (rail or water carrier equipment liens 
(recordations)); under 49 U.S.C. 10747 and 49 CFR part 1313 (rail 
agricultural contract summaries); and under 49 U.S.C. 13702(b) and 49 
CFR part 1312 (water carrier tariffs). The relevant information 
collections are described in more detail below.
    For each collection, comments are requested concerning: (1) The 
accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) 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; and (4) 
whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the 
collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized 
and included in the Board's request for OMB approval.

DATES: Comments on this information collection should be submitted by 
December 18, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Marilyn Levitt, Surface 
Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, or 
to [email protected]. When submitting comments, please refer to the 
title of the pertinent collection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn Levitt at [email protected] 
or (202) 245-0269. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available 
through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339.] Relevant STB regulations may be viewed on the STB's Web site 
under E-Library > Reference: STB Rules, http://www.stb.dot.gov/stb/elibrary/ref_stbrules.html.
    Subjects: In this notice the Board is requesting comments on the 
following information collections:

Collection Number 1

    Title: Recordations (Rail and Water Carrier Liens).
    OMB Control Number: 2140-00XX.
    STB Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Existing collection in use without an OMB control 
number.
    Respondents: parties holding liens on rail equipment or water 
carrier vessels, carriers filing proof that a lien has been removed.
    Number of Respondents: An annual average of 2125 recordations were 
filed during the last three years by 50 respondents.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 1,240 
hours (estimated 35 minutes per response x 2125 responses).
    Total ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost (such as start-up and mailing 
costs): There are no non-hourly burden costs for this collection. The 
collection may be filed electronically.
    Needs and Uses: Under the Interstate Commerce Act, Public Law 104-
88, 109 Stat. 803 (1995), liens on rail equipment must be filed with 
the STB in order to perfect a security interest in the equipment. 
Subsequent assignments of rights or release of obligations under such 
instruments must also be filed with the agency. This information is 
maintained by the Board for public inspection. Recordation at the STB 
obviates the need for recording such a lien in individual States.
    Retention Period: Recordations of liens are destroyed 60 years 
after the last filing.

Collection Number 2

    Title: Water Carrier Tariffs
    OMB Control Number: 2140-00XX.
    STB Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Existing collection in use without an OMB control 
number.
    Respondents: water carriers that provide freight transportation in 
noncontiguous domestic trade.
    Number of Respondents: approximately 25.
    Frequency: On occasion, for an annual total of 1917 tariffs filed.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 1,438 
(1,437,75) hours (1917 filings x .75 hour (estimated time per filing))
    Total ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost (such as start-up costs and mailing 
costs): There are no non-hourly burden costs for this collection. The 
collection may be filed electronically.
    Needs and Uses: While rail carriers are no longer required to file 
rate tariffs at the STB, a statutory requirement exists for water 
carriers that provide freight transportation in noncontiguous domestic 
trade (i.e., domestic (as opposed to international) shipments moving to 
or from Alaska, Hawaii, or the U.S. territories or possessions (Puerto 
Rico, Gram, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern 
Mariana Islands)). A tariff provides a list of prices and fees that the 
carrier charges to the shipping public.
    Retention Period: After cancellation, tariffs are placed in a 
``Cancelled

[[Page 64377]]

Tariffs'' file. They are destroyed five years after the end of the year 
in which they were cancelled.

Collection Number 3

    Title: Agricultural Contract Summaries.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-00XX.
    STB Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Existing collection in use without an OMB control 
number.
    Number of Respondents: Approximately 10.
    Frequency: On occasion, for a total from all respondents of 141 
submissions per year. (Must be submitted as soon as possible, but not 
longer than seven days after effective date of contract or amendment.)
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 106 hours 
(141 submissions x .75 hours (45 minutes) estimated per submission).
    Total Annual ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost (such as start-up and mailing 
costs): There are no non-hourly burden costs for this collection. The 
collection is filed electronically.
    Needs and Uses: While the terms of a rail transportation contract 
are treated as confidential, railroads are required by statute to file 
a summary of the nonconfidential terms of any contract for the 
transportation of agricultural products.
    Retention Period: Paper copies of this collection are destroyed six 
months after the expiration of the referenced contract.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA, a Federal agency conducting 
or sponsoring a collection of information must display a currently 
valid OMB control number. A 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. Under Sec.  3506(c)(2)(A) of 
the PRA, Federal agencies are required to provide, prior to an agency's 
submitting a collection to OMB for approval, a 60-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: October 16, 2012.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2012-25767 Filed 10-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P