[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 70479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24609]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD


30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval: 
Arbitration Option Notices

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
SUMMARY: 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-
3521 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives 
notice that it is requesting from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approval of an extension for the collection of Arbitration Option 
Notices, which is further described below. The Board previously 
published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register. 81 FR 
26,303 (May 2, 2016). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review 
and comment period. No comments were received.

DATES: Comments on this information collection should be submitted by 
November 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Comments, Surface Transportation Board: Arbitration 
Option Notice.'' These comments should be directed to the Office of 
Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Attention: Chandana L. Achanta, Surface Transportation Board Desk 
Officer, by email at [email protected]; by fax at (202) 395-
6974; or by mail to Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503. Please also direct comments to Chris Oehrle, Surface 
Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, or 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding this 
collection, contact Michael Higgins, Deputy Director, Office of Public 
Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0284 or 
at [email protected]. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is 
available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.

Description of Collection

    Title: Arbitration Option Notices.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0020.
    STB Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension with change.
    Respondents: All regulated rail carriers.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Time per Response: .5 hours.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): .5 hours.
    Total ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost: None identified. Filings are 
submitted electronically to the Board.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR 1108.3, rail carriers may agree to 
participate in the Board's arbitration program by filing a notice with 
the Board to ``opt in.'' Once a rail carrier is participating in the 
Board's arbitration program, it may discontinue its participation only 
by filing a notice to ``opt out'' with the Board, which would become 
effective 90 days after its filing.
    Under the PRA, a federal agency that conducts or sponsors 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. 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: October 6, 2016.
Brendetta S. Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2016-24609 Filed 10-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P