[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33954-33955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11197]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD


30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of 
Collection: Recordations (Rail and Water Carrier Liens), Water Carrier 
Tariffs, and Agricultural Contract Summaries

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent 
to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the 
extension (without change) of the collections required by statute for 
rail or water carrier equipment liens (recordations), water carrier 
tariffs, and rail agricultural contract summaries, as described in more 
detail below.

DATES: Comments on these information collections should be submitted by 
June 26, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Comments, Recordations (Rail and Water Carrier Liens), 
Water Carrier Tariffs, and Agricultural Contract Summaries.'' Written 
comments for the proposed information collections should be submitted 
via www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. This information collection can 
be accessed by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public 
Comments'' or by using the search function. As an alternative, written 
comments may be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Michael J. McManus, 
Surface Transportation Board Desk Officer: via email at 
[email protected]; by fax at (202) 395-1743; or by mail to 
Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503.
    Please also direct all comments to Chris Oehrle, PRA Officer, 
Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-
0001, or to [email protected]. When submitting comments, please refer to 
``Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, Recordations

[[Page 33955]]

(Rail and Water Carrier Liens), Water Carrier Tariffs, and Agricultural 
Contract Summaries.'' For further information regarding this 
collection, contact Mike Higgins at (866) 254-1792 (toll-free) or 202-
245-0238, or by emailing [email protected]. Assistance for the hearing 
impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service 
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board previously published a notice 
about this collection in the Federal Register (88 FR 16513 (March 17, 
2023)). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment 
period. No comments were received.
    Comments are requested concerning each collection as to (1) whether 
the particular collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the 
collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's 
burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (4) 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. Submitted comments will be included and 
summarized in the Board's request for OMB approval.

Description of Collections

Collection Number 1

    Title: Agricultural Contract Summaries.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0024.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Number of Respondents: Approximately 10 (six Class I [large] 
railroads and a limited number of other railroads).
    Frequency: On occasion. (Over the last three years, respondents 
have filed an average of 172 agricultural contract summaries per year. 
The same number of filings is expected during each of the next three 
years.)
    Estimated Time per Response: Approximately 0.25 hours.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 43 hours 
(172 submissions x 0.25 hours estimated per submission).
    Total Annual ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost: There are no non-hourly 
burden costs for this collection. The collection is filed 
electronically.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 U.S.C. 10709(d), railroads are required to 
file a summary of the nonconfidential terms of any contract for the 
transportation of agricultural products.

Collection Number 2

    Title: Recordations (Rail and Water Carrier Liens).
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0025.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Respondents: Parties holding liens on rail equipment or water 
carrier vessels, and carriers filing proof that a lien has been 
removed.
    Number of Respondents: Approximately 50 respondents.
    Frequency: On occasion. (Over the last three years, respondents 
have filed an average of 1,850 responses per year. The same number of 
filings is expected during each of the next three years.)
    Estimated Time Per Response: Approximately 0.25 hours.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 462.5 
hours (1,850 submissions x 0.25 hours estimated per response)
    Total ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost: There are no non-hourly burden 
costs for this collection. The collection may be filed electronically.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 U.S.C. 11301 and 49 CFR part 1177, liens 
on rail equipment or water carrier vessels must be filed with the STB 
in order to perfect a security interest in the equipment. Subsequent 
amendments, 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 the liens in individual States.

Collection Number 3

    Title: Water Carrier Tariffs.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0026.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Respondents: Water carriers that provide freight transportation in 
noncontiguous domestic trade.
    Number of Respondents: Approximately 22.
    Frequency: Annual certification.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 77 hours 
(22 annual filings x 3.5 hours estimated time per certification).
    Total ``Non-Hour Burden'' Cost: There are no non-hourly burden 
costs for this collection. The annual certifications will be submitted 
electronically.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 U.S.C. 13702(b) and 49 CFR part 1312, in 
lieu of individual tariffs, water carriers that provide freight 
transportation in noncontiguous domestic trade (i.e., shipments moving 
to or from Alaska, Hawaii, or the U.S. territories or possessions 
(Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the 
Northern Mariana Islands) to or from the mainland U.S.) may file an 
annual certification with the Board that includes the internet address 
of a website containing a list of current and historical tariffs 
(including prices and fees that the water carrier charges to the 
shipping public).
    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: May 22, 2023.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-11197 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P