[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 203 (Monday, October 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84240-84241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24293]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[Docket No. MARAD-2024-0136]
Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved
Collection: Port Infrastructure Development Program
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on
our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0552
(Port Infrastructure Development Program) is being updated to reflect
the elimination of the MA-1083 Port Infrastructure Development Program
(PIDP) Project Information Form, which is no longer needed. The total
respondents and public burden have also reduced since this collection
was implemented in 2019. We are required to publish this notice in the
Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected
agencies.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collections should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open
[[Page 84241]]
for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Holt, 202-366-8713, Office of
Port Infrastructure Development, Maritime Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Port Infrastructure Development Program.
OMB Control Number: 2133-0552.
Type of Request: Extension With Change of a Currently Approved
Collection.
Abstract: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-
58, November 15, 2021) (``Bipartisan Infrastructure Law'' or ``BIL'')
appropriated $450 million to the PIDP for FY 2024 to make discretionary
grants for eligible projects. On March 9, 2024, the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42) (``FY 2024 Appropriations
Act'') appropriated an additional $120,460,124 for the FY 2024 PIDP
grant program. Of that amount, $50 million is available to be awarded
as discretionary grants. Altogether, a total $500 million in funding is
now available to be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation
(Department) for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (Program).
This appropriations act allows the Department to make discretionary
grants to improve port facilities at or near coastal seaports. The
purpose of the Program is to accept applications to make grants.
Submitted applications will be reviewed to determine if respondents
meet the criteria for selection as grant recipients.
The Port Infrastructure Development Program was established under
46 U.S.C. 50302. The statute authorizes the Department of
Transportation (``Department'' or ``DOT'') to establish a port
infrastructure development program for the improvement of port
facilities. To carry out a project under this program, the Department
may provide financial assistance, including grants to port authorities
or commissions, or to their subdivisions and agents, for port and
intermodal infrastructure-related projects.
The Department seeks to fund projects that will advance
Departmental priorities of safety, equity, Justice40, climate and
sustainability, workforce development, job quality, and wealth
creation, as described in the DOT's Strategic Plan and executive
orders. MARAD encourages applicants to propose projects that will
improve safety, efficiency, or the reliability of the movement of goods
through ports and intermodal connection to ports, and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions in the transportation sector. Proposed projects must also
create proportional impacts to all populations in a project area,
increase equitable access to project benefits, support the creation of
good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, and
include the incorporation of strong labor standards, training, and
placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships.
Respondents: A State, a political subdivision of a State or a local
government, a public agency or publicly chartered authority established
by one or more States, a special purpose district with a transportation
function, an Indian Tribe or consortium of Indian Tribes, a multistate
or multijurisdictional group of entities, or a lead entity described
above jointly with a private entity or group of private entities
(including the owners or operators of a facility, or collection of
facilities, at a port).
Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
Estimated Number of Responses: 200.
Estimated Hours per Response: 160.
Annual Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 32,000.
Frequency of Response: Once Annually.
A 60-day Federal Register Notice soliciting comments on this
information collection was published on July 29, 2024, in the Federal
Register (FR 60966, Vol. 89, No. 145). The posting received one
comment, which expressed support for the continued collection of
information about program applicants to PIDP, and concern that the
elimination of form MA-1083 would result in a loss of information about
applicants to the program. MARAD does not agree that without the form,
MARAD will lose information about program applicants. The MA-1083 form
has not been required from PIDP applicants for multiple fiscal years,
without major impacts to the grant program or its operations. Program
staff are confident that necessary information about PIDP applicants
will continue to be collected without the required MA-1083 form.
Additionally, the elimination of the required form will provide modest
reductions in the annual burden for PIDP applicants.
(Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter
35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.49).
By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-24293 Filed 10-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P