Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements (ICRs) for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

DATES:

Comments must be received no later than January 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on any or all of the following proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, “Comments on OMB control number 2130-0505, or OMB control number 2130-0556, or OMB control number 2130-0506.” Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6265 or (202) 493-6170, or e-mail to Mr. Brogan at

robert.brogan@dot.gov

, or to Ms. Nakia Jackson at

nakia.jackson@dot.gov

. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent

notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6073). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Pub. L. No. 104-13, § 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR Part 1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60 days notice to the public for comment on information collection activities before seeking approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of proposed information collection activities regarding (i) Whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (

e.g.

, permitting electronic submission of responses).

See

44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(I)-(iv); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(I)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes information collection requirements in a “user friendly” format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested.

See

44 U.S.C. 3501.

Below is a brief summary of the currently approved ICRs that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:

Title:

Inspection and Maintenance Standards for Steam Locomotives.

OMB Control Number:

2130-0505.

Abstract:

The Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act (LBIA) of 1911 required each railroad subject to the Act to file copies of its rules and instructions for the inspection of locomotives. The original LBIA was expanded to cover the entire steam locomotive and tender and all its parts and appurtenances. This Act then requires carriers to make inspections and to repair defects to ensure the safe operation of steam locomotives. The collection of information is used by tourist or historic railroads and by locomotive owners/operators to provide a record for each day a steam locomotive is placed in service, as well as a record that the required steam locomotive inspections are completed. The collection of information is also used by FRA Federal inspectors to verify that necessary safety inspections and tests have been completed and to ensure that steam locomotives are indeed “safe and suitable” for service and are properly operated and maintained.

Affected Public:

Businesses.

Respondent Universe:

82 owners/operators.

Frequency of Submission:

On occasion; annually.

Reporting Burden

CFR section

Respondent universe

Total annual

responses

Average time per response

Total annual burden hours

230.6—Waivers

82 owners

2 waiver letters

1 hour

2

230.12—Conditions for movement—Non-Complying Locomotives

82 owners/operators

5 tags

6 minutes

1

230.14—31 Service Day Inspection

82 owners/operators

100 reports

20 minutes

33

—Notifications

82 owners/operators

2 notifications

5 minutes

.17

230.15—92 Service Day Inspection

82 owners/operators

100 reports

20 minutes

33

230.16—Annual Inspection—Reports

82 owners/operators

100 reports

30 minutes

50

—Notifications

82 owners/operators

100 notifications

5 minutes

8

230.17—1,472 Service Day Inspection

82 owners/operators

10 forms

30 minutes

5

230.20—Alteration and Repair Reports for Steam Locomotive Boilers

82 owners/operators

5 reports

1 hour

5

230.21—Steam Locomotive Number Change

82 owners/operators

1 document

2 minutes

.033

230.33—Welded Repairs/Alterations—Written Request to FRA for Approval—Unstayed Surfaces

82 owners/operators

82 owners/operators

5 letters

5 letters

10 minutes

10 minutes

1

1

230.34—Riveted Repairs/Alterations

82 owners/operators

10 requests

5 minutes

1

230.49—Setting of Safety Relief Valves

82 owners/operators

38 tags

2 minutes

1

230.96—Main, Side, and Valve Motion Rods

82 owners/operators

1 letter

10 minutes

.17

RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS

230.13—Daily Inspection Reports

82 owners/oper.

3,650 reports

2 minutes

122

230.17—1,472 Service Day Inspection

82 owners/operators

10 reports

15 minutes

3

230.18—Service Day Report

82 owners/operators

150 reports

15 minutes

38

230.19—Posting of Copy

82 owners/operators

300 forms

1 minute

5

230.41—Flexible Staybolts with Caps

82 owners/operators

10 entries

1 minute

.17

230.46—Badge Plates

82 owners/operators

3 reports

30 minutes

2

230.47—Boiler Number

82 owners/operators

1 stamping

15 minutes

.25

230.75—Stenciling Dates of Tests and Cleaning

82 owners/operators

50 tests

15 minute

1

230.98—Driving, Trailing, and Engine Truck Axles—Journal Diameter Stamped

82 owners/operators

1 stamp

15 minutes

.25

230.116—Oil Tanks

82 owners/operators

30 signs

1 minute

1

Total Responses:

4,689.

Estimated Total Annual Burden:

314 hours.

Status:

Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Title:

U.S. Locational Requirement for Dispatching U.S. Rail Operations.

OMB Control Number:

2130-0556.

Abstract:

Part 241 requires, in the absence of a waiver, that all dispatching of railroad operations that occurs in the United States be performed in this country, with a minor exception. A railroad is allowed to conduct extraterritorial dispatching from Mexico or Canada in emergency situations, but only for the duration of the emergency. A railroad relying on the exception must provide written notification of its action to the FRA Regional Administrator of each FRA region in which the railroad operation occurs; such notification is not required before addressing the emergency situation. The information collected under this rule will be used as part of FRA's oversight function to ensure that extraterritorial dispatchers comply with applicable safety regulations.

Affected Public:

Railroads.

Respondent Universe:

4 Railroads.

Frequency of Submission:

On Occasion.

Reporting Burden

CFR section

Respondent universe

Total annual

responses

Average time per

response

Total annual burden hours

241.7—Waivers—(a) General

4 railroads

1 waiver petition

4 hours

4 hours.

(c) Fringe Border Disptaching

4 railroads

1 waiver petition

4 hours

4 hours.

241.9—Prohibition against extraterritorial dispatching; exceptions—Notification

4 railroads

1 notification

8 hours

8 hours.

241.11—Prohibition against conducting a railroad operation dispatched by an extraterritorial dispatcher; exceptions

4 railroads

Included under § 241.9

Included under § 241.9

Included under § 241.9.

241.13—Prohibitions against track owner's requiring or permitting use of its line for a railroad operation dispatched by an extraterritorial dispatcher; exceptions

4 railroads

Included under § 241.9

Included under § 241.9

Included under § 241.9

Included under § 241.9.

241.15—Penalties—False Reports/Records

$628

None

N/A

N/A

N/A.

Total Responses:

3.

Estimated Total Annual Burden:

16 hours.

Title:

Identification of Cars Moved in Accordance with Order 13528.

OMB Control Number:

2130-0506.

Abstract:

This collection of information identifies a freight car being moved within the scope of Order 13528 (now codified under 49 CFR 232.3). Otherwise, an exception will be taken, and the car will be set out of the train and not delivered. The information that must be recorded is specified at 49 CFR Part 232.3(d)(3), which requires that a car be properly identified by a card attached to each side of the car and signed stating that such movement is being made under the authority of the order. § 232.3(d)(3) does not require retaining cards or tags. When a car bearing a tag for movement under this provision arrives at its destination, the tags are simply removed.

Affected Public:

Railroads.

Respondent Universe:

685 Railroads.

Frequency of Submission:

On occasion.

Reporting Burden

CFR section

Respondent universe

Total annual

responses

Average time per response

Total annual

burden hours

232.3—Identification of Cars Moved in Accordance with Order 13528

685 Railroads

800 tags

5 minutes

67

Total Responses:

800

Estimated Total Annual Burden:

67 hours.

Status:

Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Authority:

44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2008.

Belinda Ashton,

Acting Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration.

[FR Doc. E8-26088 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P