Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 71116-71117 [2011-29605]

Download as PDF 71116 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / Notices required of all exemptions granted under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e). Section 4129(d) also directed FMCSA to ensure that drivers of CMVs with ITDM are not held to a higher standard than other drivers, with the exception of limited operating, monitoring and medical requirements that are deemed medically necessary. The FMCSA concluded that all of the operating, monitoring and medical requirements set out in the September 3, 2003 notice, except as modified, were in compliance with section 4129(d). Therefore, all of the requirements set out in the September 3, 2003 notice, except as modified by the notice in the Federal Register on November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), remain in effect. Issued on: November 9, 2011. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2011–29628 Filed 11–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA 2011–001–N–16] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request Federal Railroad Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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 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 17, 2012. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following proposed activities by mail to either: Ms. Janet Wylie, Office of Planning and Administration, RPD–3, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, 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 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:45 Nov 15, 2011 Jkt 226001 comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, ‘‘Comments on OMB control number 2130–0548.’’ Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493– 6170, or via email to Mr. Wylie at janet.wylie@dot.gov, or to Ms. Toone at kim.toone@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: Ms. Janet Wylie, Office of Planning and Administration, RPD–3, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6353) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD– 20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 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 PO 00000 Frm 00163 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program. OMB Control Number: 2130–0548. Status: Regular Review. Type of Request: Extension without change of a previously approved collection. Abstract: Title V of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (Act), 45 U.S.C. 821 et seq., authorized the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide railroads financial assistance through the purchase of preference shares, and the issuance of loan guarantees. Section 7203 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998, Public Law 105–178 (1998) (TEA 21), and subsequent amendments in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, Public Law 109–59 (2005) SAFETEA–LU and the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), Division A of Public Law 110–432 have since replaced the previous Title V financing program. On July 6, 2000, FRA published a final rule (FR) with procedures and requirements to cover applications of financial assistance in the form of direct loans and loan guarantees consistent with the changes made to Title V of the Act by section 7203 of TEA 21. On September 29, 2010, FRA published a Notice Regarding Consideration and Processing of Applications for Financial Assistance Under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program. The collection of information is used by FRA staff to determine the legal and financial eligibility of applicants for direct loans regarding eligible projects. Eligible projects include: (1) Acquisition, improvement or rehabilitation of intermodal or rail equipment or facilities (including tracks, components of tracks, bridges, yards, buildings, and shops); (2) Refinancing outstanding debt incurred for these purposes; or (3) Development or establishment of new intermodal or E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM 16NON1 71117 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / Notices railroad facilities. The aggregate unpaid principal amounts of obligations cannot exceed $35.0 billion at any one time, and not less than $7.0 billion is to be available solely for projects benefitting freight railroads other than Class I carriers. The Secretary of Transportation has delegated his authority under the RRIF Program to the FRA Administrator in 1 CFR 1.49. Affected Public: State and local governments, government sponsored authorities and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad. REPORTING BURDEN Average time per response (hours) Total annual burden hours CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses 260.23—Form and Content of Application .................. 75,635 potential applicants. 650 potential .................... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 75,635 potential ............... 18 applications ................. 20 360 15 financial documents .... 18 executed app .............. 18 certificates .................. 18 letters .......................... 18 packages .................... 18 statements .................. 1 Impact Statement ......... 2 Assessments ................ 15 exclusions ................... 5 consultations ................. 18 financial records ......... 50 .6 .6 .6 1.5 *30 15,552 4,992 176 1 10 750 10.8 10.8 10.8 27 9 15,552 9,984 2,640 5 180 260.25—Additional Information Loan Guarantees ...... 260.31—Execution and Filing of Application .............. Certificates with Original Application ........................... Transmittal Letters ....................................................... Application Packages .................................................. 260.33—Information Statements ................................. 260.35—Environmental Impact Statement ................. Environmental Assessment ......................................... Categorical Exclusions ................................................ Environmental Consultations ....................................... 260.41—Inspection and Reporting—Financial Records and Other Documents. * In minutes. Total Responses: 164. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 29,539.4. 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 November 9, 2011. Kimberly Coronel, Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. 2011–29605 Filed 11–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2011–0077] mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Petition for Waiver of Compliance In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a request for a waiver of compliance from certain requirements of its safety standards. The individual petition is described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested, and the petitioner’s arguments in favor of relief. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:45 Nov 15, 2011 Jkt 226001 The National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak) hereby petitions FRA for a temporary waiver from 49 CFR part 214, subpart C, seeking relief from the requirement to provide Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) for contractors and contractor employees (herein referred to as ‘‘workers’’) using hand tools within the 4-foot fouling envelope of a track in publicly accessible areas, specifically passenger station platforms. The waiver is sought for the express purpose of performing manual snow removal with hand tools, which extend into the tactile warning area of a passenger platform (if equipped with a tactile warning strip) or other warning areas beyond and including a similarly positioned and contrasting painted line (if not equipped), while the worker is behind the area and in a position of safety. The tactile warning area is the area beyond and including a 24-inch wide strip of truncated domes that is installed along the full length of the public use areas of a passenger platform (pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards) and that is generally positioned approximately 24 inches from the outside of the nearest rail. The request for relief from the regulation is limited to platforms outside of the Northeast Corridor at stations for which Amtrak is not the operating railroad. Section 214.7 defines fouling a track as ‘‘the placement of an individual or an item of equipment in such proximity to a track that the individual or equipment could be struck by a moving train or ontrack equipment or, in any case, is PO 00000 Frm 00164 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 within four feet of the field side of the near running rail.’’ In the case of a platform, 4 feet from the field side of the rail generally encompasses the space between the outside of the nearest rail and the platform plus the width of a 24inch ADA-required tactile strip. Currently, workers performing passenger station snow removal activities, which breach the tactile (or painted) warning area with hand tools, must be provided with on-track safety in accordance with the RWP rule, while pedestrians and the riding public may move throughout the system in the very same areas without restriction. Contractor workers performing snow removal on passenger service infrastructure not owned by Amtrak are not qualified to provide on-track safety. Thus, workers may remove snow from platform areas behind the tactile (or paint-delineated) warning area, but must not remove snow in the area of the tactile (or paint-delineated) warning area without first establishing on-track safety in accordance with the RWP rule. As a result of this requirement, hazardous conditions on platforms remain unaddressed. Amtrak believes that the proposed ‘‘Alternate Protection’’ protocol used for specific snow removal activities will permit workers to address unsafe platform conditions from a safe location in a safe and timely manner without the worker being struck by a train while occupying the area of the platform behind the tactile warning strip or contrasting painted line. E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM 16NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71116-71117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29605]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2011-001-N-16]


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 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 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following 
proposed activities by mail to either: Ms. Janet Wylie, Office of 
Planning and Administration, RPD-3, Federal Railroad Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. 
Kimberly Toone, 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 2130-0548.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6170, or via email to Mr. Wylie at janet.wylie@dot.gov, or to Ms. Toone 
at kim.toone@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: Ms. Janet Wylie, Office of Planning 
and Administration, RPD-3, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Ave, SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6353) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-
20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail 
Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6132). (These 
telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 104-13, Sec.  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 information collection activities 
that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:
    Title: Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0548.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Type of Request: Extension without change of a previously approved 
collection.
    Abstract: Title V of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory 
Reform Act of 1976 (Act), 45 U.S.C. 821 et seq., authorized the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide railroads financial assistance 
through the purchase of preference shares, and the issuance of loan 
guarantees. Section 7203 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
Century of 1998, Public Law 105-178 (1998) (TEA 21), and subsequent 
amendments in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation 
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, Public Law 109-59 (2005) SAFETEA-LU and 
the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), Division A of Public 
Law 110-432 have since replaced the previous Title V financing program. 
On July 6, 2000, FRA published a final rule (FR) with procedures and 
requirements to cover applications of financial assistance in the form 
of direct loans and loan guarantees consistent with the changes made to 
Title V of the Act by section 7203 of TEA 21. On September 29, 2010, 
FRA published a Notice Regarding Consideration and Processing of 
Applications for Financial Assistance Under the Railroad Rehabilitation 
and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program. The collection of information 
is used by FRA staff to determine the legal and financial eligibility 
of applicants for direct loans regarding eligible projects. Eligible 
projects include: (1) Acquisition, improvement or rehabilitation of 
intermodal or rail equipment or facilities (including tracks, 
components of tracks, bridges, yards, buildings, and shops); (2) 
Refinancing outstanding debt incurred for these purposes; or (3) 
Development or establishment of new intermodal or

[[Page 71117]]

railroad facilities. The aggregate unpaid principal amounts of 
obligations cannot exceed $35.0 billion at any one time, and not less 
than $7.0 billion is to be available solely for projects benefitting 
freight railroads other than Class I carriers. The Secretary of 
Transportation has delegated his authority under the RRIF Program to 
the FRA Administrator in 1 CFR 1.49.
    Affected Public: State and local governments, government sponsored 
authorities and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that 
include at least one railroad.

                                                Reporting Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Average time
            CFR section              Respondent universe        Total annual       per response    Total annual
                                                                 responses            (hours)      burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
260.23--Form and Content of         75,635 potential       18 applications......              20             360
 Application.                        applicants.
260.25--Additional Information      650 potential........  15 financial                       50             750
 Loan Guarantees.                                           documents.
260.31--Execution and Filing of     75,635 potential.....  18 executed app......              .6            10.8
 Application.
Certificates with Original          75,635 potential.....  18 certificates......              .6            10.8
 Application.
Transmittal Letters...............  75,635 potential.....  18 letters...........              .6            10.8
Application Packages..............  75,635 potential.....  18 packages..........             1.5              27
260.33--Information Statements....  75,635 potential.....  18 statements........             *30               9
260.35--Environmental Impact        75,635 potential.....  1 Impact Statement...          15,552          15,552
 Statement.
Environmental Assessment..........  75,635 potential.....  2 Assessments........           4,992           9,984
Categorical Exclusions............  75,635 potential.....  15 exclusions........             176           2,640
Environmental Consultations.......  75,635 potential.....  5 consultations......               1               5
260.41--Inspection and Reporting--  75,635 potential.....  18 financial records.              10             180
 Financial Records and Other
 Documents.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In minutes.


    Total Responses: 164.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 29,539.4.
    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 November 9, 2011.
Kimberly Coronel,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-29605 Filed 11-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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