30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of Collection: Arbitration “Opt-In” Notices, 33956-33957 [2023-11196]

Download as PDF 33956 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 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 oira_submission@ omb.eop.gov; 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 PRA@stb.gov. When submitting comments, please refer to ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, Rail Depreciation Studies.’’ For further information regarding this collection, contact Pedro Ramirez at (202) 245– 0333 or pedro.ramirez@stb.gov. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register (88 FR 16512 (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. Subjects: In this notice, the Board is requesting comments on the extension of the following information collection: Description of Collection Title: Rail Depreciation Studies. OMB Control Number: 2140–0028. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension without change. Respondents: Class I railroads. Number of Respondents: Seven. Estimated Time per Response: Approximately 250 hours per study (estimating that studies will require between 125 hours and 375 hours depending on the extent to which the carrier provides assistance to outside consultants performing the study for them). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:04 May 24, 2023 Jkt 259001 Frequency of Response: Bi-annual. (Under 49 CFR part 1201, sections 4–1 to 4–4, the Board requires all Class I (large) carriers to submit depreciation studies no less frequently than every three years for equipment property and every six years for road property. That means that for any given six-year period, the Class I railroads must submit no fewer than three depreciation reports, or the equivalent of 0.5 depreciation reports per year.) Total Annual Hour Burden: 875 hours (250 hours × 0.5 studies/year × 7 Class I railroads). Total Annual ‘‘Non-Hour Burden’’ Cost: Approximately $210,000 per year. Board staff estimates that each biennial study will cost between $20,000 and $100,000 to reflect recent price escalation, which converts to an annual cost of approximately $10,000-$50,000 per year. Using an average cost ($30,000 per year X 7 Class I railroads), the nonhour burden cost is estimated to be approximately $210,000 per year. Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR part 1201, sections 4–1 to 4–4, the Board is required to identify those classes of property for which rail carriers may include depreciation charges under operating expenses, and the Board must also prescribe a rate of depreciation that may be charged to those classes of property. Under 49 U.S.C. 11145, Class I rail carriers are required to submit Depreciation Studies to the Board. Information in these studies is not available from any other source. The Board uses the information in these studies to prescribe depreciation rates. These depreciation rate prescriptions state the period for which the depreciation rates therein are applicable. Class I railroads apply the prescribed depreciation rates to their investment base to determine monthly and annual depreciation expense. This expense is included in the railroads’ operating expenses, which are reported in their R–1 reports (OMB Control Number 2140–0009). Operating expenses are used to develop operating costs for application in various proceedings before the Board, such as in rate reasonableness cases and in the determination of railroad ‘‘revenue adequacy.’’ 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 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. Information from certain schedules contained in these reports is available at the Board’s website at www.stb.gov by navigating to ‘‘Reports & Data’’ and clicking on ‘‘Economic Data.’’ Information in these reports is not available from any other source. Dated: May 22, 2023. Stefan Rice, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2023–11198 Filed 5–24–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD 30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of Collection: Arbitration ‘‘Opt-In’’ Notices Surface Transportation Board. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: 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 an extension of the collection of Arbitration ‘‘Opt-in’’ Notices, described below. DATES: Comments on this information collection should be submitted by June 26, 2023. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration ‘Opt-In’ Notices.’’ Written comments for the proposed information collection 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 oira_submission@ omb.eop.gov; 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 PRA@stb.gov. When submitting comments, please refer to ‘‘Paperwork SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25MYN1.SGM 25MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration ‘Opt-In’ Notices.’’ For further information regarding this collection, contact Mike Higgins at (866) 254–1792 (toll-free) or 202–245–0238, or by emailing rcpa@stb.gov. 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 16515 (Mar. 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 Collection Title: Arbitration ‘‘Opt-in’’ Notices. OMB Control Number: 2140–0020. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension without change. Respondents: All regulated rail carriers. Number of Respondents: One (Since the ‘‘opt-in’’ notice was initiated ten years ago, only a limited number of notices have been filed. Staff estimates that one notice will be filed per year.) Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours. Frequency: Annually. Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 0.5 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 subject to the Board’s jurisdiction 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:04 May 24, 2023 Jkt 259001 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. 2023–11196 Filed 5–24–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD 30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of Collection: System Diagram Maps Surface Transportation Board. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: 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 an extension of the collection of system diagram maps, described below. DATES: Comments on this information collection should be submitted by June 26, 2023. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, Surface Transportation Board, System Diagram Maps.’’ Written comments for the proposed information collection 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 oira_ submission@omb.eop.gov; 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, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33957 Washington, DC 20423–0001, or to PRA@stb.gov. When submitting comments, please refer to ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, System Diagram Maps.’’ For further information regarding this collection, contact Pedro Ramirez at (202) 245–0333 or pedro.ramirez@stb.gov. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register (88 FR 16514 (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 Collection Title: System Diagram Maps (or, in the case of Class III carriers, the alternative narrative description of rail system). OMB Control Number: 2140–0003. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension without change. Respondents: Common carrier freight railroads that are either new or reporting changes in the status of one or more of their rail lines. Number of Respondents: 1. Estimated Time per Response: 5 hours. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Total Annual Burden Hours: 5 hours. Total ‘‘Non-Hour Burden’’ Cost: No ‘‘non-hour cost’’ burdens associated with this collection have been identified. The information may be submitted electronically. Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR 1152.10–1152.13, railroads subject to the Board’s jurisdiction must keep current system diagram maps on file, or alternatively, in the case of a Class III carrier, must submit the same information in narrative form. The information sought in this collection identifies all lines in a particular railroad’s system, categorized to E:\FR\FM\25MYN1.SGM 25MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33956-33957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11196]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD


30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of 
Collection: Arbitration ``Opt-In'' Notices

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

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 an 
extension of the collection of Arbitration ``Opt-in'' Notices, 
described below.

DATES: Comments on this information collection should be submitted by 
June 26, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration `Opt-In' Notices.'' Written 
comments for the proposed information collection 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

[[Page 33957]]

Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration `Opt-In' Notices.'' 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 16515 (Mar. 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 Collection

    Title: Arbitration ``Opt-in'' Notices.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0020.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Respondents: All regulated rail carriers.
    Number of Respondents: One (Since the ``opt-in'' notice was 
initiated ten years ago, only a limited number of notices have been 
filed. Staff estimates that one notice will be filed per year.)
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 0.5 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 subject to the 
Board's jurisdiction 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: May 22, 2023.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-11196 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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