Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 40369-40372 [2023-13133]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 21, 2023 / Notices
written statement to the committee at
any time.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023–13102 Filed 6–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA–2023–0002–N–11]
Proposed Agency Information
Collection Activities; Comment
Request
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its
implementing regulations, this notice
announces that FRA is forwarding the
Information Collection Request (ICR)
abstracted below to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and comment. The ICR describes
the information collection and its
expected burden. On March 24, 2023,
FRA published a notice providing a 60day period for public comment on the
ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before July 21,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be sent within 30 days of
publication of this notice to
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Find the particular ICR by selecting
‘‘Currently under Review—Open for
Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Joanne Swafford, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, at email:
joanne.swafford@dot.gov or telephone:
(757) 897–9908 or arlette.mussington@
dot.gov or telephone: (571) 609–1285.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA,
44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to issue
two notices seeking public comment on
information collection activities before
OMB may approve paperwork packages.
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SUMMARY:
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See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8
through 1320.12. On March 24, 2023,
FRA published a 60-day notice in the
Federal Register soliciting public
comment on the ICR for which it is now
seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR
17919. FRA has received one comment
related to the proposed collection of
information. This commenter expressed
concerns about FRA’s estimated
paperwork burdens with respect to the
Risk Reduction Program (RRP), but did
not articulate in detail which burdens
were of concern. While FRA notes this
feedback, FRA’s stakeholder-informed
process re-evaluates the estimated
paperwork burdens periodically to
ensure accuracy and FRA’s subject
matter experts also analyze the updated
data to determine accurate estimates.
Before OMB decides whether to
approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30-days’
notice for public comment. Federal law
requires OMB to approve or disapprove
paperwork packages between 30 and 60
days after the 30-day notice is
published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)–(c); 5 CFR
1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983,
Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes the 30-day
notice informs the regulated community
to file relevant comments and affords
the agency adequate time to digest
public comments before it renders a
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
Therefore, respondents should submit
their respective comments to OMB
within 30 days of publication to best
ensure having their full effect.
Comments are invited on the
following ICR regarding: (1) Whether the
information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute
its functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) 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; (3) ways for
FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information being
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of information collection
activities on the public, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
The summary below describes the ICR
that FRA will submit for OMB clearance
as the PRA requires:
Title: Risk Reduction Program.
PO 00000
Frm 00177
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40369
OMB Control Number: 2130–0610.
Abstract: In 2020, FRA issued a final
rule 1 that requires each Class I freight
railroad and each freight railroad with
inadequate safety performance (ISP) to
develop and implement a RRP to
improve the safety of its operations. RRP
is a comprehensive, system-oriented
approach to safety that determines a
railroad operation’s level of risk by
identifying and analyzing applicable
hazards, and develops plans to mitigate,
if not eliminate, that risk.
The information collected under this
regulation will be used by railroads, and
FRA, to improve safety through
structured, proactive processes that
systematically evaluate railroad safety
hazards on their systems and manage
the risks associated with those hazards
to help reduce the number and rates of
railroad accidents/incidents, injuries,
and fatalities. Each railroad has
flexibility to tailor an RRP to its specific
railroad operations. Each railroad must
implement its RRP under a written,
FRA-approved RRP plan and conduct an
annual internal assessment of its RRP,
with FRA also auditing railroads’ RRPs.
The primary reason for the reduction
in the estimated paperwork burden is
the expected decrease in the number of
responses. Specifically, all Class I
freight railroads have already submitted
their RRP plans, leading to a decrease in
the overall PRA burden, resulting in no
anticipated submissions under certain
regulatory sections.
As a result of the merger between the
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City
Southern railroads, Class I the
respondent universe was reduced from
seven to six Class I railroads. While the
individual burden remains the same, for
transparency, the burden table is being
re-published in this 30-day notice to
illustrate the updates made.
Type of Request: Extension without
change (with changes in estimates) of a
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 6 Class I
railroads and 15 Class II or Class III
freight railroads demonstrating
inadequate safety performance.
Frequency of Submission: On
occasion.
Reporting Burden:
1 85
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CFR section
Respondent universe
Total annual responses
Average
time per
responses
Total annual
burden
hours
Total cost equivalent
in U.S. dollar
(A)
(B)
(C = A * B)
(D = C * wage rates)
271.13(c)—Determination of inadequate safety performance (ISP)—Qualitative assessment—Notice to employees of possible ISP identification by FRA.
—(i)Employee confidential comments to FRA regarding
RR possible ISP identification.
—(ii)RR Documentation to FRA refuting possible ISP
identification.
—(f) and (g) Petition for reconsideration of ISP determination and petition to discontinue compliance with
this part.
15 railroads .....................
5.00 notices ....................
3 hours .......
125 employees ...............
5.00 comments ...............
30 minutes
15 railroads .....................
5.00 documents ..............
15 railroads .....................
0.67 petition ....................
271.101—Risk Reduction Programs (RRPs)—Class I
railroads.
The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under § 271.103, 271.105,
271.107, 271.109, and 271.111.
271.103—RRP hazard management program (HMPs)
Class I.
271.105—RRP safety performance evaluation (SPEs):
evaluation/assessments—Class I.
271.107—Safety Outreach—communications/reporting
to senior management—Class I.
6 railroads .......................
2.33 HMPs analyses ......
3,360 hours
7,828.80
609,941.81
6
6
6
6
147 hours ...
1,060 hours
1 hour .........
30 minutes
342.51
2,470.15
44,333.00
14.00
26,684.95
192,449.39
2,636,040.18
1,090.74
271.109—Technology analysis and technology implementation plans—Class I.
271.111—RRP implementation training—programs/training. employees/records.—Class I.
6 railroads .......................
2.33 SPEs evaluation .....
2.33 assessments ..........
44,333.00 communications.
28.00 communications ...
2.33 reports ....................
10 hours .....
23.30
1,815.30
3 minutes ...
70.00
5,453.70
271.113—Involvement of RR employees—Class I ..........
The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under § 271.401 and 271.405.
271.101(c)—Communication by Class I that host passenger train services with RRs subject to FRA System
Safety Program Requirements.
—(d) Identification/communication w/entities performing/
utilizing significant safety-related services—Class I.
—RR Identification/further communication with contractors performing/utilizing significant safety related services—Class I.
6 railroads .......................
40.00 communications/
consultations.
2 hours .......
80.00
6,232.80
6 railroads .......................
212.00 communications/
consultations.
1,488.00 communications/consultations.
1 hour .........
212.00
16,516.92
1 hour .........
1,488.00
115,930.08
271.101(a)—Risk Reduction Programs (RRPs)—ISP .....
The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under § 271.103, 271.105,
271.107, 271.109, and 271.111.
271.103—RRP hazard management program (HMPs)
ISP.
271.105—RRP safety performance evaluation (SPEs):
survey/evaluation—ISP.
271.107—Safety Outreach—communications/reporting
to management—ISP.
271.109—Technology analysis and technology implementation plans—ISP.
271.111—RRP implementation training—Records ISP
RRs (Note: The associated burdens related to training
were appropriately calculated as economic costs of
the regulatory requirement.).
15 railroads .....................
5.00 HMPs ......................
240 hours ...
1,200.00
93,492.00
15
15
15
15
15
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
15 hours .....
51 hours .....
1 hour .........
3 hours .......
5 hours .......
73.65
255.55
5.00
15.00
25.00
5,738.07
19,909.90
297.30
1,168.65
1,947.75
3 minutes ...
2.50
194.78
271.113—Involvement of RR employees ........................
The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under subparts B and E of part
271.
271.101(d)—ISPs—Identification/communication w/entities performing significant safety-related services.
15 railroads .....................
271.201/203—Written risk reduction program plans
(RRP plans)—Adoption and implementation of RRP
plans—Class I.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—Written RRP plans—ISP ...............................................
15 railroads .....................
271.207—RR Good faith consultation w/directly affected
employees—Class I.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—RR Notification to non-represented employees of consultation meeting—Class I.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—RR Good faith consultations/notices: ISP ....................
15 railroads .....................
(d)—Submission of detailed consultation statement
along w/RRP plan by Class I.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
railroads
railroads
railroads
railroads
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
6 railroads .......................
6 railroads .......................
railroads
railroads
railroads
railroads
railroads
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
15 railroads .....................
—Submission of detailed consultation statement along
15 railroads .....................
w/RRP plan by ISPs (Burden for plan copies included).
—Copy of RRP Plan—Class I .........................................
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1,400.00 records of
trained employees.
surveys ...................
SPEs ......................
communications .....
reports ....................
plans .......................
50.00 records of trained
employees.
5.00 communications/
consultations.
5.00 RRP plans ..............
5.00 consults/notices ......
5.00 consults/statements
15.00
$1,168.65
2.50
194.78
8 hours .......
40.00
3,116.40
16 hours .....
10.72
835.20
2 hours .......
96 hours .....
20 hours .....
40 hours .....
10.00
480.00
100.00
200.00
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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E:\FR\FM\21JNN1.SGM
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779.10
37,396.80
7,791.00
15,582.00
40371
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CFR section
Respondent universe
Total annual responses
Average
time per
responses
Total annual
burden
hours
Total cost equivalent
in U.S. dollar
(A)
(B)
(C = A * B)
(D = C * wage rates)
—Consultation Statement to Service List Individuals—
Class I.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—Statements from directly affected employees—Class I
railroads.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—Statements from directly affected employees—ISP .....
271.209—Substantive amendments to RRP plan—Class
I.
—Substantive amendments to RRP plan—ISP railroads
15 railroads .....................
6 railroads .......................
271.301—Filing of RRP plan w/FRA—Class I .................
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I RRs has been completed.
—Filing of RRP plan w/FRA—ISP railroads ....................
15 railroads .....................
—Class I RR corrected RRP plan ...................................
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—FRA requested Class I consultation with directly affected employees regarding substantive corrections/
changes to RRP plan.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—ISP railroad corrected RRP plan ..................................
—FRA requested ISP railroad further consultation with
directly affected employees regarding substantive
amendment to RRP plan.
271.303—Amendments consultation w/directly affected
employees on substantive amendments to RRP
plan—Class I + ISP.
—Employee statement to FRA on railroad RRP plan
substantive amendment where agreement could not
be reached Class I + ISP.
271.303—Filed amended RRP plan—Class I railroads ..
—Filed amended RRP plan—ISP ....................................
—Amended RRP plan disapproved by FRA & requested
correction—Class I and ISPs.
271.307—Retention of RRP plans—Copies of RRP
Plan/Amendments by railroad at system/division headquarters —Class I + ISP.
217.401/403—Annual internal assessment/improvement
plans—Class I.
—Annual internal assessment/improvement plans—ISP
15 railroads .....................
15 railroads .....................
1.00 RRP plan ................
1.00 consult/statement ...
2 hours .......
1 hour .........
2.00
1.00
155.82
77.91
21 railroads (Class I +
ISP).
2.00 consults ..................
1 hour .........
2.00
155.82
21 railroads (Class I +
ISP).
2.00 employee statements.
30 minutes
1.00
77.91
6 railroads .......................
15 railroads .....................
21 railroads (Class I +
ISP).
21 railroads (Class I +
ISP).
1.00 plan .........................
0.67 plan .........................
1.00 corrected RRP plan
30 minutes
30 minutes
2 hours .......
0.50
0.34
2.00
38.96
26.49
155.82
2.00 plan copies .............
10 minutes
0.33
25.71
6 railroads .......................
120 hours ...
840.00
65,444.40
32 hours .....
160.00
12,465.60
271.405—Copy of Internal assessment to FRA—Class I
—Copy of Internal assessment report to FRA—ISP .......
271.501/.503—External audits—Response to FRA’s
written notice (Note: The associated burdens related
to audit were appropriately calculated as economic
costs of the regulatory requirement.).
6 railroads .......................
15 railroads .....................
21 railroads .....................
7.00 assessments/improvement plans.
5.00 assessments/improvement plans.
7.00 reports ....................
5.00 reports ....................
7.33 responses ...............
8 hours .......
2 hours .......
4 hours .......
56.00
10.00
29.32
4,362.96
779.10
2,284.32
Appendix A—Request by FRA for additional information/
documents to determine whether railroad has met
good faith and best efforts consultation requirements
of section 271.207—Class I.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—Further railroad consultation w/employees after determination by FRA that railroad did not use good faith/
best efforts—Class I.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—Meeting to discuss administrative details of consultation process during the time between initial meeting
and applicability date—Class I s.
The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
—Meeting to discuss administrative details of consultation process during the time between initial meeting
and applicability date—ISP.
—Notification to non-represented employees of good
faith consultation process –ISP.
—Draft RRP plan proposal to employees—ISP ..............
—Employee comments on RRP plan draft proposal—
ISP RRs.
15 railroads .....................
7.00 meetings/consults ...
1 hour .........
15 railroads .....................
600.00 notices ................
15 minutes
15 railroads .....................
2,000 employees ............
20.00 proposals/copies ..
60.00 comments .............
2 hours .......
1 hour .........
Appendix B—Request to FRA for electronic submission
or FRA review of written materials.
Totals .................................................................
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15 railroads .....................
15 railroads .....................
12.00 statements ............
1.00 amended written
plan.
0.67 amended written
plan.
5.00 filed plans ...............
1 hour .........
8 hours .......
12.00
8.00
934.92
623.28
8 hours .......
5.36
417.60
2 hours .......
10.00
779.10
7.00
545.37
150.00
11,686.50
40.00
60.00
3,116.40
4,674.60
60,694
3,910,597
FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
21 railroads .....................
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48,374 responses ...........
Sfmt 4703
N/A .............
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40372
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 21, 2023 / Notices
Total Estimated Annual Responses:
48,374.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
60,694.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour
Dollar Cost Equivalent: $3,910,597.
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 that does
not display a currently valid OMB
control number.
(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520)
Brett A. Jortland,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023–13133 Filed 6–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA–2023–0002–N–10]
Proposed Agency Information
Collection Activities; Comment
Request
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its
implementing regulations, this notice
announces that FRA is forwarding the
Information Collection Request (ICR)
abstracted below to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and comment. The ICR describes
the information collection and its
expected burden. On March 24, 2023,
FRA published a notice providing a 60day period for public comment on the
ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before July 21,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be sent within 30 days of
publication of this notice to
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Find the particular ICR by selecting
‘‘Currently under Review—Open for
Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email:
arlette.mussington@dot.gov or
telephone: (571) 609–1285 or Ms.
Joanne Swafford, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, at email:
joanne.swafford@dot.gov or telephone:
(757) 897–9908.
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SUMMARY:
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18:36 Jun 20, 2023
Jkt 259001
The PRA,
44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to issue
two notices seeking public comment on
information collection activities before
OMB may approve paperwork packages.
See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8
through 1320.12. On March 24, 2023,
FRA published a 60-day notice in the
Federal Register soliciting public
comment on the ICR for which it is now
seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR
17917. FRA received no comments
related to the proposed collection of
information.
Before OMB decides whether to
approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30-days’
notice for public comment. Federal law
requires OMB to approve or disapprove
paperwork packages between 30 and 60
days after the 30-day notice is
published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)–(c); 5 CFR
1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983,
Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes the 30-day
notice informs the regulated community
to file relevant comments and affords
the agency adequate time to digest
public comments before it renders a
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
Therefore, respondents should submit
their respective comments to OMB
within 30 days of publication to best
ensure having their full effect.
Comments are invited on the
following ICR regarding: (1) Whether the
information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute
its functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) 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; (3) ways for
FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information being
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of information collection
activities on the public, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
The summary below describes the ICR
that FRA will submit for OMB clearance
as the PRA requires:
Title: System Safety Program Plan.
OMB Control Number: 2130–0599.
Abstract: In 2020, FRA issued a final
rule 1 that requires passenger rail
operations to develop and implement a
system safety program (SSP) to improve
the safety of their operations.
FRA uses the information collected to
help ensure that commuter and intercity
passenger rail operations establish and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
implement SSPs to improve the safety of
their operations and to confirm
compliance with the rule. Each
passenger rail operation should use its
SSP to proactively identify and mitigate
or eliminate hazards and the resulting
risk on its system at an early stage to
reduce the number of railroad accidents,
incidents, and associated injuries,
fatalities, and property damage. A
passenger rail operation has the
flexibility to tailor an SSP to its specific
operations. An SSP must be fully
implemented within 36 months of
FRA’s approval of a passenger rail
operation’s submitted SSP plan. Under
the SSP regulation, FRA will audit a
passenger rail operation’s compliance
with its SSP plan and will use the
information collected to ensure
compliance with this regulation.
Type of Request: Extension without
change (with changes in estimates) of a
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 33 passenger
rail operations + 1 new passenger rail
operation.
Frequency of Submission: On
occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Responses:
767.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
1,891 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour
Dollar Cost Equivalent: $153,019.
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 that does
not display a currently valid OMB
control number.
(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520)
Brett A. Jortland,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023–13131 Filed 6–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA–2023–0007 (Notice No.
2023–08)]
Hazardous Materials: Information
Collection Activities
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), Department of Transportation
(DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
SUMMARY:
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FR 12826 (Mar. 4, 2020).
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40369-40372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13133]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-11]
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its
implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding
the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR
describes the information collection and its expected burden. On March
24, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public
comment on the ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
July 21, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find the particular ICR by selecting
``Currently under Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or
telephone: (757) 897-9908 or [email protected] or telephone:
(571) 609-1285.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to
issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection
activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. See 44 U.S.C.
3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On March 24, 2023, FRA
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR
17919. FRA has received one comment related to the proposed collection
of information. This commenter expressed concerns about FRA's estimated
paperwork burdens with respect to the Risk Reduction Program (RRP), but
did not articulate in detail which burdens were of concern. While FRA
notes this feedback, FRA's stakeholder-informed process re-evaluates
the estimated paperwork burdens periodically to ensure accuracy and
FRA's subject matter experts also analyze the updated data to determine
accurate estimates.
Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30-days' notice for public comment.
Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages
between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day notice is published. 44 U.S.C.
3507(b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29,
1995. OMB believes the 30-day notice informs the regulated community to
file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest
public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29,
1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to
OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full
effect.
Comments are invited on the following ICR regarding: (1) Whether
the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly
execute its functions, including whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) 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; (3) ways
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
being collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of information
collection activities on the public, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Risk Reduction Program.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0610.
Abstract: In 2020, FRA issued a final rule \1\ that requires each
Class I freight railroad and each freight railroad with inadequate
safety performance (ISP) to develop and implement a RRP to improve the
safety of its operations. RRP is a comprehensive, system-oriented
approach to safety that determines a railroad operation's level of risk
by identifying and analyzing applicable hazards, and develops plans to
mitigate, if not eliminate, that risk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 85 FR 9262 (Feb. 18, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information collected under this regulation will be used by
railroads, and FRA, to improve safety through structured, proactive
processes that systematically evaluate railroad safety hazards on their
systems and manage the risks associated with those hazards to help
reduce the number and rates of railroad accidents/incidents, injuries,
and fatalities. Each railroad has flexibility to tailor an RRP to its
specific railroad operations. Each railroad must implement its RRP
under a written, FRA-approved RRP plan and conduct an annual internal
assessment of its RRP, with FRA also auditing railroads' RRPs.
The primary reason for the reduction in the estimated paperwork
burden is the expected decrease in the number of responses.
Specifically, all Class I freight railroads have already submitted
their RRP plans, leading to a decrease in the overall PRA burden,
resulting in no anticipated submissions under certain regulatory
sections.
As a result of the merger between the Canadian Pacific and Kansas
City Southern railroads, Class I the respondent universe was reduced
from seven to six Class I railroads. While the individual burden
remains the same, for transparency, the burden table is being re-
published in this 30-day notice to illustrate the updates made.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 6 Class I railroads and 15 Class II or Class
III freight railroads demonstrating inadequate safety performance.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
[[Page 40370]]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Average time per annual Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses responses burden equivalent in U.S.
hours dollar
(A)............................ (B).............. (C = A * B) (D = C * wage
rates)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.13(c)--Determination of 15 railroads................... 5.00 notices................... 3 hours.......... 15.00 $1,168.65
inadequate safety performance
(ISP)--Qualitative assessment--
Notice to employees of possible
ISP identification by FRA.
--(i)Employee confidential 125 employees.................. 5.00 comments.................. 30 minutes....... 2.50 194.78
comments to FRA regarding RR
possible ISP identification.
--(ii)RR Documentation to FRA 15 railroads................... 5.00 documents................. 8 hours.......... 40.00 3,116.40
refuting possible ISP
identification.
--(f) and (g) Petition for 15 railroads................... 0.67 petition.................. 16 hours......... 10.72 835.20
reconsideration of ISP
determination and petition to
discontinue compliance with this
part.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.101--Risk Reduction Programs The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 271.103, 271.105, 271.107,
(RRPs)--Class I railroads. 271.109, and 271.111.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.103--RRP hazard management 6 railroads.................... 2.33 HMPs analyses............. 3,360 hours...... 7,828.80 609,941.81
program (HMPs) Class I.
271.105--RRP safety performance 6 railroads.................... 2.33 SPEs evaluation........... 147 hours........ 342.51 26,684.95
evaluation (SPEs): evaluation/ 6 railroads.................... 2.33 assessments............... 1,060 hours...... 2,470.15 192,449.39
assessments--Class I.
271.107--Safety Outreach-- 6 railroads.................... 44,333.00 communications....... 1 hour........... 44,333.00 2,636,040.18
communications/reporting to 6 railroads.................... 28.00 communications........... 30 minutes....... 14.00 1,090.74
senior management--Class I.
271.109--Technology analysis and 6 railroads.................... 2.33 reports................... 10 hours......... 23.30 1,815.30
technology implementation plans--
Class I.
271.111--RRP implementation 6 railroads.................... 1,400.00 records of trained 3 minutes........ 70.00 5,453.70
training--programs/training. employees.
employees/records.--Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.113--Involvement of RR The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 271.401 and 271.405.
employees--Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.101(c)--Communication by 6 railroads.................... 40.00 communications/ 2 hours.......... 80.00 6,232.80
Class I that host passenger consultations.
train services with RRs subject
to FRA System Safety Program
Requirements.
--(d) Identification/ 6 railroads.................... 212.00 communications/ 1 hour........... 212.00 16,516.92
communication w/entities consultations.
performing/utilizing significant
safety-related services--Class I.
--RR Identification/further 6 railroads.................... 1,488.00 communications/ 1 hour........... 1,488.00 115,930.08
communication with contractors consultations.
performing/utilizing significant
safety related services--Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.101(a)--Risk Reduction The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 271.103, 271.105, 271.107,
Programs (RRPs)--ISP. 271.109, and 271.111.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.103--RRP hazard management 15 railroads................... 5.00 HMPs...................... 240 hours........ 1,200.00 93,492.00
program (HMPs) ISP.
271.105--RRP safety performance 15 railroads................... 5.00 surveys................... 15 hours......... 73.65 5,738.07
evaluation (SPEs): survey/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 SPEs...................... 51 hours......... 255.55 19,909.90
evaluation--ISP.
271.107--Safety Outreach-- 15 railroads................... 5.00 communications............ 1 hour........... 5.00 297.30
communications/reporting to 15 railroads................... 5.00 reports................... 3 hours.......... 15.00 1,168.65
management--ISP.
271.109--Technology analysis and 15 railroads................... 5.00 plans..................... 5 hours.......... 25.00 1,947.75
technology implementation plans--
ISP.
271.111--RRP implementation 15 railroads................... 50.00 records of trained 3 minutes........ 2.50 194.78
training--Records ISP RRs (Note: employees.
The associated burdens related
to training were appropriately
calculated as economic costs of
the regulatory requirement.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.113--Involvement of RR The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under subparts B and E of part 271.
employees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.101(d)--ISPs--Identification/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 communications/ 2 hours.......... 10.00 779.10
communication w/entities consultations.
performing significant safety-
related services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.201/203--Written risk The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
reduction program plans (RRP
plans)--Adoption and
implementation of RRP plans--
Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Written RRP plans--ISP......... 15 railroads................... 5.00 RRP plans................. 96 hours......... 480.00 37,396.80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.207--RR Good faith The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
consultation w/directly affected
employees--Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--RR Notification to non- The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
represented employees of
consultation meeting--Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--RR Good faith consultations/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 consults/notices.......... 20 hours......... 100.00 7,791.00
notices: ISP.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d)--Submission of detailed The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
consultation statement along w/
RRP plan by Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Submission of detailed 15 railroads................... 5.00 consults/statements....... 40 hours......... 200.00 15,582.00
consultation statement along w/
RRP plan by ISPs (Burden for
plan copies included).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Copy of RRP Plan--Class I...... The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 40371]]
--Consultation Statement to The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
Service List Individuals--Class
I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Statements from directly The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
affected employees--Class I
railroads.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Statements from directly 15 railroads................... 12.00 statements............... 1 hour........... 12.00 934.92
affected employees--ISP.
271.209--Substantive amendments 6 railroads.................... 1.00 amended written plan...... 8 hours.......... 8.00 623.28
to RRP plan--Class I.
--Substantive amendments to RRP 15 railroads................... 0.67 amended written plan...... 8 hours.......... 5.36 417.60
plan--ISP railroads.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271.301--Filing of RRP plan w/ The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I RRs has been completed.
FRA--Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Filing of RRP plan w/FRA--ISP 15 railroads................... 5.00 filed plans............... 2 hours.......... 10.00 779.10
railroads.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Class I RR corrected RRP plan.. The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--FRA requested Class I The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
consultation with directly
affected employees regarding
substantive corrections/changes
to RRP plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--ISP railroad corrected RRP plan 15 railroads................... 1.00 RRP plan.................. 2 hours.......... 2.00 155.82
--FRA requested ISP railroad 15 railroads................... 1.00 consult/statement......... 1 hour........... 1.00 77.91
further consultation with
directly affected employees
regarding substantive amendment
to RRP plan.
271.303--Amendments consultation 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 2.00 consults.................. 1 hour........... 2.00 155.82
w/directly affected employees on
substantive amendments to RRP
plan--Class I + ISP.
--Employee statement to FRA on 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 2.00 employee statements....... 30 minutes....... 1.00 77.91
railroad RRP plan substantive
amendment where agreement could
not be reached Class I + ISP.
271.303--Filed amended RRP plan-- 6 railroads.................... 1.00 plan...................... 30 minutes....... 0.50 38.96
Class I railroads.
--Filed amended RRP plan--ISP.... 15 railroads................... 0.67 plan...................... 30 minutes....... 0.34 26.49
--Amended RRP plan disapproved by 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 1.00 corrected RRP plan........ 2 hours.......... 2.00 155.82
FRA & requested correction--
Class I and ISPs.
271.307--Retention of RRP plans-- 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 2.00 plan copies............... 10 minutes....... 0.33 25.71
Copies of RRP Plan/Amendments by
railroad at system/division
headquarters --Class I + ISP.
217.401/403--Annual internal 6 railroads.................... 7.00 assessments/improvement 120 hours........ 840.00 65,444.40
assessment/improvement plans-- plans.
Class I.
--Annual internal assessment/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 assessments/improvement 32 hours......... 160.00 12,465.60
improvement plans--ISP. plans.
271.405--Copy of Internal 6 railroads.................... 7.00 reports................... 8 hours.......... 56.00 4,362.96
assessment to FRA--Class I.
--Copy of Internal assessment 15 railroads................... 5.00 reports................... 2 hours.......... 10.00 779.10
report to FRA--ISP.
271.501/.503--External audits-- 21 railroads................... 7.33 responses................. 4 hours.......... 29.32 2,284.32
Response to FRA's written notice
(Note: The associated burdens
related to audit were
appropriately calculated as
economic costs of the regulatory
requirement.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix A--Request by FRA for The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
additional information/documents
to determine whether railroad
has met good faith and best
efforts consultation
requirements of section 271.207--
Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Further railroad consultation w/ The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
employees after determination by
FRA that railroad did not use
good faith/best efforts--Class I.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Meeting to discuss The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
administrative details of
consultation process during the
time between initial meeting and
applicability date--Class I s.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Meeting to discuss 15 railroads................... 7.00 meetings/consults......... 1 hour........... 7.00 545.37
administrative details of
consultation process during the
time between initial meeting and
applicability date--ISP.
--Notification to non-represented 15 railroads................... 600.00 notices................. 15 minutes....... 150.00 11,686.50
employees of good faith
consultation process -ISP.
--Draft RRP plan proposal to 15 railroads................... 20.00 proposals/copies......... 2 hours.......... 40.00 3,116.40
employees--ISP.
--Employee comments on RRP plan 2,000 employees................ 60.00 comments................. 1 hour........... 60.00 4,674.60
draft proposal--ISP RRs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix B--Request to FRA for FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
electronic submission or FRA
review of written materials.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals................... 21 railroads................... 48,374 responses............... N/A.............. 60,694 3,910,597
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 40372]]
Total Estimated Annual Responses: 48,374.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 60,694.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$3,910,597.
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 that does not display a currently valid OMB control
number.
(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520)
Brett A. Jortland,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023-13133 Filed 6-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
