Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection, 58241-58242 [2024-15638]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 17, 2024 / Notices homepage at the following link: https:// www.ssa.gov/sci/. Chad Poist, Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance, and Management, Social Security Administration. [FR Doc. 2024–15739 Filed 7–16–24; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA–2024–0053] Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection BILLING CODE 4191–02–P Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: DEPARTMENT OF STATE Delegation of the Authority of the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs To Invoke the Deliberative-Process Privilege ACTION: Delegation of authority. The State Department is publishing a Delegation of Authority signed by Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs on July 10, 2024. SUMMARY: Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, signed the following ‘‘Delegation of Authority to the Deputy Assistant Secretaries, for Western Hemisphere Affairs’’ on July 10, 2024. The State Department maintains the original document. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (Begin text.) By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Secretary of State in Delegation of Authority No. 479, dated December 17, 2019, and to the extent authorized by law, I hereby re-delegate to the Deputy Assistant Secretaries of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs the authority to assert the deliberativeprocess privilege in judicial and administrative proceedings. Nothing in this delegation of authority shall be deemed to supersede or otherwise affect any other delegation of authority. This delegation shall expire upon the entry upon duty of a subsequently appointed or designated Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, unless sooner revoked. This document will be published in the Federal Register. (End text.) Kevin E. Bryant, Deputy Director, Office of Directives Management, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2024–15646 Filed 7–16–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–29–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:21 Jul 16, 2024 Jkt 262001 The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by August 16, 2024. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number 0053 by any of the following methods: Website: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Johnston, (202) 591–5858, Office of Preconstruction, Construction and Pavements, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on May 9, 2024, at [89 FR 39679]. The comments and FHWA’s responses are below: The document was published for a 60day notice in the Federal Register. The document citation is 89 FR 39679. There were seventeen (17) comments during this comment period, many of which were identical. In summary, each SUMMARY: [Delegation of Authority No. 479–2] PO 00000 Frm 00140 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58241 comment stated how important the Value Engineering Program is and the data collection is an important part of demonstrating good stewardship of public funds. Each comment encouraged the continuation of the data collection, and that the data shows that the Value Engineering program is effective. FHWA acknowledges these comments. Several commenters encouraged FHWA to collect more data, and to ask OMB to reinstate all federal agencies reporting associated with OMB Circular A–131. One commenter stated that they would like to have access to data reported by other states. In an effort to reduce the burden on state DOT’s, FHWA streamlined the data collection process to highlight the cost expended, cost savings and return on investment that comes from Value Engineering. All state’s data is available on FHWA’s Value Engineering website for public review https:// www.fhwa.dot.gov/ve/vereport.cfm. Commenters are encouraged to reach out to OMB about reinstating OMB Circular A–131. Two commenters suggested that FHWA develop an electronic database that allows for the entry of the requested information and allow this database to be viewable by the public so that they can compare data. In 2023, FHWA created an electronic form for state DOT’s to input their annual data. This form populates the summary information that is available to the public on FHWA’s Value Engineering website. This information is sortable by state, fiscal year, costs, and a number of other factors. Users can also download this information in to a PDF for their use. Title: Annual Value Engineering Call for Data. Background: Value Engineering (VE) is defined as a systematic process of review and analysis of a project, during the concept and design phases, by a multidiscipline team of persons not involved in the project, that is conducted to provide recommendations for providing the needed functions safely, reliably, efficiently, and at the lowest overall cost; improving the value and quality of the project; and reducing the time to complete the project. Applicable projects requiring a VE analysis include Projects on the National Highway System (NHS) receiving Federal assistance with an estimated total cost of $50,000,000 or more; Bridge projects on the NHS receiving Federal assistance with an estimated total cost of $40,000,000 or more; any major project, as defined in E:\FR\FM\17JYN1.SGM 17JYN1 58242 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 17, 2024 / Notices 23 U.S.C. 106(h), located on or off the NHS, that utilizes Federal-aid highway funding in any contract or phase; and other projects as defined in 23 CFR 627.5. 23 U.S.C. 106(e)(4)(iv) and 23 CFR 627.7(3) require States to monitor, evaluate, and annually submit a report that describes the results of the value analyses that are conducted, and the recommendations implemented on applicable projects. The FHWA annually submits a National Call for VE Data in order to monitor and assess the VE Program and meet the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 106(h). Respondents: 52, including 50 State Transportation Departments, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Frequency: Annually. Estimated Average Burden per Response: Approximately 2 hours per participant over a year. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Approximately 104 hours per year. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: July 11, 2024. Jazmyne Lewis, Information Collection Officer. [FR Doc. 2024–15638 Filed 7–16–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 [Docket No. FHWA–2024–0054] Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:21 Jul 16, 2024 Jkt 262001 The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by August 16, 2024. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number 0054 by any of the following methods: Website: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frances Ramirez, (202) 961–8605 FHWA, Office of Federal Lands Highway, Office of Federal Lands Programs, 22001 Loudoun County Parkway, Building E1, Suite 150, Ashburn, VA 20147. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on May 9th, 2024, at 89 FR 39678. The comments and FHWA’s responses are below: One comment was submitted on July 8, 2024, and no contact information was provided. In summary, the comment requested monthly cleaning of highways, fix potholes and mandate wildlife corridors, also known as green corridors on highways, in each state. The comment describes the benefits of wildlife corridors; including, safe passage during migrations, promote genetic diversity by avoiding habitat fragmentation, prevents animal-vehicle collisions creating safe corridors for big and small animals, and minimizes human-animal interaction. The NSFLTP Program supports wildlife crossings infrastructure and may be eligible as long the project is a single continuous project on a Federal Lands transportation facility, a Federal Lands SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00141 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 access transportation facility, or a Tribal transportation facility (as defined in 23 U.S.C. 101) (FAST Act, section 1123(c)(1), (d)). Title: Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program. Background: The NSFLTP Program was authorized under section 1123 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Pub. L. 114– 94) and amended by section 11127 of the BIL. The NSFLTP Program funds are to be awarded on a competitive basis for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally significant projects within, adjacent to, or accessing Federal and Tribal lands. The NSFLTP Program provides an opportunity to address significant challenges across the Nation for transportation facilities that serve Federal and Tribal lands. Respondents: Eligible applicants include Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA); Tribal Governments; and States, counties, and units of local government may also apply, but only if sponsored by an FLMA or Tribal Government. On average, there are about 1,011 respondents. Frequency: Annually. Estimated Average Burden per Response: The average burden hours per response varies from 15 minutes to 10 hours depending on the form the applicant completes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Total estimated average annual burden is 2,392 hours. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: July 12, 2024. Jazmyne Lewis, Information Collection Officer. [FR Doc. 2024–15744 Filed 7–16–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P E:\FR\FM\17JYN1.SGM 17JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58241-58242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15638]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2024-0053]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments 
for a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request 
described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
to approve a new information collection. We are required to publish 
this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995.

DATES: Please submit comments by August 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number 
0053 by any of the following methods:
    Website: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of Transportation, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Johnston, (202) 591-5858, Office 
of Preconstruction, Construction and Pavements, Federal Highway 
Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We published a Federal Register Notice with 
a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on May 9, 
2024, at [89 FR 39679]. The comments and FHWA's responses are below:
    The document was published for a 60-day notice in the Federal 
Register. The document citation is 89 FR 39679. There were seventeen 
(17) comments during this comment period, many of which were identical. 
In summary, each comment stated how important the Value Engineering 
Program is and the data collection is an important part of 
demonstrating good stewardship of public funds. Each comment encouraged 
the continuation of the data collection, and that the data shows that 
the Value Engineering program is effective.
    FHWA acknowledges these comments.
    Several commenters encouraged FHWA to collect more data, and to ask 
OMB to reinstate all federal agencies reporting associated with OMB 
Circular A-131. One commenter stated that they would like to have 
access to data reported by other states.
    In an effort to reduce the burden on state DOT's, FHWA streamlined 
the data collection process to highlight the cost expended, cost 
savings and return on investment that comes from Value Engineering. All 
state's data is available on FHWA's Value Engineering website for 
public review https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ve/vereport.cfm. Commenters are 
encouraged to reach out to OMB about reinstating OMB Circular A-131.
    Two commenters suggested that FHWA develop an electronic database 
that allows for the entry of the requested information and allow this 
database to be viewable by the public so that they can compare data.
    In 2023, FHWA created an electronic form for state DOT's to input 
their annual data. This form populates the summary information that is 
available to the public on FHWA's Value Engineering website. This 
information is sortable by state, fiscal year, costs, and a number of 
other factors. Users can also download this information in to a PDF for 
their use.
    Title: Annual Value Engineering Call for Data.
    Background: Value Engineering (VE) is defined as a systematic 
process of review and analysis of a project, during the concept and 
design phases, by a multidiscipline team of persons not involved in the 
project, that is conducted to provide recommendations for providing the 
needed functions safely, reliably, efficiently, and at the lowest 
overall cost; improving the value and quality of the project; and 
reducing the time to complete the project. Applicable projects 
requiring a VE analysis include Projects on the National Highway System 
(NHS) receiving Federal assistance with an estimated total cost of 
$50,000,000 or more; Bridge projects on the NHS receiving Federal 
assistance with an estimated total cost of $40,000,000 or more; any 
major project, as defined in

[[Page 58242]]

23 U.S.C. 106(h), located on or off the NHS, that utilizes Federal-aid 
highway funding in any contract or phase; and other projects as defined 
in 23 CFR 627.5. 23 U.S.C. 106(e)(4)(iv) and 23 CFR 627.7(3) require 
States to monitor, evaluate, and annually submit a report that 
describes the results of the value analyses that are conducted, and the 
recommendations implemented on applicable projects. The FHWA annually 
submits a National Call for VE Data in order to monitor and assess the 
VE Program and meet the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 106(h).
    Respondents: 52, including 50 State Transportation Departments, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: Approximately 2 hours per 
participant over a year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Approximately 104 hours per 
year.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of 
the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, 
usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that 
the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic 
technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. 
The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request 
for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

    Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.

     Issued on: July 11, 2024.
Jazmyne Lewis,
Information Collection Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-15638 Filed 7-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

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