Surface Transportation Board November 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On November 23, 2005, the Board served a decision announcing the 2004 revenue adequacy determinations for the Nation's Class I railroads. One carrier, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, is found to be revenue adequate.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice that the Board has submitted to OMB a request for review and clearance of the seven existing collections listed above, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA). For the most part, these collections continue current Board reporting requirements without revision. As described below, a minor revision has been made to Collection No.1, Class I Railroad Annual Report. OMB control numbers were obtained in the past, but have expired, for six of the seven information collections that are the subject of this request. The Board previously published a notice about these collections in the Federal Register on May 19, 2005 at 70 FR 28979. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. The purpose of the current notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment to satisfy the requirements of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3507(b). Comments are requested concerning each collection as to (1) whether the particular collection of information described below 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 considered by OMB prior to approval of the proposed collection.

On November 1, 2005, the Surface Transportation Board issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), notice of availability of a draft Scope of Study for the EIS, notice of scoping meetings, and request for comments for the subject proceeding that contained an inadvertent error (see 70 FR 65976). The due date for comments was identified as January 13, 2005. The correct date is January 13, 2006. Please revise your copies accordingly.