Surface Transportation Board June 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Board has approved the third quarter 2014 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The third quarter 2014 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 0.985. The third quarter 2014 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.424. The third quarter 2014 RCAF-5 is 0.401.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501- 3519 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice that it is requesting from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of an extension of the information collectionApplications for Land-Use-Exemption Permits (for Solid Waste Rail Transfer Facilities)further described below. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on April 11, 2014, at 79 FR 20304. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10501(c)(2), as amended by the Clean Railroads Act of 2008 (CRA), the Board issued rules in Solid Waste Rail Transfer Facilities, EP 684 (served on March 24, 2011). Under these rules, a person seeking a land-use-exemption permit must file an application including (1) substantial facts and argument as to why a permit is necessary and (2) as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, an environmental report and/or an environmental impact statement. Under 49 CFR 1155.20, an applicant is required to file a notice of intent to apply for a land-use-exemption permit before filing its application. A suggested form for this notice may be found in Appendix A to part 1155. Further, under 49 CFR 1155.21(e), an application must include a draft Federal Register notice. A suggested form for the draft Federal Register notice may be found at Appendix B to part 1155. Comments may now be submitted to OMB concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) 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; and (4) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board's request for OMB approval.