[Federal Register: July 1, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 39180-39181]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy03-115]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice and Request For Comments.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information
Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The
ICRs describe the nature of the information collection and its expected
burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period
soliciting comments on the following collections of information was
published on April 25, 2003 (68 FR 20426).
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 31, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6292) or Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6139). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Pub. L. No. 104-13, Sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised
at 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. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1),
1320.12. On April 25, 2003, FRA published a 60-day notice in the
Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was seeking
OMB approval. 68 FR 20426. FRA received no comments after issuing this
notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection
activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 1320.5(a)
and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR
1320.12(c).
Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C.
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). 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 that 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. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
The summaries below describe the nature of the information
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The revised
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by
the PRA.
Title: Railroad Operating Rules.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0035.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Form(s): N/A.
Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad
operating rules set forth in 49 CFR part 217 which require Class I and
Class II railroads to file with FRA copies of their operating rules,
timetables, and timetable special instructions, and subsequent
amendments thereto. Class III railroads are required to retain copies
of these documents at their systems headquarters. Also, 49 CFR
220.21(b) prescribes the collection of information which requires
railroads to retain one copy of their current operating rules with
respect to radio communications and one copy of each subsequent
amendment thereto. These documents must be made available to FRA upon
request.
Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 766,428 hours.
Title: Rear-End Marking Devices.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Form(s): N/A.
Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR
part 221 which requires railroads to furnish a detailed description of
the type of marking device to be used for the trailing end of rear cars
in order to ensure rear cars meet minimum standards for visibility and
display. Railroads are required to furnish a certification that the
device has been tested in accordance with current ``Guidelines for
Testing Rear End Marking Devices.'' Additionally, railroads are
required to furnish detailed test records which include the testing
organizations, description of tests, number of samples tested, and the
test results in order to demonstrate compliance with the performance
standard.
Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 4 hours.
Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0535.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Form(s): N/A.
Abstract: Section 21039 of Title 49 of the United States Code
required FRA to issue rules, regulations, orders, and standards for the
safety of maintenance-
[[Page 39181]]
of-way employees on railroad bridges, including for ``bridge safety
equipment'' such as nets, walkways, handrails, and safety lines, and
requirements for the use of vessels when work is performed on bridges
located over bodies of water. FRA has added 49 CFR part 214 to
establish minimum workplace safety standards for railroad employees as
they apply to railroad bridges. Specifically, section 214.15(c)
establishes standards and practices for safety net systems. Safety nets
and net installations are to be drop-tested at the job site after
initial installation and before being used as a fall protection system,
after major repairs, and at six-month intervals if left at one site. If
a drop-test is not feasible and is not performed, then a written
certification must be made by the railroad or railroad contractor, or a
designated certified person, that the net does comply with the safety
standards of this section. FRA and State inspectors use the information
to enforce Federal regulations. The information that is maintained is
at the job site promotes safe bridge worker practices.
Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 1 hour.
Addressee: Send comments regarding any of these information
collections to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office
of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC
20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer.
Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of
the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB
receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal
Register.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Issued in Washington, DC on June 25, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-16558 Filed 6-30-03; 8:45 am]
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