[Federal Register: February 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 28)]
[Notices]
[Page 6656-6658]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12fe07-142]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its
implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently
approved information collection activities. Before submitting these
information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on
specific aspects of the activities identified below.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than April 13, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of
Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC
20590, or Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff, RAD-
43, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop
35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge
receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed
stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number ------.''
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6230 or (202) 493-6170, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at
robert.brogan@dot.gov, or to Ms. Christodoulou at
gina.christodoulou@dot.gov. Please refer
[[Page 6657]]
to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence submitted. FRA
will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a
subsequent notice and include them in its information collection
submission to OMB for approval.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6292) or Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff,
RAD-43, 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),
Public Law 104-13, section 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 provide 60-days notice to the public
for comment on information collection activities before seeking
approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A);
5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA
invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of
proposed information collection activities regarding (i) Whether the
information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly
execute its functions, including whether the activities will have
practical utility; (ii) 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; (iii) ways
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of
information collection activities on the public by automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will
promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens
associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal
regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will
advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure
that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user
friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii)
accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
Below are brief summaries of the two currently approved information
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
Title: Foreign Railroads' Foreign-Based (FRFB) Employees Who
Perform Train or Dispatching Service in the United States.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0555.
Abstract: The collection of information is used by FRA to determine
compliance of FRFB train and dispatching service employees and their
employers with the prohibition against the abuse of alcohol and
controlled substances. Because of the increase in cross-border train
operations and the increased risk posed to the safety of train
operations in the United States, FRA seeks to apply all of the
requirements of 49 CFR part 219 to FRFB train and dispatching service
employees. The basic information--evidence of unauthorized use of drugs
and alcohol--is used by FRA to help prevent accidents/incidents by
screening FRFB who perform safety-sensitive functions for unauthorized
drug or alcohol use. FRFB train and dispatching service employees
testing positive for unauthorized use of alcohol and drugs are removed
from service, thereby enhancing safety and serving as a deterrent to
other FRFB train and dispatching service employees who might be tempted
to engage in the unauthorized use of drugs or alcohol.
Form Number(s): None.
Respondent Universe: 2 Railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Affected Public: Foreign-based railroads and their employees.
Reporting Burden:
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Respondent Total annual Average time Total annual Total annual
CFR section universe responses per response burden hours burden cost
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219.4--Recognition of Foreign 2 railroads.... 1 petition..... 10 hours....... 10 $370
Railroads' Workplace Testing 2 railroads/ 2 comments + 2 2 hours........ 4 148
Programs: Petitions to public. comment copies.
Agency--Comments on Petition.
219.401/403/405--Voluntary 2 railroads.... 2 policies..... 30 hours....... 60 2,364
referral and Co-worker
Report Policies.
219.403/405--Evaluation by 2 railroads.... 3 reports/ 2 hours........ 6 900
Substance Abuse Professional. referrals.
219.405(c)(1)--Report by a Co- 2 railroads.... 1 report....... 5 minutes...... .08 3
worker.
219. 601(a)--Railroad Random 2 railroads.... 2 programs..... 16 hours....... 32 1,184
Drug Testing Programs-- 2 railroads.... 1 amendment.... 1 hour......... 1 37
Amendments to Programs.
219.601(b)(1)--Random 2 railroads.... 24 documents... 4 hours........ 96 1,440
Selection Procedures--Drugs.
219.601(b)(4), 219.601(d)-- 2 railroads.... 2 notices...... 10 hours....... 20 740
Notice to Employees of 2 railroads.... 20 notices..... 1 minute....... .333 12
Random Drug Testing Program--
Notice to Employees of
Selection for Testing.
219.603(a)--Notice by 200 employees.. 2 excuses...... 15 minutes..... .5 22
Employee Asking to be
Excused from Urine Testing.
219.607(a)--Railroad Random 2 railroads.... 1 amendment.... 1 hour......... 1 37
Alcohol Testing Programs:
Amendments.
219.609--Notice by Employee 200 employees.. 2 excuses...... 15 minutes..... .5 22
Asking to be Excused from
Random Alcohol Testing.
219.903--Retention of Urine 2 railroads.... 80 records..... 5 minutes...... 7 105
Drug Testing Records.
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[[Page 6658]]
Total Responses: 145.
Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 238 hours.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Title: Special Notice For Repairs.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
Abstract: The Special Notice For Repairs is issued to notify the
carrier in writing of an unsafe condition involving a locomotive, car,
or track. The carrier must return the form after repairs have been
made. The collection of information is used by State and Federal
inspectors to remove freight cars or locomotives until they can be
restored to a serviceable condition. It is also used by State and
Federal inspectors to reduce the maximum authorized speed on a section
of track until repairs can be made.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.8; FRA F 6180.8a.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Responses: 57.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 6 hours.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b),
1320.8(b)(3)(vi), 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 unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 6, 2007.
D.J. Stadtler,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-2225 Filed 2-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P