[Federal Register: June 6, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 109)]
[Notices]
[Page 30501-30502]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06jn01-153]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2000-8033]
Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review: OMB
Control No. 2126-0010 (Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program)
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FMCSA announces that the Information Collection Request
(ICR) described in this notice has been sent to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The FMCSA is
requesting OMB's continued approval of the information that is required
for the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. The ICR describes the
information collection and its expected cost and burden. The Federal
Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on this
information collection was published on November 1, 2000 (65 FR 65372).
We are required to send ICRs to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
DATES: Please submit comments by July 6, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James D. McCauley, (202) 366-0133,
Office of Safety Programs, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,
400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
ADDRESS: Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20503, Attention: DOT Desk Officer. We particularly
request your comments on whether the collection of information is
necessary for the FMCSA to meet its goal of reducing truck crashes,
including whether the information is useful to this goal; the accuracy
of the estimate of the burden of the information collection; ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 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. OMB wants to receive comments
within 30 days of publication of this notice in order to act on the ICR
quickly.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP).
OMB Approval Number: 2126-0010.
Background: Sections 401-404 of the Surface Transportation
Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA) established a program of financial
assistance to States for the purpose of implementing programs to
enforce (a) Federal rules, regulations, standards, and orders
applicable to commercial motor vehicle safety; and (b) compatible State
rules, regulations, standards, and orders. This grant-in-aid program is
known as the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). The
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) added
programs, such as drug interdiction, traffic enforcement, and size and
weight activities to the core program established by the STAA.
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) further
revised the MCSAP by broadening its purpose beyond enforcement
activities and programs by requiring participating States to assume
greater responsibility for improving motor carrier safety. The TEA-21
required States to develop performance-based plans reflecting national
priorities and performance goals, revised the MCSAP funding
distribution formula, and created a new incentive funding program. As a
result, States are given greater flexibility in designing programs to
address national and State goals for reducing the number and severity
of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) accidents. The implementing
regulations were published in a final rule in the March 21, 2000,
Federal Register at 65 FR 15092.
In order to qualify for a grant, participating States must submit a
Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP). After the grant is awarded,
States must submit inspection data and quarterly reports explaining
work activities and accomplishments. The FMCSA monitors and evaluates a
State's progress under its approved CVSP. The agency also determines
whether a change in the State's level of effort is required to meet the
intended objectives of the CVSP. If a State fails to operate within the
guidelines of the approved CVSP or does not remedy any identified
deficiencies or incompatibilities in a timely manner, the FMCSA may
cease participation in that State's CVSP. This information collection
provides the
[[Page 30502]]
basis for these responsibilities and decisions.
The quarterly report and inspection data are collected
electronically. States continue to submit the CVSP in hard copy. The
estimated annual burden for this collection has been significantly
reduced due to increased use of information technology.
The FMCSA published the required notice offering a 60-day comment
period on the ICR on November 1, 2000 (65 FR 65372). We received two
comments, which are addressed in the supporting statement the agency
submitted to OMB. Requests for information on the supporting statement
should be directed to the Information Contact provided in this Notice.
Respondents: State and local MCSAP lead agencies.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: Grant application preparation: 848
hours; quarterly report preparation: 339 hours; inspection data upload:
7,333 hours. The above figures reflect 20 percent of the total
estimated hours to perform the activities listed since MCSAP reimburses
up to 80 percent of the eligible costs incurred in the administration
of an approved plan as set forth in 49 CFR 350.303, 350.309 and
350.311.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.73.
Issued on: May 31, 2001.
Stephen E. Barber,
Acting Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-14238 Filed 6-5-01; 8:45 am]
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