20442 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 79 / Friday, April 24, 1998 / Notices

Railroad Company, Inc.—Trackage Rights

Exemption—Boston and Maine Corporation and

Springfield Terminal Railway Company, Finance

Docket No. 32103 (ICC served Sept. 3, 1993).

1Lake County is a political subdivision of the

State of Oregon and therefore is considered a

‘‘State’’ as defined at 49 CFR 1150.21.

2On April 8, 1998, Lake County submitted

supplemental information as required by 49 CFR

1150.23.

3See The Great Western Railway Co.-Modified

Rail Certificate, Finance Docket No. 30777 (ICC

served Feb. 26, 1986).

4According to 49 CFR 1150.23(a), operations may

commence immediately upon the filing of the

notice for a modified certificate. Lake County has

not explained why it did not file its notice before

November 1, 1997. However, it does not appear that

the late filing was due to any intent to avoid the

regulatory requirements and Lake County now has

submitted all of the requisite information.

DATES: This exemption is effective on

May 24, 1998. Petitions to reopen must

be filed by May 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: An original and 10 copies of

all pleadings referring to STB Finance

Docket No. 33574 (Sub-No. 1) must be

filed with the Office of the Secretary,

Case Control Unit, Surface

Transportation Board, 1925 K Street,

N.W., Washington, DC 20423–0001. In

addition, a copy of all pleadings must be

served on petitioners’ representatives (1)

Yolanda M. Grimes, Esq., The

Burlington Northern and Santa Fe

Railway Company, P. O. Box 961039,

Fort Worth, TX 76161–0039, and (2)

Joseph D. Anthofer, Esq., Union Pacific

Railroad Company, 1416 Dodge Street,

#830, Omaha, NE 68179.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joseph H. Dettmar, (202) 927–1600.

[TDD for the hearing impaired: (202)

565–1695.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Additional information is contained in

the Board’s decision. To purchase a

copy of the full decision, write to, call,

or pick up in person from: DC NEWS &

DATA, INC., Suite 210, 1925 K Street,

N.W., Washington, DC 20006.

Telephone: (202) 289–4357. [Assistance

for the hearing impaired is available

through TDD services (202) 565–1695.]

Decided: April 10, 1998.

By the Board, Chairman Morgan and Vice

Chairman Owen.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98–10961 Filed 4–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915–00–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Finance Docket No. 33581]

Lake County Railroad—Modified Rail

Certificate

On March 24, 1998, Lake County, OR1

filed a notice for a modified certificate

of public convenience and necessity

under 49 CFR 1150, Subpart C, Modified

Certificate of Public Convenience and

Necessity, to operate, as Lake County

Railroad (LCR), a 54.45-mile line of

railroad, known as the Lakeview

Branch, extending from milepost 458.60

in Alturas, CA, to milepost 513.05 in

Lakeview, OR.2

The involved rail line was abandoned

by Southern Pacific Transportation

Company (SPT) in Southern Pacific

Transportation Company—

Abandonment—in Modoc County, CA

and Lake County, OR, Docket No. AB–

12 (Sub-No. 84) (ICC served Oct. 20,

1985). LCR acquired the line from SPT,

and subsequently contracted with Great

Western Railway of Oregon (GWR) to

operate the line as a short line operator.3

According to LCR, the lease

agreement entered into between LCR

and GWR on May 1, 1991, as amended

on May 5, 1991, December 7, 1994, and

on or about October 1, 1995, was

terminated on November 1, 1997.

LCR provides freight service between

Lakeview and Alturas, and connects

with Union Pacific Railroad Company at

Alturas. Operations by LCR over the

54.45-mile line commenced on

November 1, 1997.4

The rail segment qualifies for a

modified certificate of public

convenience and necessity. See

Common Carrier Status of States, State

Agencies and Instrumentalities and

Political Subdivisions, Finance Docket

No. 28990F (ICC served July 16, 1981).

LCR indicates that no subsidy is

involved and that there are no

preconditions for shippers to meet in

order to receive rail service.

This notice must be served on the

Association of American Railroads (Car

Service Division) as agent for all

railroads subscribing to the car-service

and car-hire agreement: Association of

American Railroads, 50 F Street, NW.,

Washington, DC 20001; and on the

American Short Line Railroad

Association: American Short Line

Railroad Association, 1120 G Street,

NW., Suite 520, Washington, DC 20005.

Decided: April 17, 1998.

By the Board, David M. Konschnik,

Director, Office of Proceedings.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98–10962 Filed 4–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915–00–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

Announcement of Program Test:

Importer Compliance Monitoring

Program

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: General notice.

SUMMARY: This notice announces

Customs plan to conduct a test

regarding the Importer Compliance

Monitoring Program (formerly known as

the Importer Self-Governance Program)

with limited participation. The program

is intended to promote compliance with

Customs laws and regulations regarding

cargo processing and will afford mutual

benefits to both Customs and the import

community. Public comments

concerning any aspect of this planned

test are solicited.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The program test will

commence no earlier than July 1, 1998,

and will continue through June 30,

1999. Written requests to participate in,

and comments on, the program test

must be received by June 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written requests to

participate in the program test, and

written comments regarding any aspect

of the planned test, should be addressed

to William F. Inch, Regulatory Audit

Division, U.S. Customs Service, 1300

Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Room 6.3A,

Washington, D.C. 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William F. Inch, (202) 927–1100; Joseph

C. Palmer, (312) 353–1213, Ext. 106; or

Richard A. Fuller, (281) 985–6781.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Since passage of the Customs

Modernization provisions (107 Stat.

2170) contained in the North American

Free Trade Agreement Implementation

Act (Pub. L. 103–182, 107 Stat. 2057,

December 8, 1993), the primary goal of

the trade compliance process has been

to maximize importer compliance with

U.S. trade laws, while facilitating the

importation and entry of admissible

merchandise. To meet these challenges,

Customs has undertaken a

comprehensive effort to review,

improve, and redesign the trade

compliance process using established

business practices, re-engineered tools,

and new methodologies that improve

customer service without compromising

the enforcement aspect of the Customs

mission.

One of the new methodologies

developed is the compliance assessment

procedure. This procedure allows

Customs to determine the level of
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 79 / Friday, April 24, 1998 / Notices 20443

compliance based on an overall

assessment of a company’s import

operations. While the compliance

assessment procedure provides both

Customs and the company with an

accurate benchmark concerning the

adequacy of systems/internal controls

and the degree of importer compliance,

it focuses primarily on the company’s

last business year prior to the time the

compliance assessment was conducted.

Over time, however, events can occur

within a company (e.g., mergers, system

changes, loss of key personnel) that may

potentially have an effect on its

compliance. Accordingly, the Importer

Compliance Monitoring Program (ICMP;

formerly known as the Importer SelfGovernance Program) was developed to

allow interested importers to assess

their own compliance with Customs

laws and regulations. Over the past

several months and after public

consultations, Customs has identified

necessary policies and procedures as

bases to test this new program, pursuant

to § 101.9(a) of the Customs Regulations

(19 CFR 101.9(a)), which permits the

implementation of a test program or

procedure designed to evaluate the

effectiveness of new technology or

operational procedures regarding the

processing of passengers, vessels, or

merchandise. The purpose of this

document is to describe the proposed

operation of the ICMP and to invite

comments on, and requests to

participate in, the planned ICMP test.

Proposed Importer Compliance

Monitoring Program

In general, the ICMP is designed to

enhance the cargo processing of

participating importers. The ICMP is

voluntary and does not require a

company to have undergone or be

scheduled for a Customs compliance

assessment. Once notified of acceptance

into the program, a consultation process

will begin with Customs. This is

necessary to ensure that all parties have

a mutual understanding of the

importer’s business practices and the

importer’s corresponding relationship to

the program.

Similar to a compliance assessment

performed by Customs, the ICMP is a

systemic overview of a company’s

import operations and includes both

process and transactional reviews of

those operations. Ideally, a group

independent of the company’s

importing function should conduct

these reviews; use of outside

professionals for this purpose is not

required but may be done at the

discretion of the importer. Process

reviews include an annual preparation

or updating of the flowchart and

narrative of the company’s import

process. In addition, a macro test of

value information is conducted to

ensure that the company’s import

transactions and those recorded in

Customs systems are in general

agreement. Transactional reviews utilize

statistical sampling methodologies that

are fully coordinated with Customs

during the consultation process.

Sampling errors will be evaluated based

on the number of errors and their

materiality and, where applicable, a

compliance improvement plan will be

prepared and submitted to Customs

outlining actions taken or proposed to

correct the cited deficiencies. Reports of

sampling errors may be treated as prior

disclosures under Part 162 of the

Customs Regulations. Test participants

are expected to retain all applicable

documentation pertaining to these

reviews. As necessary, Customs will

validate the importer’s ICMP process

and transactional reviews.

Draft Program Manual

For those companies interested in

participating in this test, as well as

those companies wishing only to

provide comments to Customs, a draft

ICMP manual will be available on

Customs Internet Website. The

Universal Resource Locator (URL) or

address for the Customs Internet

Website is http://

www.customs.ustreas.gov. The manual

provides detailed ICMP policies and

procedures, including additional

information regarding anticipated

program benefits accruing to both

participants and Customs. Customs

welcomes any and all comments

regarding this document and its

contents.

Selection of Test Participants

The test will continue for a period of

one year. No more than 50 companies

will be allowed to participate in the

ICMP test, and Customs will select the

participants in accordance with the

criteria set forth below.

There are three primary selection

criteria that will be applied in the

following order:

(1) Companies residing within the

Top 250 importers ranked by entered

value in descending order within a

Primary Focus Industry (PFI) that have

a Customs assigned Account Manager;

(2) Companies residing within the

Top 250 importers ranked by entered

value in descending order within a PFI

that do not have a Customs assigned

Account Manager; and

(3) Companies not ranked within the

Top 250 importers of any of the PFI’s

will be selected on the basis of the

highest total entered value.

Under criteria (1) and (2), if companies

have the same numerical ranking in

different PFI’s, then the company with

the highest total entered value will be

selected.

Customs will notify each company in

writing of its acceptance or nonselection

to participate in this test no later than

June 15, 1998; companies not selected

will be informed of the general reason(s)

for non-selection. If an applicant is

denied participation, the applicant may

appeal in writing to Director, Regulatory

Audit Division, Office of Strategic

Trade, U.S. Customs Service, 1300

Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20229, within 10 days

of notification by Customs.

To assure the best results possible for

evaluation purposes, it is anticipated

that those companies selected to

participate in the ICMP test will

complete all related requirements

during the one-year test period.

However, because of the voluntary

nature of this program, a company may

discontinue its participation in the test

at any time.

Removal From Test Participation

During the one-year test period, the

appropriate field director of Regulatory

Audit may remove a company from

participation in the test for misconduct

involving the following:

(1) Failure by the company to comply

with ICMP requirements; or

(2) The presence of documented or

alleged fraud, other investigative

activity, or failing to follow applicable

Customs laws and regulations.

Any decision proposing to remove a

company from participation in the test

may be appealed in writing to the

Director, Regulatory Audit Division,

Office of Strategic Trade, U.S. Customs

Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue,

N.W., Washington, D.C. 20229 within 30

days of such action. The notice of

proposed removal will apprise the

company of the facts or conduct

warranting removal. Should the

company appeal the notice of proposed

removal, it should address the facts or

conduct charges contained in the notice

and state how it does or will achieve

compliance. However, in the case of

willfulness or where public health

interests or safety are concerned, the

removal may be effective immediately.

Program Consultation

One of the cornerstones of the ICMP

is consultation afforded the importer by

Customs. Prior to beginning the test,

Customs will meet with each selected

participant to discuss the company’s
20444 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 79 / Friday, April 24, 1998 / Notices

import operations. At this meeting, the

nature and frequency of work to be

accomplished during the test period

will be identified, thus, assuring

effective planning and assignment of

company and Customs resources and

timely completion of the test.

Comments and Evaluation of Test

Customs will review all public

comments received concerning any

aspect of the proposed program test and

finalize requirements and procedures in

light of those comments before

commencing the test. Approximately 90

days after conclusion of the test,

evaluations of the test will be conducted

and final results will be made available

to the public upon request.

Dated: April 20, 1998.

William F. Inch,

Director, Regulatory Audit Division.

[FR Doc. 98–10886 Filed 4–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820–02–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

Application for Recordation of Trade

Name: ‘‘Ronson Consumer Products

Corporation’’

ACTION: Notice of application for

recordation of trade name.

SUMMARY: Application has been filed

pursuant to section 133.12, Customs

Regulations (19 CFR 133.12), for the

recordation under section 42 of the Act

of July 5, 1946, as amended (15 U.S.C.

1124), of the trade name ‘‘RONSON

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

CORPORATION,’’ Ronson Consumer

Products Corporation is a wholly owned

subsidiary of Ronson Corporation and is

located at 3 Ronson Road, Woodbridge,

New Jersey 07095.

The application states that the trade

name is used in connection with

lighters and parts thereof, including

pieces of sparking metal/flints, lighter

fluid and liquefied petroleum gas for

use in lighters, multi-purpose igniters

and the like, packaged chemical liquids

such as multi-use spray lubricants,

general purpose sport removers, leather,

vinyl and rubber surface protectants/

cleaners, electric shavers, cigar piercers,

cigar and cigarette holders, pipe

holders, broilers, electric knives, electric

blenders, electric can openers, electric

powered toothbrushes, other small

electric appliance and writing

instruments.

The merchandise is manufactured in

the United States.

Before final action is taken on the

application, consideration will be given

to any relevant data, views, or

arguments submitted in writing by any

person in opposition to the recordation

of this trade name. Notice of the action

taken on the application for recordation

of this trade name will be published in

the Federal Register.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before June 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should

be addressed to U.S. Customs Service,

Attention: Intellectual Property Rights

Branch, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue,

NW., Ronald Reagan Building—3rd

Floor, Washington, D.C. 20229

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Delois P. Johnson, Intellectual Property

Rights Branch, 1300 Pennsylvania

Avenue, NW., (Reagan Building—3rd

Floor), Washington D.C. 20229 (202–

927–2330).

Dated: April 17, 1998.

John F. Atwood,

Chief, Intellectual Property Rights Branch.

[FR Doc. 98–10925 Filed 4–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820–02–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

Application for Recordation of Trade

Name: ‘‘Ronson Corporation’’

ACTION: Notice of application for

recordation of trade name.

SUMMARY: Application has been filed

pursuant to section 133.12, Customs

Regulations (19 CFR 133.12), for the

recordation under section 42 of the Act

of July 5, 1946, as amended (15 U.S.C.

1124), of the trade name ‘‘RONSON

CORPORATION,’’ used by Ronson

Corporation, a corporation organized

under the laws of the State of New

Jersey, located at Corporate III, Campus

Drive, P.O. Box 6707, Somerset, New

Jersey 08875.

The application states that the trade

name is used in connection with

lighters and parts thereof, including

pieces of sparking metal/flints, lighter

fluid and liquefied petroleum gas for

use in lighters, multi-purpose igniters

and the like, packaged chemical liquids

such as multi-use spray lubricants,

general purpose sport removers, leather,

vinyl and rubber surface protectants/

cleaners, electric shavers, cigar piercers,

cigar and cigarette holders, pipe

holders, broilers, electric knives, electric

blenders, electric can openers, electric

powered toothbrushes, other small

electric appliance and writing

instruments.

The merchandise is manufactured in

the United States.

Before final action is taken on the

application, consideration will be given

to any relevant data, views, or

arguments submitted in writing by any

person in opposition to the recordation

of this trade name. Notice of the action

taken on the application for recordation

of this trade name will be published in

the Federal Register.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before June 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should

be addressed to U.S. Customs Service,

Attention: Intellectual Property Rights

Branch, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue,

NW., Ronald Reagan Buiding —3rd

Floor, Washington, D.C. 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Delois P. Johnson, Intellectual Property

Rights Branch, 1300 Pennsylvania

Avenue, NW., (Reagan Building —3rd

Floor), Washington, D.C. 20229 (202–

927–2330).

Dated: April 17, 1998.

John F. Atwood,

Chief, Intellectual Property Rights Branch.

[FR Doc. 98–10924 Filed 4–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820–02–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of the Public Debt

Proposed Collection: Comment

Request

ACTION: Notice and request for

comments.

SUMMARY: The Department of the

Treasury, as part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent

burden, invites the general public and

other Federal agencies to take this

opportunity to comment on proposed

and/or continuing information

collections, as required by the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub.

L.104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Currently the Bureau of the Public Debt

within the Department of the Treasury

is soliciting comments concerning the

Treasury Direct Forms.

DATES: Written comments should be

received on or before June 23, 1998, to

be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments

to Bureau of the Public Debt, Vicki S.

Thorpe, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg,

WV 26106–1328.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or

copies of the form and instructions

should be directed to Vicki S. Thorpe,

Bureau of the Public Debt, 200 Third