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 Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA 2009-0001-N-7]
 AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
 ACTION: Notice.
 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 June 5, 2009.
 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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., 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) 493-6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
                        *robert.brogan@dot.gov*, or to Ms. Jackson at 
                        *nakia.jackson@dot.gov*. Please refer 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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6073). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law No. 104-13, 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 
                    ( print page 15589)
                    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 three currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: *Title:*
                     Stencilling Reporting Mark on Freight Cars. *OMB Control Number:*
                     2130-0520. *Abstract*: Title 49, Section 215.301 of the Code of Federal Regulations, sets forth certain requirements that must be followed by railroad carriers and private car owners relative to identification marks on railroad equipment. FRA, railroads, and the public refer to the stencilling to identify freight cars. *Form Number(s):*
                     N/A. *Affected Public:*
                     Businesses. *Frequency of Submission:*
                     On occasion. *Respondent Universe:*
                     718 railroads. *Total Estimated Responses:*
                     20,000 cars stencilled. *Total Estimated Annual Burden:*
                     15,000 hours. *Status:*
                     Regular review. *OMB Control Number:*
                     2130-0523. *Title:*
                     Rear-End Marking Devices. *Type of Request:*
                     Extension of a currently approved collection. *Affected Public:*
                     Businesses. *Form Number(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 of 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. *Respondent Universe:*
                     718 railroads. *Frequency of Submission:*
                     On occasion. *Total Estimated Responses:*
                     4. *Total Estimated Annual Burden:*
                     8 hours. *Status:*
                     Regular review. *Title:*
                     Locomotive Certification (Noise Compliance Regulations). *OMB Control Number:*
                     2130-0527. *Type of Request:*
                     Extension of a currently approved collection. *Affected Public:*
                     Businesses. *Form Number(s):*
                     N/A. *Abstract:*Part 210 of title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) pertains to FRA's noise enforcement procedures, which encompass rail yard noise source standards published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA has the authority to set these standards under the Noise Control Act of 1972. The information collected by FRA under Part 210 is necessary to ensure compliance with EPA noise standards for new locomotives. Respondent Universe: 2 Locomotive Manufacturers *Frequency of Submission:*
                     On occasion. CFR section
Respondent universe
Total annual responses
Average time per response
Total annual burden hours210.27—New Loco. Certification—Requests for Information
2 Locomotive Manuf
40 requests
30 minutes
20—Identification of Locomotives
2 Locomotive Manuf
790 badges/plates
30 minutes
395210.31—Operation Standards—Measurement of Loco Noise Emissions
2 Locomotive Manuf
790 recorded measurements
3 hours
2,370
 *Total Estimated Responses:*
                     1,620. *Total Estimated Annual Burden:*
                     2,785 hours. *Status:*
                     Regular review. 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 March 31, 2009. Kimberly Orben, Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration.


[FR Doc. E9-7655 Filed 4-3-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P