81 FR 22093 - Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) Program

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 72 (April 14, 2016)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0062 abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for renewal in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). On August 21, 2015, OMB approved TSA's request to combine two previously approved BASE ICRs (1652-0061 and 1652-0062) into a single request.\1\ TSA later requested an emergency revision due to requirements in the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015,\2\ addressing active shooter training and communication processes. OMB approved the emergency revision on February 29, 2016.\3\ TSA is now seeking to renew the collection as it expires on August 31, 2016. The ICR assesses the current security practices in the mass transit/passenger rail transit and highway and motor carrier industries by way of the Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) program, which encompasses site visits and interviews, and is part of the larger domain awareness, prevention, and protection program supporting TSA's and the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) missions. This voluntary collection allows TSA to conduct transportation security-related assessments during site visits with security and operating officials of certain surface transportation entities. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22093-22095]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08568]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement 
(BASE) Program

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public

[[Page 22094]]

comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR), 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0062 
abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for renewal in compliance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). On August 21, 2015, OMB 
approved TSA's request to combine two previously approved BASE ICRs 
(1652-0061 and 1652-0062) into a single request.\1\ TSA later requested 
an emergency revision due to requirements in the Gerardo Hernandez 
Airport Security Act of 2015,\2\ addressing active shooter training and 
communication processes. OMB approved the emergency revision on 
February 29, 2016.\3\ TSA is now seeking to renew the collection as it 
expires on August 31, 2016. The ICR assesses the current security 
practices in the mass transit/passenger rail transit and highway and 
motor carrier industries by way of the Baseline Assessment for Security 
Enhancement (BASE) program, which encompasses site visits and 
interviews, and is part of the larger domain awareness, prevention, and 
protection program supporting TSA's and the Department of Homeland 
Security's (DHS) missions. This voluntary collection allows TSA to 
conduct transportation security-related assessments during site visits 
with security and operating officials of certain surface transportation 
entities.
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    \1\ See ICR Reference No. 201407-1652-001.
    \2\ Public Law 114-50, 129 Stat. 490, Section 7 (Sept. 24, 
2015).
    \3\ See ICR Reference No. 201506-1652-003.

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DATES: Send your comments by June 13, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Office of Information Technology (OIT), TSA-11, 
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina A. Walsh at the above 
address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available 
at http://www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and 
re-approval of the following voluntary information collection, TSA is 
soliciting comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information request is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

    OMB Control Number 1652-0062; Baseline Assessment for Security 
Enhancement (BASE) Program. Under the Aviation and Transportation 
Security Act (ATSA) and delegated authority from the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, TSA has broad responsibility and authority for 
``security in all modes of transportation including security 
responsibilities over modes of transportation that are exercised by the 
Department of Transportation.'' \4\ TSA is required to ``assess the 
security of each surface transportation mode and evaluate the 
effectiveness and efficiency of current Federal Government surface 
transportation security initiatives.'' E.O. 13416, sec. 3(a) (Dec. 5, 
2006).
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    \4\ See Public Law 107-71, 115 Stat. 597 (Nov. 19, 2001), 
codified at 49 U.S.C. 114(d). The TSA Administrator's current 
authorities under ATSA have been delegated to him by the Secretary 
of Homeland Security. Section 403(2) of the Homeland Security Act 
(HSA) of 2002, Public Law 107-296, 116 Stat. 2315 (2002), 
transferred all functions of TSA, including those of the Secretary 
of Transportation and the Under Secretary of Transportation of 
Security related to TSA, to the Secretary of Homeland Security. 
Pursuant to DHS Delegation Number 7060.2, the Secretary delegated to 
the Assistant Secretary (now referred to as the Administrator of 
TSA), subject to the Secretary's guidance and control, the authority 
vested in the Secretary with respect to TSA, including that in sec. 
403(2) of the HSA.
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    TSA developed the Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement 
(BASE) program in 2007, in an effort to engage with surface 
transportation entities to establish a ``baseline'' of security and 
emergency response operations. This program was initially created for 
mass transit systems (including both rail and bus operations) and 
passenger railroads (MT/PR). However, based on the success of the 
program, TSA developed the Highway (HWY) BASE program in 2012, with 
full implementation in 2013. This incorporated trucking, school bus 
contractors, school districts, and over-the-road motor coach. This 
voluntary program has served to evaluate and collect physical and 
operational preparedness information and critical assets and key point-
of-contact lists. The program also reviews emergency procedures and 
domain awareness training and provides an opportunity to share industry 
best practices.
    TSA needs complete and consistent data about these transportation 
security programs to perform it mission. While many MT/PR and HWY 
entities have security and emergency response plans or protocols in 
place, the BASE program is the only available method which consistently 
evaluates implementation of these programs, their content, and 
benchmarks. The program provides TSA with real-time information on 
current security practices within the MT/PR and HWY modes of the 
surface transportation sector. This information also allows TSA to 
dynamically adapt its programs and recommendations to the changing 
threat within the context of the current security posture of these 
entities. Without this information, TSA's ability to perform its 
security mission would be severely hindered. Additionally, the 
assessment process fosters relationships critical to TSA's ability to 
interact effectively with those surface transportation entities 
participating in the BASE program.
    On August 21, 2015, OMB approved TSA's request to combine two 
previously approved BASE ICRs (1652-0061 and 1652-0062) into a single 
request. See ICR Reference No. 201407-1652-001. Subsequently, the 
Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015 (the Act) directed TSA 
to conduct outreach to all passenger transportation agencies and 
providers with high-risk facilities . . . to verify such agencies and 
providers have in place plans to respond to active shooters, acts of 
terrorism, or other security-related incidents that target passengers; 
and to identify best practices for security incident planning, 
management, and training. See section 7 of Public Law 114-50, 129 Stat. 
490 (Sept. 24, 2015). As a result of these requirements, TSA added 
seven (7) additional questions to the MT/PR BASE and five (5) 
additional questions to the HWY BASE. OMB approved the emergency 
revision on February 29, 2016, which expires on August 31, 2016. See 
ICR Reference No. 201506-1652-003. TSA is now seeking renewal of this 
revised information collection for the maximum three-year approval 
period.

Description of Data Collection

    In carrying out the voluntary BASE program, TSA's Transportation 
Security

[[Page 22095]]

Inspectors-Surface (TSIs-S) conduct BASE reviews during site visits 
with security and operating officials of MT/PR and HWY systems 
throughout the Nation. The TSIs-S receive and document relevant 
information using a standardized electronic checklist. Advance 
coordination and planning ensures the efficiency of the assessment 
process. The TSIs-S review and analyze the stakeholders' security plan, 
if adopted, and determine if the mitigation measures included in the 
plan are being effectively implemented, while providing additional 
resources for further security enhancement. In addition to examining 
the security plan document, TSA reviews one or more assets of the 
private and/or public owner/operator.
    During BASE site visits of MT/PR and HWY entities, TSIs-S collect 
information and complete a BASE checklist from the review of each 
entity's documents, plans, and procedures. They also interview 
appropriate entity personnel and conduct system observations prompted 
by questions raised during the document review and interview stages. 
TSA conducts the interviews to ascertain and clarify information on 
security measures and to identify security gaps. The interviews also 
provide TSA with a method to encourage the surface transportation 
entities participating in the BASE reviews to be diligent in effecting 
and maintaining security-related improvements.
    While TSA has not set a limit on the number of BASE program reviews 
to conduct, TSA estimates it will conduct approximately 40 MT/PR BASE 
reviews and approximately 50 HWY BASE reviews on an annual basis. TSA 
estimates that the hour burden per MT/PR entity to engage its security 
and/or operating officials with inspectors in the interactive BASE 
program review process is approximately 11.7 hours. Also, TSA estimates 
that the hour burden per HWY entity to engage its security and/or 
operating officials with inspectors in the interactive BASE program 
review process is approximately 1.8 hours. Thus, the total annual hour 
burden for the MT/PR BASE program review is 468 hours annually (40 x 
11.7 hours = 468 hours) and for HWY BASE 90 hours annually (50 x 1.8 
hours = 90 hours).

    Dated: April 8, 2016.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2016-08568 Filed 4-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-05-P