Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13, Sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. Secs. 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 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 information collection activity that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program. OMB Control Number: 2130-new. Abstract: The Department of Transportation (DOT) is implementing the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program (RRIFP) to provide direct loans and loan guarantees to State and local governments, government sponsored authorities and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad. Eligible projects include: (1) acquisition, improvement or rehabilitation of intermodal or rail equipment or facilities (including tracks, components of tracks, bridges, yards, buildings, and shops), (2) refinancing outstanding debt incurred for these purposes, or (3) development or establishment of new intermodal or railroad facilities. The aggregate unpaid principal amounts of obligations cannot exceed $3.5 billion at any one time and not less than $1 billion is to be available solely for projects benefiting freight railroads other than Class I railroads (i.e., carriers). Affected Public: Small railroads, state and local governments, and National Passenger Rail Corporation (Amtrak). Respondent Universe: 21,956 potential applicants. Frequency of Submission: Annual. Reporting Burden:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Average time per Total annual burden CFR section Respondent universe responses response hours Total annual burden cost -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 260.19 Pre-application meeting. 21,956 potential FRA expects no N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A applicants. meetings. 260.23 Form and content of 21,956 potential 20 applications.... 20 hours................ 400 hours............... $14,867 application generally. applicants. 260.25 Additional information 555 potential 18 financial 40 hours................ 720 hours............... $25,776 for applicants w/o credit applicants. document packages. rating. 260.27 Additional information None............... FRA expects no N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A for loan guarantees. applications for loan guarantees. 260.31 Execution & filing of application: Certificate of Pres......... 21,956 potential 20 certificates.... .6 hours................ 12 hours................ $489 applicants. Certificate of CFO.......... 21,956 pot. applcnt 20 certificates.... .6 hours................ 12 hours................ $482 Transmittal letter.......... 21,956 pot. applcnt 20 letters......... .6 hours................ 12 hours................ $482 Copy/mail app. pkg.......... 21,956 pot. applcnt 20 app. packages... 1.5 hours............... 30 hours................ $819 260.33 Info. Request........... 21,956 pot. applcnt 20 statements...... 1 hour.................. 20 hours................ $791 260.35 Environment Assessment.. 21,956 pot. applcnt 1 envir. document.. 4,475 hours............. 4,475 hours............. 492,250 260.37 Waivers and None............... FRA expects no N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A modifications. applications for waivers. 260.41 Maintenance standards-- None............... Burden included in N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A waivers. section 260.37. 260.43 Inspection and reporting 21,956 applicants.. 20 financial 10 hours................ 200 hours............... $7,910 records/other docs. 260.47 Events of Default for guaranteed loans: Lender notification......... None............... None \1\........... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A Det. Liquid. Plan........... None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A Modif. to Liquid Plan....... None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A Reports during Liquidation.. None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A Final Report................ None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A 260.55 Lenders' Functions and responsibilities: Obtain approval............. None............... None \2\........... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A Envir. Review............... None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A Add'l Envir. data........... None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A 260.57 Lender's loan servicing: Report semiannually on None............... None \2\........... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A status of loan. Meet w Admin................ None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A Obtain & forward borrower's None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A financial statements annually. Request approval for None............... ................... N/A..................... N/A..................... N/A modifications. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ FRA expects no applications for guaranteed loans. \2\ FRA expects that there will be no loan guarantees.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,881. 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, D.C. on December 3, 1999. Marie S. Savoy, Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. 99-32038 Filed 12-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-U