Notices. Request for public comment on proposed collections of information

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BILLING CODE 4910-13-M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No.: NHTSA-2005-23700] Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation. ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections of information. SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2006. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Department of Transportation Dockets, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 401, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Rusnak, Office of Chief Counsel, NCC-113, telephone

(202)366-1834, fax

(202)366-3820, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA, before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a document in the **Federal Register** providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information. OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:

(i)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(ii)The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(iii)How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(iv)How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public comments on the following proposed collection of information: *Title:* Motorcyclist Safety Grant Program. *OMB Control Number:* N/A. *Requested Expiration Date of Approval:* Three years from the approval date. *Type of Request:* New collection. *Affected Public:* State Governments. *Form Number:* HS-217. *Abstract:* Section 2010 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Pub. L. 109-59, authorizes a grant program for States that adopt and implement effective motorcycle safety programs. Eligibility for the section 2010 grants is based on 6 grant criteria:

(1)Motorcycle Rider Training Courses;

(2)Motorcyclists Awareness Program;

(3)Reduction of Fatalities and Crashes Involving Motorcycles;

(4)Impaired Driving Program;

(5)Reduction of Fatalities and Accidents Involving Impaired Motorcyclists; and

(6)Fees Collected from Motorcyclists. To qualify for a section 2010 grant for the first fiscal year the State seeks to qualify, it must demonstrate compliance with at least 1 of the 6 grant criteria. To qualify for a section 2010 grant for the second and subsequent fiscal years it seeks to qualify, a State must demonstrate compliance with at least 2 of the 6 grant criteria. The information collected for this grant program is to include application submissions and various reporting requirements. A State that seeks to qualify in the first fiscal year must submit an application containing information demonstrating that it satisfies 1 of the 6 grant criteria. For the second and subsequent fiscal years that it seeks to qualify, a State must submit an application containing information demonstrating that it satisfies 2 of the 6 grant criteria. A State's application would identify under which of the 6 grant criteria it intends to qualify for a section 2010 grant. With respect to each of the criteria selected, the proposed rule would require certain supporting submissions from the State to demonstrate that it meets grant criteria. A State that receives grant funds also must indicate to NHTSA how it intends to expend grant funds for each fiscal year and how grant funds were expended each fiscal year. It is important for NHTSA to be notified about these activities so that it can effectively administer the grant program and account for the expenditure of funds. To reduce burdens, A State will document these activities largely by making use of mechanisms that have received PRA clearance for other similar highway safety programs. A State will first notify NHTSA of its obligation of funds in accordance with the applicable provisions of SAFETEA-LU by submitting a Program Cost Summary (HS-217), a form with existing PRA clearance, within 30 days of the award notification. A State will also report to NHTSA, as part of its annual Highway Safety Plan under 23 U.S.C. 402, on how it intends to expend grant funds for each fiscal year. This reporting requirement, however, will not be a significant extra burden for the States because they are already required by statute to submit an annual Highway Safety Plan. Finally, a State that receives grants funds must submit each fiscal year, as part of the Annual Report for its highway safety program pursuant to 23 CFR 1200.33, a report indicating how grant funds were expended and identifying the programs carried out with the grant funds. Again, this reporting requirement will not be a significant extra burden for the States because they are already required by regulation to submit an Annual Report for their highway safety program. *Estimated Annual Burden:* 1560 hours. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 52 (fifty States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico). *Comments are invited on:* Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 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. Issued on: February 27, 2006. John Donaldson, Assistant Chief Counsel for Legislation and General Law. [FR Doc. E6-3008 Filed 3-1-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA-2005-23090] Amendments to Highway Safety Program Guidelines AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. ACTION: Extension of comment period for proposed amendments to highway safety guidelines. SUMMARY: This document extends the comment period for proposed amendments to six

(6)highway safety guidelines published on February 9, 2006 (71 FR 6830). The comment due date was March 13, 2006. In a letter dated February 22, 2006, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation asked NHTSA for an extension of this due date. This document grants that request and extends the comment due date for the proposed highway safety guidelines to March 27, 2006. DATES: The due date for comments on DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2005-23090 is extended to March 27, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments in writing to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Alternatively, you may submit your comments electronically by logging onto the Docket Management System Web site at *http://dms.dot.gov.* Click on “Help & Information” or “Help/Info” to view instructions for filing your comments electronically. Regardless of how you submit your comments, you should mention the docket number of this document. You may call the Docket at 202-366-9324. You may visit the Docket from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The following person at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590: Julie Ross, Program Development and Delivery, NTI-100, telephone

(202)366-9895, facsimile:

(202)366-7149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 9, 2006 (71 FR 6830), NHTSA published a notice requesting comments on proposed amendments to six

(6)existing highway safety guidelines: Guideline No. 3 Motorcycle Safety, Guideline No. 8 Impaired Driving, Guideline No. 14 Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety, Guideline No. 15 Traffic Enforcement Services (formerly Police Traffic Services), Guideline No. 19 Speed Management (formerly Speed Control), and Guideline No. 20 Occupant Protection. Section 402 of title 23 of the United States Code requires the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate uniform guidelines for State highway safety programs. As the highway safety environment changes, it is necessary for NHTSA to update the guidelines to provide current information on effective program content for States to use in developing and assessing their traffic safety programs. Each of the proposed revised guidelines reflects the sound science and the experience of States in traffic safety program content. NHTSA updates the guidelines periodically to reflect new issues and to emphasize program methodology and approaches that have proven to be highly effective in these program areas. The guidelines offer direction to States in formulating their highway safety plans for highway safety efforts that are supported with Section 402 grant funds. The guidelines provide a framework for developing a balanced highway safety program and serve as a tool with which States can assess the effectiveness of their own programs. NHTSA encourages States to use the guidelines and build upon them to optimize the effectiveness of highway safety programs conducted at the State and local level. The revised guidelines will emphasize areas of national concern and highlight effective countermeasures. The February 9, 2006 notice announced a comment due date of March 13, 2006. In a letter dated February 22, 2006, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation asked NHTSA for an extension of this due date. Although the letter did not indicate a specific length for the requested extension, the explanation for the requested extension was that “the motorcycling community should have more than thirty three calendar days to dissect and address all of the eleven recommendations put forth in the **Federal Register** on February 9th, 2006.” We interpret the reference to the “eleven recommendations” to apply to the eleven

(11)subparts of the proposed revised motorcycle safety guideline. After considering the request for additional time to consider the proposed motorcycle safety guideline, NHTSA has decided that it is in the public interest to grant the request. In granting this request, the agency is mindful that early publication of the revised highway safety guidelines is important in light of the new motorcyclist safety grant program authorized in section 2010 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Pub. L. 109-59. Therefore, NHTSA extends until March 27, 2006 the closing date for submission of comments for all six

(6)proposed highway safety guidelines published on February 9, 2006. To the extent possible, comments filed after this extended closing date will also be considered. However, the final guidelines may be published at any time after that date. The agency will continue to file relevant material in the docket as it becomes available after the closing date, and it is recommended that interested persons continue to examine the docket for new material. Issued on: February 27, 2006. Brian M. McLaughlin, Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control. [FR Doc. E6-3007 Filed 3-1-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 34837] BNSF Railway Company—Trackage Rights Exemption—Union Pacific Railroad Company Union Pacific Railroad Company

(UP)has agreed to grant overhead trackage rights to BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), between UP “North Jct.” milepost 242.57 on UP's Lost Springs Subdivision, and UP milepost 481.96 on UP's Wichita Industrial Lead. BNSF indicates that the transaction was to be consummated on February 22, 2006, the effective date of the exemption (7 days after the exemption was filed). The purpose of the trackage rights is to facilitate overhead movement of BNSF cars between BNSF's yard in Wichita, KS, and the Frisco Lead (BNSF's rail line severed by removal of railroad crossing diamonds at Washington Street in Wichita). As a condition to this exemption, any employees affected by the trackage rights will be protected by the conditions imposed in *Norfolk and Western Ry. Co.—Trackage Rights—BN,* 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as modified in *Mendocino Coast Ry., Inc.—Lease and Operate,* 360 I.C.C. 653 (1980). This notice is filed under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(7). If it contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void *ab initio.* Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 34837, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on Sidney L. Strickland, Jr., 3050 K Street NW., Suite 101, Washington, DC 20007. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *http://www.stb.dot.gov.* Decided: February 22, 2006. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. 06-1833 Filed 3-1-06; 8:45 am]

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