Notices. Notice and request for comments

5,334 words·~24 min read·/register/2007/04/20/07-1954·

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 4910-13-M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA-2007-27951] Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for New Information Collection AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for approval of a new information collection. We published a **Federal Register** Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on February 12, 2005. We are required to publish this notice in the **Federal Register** by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by May 21, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may send comments within 30 days to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: DOT Desk Officer. You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including:

(1)Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance;

(2)the accuracy of the estimated burden;

(3)ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and

(4)ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. All comments should include the Docket number FHWA-2007-27951. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Neathery, 202-366-1257 or Martin Weiss, 202-366-5010, Office of Interstate and Border Planning, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Rural Transportation Research. *Background:* Section 5513(f) of The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU) provides a grant to the New England Transportation Institute (hence “the Institute”) in White River Junction, Vermont, to conduct rural transportation research. The Institute will undertake research and analysis in support of two research issues:

(1)Rural Transportation Issues Definition and Refinement; and

(2)Rural Transportation Safety and Health. The research includes a 2-part survey to develop information that will help support a “portrait” of present rural transportation patterns. Applying the concepts of both “mobility” and “accessibility” to the rural Northeast, the Institute's surveys will explore the issues of “rural isolation” and, driver travel behavior. The survey will address these questions: • How serious a problem is rural isolation and perceptions of access (or lack thereof)? • How are the economic forces acting on the rural areas affecting the manner, and length of trips in the rural Northeast? • How are demographics going to change and/or influence the demands made on the transportation system? • What would be the transportation implications of different settlement patterns? *Respondents:* Approximately 800 respondents for survey 1 and 600 respondents for survey 2. *Frequency:* One time. *Estimated Average Burden per Response:* 30 minutes per survey. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* Approximate one time burden of 700 hours. *Electronic Access:* Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL): *http://dms.dot.gov,* 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and help. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: April 17, 2007. James R. Kabel, Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division. [FR Doc. E7-7560 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA-2007-27950] Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)to renew an information collection. We published a **Federal Register** Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on February 13, 2007. We are required to publish this notice in the **Federal Register** by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by May 21, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20503, Attention DOT Desk Officer. You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including:

(1)Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance;

(2)the accuracy of the estimated burden;

(3)ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and

(4)ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. All comments should include the Docket Number FHWA-2007-27950. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Bini, 202-366-6799, or Cynthia Hatley, 202-493-0426, Office of Federal Lands Highway, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, 20590. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Federal Lands Highway Program. *OMB Control #:* 2125-0598. *Background:* Title 23 U.S.C. 204 requires the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of each appropriate Federal land management agency to develop, to the extent appropriate, safety, bridge, pavement, and congestion management systems for roads funded under the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP). A management system is a process for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to provide a strategic approach to transportation planning, program development, and project selection. Its purposes are to improve transportation system performance and safety, and to develop alternative strategies for enhancing mobility of people and goods. This data collection clearance addresses the management systems for the National Park Service

(NPS)and the Park Roads and Parkways

(PRP)Program; Bureau of Indian Affairs

(BIA)and the Indian Reservation Roads

(IRR)Program; Fish and Wildlife Service

(FWS)and the Refuge Roads

(RR)Program; and Forest Service

(FS)and the Forest Highway

(FH)Program. Outputs from the management systems are important tools for the development of transportation plans and transportation improvement programs, and in making project selection decisions consistent with 23 U.S.C. 204. Further, management system outputs also provide important information to the FHWA for their stewardship and oversight roles for the Park Roads and Parkways, Indian Reservation Roads, Refuge Roads, and Forest Highway Programs. The data collection required to implement these management systems supports the DOT Strategic Objectives of Safety, Mobility, Environmental Stewardship, and Organizational Excellence. The proposed data collection also directly supports the FHWA's Vital Few Initiative of Safety, Congestion Mitigation, and Environmental Stewardship and Streamlining that represent the three most important strategic planning and performance goals for the agency. The National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service are continuing to implement the required management systems and the associated information collections. Completion of this phase-in of the management systems is expected to occur during the time period covered by this information collection, and the average annual burden estimates are based on expected increases in the overall burden over that time period. The management systems vary in complexity among the four agencies and reflect differences in the characteristics of the transportation systems involved such as size, ownership, and eligibility for inclusion in the program. These variations result in differences among the agencies in the expected number of respondents to the information collection, and in the anticipated time necessary to respond to the information collection. Typical information that might be collected for the management systems includes: • Traffic information including volumes, speeds, and vehicle classification; • Pavement features such as number of lanes, length, width, surface type, functional classification, and shoulder information; and pavement condition information such as roughness, distress, rutting, and surface friction; • Bridge features such as deck width, under/over-clearance, details of structural elements such as girders, joints, railings, bearings, abutments, and piers; and information on the condition of the bridge elements sufficient to describe the nature, extent, and severity of deterioration; • Safety information such as crash records, crash rates, and an inventory of safety appurtenances such as signs and guardrails; or • Congestion measures such as roadway level of service or travel delay. Respondents to the information collection might be collecting and submitting information in one or more of these categories for the portion of their transportation system that is covered under the FLHP. For example, this might include the collection and submission of information for State or county-owned roads that are Forest Highways, or Indian Reservation Roads owned by Indian Tribal Governments. Typically, the respondents would collect information each year for the portion of their system. Burden estimates have been developed using this assumption combined with an estimate of the time needed to collect and provide the information. *Respondents:* The estimated average annual number of respondents for the management systems for each of the agencies addressed by this information collection is: The NPS management systems consist of 75 respondents. The breakdown is 35 States and 40 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), regional transportation planning agencies, counties, local or tribal governments. The BIA management system consists of 85 respondents. The breakdown is 35 States and 50 MPOs, regional transportation planning agencies, counties, local or tribal governments. The FWS management system consists of 75 respondents. The breakdown is 35 States and 40 MPOs, regional transportation planning agencies, counties, local or tribal governments. The FS management system consists of 85 respondents. The breakdown is 35 States and 50 MPOs, regional transportation planning agencies, counties, local or tribal governments. *Frequency:* Annual. *Estimated Average Annual Burden per Response:* NPS management systems—Approximately 40 hours per respondent. BIA management systems—Approximately 60 hours per respondent. FWS management systems—Approximately 20 hours per respondent. FS management systems—Approximately 60 hours per respondent. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* Total estimated average annual burden is 14,700 hours. Issued on: April 17, 2007. James R. Kabel, Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division. [FR Doc. E7-7561 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA-97-3001] Pipeline Safety: Notice of Availability of a Study on Burial of Submerged Pipelines AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of availability of study and request for comments. SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of PHMSA's study titled “Burial of Submerged Pipelines”, which addresses the hazards to navigation from offshore submerged pipelines. PHMSA requests comments on the study to assist in evaluating the need for further analysis due to anticipated changes in the offshore environment. DATES: Comments must be submitted by May 21, 2007. ADDRESSES: The study is located in docket number PHMSA-97-3001. To submit comments, reference the docket number and use one of the following: • *DOT Web site: http://dms.dot.gov* . To submit comments on the DOT electronic docket site, click “Comment/Submissions,” click “Continue,” fill in the requested information, click “Continue,” enter your comment, then click “Submit.” • *Fax:* 1-202-493-2251. • *Mail:* Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001. • *Hand Delivery:* DOT Docket Management System; Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • *E-Gov Web site:* *http://www.Regulations.gov* . This site allows the public to enter comments on any **Federal Register** notice issued by any agency. *Instructions:* Identify the docket number, PHMSA-97-3001, at the beginning of your comments. If you mail your comments, send two copies. If you wish to receive confirmation that PHMSA received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Online submit comments at *http://www.regulations.gov,* and may access all comments received by DOT at *http://dms.dot.gov* by performing a simple search for the docket number. Note: PHMSA posts all comments without changes or edits to *http://dms.dot.gov,* including any personal information provided. Privacy Act Anyone can search the electronic form for comments received in response to any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement is published in the **Federal Register** on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), and on the Web at *http://dms.dot.gov* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joy Kadnar at

(202)366-0568, or by e-mail at *joy.kadnar@dot.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In July 1987, a fishing vessel struck and ruptured an eight-inch natural gas liquid pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting explosion killed two crewmembers. In October 1989, a similar accident occurred in the Gulf of Mexico when a vessel struck a 16-inch gas pipeline. The resulting fire caused 11 fatalities. The National Transportation Safety Board

(NTSB)investigated these incidents and in 1990 issued safety recommendation number PS-90-29 to PHMSA, in 1990. The NTSB recommended PHMSA “develop and implement effective methods and requirements to bury, protect, and inspect the burial depth of, and maintain, all submerged pipelines in areas subject to damage by surface vessels and their operations.” PHMSA took immediate actions in response to this recommendation. In April 1990, PHMSA issued an Alert Notice to warn pipeline operators and the commercial fishing industry about the dangers of submerged pipelines. After completing extensive research, PHMSA developed a risk management profile for submerged pipelines. PHMSA also issued regulations requiring operators to develop and follow a procedure to identify and conduct periodic inspections of submerged pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico that pose a hazard to navigation (69 FR 48400; August 17, 2004). The NTSB expressed concern that the 2004 final rule did not address offshore submerged pipelines outside the Gulf of Mexico, and requested that PHMSA further study these submerged pipelines. PHMSA recently completed the study to address the NTSB's concern. The study found that since 1990 there have been 58 reported instances of a vessel or its equipment striking a submerged pipeline offshore, and 64 reported instances where a submerged pipeline was either uncovered or presented a hazard to navigation. No incidents were found outside of the Gulf of Mexico. The study addresses the impact of pipeline depth of burial and vessels in waters less than 15 feet of depth. PHMSA anticipates there will be changes in the offshore environment, such as liquefied natural gas import facilities. PHMSA is working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure adequate protection of LNG lines. PHMSA provides FERC with findings from our safety analysis for consideration of conditional terms for granting permits. Therefore, PHMSA has the ability to get safety concerns addressed through FERC by adding them as conditions of a permit. In addition, climate change may adversely affect offshore pipeline infrastructure by causing shifts in weather patterns, water depth or vessel traffic. PHMSA requests comments on the study to assist in evaluating the need for further analysis due to these anticipated changes in the offshore environment. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60102, 60115. Issued in Washington, DC on April 16, 2007. Joy Kadnar, Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. E7-7482 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 35017] Mark K. Smith—Continuance in Control Exemption—Rock River Railroad, Inc. Mark K. Smith (applicant) has filed a verified notice of exemption to continue in control of Rock River Railroad, Inc. (RRR), upon RRR's becoming a Class III rail carrier. The earliest this transaction may be consummated is the May 6, 2007 effective date of the exemption (30 days after the exemption was filed). This transaction is related to the concurrently filed notice of exemption in STB Finance Docket No. 35016, *Rock River Railroad, Inc.—Acquisition and Operation Exemption—Rail Lines of Renew Energy, LLC.* In that proceeding, RRR seeks to acquire and operate approximately 2,100 feet of rail line, located within the plant site of Renew Energy, LLC (RE), in Jefferson, Jefferson County, WI (the line). RRR will provide common carrier rail operations over the line and interchange with Union Pacific Railroad Company. Applicant is a noncarrier and currently controls Rail & Transload, Inc. (R&T), a Class III rail carrier. Applicant states that:

(1)The rail properties operated by R&T and those to be operated by RRR do not connect with each other or any railroads in their corporate family;

(2)the continuance in control is not part of a series of anticipated transactions that would connect the rail lines of R&T and RRR with each other or any railroads in their corporate family; and

(3)the transaction does not involve a Class I railroad. Therefore, the transaction is exempt from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323. *See* 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2). The purpose of this transaction is to allow applicant to continue in control of RRR after RRR becomes a Class III rail carrier. Under 49 U.S.C. 10502(g), the Board may not use its exemption authority to relieve a rail carrier of its statutory obligation to protect the interests of its employees. Section 11326(c), however, does not provide for labor protection for transactions under section 11324 and 11325 that involve only Class III rail carriers. Accordingly, the Board may not impose labor protective conditions here, because all of the carriers involved are Class III carriers. If the verified notice 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 effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than April 27, 2007 (at least 7 days before the exemption becomes effective). An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 35017, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on Thomas F. McFarland, 208 South LaSalle St., Suite 1890, Chicago, IL 60604-1112. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *http://www.stb.dot.gov.* Decided: April 13, 2007. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-7586 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 35016] Rock River Railroad, Inc.—Acquisition and Operation Exemption—Rail Lines of Renew Energy, LLC Rock River Railroad, Inc. (RRR), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to acquire from Renew Energy, LLC (RE), and to operate approximately 2,100 feet of rail line, located within the plant site of RE, in Jefferson, Jefferson County, WI (the line). 1 1 According to RRR, the line does not have mileposts. This transaction is related to the concurrently filed notice of exemption in STB Finance Docket No. 35017, *Mark K. Smith—Continuance in Control Exemption—Rock River Railroad, Inc.,* wherein Mark K. Smith seeks to continue in control of RRR upon its becoming a Class III rail carrier. RRR states that the line connects with Union Pacific Railroad Company at both of its termini. RRR further states that, although the line has been owned and operated by RE as private track and might otherwise be considered to be spur, industrial, or switching track exempt from the Board's acquisition and operation authority under 49 U.S.C. 10906, it constitutes a line of railroad for which an exemption from the Board is required because it is RRR's initial rail acquisition and operation. 2 2 *See Effingham RR Co.—Pet. For Declaratory Order,* 2 S.T.B. 606 (1997), *aff'd sub nom., United Transp. Union* v. *Surface Transp. Bd.,* 183 F.3d 606 (7 Cir. 1999); *see also Bulkmatic Railroad Corporation—Acquisition & Operation Exemption—Bulkmatic Transport Company,* STB Finance Docket No. 34145 (STB served Nov. 19, 2002). RRR certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of the transaction will not exceed those that would qualify it as a Class III rail carrier and will not exceed $5 million. The earliest this transaction may be consummated is the May 6, 2007 effective date of the exemption (30 days after the exemption was filed). If the verified notice 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 effectiveness of the transaction. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than April 27, 2007 (at least 7 days before the exemption becomes effective). An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 35016, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on Thomas F. McFarland, 208 South LaSalle St., Suite 1890, Chicago, IL 60604-1112. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *http://www.stb.dot.gov.* Decided: April 13, 2007. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-7590 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 35015] Kaw River Railroad, Inc.—Lease and Operation Exemption 1 —BNSF Railway Company 1 The original notice did not include “operation” in the title. Because it is clear that KRR will also become the operator of the leased lines, the title has been revised accordingly. Kaw River Railroad, Inc. (KRR), a Class III rail carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to lease from BNSF Railway Company

(BNSF)and operate approximately 14.66 miles of rail lines located in BNSF's Bedford Yard and the Bedford Industrial Park, in North Kansas City, MO, as follows: Track Numbers 1601 through 1605, including associated lead Track Numbers 1 through 10 coming off of Track Number 1606, and Track Number 1606 starting on the west end from the clearance point of the switch with Track Number 1502. In conjunction with the lease of these rail lines, KRR will acquire incidental, restricted overhead trackage rights over a 1.52-mile BNSF rail line located between the Bedford Yard and the Kansas City Southern Railway Company

(KCS)track leading to KCS's Knoche Yard via the ASB Bridge, in North Kansas City. KRR certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of this transaction will not result in the creation of a Class II or Class I rail carrier and will not exceed $5 million. The earliest this transaction may be consummated is the May 6, 2007 effective date of the exemption (30 days after the exemption was filed). If the verified notice 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. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than April 27, 2007. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 35015, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E. Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on Karl Morell, 1455 F Street, NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *http://www.stb.dot.gov.* Decided: April 12, 2007. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-7544 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 452X)] BNSF Railway Company—Abandonment Exemption—in Clinton and Marion Counties, IL BNSF Railway Company

(BNSF)has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1152 Subpart F— *Exempt Abandonments* to abandon approximately 1.05 miles of rail line, extending between milepost 13.97 and milepost 15.02, near Centralia, in Clinton and Marion Counties, IL. 1 The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Code 62801. 1 In a letter filed on April 5, 2007, BNSF clarifies that its use of MN in the headings of the notice is a clerical error, and that MN should be replaced with IL in the headings, as is consistent with the use of IL or Illinois in the text of the notice and newspaper publication. BNSF has certified that:

(1)No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years;

(2)any overhead traffic on the line will be rerouted;

(3)no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Surface Transportation Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of complainant within the 2-year period; and

(4)the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental reports), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic reports), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected by the abandonment shall be protected under *Oregon Short Line R. Co.—Abandonment—Goshen,* 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). To address whether this condition adequately protects affected employees, a petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) must be filed. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance

(OFA)has been received, this exemption will be effective on May 22, 2007, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Petitions to stay that do not involve environmental issues, 2 formal expressions of intent to file an OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2), 3 and trail use/rail banking requests under 49 CFR 1152.29 must be filed by April 30, 2007. Petitions to reopen or requests for public use conditions under 49 CFR 1152.28 must be filed by May 10, 2007, with: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. 2 The Board will grant a stay if an informed decision on environmental issues (whether raised by a party or by the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis

(SEA)in its independent investigation) cannot be made before the exemption's effective date. *See Exemption of Out-of-Service Rail Lines,* 5 I.C.C.2d 377 (1989). Any request for a stay should be filed as soon as possible so that the Board may take appropriate action before the exemption's effective date. 3 Each OFA must be accompanied by the filing fee, which is currently set at $1,300. *See* 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). A copy of any petition filed with the Board should be sent to BNSF's representative: Sidney L. Strickland, Jr., Sidney Strickland and Associates, PLLC, 3050 K Street, NW., Suite 101, Washington, DC 20007. If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void *ab initio.* BNSF has filed a combined environmental and historic report which addresses the effects, if any, of the abandonment on the environment and historic resources. SEA will issue an environmental assessment

(EA)by April 27, 2007. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the EA by writing to SEA (Room 1100, Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423-0001) or by calling SEA, at

(202)245-0305. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service

(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339.] Comments on environmental and historic preservation matters must be filed within 15 days after the EA becomes available to the public. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Pursuant to the provisions of 49 CFR 1152.29(e)(2), BNSF shall file a notice of consummation with the Board to signify that it has exercised the authority granted and fully abandoned the line. If consummation has not been effected by BNSF's filing of a notice of consummation by April 20, 2008, and there are no legal or regulatory barriers to consummation, the authority to abandon will automatically expire. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *http://www.stb.dot.gov.* Decided: April 9, 2007. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-7535 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request April 13, 2007. The Department of the Treasury has submitted the following public information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling the Treasury Bureau Clearance Officer listed. Comments regarding this information collection should be addressed to the OMB reviewer listed and to the Treasury Department Clearance Officer, Department of the Treasury, Room 11000, 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. *Dates:* Written comments should be received on or before May 21, 2007 to be assured of consideration. Bureau of Public Debt

(BPD)*MB Number:* 1535-0094 *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Regulations Governing Payments by the Automated Clearing House Method on Account of United States Securities. *Description:* The information is needed in order to make payments to investors in United States Securities by the Automated Clearing House

(ACH)method. *Respondents:* Individuals or Households. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 1 hour. *OMB Number:* 1535-0131. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Application For Disposition of Series I Savings Bonds after the Death of the registered owner(s). *Form:* PD F 5394. *Description:* Used to distribute Series I savings bonds after the death of the registered owner(s). *Respondents:* Individuals or Households. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 2,050 hours. *OMB Number:* 1535-0095. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Regulations Governing United States Savings Bonds Series E/EE and H/HH. *Description:* The regulations mandate the payment of H/HH interest by Direct Deposit (ACH method). *Respondents:* Individuals or Households. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 1 hour. *OMB Number:* 1535-0121. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* U.S. Treasury Securities State and Local Government Series Early Redemption Request. *Form:* PD F 5377. *Description:* Used for early redemption of State and Local Government Series Securities. *Respondents:* State, Local and Tribal Government. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 247 hours. *Clearance Officer:* Vicki S. Thorpe

(304)480-8150, Bureau of the Public Debt, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26106. *OMB Reviewer:* Alexander T. Hunt

(202)395-7316, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. Michael A. Robinson, Treasury PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E7-7562 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810-39-P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Hudson Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is Supplemental No. 8 to the Treasury Department Circular 570; 2006 Revision, published June 30, 2006, at 71 FR 37694. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Surety Bond Branch at

(202)874-6850. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Certificate of Authority as an acceptable surety on Federal bonds is hereby issued under 31 U.S.C. 9305 to the following Company: Hudson Insurance Company (NAIC #25054). Business Address: 17 State Street, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Phone:

(212)978-2851. Underwriting Limitation b/: $11,542,000. Surety Licenses c/: AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NIM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY. Incorporated IN: Delaware. Federal-bond-approving officers should annotate their reference copies of the Treasury Circular 570 (“Circular”), 2006 Revision, to reflect this addition. Certificates of Authority expire on June 30th each year, unless revoked prior to that date. The Certificate are subject to subsequent annual renewal as long as the companies remain qualified ( *see* 31 CFR part 223). A list of qualified companies is published annually as of July 1st in the Circular, which outlines details as to underwriting limitations, areas in which companies are licensed to transact surety business, and other information. The Circular may be viewed and downloaded through the Internet at *http://www.fms.treas.gov/c570.* Questions concerning this Notice may be directed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, Financial Accounting and Services Division, Surety Bond Branch, 3700 East-West Highway, Room 6F01, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Dated: April 5, 2007. Vivian L. Cooper, Director, Financial Accounting and Services Division, Financial Management Service. [FR Doc. 07-1954 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am]

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