Notices. Notice and request for comments

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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-2007-28961] Agency Information Collection Activities: 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 June 8, 2007. We are required to publish this notice in the **Federal Register** by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by September 12, 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-2007-28961. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bobette Meads, 202-366-2881, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Voucher for Federal-aid Reimbursements. *OMB Control #:* 2125-0507. *Form #:* PR-20. *Background:* The Federal-aid Highway Program provides for the reimbursement to States for expenditure of State funds for eligible Federal-aid highway projects. The Voucher for Work Performed under Provisions of the Federal Aid and Federal Highway Acts as amended is utilized by the States to provide project financial data regarding the expenditure of State funds and to request progress payments from the FHWA. Title 23 U.S.C. 121(b) requires the submission of vouchers. The specific information required on the voucher is contained in 23 U.S.C. 121 and 117. Two types of submissions are required by recipients. One is a progress voucher where the recipient enters the amounts claimed for each FHWA appropriation, and the other is a final voucher where project costs are classified by work type. An electronic version of the Voucher for Work Performed under Provisions of the Federal Aid Highway Acts, as amended, Form PR-20, is used by all recipients to request progress and final payments. *Respondents* : 50 State Transportation Departments, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. *Estimated Average Annual Burden* : The respondents electronically submit an estimated total of 12,900 vouchers each year. Each voucher requires an estimated average of 30 minutes to complete. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* Total estimated average annual burden is 6450 hours. *Electronic Access:* Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT Dockets, 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:* August 8, 2007. James R. Kabel, Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division. [FR Doc. E7-15824 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration

(FRA)received a request for a waiver of compliance with certain requirements of its safety standards. The individual petition is described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested, and the petitioner's arguments in favor of relief. Docket Number: FRA-2007-27322 *Applicant:* Union Pacific Railroad Company, Robert M. Grimaila, Chief Safety Officer, 1400 Douglas Street, MC1180, Omaha, NE 68179-1180. The Union Pacific Railroad Company

(UP)has submitted a temporary waiver petition to support field testing of its processor-based train control systems identified as Communications Based Train Control

(CBTC)and Vital-Train Management System (V-TMS), pursuant to 49 CFR 211.7 and 211.51. An informational filing, as required under 49 CFR Part 236, Subpart H, has also been prepared and submitted in conjunction with this waiver petition, and can be found in the same docket as this waiver petition (FRA-2007-27322). The CBTC is a locomotive-centric, non-vital system designed to be overlaid on existing methods of operation and is intended to provide an improved level of safety through the enforcement of authority limits, permanent speed restrictions, and temporary speed restrictions. The V-TMS is a locomotive-centric, vital train control system designed to be overlaid on existing methods of operation and is intended to provide a high level of railroad safety through the enforcement of authority limits, permanent speed restrictions, and temporary speed restrictions. UP desires to commence CBTC/V-TMS field testing on or about October 1, 2007, or as soon as practicable thereafter, contingent upon FRA's acceptance and approval of the informational filing and waiver petition. UP is requesting regulatory relief from the following Federal regulations: 49 CFR 216.13, Special notice for repairs—locomotive. 49 CFR 217.9, Program of operational tests and inspections: recordkeeping. 49 CFR 217.11, Program of instruction on operating rules; recordkeeping; electronic recordkeeping. 49 CFR Part 218 [Subpart D], Prohibition against tampering with safety devices. 49 CFR 229.7, Prohibited acts. 49 CFR 229.135, Event recorders. 49 CFR 233.9, Annual reports. 49 CFR 235.5, Changes requiring filing of application. 49 CFR 240.127, Criteria for examining skill performance. 49 CFR 240.129, Criteria for monitoring operational performance of certified engineers. The petitioner's arguments in favor of relief from the above regulations can be found in the waiver petition document under Docket No. FRA-2007-27322, which can be viewed using Web site listed below. Relief is sought for development testing and demonstration purposes only. UP expects to fully comply with all FRA regulations, and requests the above relief only while conducting development testing of the CBTC/V-TMS or to occasionally operate a demonstration train. UP has an approved Railroad Safety Program Plan (RSPP), as provided for 49 CFR 236.905 (Docket No. FRA-2006-24002). The CBTC and V-TMS are intended to be tested and demonstrated on UP's Overland Route between Chicago, IL, and O'Fallons, NE; between O'Fallons, NE, and Shawnee Jct., WY; and between Spokane, WA, and Eastport, ID. More detailed milepost locations and descriptions of methods of operation information on these routes can also be obtained from the waiver petition document using the above mentioned docket number, via the Web site listed below. Interested parties are invited to review the waiver petition, informational filing, and associated documents at the following locations: Web site: *http://dms.dot.gov.* Follow the instructions for a simple search on the DOT electronic Docket Management System. All documents in the public docket that are associated with the waiver petition are available on the Web site for inspection and copying. DOT Docket Management Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Any interested parties desiring to protest the granting of the application for the requested regulatory relief listed above shall specifically set forth the grounds upon which the protest is made and include a concise statement of the interest of the party in the proceeding. Additionally, one copy should be furnished to the applicant at the address listed above. However, if a specific request for an oral hearing is accompanied by a showing that the party is unable to adequately present his or her position by written statements, an application may be set for public hearing. All communications concerning this proceeding shall be identified by the docket number (FRA-2007-27322) and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, DOT Docket Management Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. Communications received within 30 days of this notice will be considered before FRA takes final action. Comments received after this period will be considered to the extent possible. All written communications concerning the above waiver request are available for examination at the above facility during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.). All documents in the public docket are also available for inspection and copying on the Internet at the docket facility's Web site at *http://dms.dot.gov.* Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all the comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the **Federal Register** published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78). The Statement may also be found at *http://dms.dot.gov.* Issued in Washington, DC, on August 7, 2007. Grady C. Cothen, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development. [FR Doc. E7-15760 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Petition for Waiver of Compliance In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration

(FRA)received a request for a waiver of compliance from certain requirements of its safety standards. The individual petition is described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested, and the petitioner's arguments in favor of relief. Union Pacific Railroad Company (Docket Number FRA-2007-28340) Union Pacific Railroad Company

(UP)seeks a waiver of compliance from certain requirements of 49 CFR Part 232, *Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment: End-of Train Devices;* and CFR Part 215, *Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards* . Specifically, UP seeks relief to permit trains received at the U.S./Mexico border at Brownsville, TX, from the Kansas City Southern de Mexico Railway (KCSM), to move from the interchange point without performing the regulatory tests and inspections specified in 49 CFR Part 215 and 49 CFR section 232.205(a)(1), at that location. UP proposes moving the trains from the border at Milepost 0.7 on the Brownsville Subdivision to the UP yard at Olmito, TX, a distance of 7.9 miles, where the required FRA inspections will be performed. According to UP, the railroad has been operating in this fashion since February 2004 under the authority of a letter from the Director of FRA's Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance. Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request. All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number FRA-2007-28340) and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. Communications received within 45 days of the date of this notice will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning these proceedings are available for examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the DOT Central Docket Management Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, in Washington, DC. All documents in the public docket are also available for inspection and copying on the Internet at the docket facility's Web site at *http://dms.dot.gov* . Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into 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.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the **Federal Register** published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-19478). The Statement may also be found at *http://dms.dot.gov* . Issued in Washington, DC, on August 7, 2007. Grady C. Cothen, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development. [FR Doc. E7-15738 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Safety Program Plan Although not required, notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration

(FRA)has received a Railroad Safety Program Plan

(RSPP)from the Union Pacific Railroad Company

(UP)pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR)Part 236, Subpart H. A brief summary of the RSPP, including the party submitting it and the requisite docket number, follows. Union Pacific Railroad Company (Docket Number FRA-2006-24002) UP submitted RSPP Version 4.3b, which is its strategic safety planning document for the development and implementation of safety-critical processor-based signal and train control systems or active highway-rail grade crossing warning systems, subject to the provisions of 49 CFR section 234.275 or 49 CFR Part 236, Subpart H. A previous version (4.3a) of the RSPP has been approved by FRA (Docket FRA-2006-24002). This new version of the RSPP does not require FRA approval, per 49 CFR Part 236, Subpart H. Interested parties are invited to review this and other associated documents at the following: Web site: *http://dms.dot.gov.* Click on “Simple Search” on the DOT electronic docket site and enter Docket Number 24002. U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. All documents in the public docket are also available for inspection and copying on the Internet at the docket facility's Web site at *http://dms.dot.gov.* You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the **Federal Register** published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78). The Statement may also be found at *http://dms.dot.gov.* Issued in Washington, DC on August 7, 2007. Grady C. Cothen, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development. [FR Doc. E7-15779 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Availability of Environmental Management Systems Training and Assistance for State and Local Transit Agencies AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of availability of Environmental Management Systems training and assistance. SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration

(FTA)will sponsor training and assistance in Environmental Management Systems

(EMS)for up to ten state and local transit agencies. EMS can play a valuable role in the establishment of sound business management practices that include concern for the environment. Adoption of environmental management systems has been shown to result in advantages in financing, insurance, marketing, regulatory compliance, and other areas of operations. FTA will sponsor assistance in the form of training workshops, on-site technical advice and consultation, including follow-up. Applications from transit agencies to participate in this training and assistance are solicited. DATES: Letters of application to participate in this training and assistance program must be received by September 7, 2007. ADDRESSES: Letters of application should be submitted to: Federal Transit Administration, Office of Planning and Environment, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room E45-130, Washington, DC 20590, Attention: Jim Barr, Fax:

(202)366-2478. Applications may be hand delivered between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays; for confirmation of mail delivery, a stamped, self-addressed post card must be included. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Barr or Julie Atkins, Office of Planning and Environment, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room E45-130, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone:

(202)366-1568. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Environmental Management Systems Environmental management systems are designed to develop a systematic management approach to the environmental concerns of an organization. Evidence suggests that adoption of environmental management systems results in advantages in financing, insurance, marketing, regulatory compliance, and other areas of operations. Perhaps the most recognized and widely employed environmental management system is ISO [International Organization for Standardization] 14001, a model for implementing environmental management systems used by tens of thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries. In January 2006, the Federal Transit Administration

(FTA)concluded a successful Environmental Management Systems

(EMS)training and technical assistance program based on ISO 14001 for ten public transit agencies. The results of the final audit and the responses of the participating transit agencies, documented in a report entitled, “Environmental Management Systems Training & Assistance Final Report” (January 2006), available online at *http://www.fta.dot.gov/library/FTA_EMS/index.htm* , were impressive. Nine of the ten participating transit agencies achieved an overall rating of 93 per cent or higher, and four of those agencies achieved an overall rating in excess of 97 per cent. Cost savings could not be easily quantified in the abbreviated implementation period, but one participating transit agency reported an annualized savings of $66,000 in fuel and labor costs alone. So impressed were two of the participating transit agencies with ISO 14001 as a framework that inspires and channels the creative thinking of all their employees that they elected to become ISO certified. FTA is now prepared to provide an opportunity for up to ten more public transit agencies to receive similar EMS training and assistance. EMS Training and Assistance FTA will provide assistance in the form of training workshops, on-site technical support visits and electronic materials and consultation. FTA is currently selecting a skilled contractor to carry out EMS training and assistance under a cooperative agreement. Training will be designed to help transit agencies develop and implement an environmental management system based on ISO 14001 which provides a structured process for the achievement of continual improvement, the rate and extent of which are determined by the organization in light of economic factors and other circumstances. The EMS training program will include: • EMS training and assistance for up to ten transit agency teams, consisting of three to four members each, over a two-year period; • A curriculum designed specifically for transit agency implementation of an EMS with a possible emphasis on the implementation of an EMS for a transit capital program; • A pre-workshop site evaluation visit to each agency by the contractor team; • A training “tool-kit,” including guidebooks and software, as necessary; • Four three-day workshops at the site of the contractor's choosing which would include all transit teams; participants are responsible for travel and accommodation costs for these workshops; • Two site visits and progress reviews by the contractor for each participant; and • Monthly conference calls with the contractor, FTA, and all program participants. At the conclusion of training, and following a period of implementation, FTA will assemble a final report that includes the participating transit agencies' case studies and an assessment of training results. How To Apply for the Program Interested transit agencies should submit a letter, signed by the head of the public transportation organization, that contains the following information: • A brief description of the transit organization and its responsibilities; • The name of a high-ranking transit agency management representative who will have the responsibility and the authority for ensuring that the EMS is developed based on the program provided above. The transit agency's representative should be available to travel and participate in workshops with other transit participants over the life of the project; and • A clear assurance that senior management in the organization will provide the necessary visibility, staff time, and other resources necessary to successfully develop and implement the EMS through its implementation team. Ongoing top management support is the most critical factor for ensuring a successful and sustainable EMS. Judging Applications Once all applications are received, FTA will conduct follow-up interviews with each applicant to discuss the information contained in the letter of application in more detail and to obtain any other necessary information. FTA will give preference to agencies that are particularly interested in the implementation of an EMS for a transit capital program. FTA may consult with the contractor before final decisions are made. FTA will use a number of criteria to select participants, including: • Organizational commitment by transit agency leadership to EMS implementation; • Geographical diversity; • Previous environmental experiences; and • Environmental challenges from operations and/or pending capital projects. The first program workshop should occur in early 2008. Issued in Washington, DC this 7th day of August 2007. James S. Simpson, Administrator. [FR Doc. E7-15754 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-57-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement

(VISA)AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of open season for enrollment in the VISA program. Introduction The VISA program was established pursuant to section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (DPA), which provides for voluntary agreements for emergency preparedness programs. VISA was approved for a two year term on January 30, 1997, and published in the **Federal Register** on February 13, 1997, (62 FR 6837). Approval is currently extended through September 30, 2007, as published in the **Federal Register** on September 23, 2005 (70 FR 55947). As implemented, the VISA program is open to U.S.-flag vessel operators of oceangoing militarily useful vessels. Operators include vessel owners and bareboat charter operators if satisfactory signed agreements are in place committing the assets of the owner to the bareboat charterer for purposes of VISA. While tug/barge operators must own or bareboat charter barges committed to the VISA program, it is not required that these operators commit tug services through bareboat charter or ownership arrangements. Time charters of U.S.-flag tugs will satisfy tug commitments to the VISA program. However, participation in the VISA program is not satisfied by tug commitment only. Tug/barge VISA participants must commit capacity of at least one barge to the VISA program. Voyage and space charterers are not considered U.S.-flag vessel operators for purposes of VISA eligibility. VISA Concept The mission of VISA is to provide commercial sealift and intermodal shipping services and systems, including vessels, vessel space, intermodal systems and equipment, terminal facilities, and related management services, to the Department of Defense (DOD), as necessary, to meet national defense contingency requirements or national emergencies. VISA provides for the staged, time-phased availability of participants' shipping services/systems to meet contingency requirements through prenegotiated contracts between the Government and participants. Such arrangements are jointly planned with the Maritime Administration, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and participants in peacetime to allow effective and best valued use of commercial sealift capacity, to provide DOD assured contingency access, and to minimize commercial disruption, whenever possible. There are three time-phased stages in the event of VISA activation. VISA Stages I and II provide for prenegotiated contracts between DOD and participants to provide sealift capacity to meet all projected DOD contingency requirements. These contracts are executed in accordance with approved DOD contracting methodologies. VISA Stage III will provide for additional capacity to DOD when Stages I and II commitments or volunteered capacity are insufficient to meet contingency requirements, and adequate shipping services from non-participants are not available through established DOD contracting practices or U.S. Government treaty agreements. VISA Enrollment Open Season The purpose of this notice is to invite interested, qualified U.S.-flag vessel operators that are not currently enrolled in the VISA program to participate. This is the tenth annual enrollment period since the commencement of the VISA program. The annual enrollment is intended to link the VISA enrollment cycle with DOD's peacetime cargo contracting to ensure eligible participants priority consideration for DOD awards of cargo. New VISA applicants are required to submit their applications for the VISA program as described in this Notice no later than August 31, 2007. Applicants must provide copies of loadline documents from a recognized classification society to validate oceangoing vessel capability, and U.S. Coast Guard Certificates of Documentation for all vessels in their fleet. If vessels are bareboat chartered or time chartered (applicable to tugs only) by the applicant, charter agreements shall be provided along with the application. Bareboat charter and time charter agreements must, at a minimum, be valid from the time of application through September 30, 2008. Bareboat charter agreements must also state that the owner will not interfere with the charterer's obligation to commit chartered vessel(s) to the VISA program for the duration of the charter. Approved VISA participants will be responsible for assuring that information submitted with their application remains up to date beyond the approval process. Any changes to VISA commitments must be reported to the Maritime Administration and USTRANSCOM not later than seven days after the change. If charter agreements are due to expire, participants must provide the Maritime Administration with charters that extend the charter duration for another 12 months or longer. Alignment of VISA enrollment and eligibility for VISA priority will solidify the linkage between commitment of contingency assets by VISA participants and receiving VISA priority consideration for the award of DOD peacetime cargo. This is the only planned enrollment period for carriers to join the VISA program and derive benefits for DOD peacetime contracts during the time frame of October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008. The only exception to this open season period for VISA enrollment will be for a non-VISA carrier that reflags a vessel into U.S. registry. That carrier may submit an application to participate in the VISA program at any time upon completion of reflagging. Advantages of Peacetime Participation Because enrollment of carriers in the VISA program provides DOD with assured access to sealift services during contingencies based on a level of commitment, as well as a mechanism for joint planning, DOD awards peacetime cargo contracts to VISA participants on a priority basis. This applies to liner trades and charter contracts alike. Award of DOD cargoes to meet DOD peacetime and contingency requirements is made on the basis of the following priorities: • U.S.-flag vessel capacity operated by VISA participants and U.S.-flag Vessel Sharing Agreement

(VSA)capacity held by VISA participants. • U.S.-flag vessel capacity operated by non-participants. • Combination U.S.-flag/foreign-flag vessel capacity operated by VISA participants, and combination U.S.-flag/foreign-flag VSA capacity held by VISA participants. • Combination U.S.-flag/foreign-flag vessel capacity operated by non-participants. • U.S.-owned or operated foreign-flag vessel capacity and VSA capacity held by VISA participants. • U.S.-owned or operated foreign-flag vessel capacity and VSA capacity held by non-participants. • Foreign-owned or operated foreign-flag vessel capacity of non-participants. Participants Any U.S.-flag vessel operator organized under the laws of a state of the United States, or the District of Columbia, who is able and willing to commit militarily useful sealift assets and assume the related consequential risks of commercial disruption, may be eligible to participate in the VISA program. The term “operator” is defined in the VISA document as “an ocean common carrier or contract carrier that owns, controls or manages vessels by which ocean transportation is provided”. Applicants wishing to become participants must provide satisfactory evidence that the vessels being committed to the VISA program are operational and that vessels are intended to be operated by the applicant in the carriage of commercial or government preference cargoes. While vessel brokers, freight forwarders and agents play an important role as a conduit to locate and secure appropriate vessels for the carriage of DOD cargo, they may not become participants in the VISA program due to lack of requisite vessel ownership or operation. However, brokers, freight forwarders and agents should encourage the carriers they represent to join the program. Commitment Any U.S.-flag vessel operator desiring to receive priority consideration in the award of DOD peacetime contracts must commit no less than 50 percent of its total U.S.-flag militarily useful capacity in Stage III of the VISA program. Participants operating vessels in international trade and desiring to bid on DOD peacetime contracts will be required to provide commitment levels to meet DOD-established Stages I and/or II minimum percentages of the participant's militarily useful, oceangoing U.S-flag international trading fleet capacity on an annual basis. USTRANSCOM and the Maritime Administration will coordinate to ensure that the amount of sealift assets committed to Stages I and II will not have an adverse national economic impact. To minimize domestic commercial disruption, participants operating vessels exclusively in the domestic Jones Act trades are not required to commit the capacity of those U.S. domestic trading vessels to VISA Stages I and II. Overall VISA commitment requirements are based on annual enrollment. In order to protect a U.S.-flag vessel operator's market share during contingency activation, VISA allows participants to join with other vessel operators in Carrier Coordination Agreements

(CCAs)to satisfy commercial or DOD requirements. VISA provides a defense against antitrust laws in accordance with the DPA. CCAs must be submitted to the Maritime Administration for coordination with the Department of Justice for approval, before they can be utilized. Compensation In addition to receiving priority in the award of DOD peacetime cargo, a participant will receive compensation during contingency activation. During enrollment, each participant may choose a compensation methodology which is commensurate with risk and service provided. The compensation methodology selection will be completed with the appropriate DOD agency. Enrollment New applicants may enroll by obtaining a VISA application package (Form MA-1020 (OMB Approval No. 2133-0532)) from the Director, Office of Sealift Support, at the address indicated below. Form MA-1020 includes instructions for completing and submitting the application, blank VISA Application forms and a request for information regarding the operations and U.S. citizenship of the applicant company. A copy of the VISA document as published in the **Federal Register** on September 23, 2005, will also be provided with the package. This information is needed in order to assist the Maritime Administration in making a determination of the applicant's eligibility. An applicant company must provide an affidavit that demonstrates that the company is qualified to document a vessel under 46 U.S.C., section 12103, and that it owns, or bareboat charters and controls, oceangoing, militarily useful vessel(s) for purposes of committing assets to the VISA program. As previously mentioned, VISA applicants must return the completed VISA application documents to the Maritime Administration not later than August 31, 2007. Once the Maritime Administration has reviewed the application and determined VISA eligibility, the Maritime Administration will sign the VISA application document which completes the eligibility phase of the VISA enrollment process. After VISA eligibility is approved by the Maritime Administration, approved applicants are required to execute a joint VISA Enrollment Contract

(VEC)with DOD [USTRANSCOM and the Military Sealift Command (MSC)] which will specify the participant's Stage III commitment for the period October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008. Once the VEC is completed, the applicant completes the DOD contracting process by executing a Drytime Contingency Contract

(DCC)with MSC (for Charter Operators) and if applicable, a VISA Contingency Contract

(VCC)with USTRANSCOM (for Liner Operators). The Maritime Administration reserves the right to revalidate all eligibility requirements without notice. *For Additional Information and Applications Contact:* Taylor E. Jones II, Director, Office of Sealift Support, U.S. Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone

(202)366-2323. Fax

(202)366-3128. Other information about the VISA can be found on the Maritime Administration's Internet Web Page at *http://www.marad.dot.gov.* (Authority: 49 CFR 1.66) Dated: August 6, 2007. By order of the Maritime Administrator. Daron Threet, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. E7-15825 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-81-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request

(ICR)abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. A **Federal Register** Notice soliciting public comment on the ICR, with a 60-day comment period, was published on May 15, 2007 at 72 FR 27354. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 12, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Coleman Sachs, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (NVS-223), West Building—Room W45-311, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 (202-366-3151). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration *Title:* Importation of Vehicles and Equipment Subject to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention Standards. *OMB Number:* 2127-0002. *Type of Request:* Extension of a Currently Approved Collection. *Abstract:* The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has requested OMB to extend that agency's approval of the information collection that is incident to NHTSA's administration of the regulations at 49 CFR parts 591, 592, and 593 that govern the importation of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. The information collection includes declarations that are filed (on the HS-7 Declaration form) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection

(CBP)upon the importation of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment that is subject to the Federal motor vehicle safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards administered by NHTSA. The information collection also includes the Department of Transportation

(DOT)conformance bond that is furnished to CBP (on form HS-474) for each motor vehicle offered for importation that does not conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). The bond ensures that such vehicles are brought into conformity with those standards within 120 days from the date of entry or are exported from, or abandoned to, the United States. The information collection also includes paperwork that must be submitted to NHTSA and in some instances retained by registered importers

(RIs)of motor vehicles that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS. These items include information that a person or business entity must submit to NHTSA to be registered as an RI and to retain that status. The paperwork also includes the statement of conformity that an RI must submit to NHTSA following the completion of conformance modifications on an imported nonconforming vehicle to obtain release of the DOT conformance bond furnished for the vehicle at the time of entry. Also included is the petition that an RI or manufacturer may submit to NHTSA for the agency to decide that a vehicle that was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS is capable of being modified to conform to those standards and is therefore eligible for importation under 49 U.S.C. 30141. The information collection also includes applications that are filed with NHTSA for permission to import nonconforming vehicles for purposes of research, investigations, demonstrations, training, competitive racing events, and show or display, as well as applications requesting the agency to recognize vehicles manufactured for racing purposes as being qualified to be imported as vehicles that were not primarily manufactured for use on public roads, precluding the need for those vehicles to comply with the FMVSS. This information collection is necessary to ensure that motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment subject to the Federal motor vehicle safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards are lawfully imported into the United States and that RIs and applicants for RI status are capable of meeting their obligations under the statutes and regulations governing the importation of nonconforming vehicles. *Affected Public:* Individuals and commercial entities that import motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment subject to the FMVSS and vehicles that are not primarily manufactured for use on public roads, as well as applicants for RI status and existing RIs. *Estimated Total Annual Burden:* 42,413 hours; $1,655,613.00. ADDRESSES: 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 NHTSA Desk Officer. 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. • Whether the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection is accurate. • Ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected. • 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. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. Issued on: August 7, 2007. Daniel C. Smith, Associate Administrator for Enforcement. [FR Doc. E7-15739 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket: PHMSA-98-4957] Request for Public Comments and Office of Management and Budget Approval of Existing Information Collections (2137-0578 and 2137-0579) AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that PHMSA has forwarded two Information Collection Requests to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for the renewal and extension of two information collections: “Reporting of Safety-Related Conditions on Gas, Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines and Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities” (2137-0578) and “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Pipeline Operators” (2137-0579). The purpose of this notice is to invite the public to submit comments on the requests to OMB. DATES: Submit comments on or before September 12, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Desk Office for the Department of Transportation, 725 17th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Little at

(202)366-4569, or by e-mail at *roger.little@dot.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice identifies two existing information collections PHMSA is submitting to OMB for renewal and extension. These information collections are found in 49 CFR Parts 192, 195, and 199 of the pipeline safety regulations. PHMSA has revised the burden estimates, where appropriate, to reflect current reporting levels or adjustments based on changes made since the last information collection approvals. PHMSA is now requesting that OMB grant a three-year term of approval for both information collections. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, PHMSA is required to obtain OMB approval for information collections. The term “information collection” includes all work related to preparing and disseminating information related to these information collection requirements including completing paperwork, gathering information, and conducting telephone calls. PHMSA published a notice providing a 60-day period for comments on the renewal of information in the **Federal Register** on Friday 8, 2007 (72 FR 31896-31897), and received no comments. PHMSA invites comments on whether the proposed information collections are necessary for DOT's proper performance. The comments may include

(1)whether the information will have practical utility;

(2)the accuracy of DOT's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collections;

(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collection; and

(4)ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. *Title of Information Collection Request:* Reporting of Safety-Realted Conditions ono Gas, Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines and Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities. *OMB Control Number:* 2137-0578. *Summary:* Operators of a gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipeline (except master meter) or a liquefied natural gas facility are required to submit to DOT a written report on any safety-related condition that cause a significant change or restriction in the operation of facilities or a condition that is a hazard to life, property, or the environment (49 U.S.C. 60102). PHMSA uses the information collected to identify safety-related trends and takes action to reduce pipeline accidents and incidents. *Type of Information Collection Request:* Renewal of Existing Collection. *Respondents:* 127. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 762 hours. *Estimated Cost:* $49,340. *Titel of Information Collection Request:* Drug and Alcohol Testing of Pipeline Operators. *OMB Control Number:* 2137-0579. *Summary:* Operators are required to conduct drug and alcohol testing of covered employees who perform operation, maintenance, or emergency-response functions regulated by 49 CFR Pars 192, 193, or 195 (49 CFR Part 199 and 49 CFR Part 40). PHMSA uses this information to deter and detect illegal drug use and alcohol misuse in the pipeline industry. *Type of Information Collection Request:* Renewal of Existing Collection. *Respondents:* 2,419. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 2,963 hours. *Estimated Cost:* $153,314. Issued in Washington, DC on August 7, 2007. Florence L. Hamn, Director of Regulations, Office of Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 07-3941 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am]

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