The proposed collection of information
will be used by FRA to review and evaluate applications for Federal
grants by any of the 50 States and District of Columbia to
determine whether or not to provide funding for various projects
intended to improve intercity rail passenger service.
FRA requests Emergency
Clearance for this proposed information collection for the
following reasons: (1.)The program for which this ICR is submitted
is a new program, proposed by the President as part of his FY 2008
Budget, and established by Congress as part of the Transportation,
Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2008 (Division K of Pub. L. 110-161 (Dec. 26, 2007). Congress
placed a statutory eight (8) month deadline for completing elements
of this program, and FRA beleives that, without the granting of
emergency processing, it will be unable to comply with this
statutory requirement. (2.) There has been an unusually high level
of interest expressed in discussions with FRA that the agency move
quickly in making awards under this new program. FRA has been
contacted by Congressional Appropriations Committee staff, Member
staff, the Congressional Budget Office, and many State departments
of transportation inquiring about the status of this new program,
and requesting that the application and award process begin at the
earliest possible date. Only through the granting of the emergency
processing request will FRA be able to act in a timely manner,
thereby meeting the demands of these key stakeholders in this
program. It should be noted that grant funding will be open for a
period of 18 months (Mar. 18, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2009; if all
funds are not committed before then), and FRA plans to apply for a
three-year OMB clearance under regular PRA and OMB processing
procedures once this request for Emergency Clearance is approved by
OMB.
PL:
Pub.L. 110 - 161 (Division K) Name of Law: Transportation,
Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2008
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.