In conjunction with its rulemaking in
Ex Parte No. 575, Disclosure of Rail Interchange Commitments, the
Board is proposing that if a proposed transaction to acquire (by
sale or lease) or operate a rail line includes an agreement
containing an interchange commitment(whether through restrictions
or incentives), the party seeking Board authorization for such
transaction must identify the presence of such an interchange
commitment and must file with the Board a confidential, unredacted
copy of that sales or lease agreement and any related documents
containing the terms of such commitment.
The Surface Transportation
Board is requesting approval of a new information collection
contained in proposed new regulations. Under the proposed
regulations, whenever parties to the transaction seek authority,
through the Boards abbreviated exemption procedures, to acquire
(through sale or lease) or operate a rail line, those parties would
be required to submit a copy of any relevant agreement or related
document that contains such a commitment.
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.