The collection of information will be used by FRA (and potentially contractors) to review grant applications to determine whether they fulfill the requirements and criteria established by statute and agency guidelines concerning the awarding of $20 million in grant funds to repair and rehabilitate rail infrastructure throughout the country damaged by recent hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters.
FRA asks Emergency Clearance for the proposed collection of information for the following reasons: First, the program for which this ICR is being submitted is a new program established by Congress as part of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, (P.L. 110-329); Sept. 30,2008). Under this Act, Congress directed that $20 million in funds be provided to eligible States for immediate assistance to improve vital transportation pathways by rehabilitating and repairing Class II and Class III railroad infrastructure damaged by hurricanes, floods, and other recent natural disasters. The Emergency Clearance of the proposed information collection will allow FRA to fulfill Congress' intent by providing the necessary means for FRA to evaluate applications and promptly determine grant awardees so that it can implement this greatly needed economic program. Second, there has been a high level of interest expressed in discussions with FRA staff that the agency move quickly to make awards under this new program. FRA has been contacted by several State departments of transportation requesting that the application and award process begin at the earliest possible date. Only through the granting of Emergency Clearance will be FRA be able to act in a timely manner to assist States and affected communities, thereby meeting the demands of stakeholders in this critically important program. FRA will begin collecting application information within two weeks of the Federal Register Notice Requesting Emergency Clearance and grant funding will be open for a short period of time (until Jan. 16, 2009 or the date on which all funds have been committed) with funds expected to be obligated soon. For these two reasons, FRA respectfully requests a waiver of normal clearance procedures specified in the PRA and 5 CFR 1320. FRA can not reasonably comply with normal OMB procedures without considerable economic harm redounding to disaster affected States and Class II and Class III railroads and without FRA failing to carry out Congress' clear intent.
PL:
Pub.L. 110 - 329 Ch. 10
Name of Law: The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009
PL: Pub.L. 110 - 329 Ch. 10 Name of Law: The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009
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.
Ch. 10 of P.L. 110-329.pdf
drfRRPG.DOC
Notice of Funds Availability and Solicitation of Applications for Grants under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Grant Program