OMB notes there was a minimal gap in approval for this collection due to technical difficulties. DOT is granted an emergency review due to that circumstance and the additional, unanticipated time required to complete disbursement of the funds.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2009
6 Months From Approved
46
0
0
4,875
0
0
0
0
0
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.
The current approval for this collection of information expires June 30,2009, and FRA needs to keep this collection active so that it can continue to accept applications for the remaining disater grant funds that were mandated by Congress under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
There is high Congressional interest, paricularly among the North Dakota delegation, that FRA move expeditiously to award the remaining grant funds to help communities throughout the country that have been severely adversely affected by recent natural disasters. FRA requests this emergency approval so that it can comply both the letter of the law and the will of Congress.
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
FRA discovered several days before the June 30, 2009, expiration of the initial Emergency Clearance that not all grant funds available under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Grant Program had been used and that this required an extension of the current approval.
FRA notified OST/OMB of this at once and of its publication of a renewal Notice in the Federal Register, but was unable to submit the re-approval package late yesterday afternoon in ROCIS because the FRA Safety Information Clearnce Officer who would do this had gone home for the day.
Thus, FRA is requesting a reinstatement without change of the previous OMB approval. Thanks!
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.
Nov. 6, 2008 FR Notice.pdf
drfRRPG.DOC
Notice of Funds Availability and Solicitation of Applications for Grants under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Grant Program