Corps of Engineers Civil Works Questionnaires Generic Clearance

LOCK CLOSURE SURVEY

(Personal Interview)

OMB 0710-0001

Expires: 30 September 2012

The public report burden for this information collection is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Executive Services Directorate, Information Management Division, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503: Attn.: Desk Officer for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Please DO NOT RETURN your completed form to either of these offices.

LOCKS CLOSURE SHIPPER SURVEY

Date: _________________

Firm: __________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________ FAX: ________________________

Point of Contact: __________________________ E-Mail_________________________

Title: __________________________________________________________________

General Description of Firm and Products Produced: ____________________________

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NOTE: ALL RESPONSES WILL BE TREATED AS CONFIDENTIAL

1. Did your company have sufficient notice of the scheduled (lock name) closure to prepare a response plan?  Was your response preplanned or was it designed for this particular closure?

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2. During the period of closure of the main lock chamber at the (lock name) facility, what was your company’s response?

___a. No change in procedures.

___b. Stockpiled product and waited for (lock name) traffic to clear.

___c. Switched to all-overland mode for product delivery from existing sources.

___d. Switched to different waterway routing for product delivery from existing sources

___e. Switched product source to an entirely new source.

___f. Ceased operations during the period of closure.

___g. Altered production during the period of closure.

___h. Switched production to another facility.

___i. Purchased intermediate or final product, rather than produced.

___j. Other or combinations of the above. (Please explain.) ______________________

(2.j. cont’d.)_________________________________________________________________

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3. If you have checked “c” or “d” in question 2, please complete the following table:

4. If you checked “e” in question 1, please complete the following table:

5. If you checked response “a” or “b” under question 2, how were your total production costs affected during the period of closure (total increase in cost, if applicable)? Please explain.

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6. If you checked response “f” under question 2, what was the total estimated loss to your firm as a result of ceasing production during the closure period?

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7. If you checked response “g” under question 2, what was the total estimated loss to your firm as a result of altering production processes during the closure period?

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8. If you checked response “h” under question 2, what was the total increase in costs to your firm as a result of changing production locations during the closure period?

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9. If you checked “i” under question 2, to what extent did purchasing intermediate or final product increase your company’s total costs during the period of closure?

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10. If you checked response “j” under question 2, to what extent did the other measures or combination of measures undertaken as a result of the closure increase your company’s total production costs during the period of closure?

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11. Has the closure at the (lock name) Locks caused your company to alter its long-term transportation strategy (e.g. switch to all-overland modes, increase stockpiles, etc.)? How will this impact your total commodity transportation or other costs (per year). Please explain.

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12. Has the closure at the (lock name) Locks caused your company to take any other long-term permanent measures? Please explain. How will this affect your company’s long-term operating costs (per year)?

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13. As you may be aware, the original closure period for the main chamber at (lock name) was 3 weeks. This closure period was unexpectedly extended an additional 4 weeks. Did your company alter its plans in anticipation of the original closure? Did your company alter its plans in response to the additional delay? Please explain.

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14. Has your company been impacted by other navigation system disruptions?  Did they influence your response to the (lock name) closure?

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15. If your company has experienced significant navigation disruptions (FN1) prior to the (lock name) closure, please complete the following table:

FOOTNOTE 1. Significant navigation system disruptions are defined as disruptions that result in delays to your shipment of more than 48 hours (include scheduled and unscheduled lock outages, accidents, and low and high water events).

FOOTNOTE 2. Short term response refers to the response actions detailed in question 2.

___a. No change in procedures.

___b. Stockpiled product and waited for (lock name) traffic to clear.

___c. Switched to all-overland mode for product delivery from existing sources.

___d. Switched to different waterway routing for product delivery from existing sources

___e. Switched product source to an entirely new source.

___f. Ceased operations during the period of closure.

___g. Altered production during the period of closure.

___h. Switched production to another facility.

___i. Purchased intermediate or final product, rather than produced.

___j. Other or combinations of the above. (Please explain.)

FOOTNOTE 3. Long term response refers to a modification of your long term business plan to include altering your long-term transportation strategy (e.g. switch to all-overland modes, increase stockpiles, etc.). Other long term responses might include sourcing commodities at alternate sites or moving production activities to a different location.