While rail carriers are no longer required to file rate tariffs at the STB, a statutory requirement exists for water carriers that provide freight transportation in noncontiguous domestic trade (i.e., domestic, as opposed to international, shipments moving to or from Alaska, Hawaii, or the U.S. territories or possessions (Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands)). A tariff provides a list of prices and fees that the carrier charges to the shipping public. These tariffs may be filed electronically. The final rule will now allow water carriers to use (a) their usual business internet postings of their tariffs and (b) the filing of an annual certificate with the Board to meet their filing responsibilities.
This is an existing collection, which is being adjusted to update the burdens and costs based on the quantities experienced by the Board for the collection of water carrier tariffs since the last approval of this collection by OMB in 2017. Under the Final Rule, the number of filings submitted to the Board will decrease significantly, and the cost to the federal government will decrease due to technology improvements.
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.