[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2550]



[[Page 5066]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements Agency Information 
Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request 
(ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature 
of the information collection and its expected cost and burden. The 
Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting 
comments on the following collection of information was published on 
October 23, 1996 [FR 61, page 55067].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 5, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Weaver, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-2811.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Maritime Administration

    Title: 46 CFR Part 298--Title XI Obligation Guarantees.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information 
collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2133-0018.
    Form Number(s): MA-163.
    Affected Public: Individuals/businesses interested in obtaining 
loan guarantees for construction/reconstruction of vessels satisfying 
criteria under the Act.
    Abstract: Under title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as 
amended (46 U.S.C. 1271-1279) (the Act), the Maritime Administration 
(MARAD) is authorized to execute a full faith and credit guarantee by 
the United States of debt obligations issued to finance or refinance 
the construction or reconstruction of vessels. In November 1994, the 
title XI program was expanded to permit issuance of loan guarantees for 
financing export vessels built in the United States and for shipyard 
modernization and improvement projects.
    Need and Use of the Information: Prior to execution of a loan 
guarantee, the Act requires the Secretary of Transportation must, among 
other things, make determinations of economic soundness of the project 
and financial and operating capability of the applicant. The Secretary 
of Transportation has delegated this authority (See 49 CFR 1.66(e)) to 
the Maritime Administrator. The information collected is necessary to 
evaluate the project and capabilities, make the required 
determinations, and administer any agreements executed upon approval of 
loan guarantees.
    Annual Burden: 2,000 hours.
    Address: Send all comments to the Office of Management and Budget, 
725-17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention DOT Desk Officer.
    Comments: Send all comments regarding whether this information 
collection is necessary for proper performance of the function of the 
agency and will have practical utility, accuracy of the burden 
estimates, ways to minimize this burden, and ways to enhance quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected to the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 28, 1997.
Phillip A. Leach,
Clearance Officer, United States Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 97-2550 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P