Information Collection Available for Public Comments and Recommendations

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) intentions to request approval for three years of a new information collection titled, “Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA).”

DATES:

Comments should be submitted on or before June 9, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Raymond R. Barberesi, Director, Office of Sealift Support, MAR-630, Room 7307, Maritime Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590, telephone number: 202-366-2323 or fax 202-493-2180. Copies of this collection can be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection: Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA).

Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.

OMB Control Number: 2133-(NEW).

Form Number: MA-1020.

Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the date of approval.

Summary of Collection of Information: This information collection is in accordance with Section 708, Defense Production Act, 1950, as amended, under which participants agree to provide commercial sealift capacity and intermodal shipping services and systems necessary to meet national defense requirements. In order to meet national defense requirements, the Government must assure the continued availability of commercial sealift resources.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collection is needed by MARAD and the Department of Defense (DOD), including representatives from the U.S. Transportation Command and its components, to evaluate and assess the applicants eligibility for participation in the VISA program. The information will be used by MARAD and the U.S. Transportation Command and its components to assure the continued availability of commercial sealift resources to meet the DOD's military requirements.

Description of Respondents: Operators of qualified dry cargo vessels.

Annual Responses: 40 responses.

Annual Burden: 200 hours.

Comments: Comments should refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document. Written comments may be submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590. Comments may also be submitted by electronic means via the Internet at http://dmses.dot.gov/submit. Specifically, address 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. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., EDT. Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide Web at http://dms.dot.gov.