26 May 2005
See also two GAO reports published yesterday on TSA's inept port security:
1. Cargo Security: Partnership Program Grants Importers Reduced Scrutiny with Limited Assurance of Improved Security. GAO-05-404, March 11.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-404
2. Container Security: A Flexible Staffing Model and Minimum Equipment Requirements Would Improve Overseas Targeting and Inspection Efforts. GAO-05-557, April 26.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-557
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[Federal Register: May 25, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 100)]
[Notices]
[Page 30132]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25my05-129]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
Notice of Intent To Request Approval From the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) of One Public Collection of Information;
Port Security Training Exercise Program
AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: TSA invites public comment on a new information collection
requirement abstracted below that will be submitted to OMB for approval
in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
DATES: Send your comments by July 25, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Katrina Wawer,
Information Collection Specialist, Office of Transportation Security
Policy, TSA-9, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th
Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katrina Wawer at the above address or
by telephone (571) 227-1995 or facsimile (571) 227-2594.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Therefore,
in preparation for submission to renew clearance of the following
information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to--
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Purpose of Data Collection
TSA is currently conducting a national effort to develop a Port
Security Training Exercise Program (PortStep) that will increase the
port industry's level of preparedness to prevent, respond to, and
recover from a terrorist or security event. As part of this effort, TSA
needs to collect data on various aspects of our nation's public and
privately owned ports in order to group each port according to the
level of potential vulnerability to terrorist threats. TSA has
performed an exhaustive search for other potential sources of the data
needed, including a search of reports and databases within the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), and U.S.
Coast Guard (USCG). TSA was able to locate several limited sources of
data; however, available data from these sources is five to ten years
old, and did not include specific data activities and changes made as a
result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Description of Data Collection
TSA will conduct the information collection via the Internet, using
a Web-based survey. The information collection will target, nationwide,
relevant port stakeholders, including Port Authorities, USCG Captains
of the Port, USCG Area Maritime Security Committees, state and local
transportation security managers, emergency managers and emergency
responders, private port service providers, and industry and labor
associations. TSA estimates the total number of respondents to be 360
and the estimated annual reporting burden to be 150 hours annually. TSA
may need to re-administer this survey periodically after 2007 to refine
and refresh data collections; however, this requirement is not certain.
Use of Results
Data will be compiled and assigned weights to produce a score that
TSA will use to create a tiered list of prioritized ports that may
selectively receive a PortStep training exercise. Data will be stored
securely and will not be released publicly. The data will be used only
for the purposes of creating the Tiered Approach Report.
TSA will use these results to determine which U.S. ports should
receive a TSA-sponsored exercise, the type and sophistication of the
exercise, and the level of TSA involvement.
Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on May 19, 2005.
Lisa S. Dean,
Privacy Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-10383 Filed 5-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P