36882 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 113 / Monday, June 12, 2000 / Notices

railroad safety laws by adding certain

statutory mandates related to power

brake safety, specifically regarding twoway end-of-train telemetry devices (twoway EOTs). This section required twoway end-of-train devices (or devices

able to perform the same function) on

road trains other than locals, road

switchers, or work trains to enable the

initiation of emergency braking from the

rear of the train. The information

collected enhances rail safety by

ensuring that the locomotive engineer is

notified if someone other than a train

crew member tests the two-way end-oftrain devices at the initial terminal or

other point of installation to confirm

that the device is capable of initiating an

emergency power brake application

from the rear of the train. The

information collected is also used to by

FRA to verify that the end-of-train

telemetry equipment is properly

calibrated for accuracy according to the

manufacturer’s specifications at least

every 365 days. Additionally, the

information collected verifies that twoway end-of-train standards, such as the

front unit having a manually operated

switch that is labeled ‘‘emergency’’

which can initiate an emergency brake

transmission command to the rear unit

(when activated), are met.

Annual Estimated Burden Hours:

5,797 hours.

Addressee: Send comments regarding

these information collections to the

Office of Information and Regulatory

Affairs, Office of Management and

Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, N.W.,

Washington, D.C., 20503; Attention:

FRA Desk Officer.

Comments are invited on the

following: Whether the proposed

collections of information are necessary

for the proper performance of the

functions of FRA, including whether the

information will have practical utility;

the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of the

burden of the proposed information

collections; ways to enhance the quality,

utility, and clarity of the information to

be collected; and ways to minimize the

burden of the collections of information

on respondents, including the use of

automated collection techniques or

other forms of information technology.

A comment to OMB is best assured of

having its full effect if OMB receives it

within 30 days of publication of this

notice in the Federal Register.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.

Margaret B. Reid,

Acting Director, Office of Information

Technology and Support Systems, Federal

Railroad Administration.

[FR Doc. 00–14764 Filed 6–9–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–06–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs

Administration

[Docket No. RSPA–2000–6827 (12412–N)]

Hazardous Materials: Proposed DOT

Exemption for Discharging

Intermediate Bulk Containers on Motor

Vehicles

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs

Administration (RSPA) DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed exemption.

SUMMARY: RSPA proposes to consolidate

and standardize all existing DOT

Exemptions that authorize the discharge

of intermediate bulk containers (IBC)

from a motor vehicle without removing

the IBC from the vehicle. These are DOT

Exemptions 12245, 12013, 11911,

11769, 11646, 11537, and 10429.

DATES: Comment Date: Comments must

be received on or before August 11,

2000.

ADDRESSES: Written Comments: Address

comments to the Dockets Management

System, U.S. Department of

Transportation, PL 401, 400 Seventh St.,

SW, Washington, DC 20590–0001.

Comments should identify the docket

number, RSPA–2000–6827 (12412–N),

and should be submitted in two copies.

Persons wishing to receive confirmation

of receipt of their comments should

include a self-addressed stamped

postcard. The Dockets Management

System is located on the Plaza Level of

the Nassif Building, at the above

address. Public dockets may be

reviewed between the hours of 10:00

a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday,

excluding Federal holidays. In addition,

comments can be reviewed by accessing

the DMS Website (http://dms.dot.gov).

Comments may also be submitted by Email to ‘‘ibc@rspa.dot.gov’’. In every

case, the comment should refer to the

Docket number set forth above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Donald Burger, telephone number (202)

366–4545, Office of Hazardous Materials

Technology, Research and Special

Programs Administration, U.S.

Department of Transportation,

Washington, DC 20590–0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The rationale and justification

presented to RSPA with the original

exemption applications to authorize the

unloading of IBCs while onboard a

motor vehicle were:

• A demonstrated need to deliver

hazardous materials to sites which did

not have the capability to safely unload

an IBC from a motor vehicle prior to

discharging the contents;

• The delivery and transfer of small

quantities of hazardous materials into

storage tanks was safer from IBCs than

from several drums and not feasible

from a cargo tank motor vehicle; and

• Carriers would have sufficient

operational controls in place to ensure

safety during the transfer operation.

Based on numerous requests for

modification of the subject exemptions,

particularly with regard to IBC capacity

limitations and authorized materials,

RSPA sent a May 27, 1999 letter to each

holder and person having party status to

DOT Exemptions 11911, 11769, 11646,

11537, 10429, 12013 and 12245. The

letter contained 14 procedural and

shipment questions regarding the

operations of the respective holders.

RSPA received numerous responses to

the letter. The information gathered

from each response was compiled and

evaluated. In the replies to the letter,

more than one third of the respondents

indicated they unload in excess of 1,200

gallons of one hazardous material

during a single delivery. Under this

scenario, RSPA believes that the IBCs

are being used as cargo tanks.

On October 27, 1999 RSPA sent a

letter and a draft exemption (draft) to

the individuals who received the May

27, 1999 letter. The draft contained

many provisions similar to the existing

IBC exemptions. In addition, the draft

proposed that the maximum quantity of

hazardous material discharged from an

IBC was not to exceed 300 gallons per

shipment per day. RSPA received

numerous comments on this draft. The

majority of the comments addressed the

restriction placed upon the maximum

quantity of hazardous material that

could be discharged at one location.

These comments were an additional

indication to RSPA that the IBCs are

being used as cargo tanks. Instead of

imposing a quantity limitation, RSPA is

considering a requirement that the

discharge system provide the same level

of safety during discharge as is required

for use of a cargo tank. On July 10, 1998,

RSPA issued a Final Rule under Docket

RSPA–1997–2905 (HM–166Y) (63 FR

37454), addressing this issue for IM

Portable Tanks where RSPA permitted

an IM portable tank to be unloaded

while remaining on a vehicle with the

power unit attached, provided the tank

meets the outlet requirements of

§ 178.345–11. Section 178.345–

11(b)(1)(iii) provides that the remote

means of closure for the stop valve on

a cargo tank must be capable of thermal

activation when required by Part 173 for

materials which are flammable,

pyrophoric, oxidizing, or poisonous

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 113 / Monday, June 12, 2000 / Notices 36883

liquids. The tank outlets are required to

be equipped with this feature to ensure

that the valve closes in a fire situation.

Cargo tanks have been required to have

this feature for many years. RSPA

believes that when an IM portable tank,

as well as an IBC, is used in the same

manner as a cargo tank it should have

the same level of safety in the event the

operator cannot manually operate the

closure.

The intended effect of this proposal is

to develop a standardized exemption

and to provide for the safe discharge of

materials from intermediate bulk

containers that have not been removed

from the transport vehicle prior to

unloading. Under this exemption, the

holder and all parties to the exemption

each would operate under the same

controls and provisions. A second major

draft of the proposed exemption is

provided below.

Expiration Date: TBD

(For Renewal, See 49 CFR 107.109)

1. Grantee: TBD

2. Purpose and Limitation:

a. This exemption authorizes the

discharge of liquid hazardous materials

from DOT Specification UN

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)

without removing the IBC from the

vehicle on which it is transported. This

exemption provides no relief from the

Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)

other than as specifically stated herein.

b. The safety analyses performed in

development of this exemption only

considered the hazards and risks

associated with transportation in

commerce.

3. Regulatory System Affected: 49 CFR

Parts 106, 107 and 171–180.

4. Regulations From Which Exempted:

49 CFR 177.834(h), in that an IBC is

unloaded while on a motor vehicle, and

the marking requirements in

§ 172.302(c).

5. Basis: This exemption is based on

the application of XXXXXX dated

ZZZZZ, submitted in accordance with

§ 107.105 and the public proceeding

thereon.

6. Hazardous Materials (49 CFR

172.101):

Proper shipping name/hazardous materials description Hazard class/

division

Identi-fication

No. Packing group

All materials authorized to be shipped in UN IBCs ................................................................... As appropriate.As appro-priate As appropriate

7. Safety Control Measures:

a. Packaging—Packaging prescribed is

a DOT Specification UN IBC.

(1) IBCs may not be manifolded

together or have discharge outlets hard

piped onto the vehicle.

(2) Discharge outlets must meet the

requirements of § 178.345–11.

b. Operational Controls—

(1) Two or more materials may not be

loaded on the same vehicle if any

mixture of the materials would cause an

unsafe condition.

(2) The IBC must be attended by a

qualified person at all times during

unloading operations. For the purposes

of this requirement, ‘‘attended’’ and

‘‘qualified’’ have the meanings

described in § 177.834(i)(3) and (4),

respectively.

(3) IBCs must be discharged using a

mechanical pump with a positive means

of stopping the flow of liquid from the

pump, by gravity, or by pressurizing the

IBC.

(4) Before starting each transfer from

an IBC to a receiving system, the person

performing the function must determine

that each component of the discharge

system (including hose) is of sound

quality and free of leaks and that

connections are secure.

(5) A hose or associated equipment

that shows signs of leakage, significant

bulging, or other defects may not be

used.

(6) If an IBC is unloaded using a

pump, or if the IBC is pressurized for

unloading, prior to using a new or

repaired transfer hose, the hose

assembly (the hose and associated

fittings) must be subjected to a pressure

test. The pressure test must be

performed at no less than the pressure

the hose is expected to be subjected to

during product transfer. This test must

include all hose and hose fittings

arranged in the configuration to be

employed during transfer operations.

Burst pressure of the hose must be at

least four times the service pressure of

the pump.

(7) If the IBC is pressurized, the IBC

must be equipped with a pressure relief

device set to open at not higher than

two-thirds of the IBC test pressure or 9

psig in the case of a metal IBC.

(8) All hazardous material must be

purged from the pump, if equipped,

piping and the IBC discharge hose prior

to re-entering transportation. Hoses may

not remain attached to the IBCs during

transportation.

(9) Prior to refilling, each IBC and its

service equipment must be visually

inspected in accordance with the

provisions of § 173.35(b).

(10) Transportation is limited to

private or contract motor vehicle.

8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS:

a. A current copy of this exemption

must be maintained at each facility

where the package is offered for

transportation.

b. The marking requirement of

§ 172.302(c) is waived.

9. MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

AUTHORIZED: Motor vehicle.

10. MODAL REQUIREMENTS: A

current copy of this exemption must be

carried aboard each motor vehicle used

to transport packages covered by this

exemption.

11. COMPLIANCE: Failure by a

person to comply with any of the

following may result in suspension or

revocation of this exemption and

penalties prescribed by the Federal

hazardous materials transportation law,

49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq:

• All terms and conditions prescribed

in this exemption and the Hazardous

Materials Regulations, 49 CFR Parts

171–180.

• Registration required by § 107.601

et seq., when applicable.

Each ‘‘Hazmat employee,’’ as defined

in § 171.8, who performs a function

subject to this exemption must receive

training on the requirements and

conditions of this exemption in addition

to the training required by §§ 172.700

through 172.704.

No person may use or apply this

exemption, including display of its

number, when this exemption has

expired or is otherwise no longer in

effect.

12. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

The carrier is required to report any

incident involving loss of packaging

contents or packaging failure to the

Associate Administrator for Hazardous

Materials Safety (AAHMS) as soon as

practicable. In addition, the holder(s) of

this exemption must inform the

AAHMS, in writing, of any incident

involving the package and shipments

made under the terms of this exemption.

(Sections 171.15 and 171.16 apply to

any activity undertaken under the

authority of this exemption.)

36884 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 113 / Monday, June 12, 2000 / Notices

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 17,

2000, under the authority delegated in 49

CFR Part 107.

Robert A. McGuire,

Acting Associate Administrator for

Hazardous Materials Safety.

[FR Doc. 00–14481 Filed 6–9–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–60–P

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

AFFAIRS

Advisory Committee on Women

Veterans, Notice of Meeting

The Department of Veterans Affairs

gives notice under Public Law 92–463

that a meeting of the Advisory

Committee on Women Veterans

(Committee) will be held on June 26–27,

2000, at the Department of Veterans

Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW,

Room 230, Washington, DC. On June 26,

the meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and

adjourn at 5:00 p.m. On June 26, the

meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and

adjourn at 5:00 p.m. On June 27, the

meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and

adjourn at 12 noon.

The purpose of the Committee is to

advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

regarding the needs of women veterans

with respect to health care,

rehabilitation, compensation, outreach,

and other programs and activities

administered by the Department of

Veterans Affairs designed to meet such

needs. The Committee will make

recommendations to the Secretary

regarding such activities.

Both days of the meeting will be to

discuss the proceedings of the National

Summit on Women Veterans Issues,

scheduled on June 23–25, 2000, in

preparation of the Committee’s annual

report. All sessions will be open to the

public.

Those who plan to attend should

contact Ms. Maryanne Carson,

Department of Veterans Affairs, Center

for Women Veterans, 810 Vermont

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420 at

(202) 273–6193.

Dated: June 5, 2000.

By Direction of the Secretary.

Marvin R. Eason,

Committee Management Officer.

[FR Doc. 00–14757 Filed 6–9–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320–01–M

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC

PRESERVATION

Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Advisory Council on Historic

Preservation

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that

the Advisory Council on Historic

Preservation will meet on Friday, June

23, 2000. The meeting will be held in

the Appropriations Committee Hearing

Room, Room 228, The State House,

State Street, Augusta, Maine, Beginning

at 8:30 a.m.

The Council was established by the

National Historic Preservation Act of

1966 (U.S.C. Section 470) to advise the

President and the Congress on matters

relating to historic preservation and to

comment upon Federal, federally

assisted, and federally licensed

undertakings having an effect upon

properties listed in or eligible for

inclusion in the National Register of

Historic Places. The Council’s members

are the Architect of the Capitol; the

Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture,

Housing and Urban Development, and

Transportation; the Administrators of

the Environmental Protection Agency

and General Services Administration;

the Chairman of the National Trust for

Historic Preservation; the President of

the National Conference of State

Historic Preservation Officers; a

Governor; a Mayor; a Native Hawaiian;

and eight non-Federal members

appointed by the President.

The agenda for the meeting includes

the following:

I. Chairman’s Welcome

II. Chairman’s Report

III. Millennium Discussion

A. Follow up from Thursday’s Lighthouse

Tour—Action

B. Council Millennium Report on Federal

Stewardship: Primary Findings and

Recommendations—Action

C. Proposed Executive Order on Federal

Stewardship: Working Draft—Action

D. Task Force on Balancing Cultural and

Natural Values in National Parks—

Action

IV. Tribal Issues

A. Proposed Council Policy Regarding

Tribal Relations—Action

B. Narragansett Section 106 Substitution

Agreement—Report

V. Executive Director’s Report

A. Lawsuit on Section 106 Regulations—

Report

B. Follow up from March Council

Actions—Report

C. Los Alamos Fire Damage—Report and

Possible Action

D. A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106

Review—Report

VI. New Business

A. Foreclosure of Council’s Opportunity to

Comment—Corps of Engineer’s Civil

Works

B. Proposal to Recognize Federal

Preservation Policy Leaders—Action

VII. Adjourn

Note: The meetings of the Council are open

to the public. If you need accommodations

due to a disability, please contact the

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation,

1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Room 809,

Washington, D.C., 202–606–8503, at least

seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Additional information concerning the

meeting is available from the Executive

Director, Advisory Council on Historic

Preservation, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave.,

NW., #809, Washington, DC 20004.

Dated: June 7, 2000.

John M. Fowler,

Executive Director.

[FR Doc. 00–14765 Filed 6–9–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–10–M

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service

[Docket No. 99–055–1]

General Conference Committee of the

National Poultry Improvement Plan;

Reestablish

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of reestablishment.

SUMMARY: We are giving notice that the

Secretary of Agriculture has

reestablished the General Conference

Committee of the National Poultry

Improvement Plan for a 2-year period.

The Secretary has determined that the

Committee is necessary and in the

public interest.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Andrew Rhorer, Senior Coordinator,

National Poultry Improvement Plan, VS,

APHIS, Suite A102, 1500 Klondike

Road, Conyers, GA 30207–5115; (770)

922–3496.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

purpose of the General Conference

Committee of the National Poultry

Improvement Plan (Committee) is to

maintain and ensure industry

involvement in Federal administration

of matters pertaining to poultry health.

The Committee Chairperson and the

Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the

Committee from among its members.

There are seven members on the

Committee. This Committee differs

somewhat from other advisory

committees in the selection process and

composition of its membership. The

poultry industry elects the members of

the Committee. The members represent

six geographic areas with one memberat-large. The membership is not subject

to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s

review, and a formal request for

nominations for membership is not

published in the Federal Register.