Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 1997 / Notices 68349

warrant consideration of additional

prevention or response measures.

To facilitate the Department’s review,

the Coast Guard commissioned a study

by the Volpe National Transportation

Systems Center to assess the relative

risks of marine transportation in the

waterways of Northwest Washington—

including Puget Sound, the Strait of

Juan de Fuca, passages around and

through the San Juan Islands, and the

offshore waters of the Olympic Coast

National Marine Sanctuary. Copies of

the Volpe Center’s report are available

from the National Technical Information

Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road,

Springfield, VA 22161, telephone (800)

553–6847, fax (703) 321–8547. The

report may be ordered as document

PB97–205488 and the technical

appendices to the report as document

PB97–205470. DOT appreciates the

efforts of all participants in the Volpe

study, which we believe provides a

sound basis for the Department’s

review.

During spring 1998, DOT expects to

announce its determinations regarding

further DOT actions based on the ITOS

and Volpe reports. These

determinations will include the

following:

1. Hazards that merit evaluation of

additional mitigation measures.

2. The specific measures that will be

evaluated.

3. An outline of how the evaluations

will be accomplished.

Input on all of the above

determinations is solicited. While input

on specific measures should be based on

the ITOS and Volpe studies, input need

not be limited to measures that can or

should be implemented by the Federal

government. Since the evaluation

process may vary for different types of

measures, it would helpful if input on

how the evaluations should be

accomplished were referenced to

specific measures.

In proceeding with these

determinations and any subsequent

evaluations, the Department is sensitive

to the need to properly involve other

governments—including affected

tribes—as well as businesses related to

marine transportation, environmental

advocacy organizations, and the general

public. DOT is also sensitive to the need

that the evaluation process be efficient

and of minimal burden to participants.

The Department is holding a public

meeting to provide the public and

interested parties with an opportunity to

be briefed on the ITOS and Volpe

reports, meet with the senior

Departmental officials who are working

this issue, and provide oral input.

DOT would appreciate notice to Mr.

Shapiro (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT) by January 26, 1998 by

persons who intend to make a

statement.

Information on Services for Individuals

With Disabilities

For information on facilities or

services for individuals with disabilities

or to request special assistance at the

meeting, please contact Mr. Shapiro (see

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Dated: December 22, 1997.

John N. Lieber,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Transportation

Policy.

[FR Doc. 97–34143 Filed 12–30–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810–25–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

Cargo Securing Manual Requirements

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of policy.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces

interim criteria for the approval of

qualified organizations desiring

authorization to serve as designated U.S.

Cargo Securing Manual Approval

Authorities for U.S. vessels. The Coast

Guard also announces the availability of

guidance on the contents of Cargo

Securing Manuals required by 1994

amendments to the International

Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea,

1974 (SOLAS 74). This criteria and

guidance are available to the public in

Navigational and Vessel Inspection

Circular 10–97.

DATES: U.S. flag vessels must have on

board a Cargo Security Manual by

December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

LCDR Richard Booth (Navigation and

Inspection Circular 10–97),

Commandant (G–MOC), U.S. Coast

Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street

SW., Washington, DC 20593–0001,

telephone 202–267–6700. Mr. Robert

Gauvin (Future CSM Regulation),

Commandant (G–MSO) U.S. Coast

Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street

SW., Washington, DC 20593–0001,

telephone 202–267–1053.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

U.S. cargo vessels 500 gross tons or

greater that carry other than solid or

liquid bulk cargoes, and are engaged on

international voyages as described in 46

CFR 90.05–10, must have on board an

approved Cargo Securing Manual (CSM)

to maintain compliance with their Cargo

Ship Safety Equipment Certificates (CG–

3347). Voluntary compliance is

encouraged for owners of U.S. flag cargo

vessels less than 500 gross tons engaged

on international voyages. A CSM assists

the vessel’s master and crew with the

proper use of onboard equipment

designed to adequately stow and secure

the vessel’s cargo.

The 1994 amendments to Chapters VI/

5.6 and VII/6.6 of the International

Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,

1974 (SOLAS 74) mandated

Administration approved CSM’s. The

International Maritime Organization’s

Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)

Circular 745 of June 13, 1996, provided

CSM preparation guidance. MSC

Circular 745 encouraged member

governments to bring the guidelines to

the attention of all parties concerned,

with the aim of having CSM’s carried on

board ships prepared appropriately and

in a consistent manner, and to

implement them as soon as possible but

not later than December 31, 1997. The

Coast Guard has publicized the SOLAS

74 requirements and the International

Maritime Organization (IMO)

Guidelines for CSM’s in various marine

safety newsletters. This notice further

announces the availability of that

guidance for those U.S. cargo ships

required to have CSM’s and those cargo

vessels seeking voluntary compliance

under the IMO guidelines. The notice

also announces the availability of

criteria for the approval of organizations

seeking authorization to approve CSM’s.

Under E.O. 12234 and 46 U.S.C. 3103,

in October 1996, the Coast Guard

delegated CSM approval authority to the

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

and the National Cargo Bureau, Inc.

(NCB), respectively, for U.S. flagged

cargo vessels. Other organizations that

desire CSM approval authority, should

review the approval criteria and make

application for authorization under

Navigation and Vessel Inspection

Circular (NVIC) 10–97 entitled

‘‘Guidelines for CSM Approval.’’ This

NVIC also provides interim guidance for

CSM submittal, review, approval, and

appeal procedures for U.S. flagged cargo

vessel owners and operators. The Coast

Guard is initiating a project to put the

NVIC 10–97 criteria into regulation.

Until regulations on the authorization of

organizations to approve Cargo Securing

Manuals and the criteria for CSM

content are issued, inspectors will

explain to owners and operators of U.S.

vessels that the U.S. Coast Guard will be

looking for compliance with the SOLAS

requirements for CSM’s as set forth in

NVIC 10–97, in order to ensure
68350 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 1997 / Notices

compliance with 46 CFR 91.60–10

(Cargo Ship Safety Equipment

Certificate). Until regulations are issued,

ABS, NCB, and any other organization

designated by the Coast Guard, will

follow the procedures in NVIC 10–97.

NVIC 10–97 is available on the World

Wide Web at: http://www.dot.gov/

dotinfo/uscg/hq/g-m/gmhome.htm in

‘‘Publications, Reports and Forms.’’

Paper or CD–ROM copies will soon be

available for a free through the National

Technical Information Service, 5285

Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161,

telephone 703–605–6000, or fax 703–

321–8547.

Dated: December 23, 1997.

Joseph J. Angelo,

Director of Standards, Marine Safety and

Environmental Protection.

[FR Doc. 97–34090 Filed 12–30–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–14–M

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[AC No. 183–35G CHG 1]

Proposed Changes to Advisory

Circular on Airworthiness Designee

Function Codes and Consolidated

Directory for DMIR/DAR/ODAR/DAS/

DOA AND SFAR NO. 36

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This notice is proposing two

changes to AC 183–35G. The proposed

changes address revising the description

of the DAR–F and ODAR–F Codes and

Functions No. 08 and the DAR–T and

ODAR–T Codes and Functions No. 23.

these Codes and Functions are changed

to address the new airworthiness

approval identified in FAA Order

8130.21B.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before January 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments and

requests for copies of the proposed AC

to: Federal Aviation Administration;

ATTN: Evangeline Raines, AFS–640,

P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK

73125.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Rice, AFS–640, at the above

address; telephone (405) 954–6484,

(8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Designee Standard Branch, AFS–640,

has made changes to AC 183–35G, FAA

DAR, DAS, DOA, AND SFAR PART 36

DIRECTORY, to address the new

airworthiness approval identified in

FAA Order 8130.21B. The proposed

changes address revised the description

of the DAR–F and ODAR–F Codes and

Functions No. 08 and the ODAR–T

Codes and Functions No. 23.

08 Issue original standard airworthiness

certificate for U.S. registered aircraft and

original airworthiness approvals for engines,

propellers, parts and appliances that conform

to the approved design requirements and are

in a condition for safe operation.

The new verbiage for DAR–T and

ODAR–T Codes and function number

will read:

23 Issue recurrent airworthiness

certificate for U.S. registered aircraft,

including Very Light Aircraft (VLA) and

recurrent airworthiness approvals for

engines, propellers, parts and appliances that

conform to the approved design requirements

and are in a condition for safe operation.

The FAA intends to revise and

republish the advisory circular to seek

public comment each time it is

proposed to add or delete an authorized

function. Additional areas of delegation

will be selected and authorized by the

Director of Airworthiness based on

recommendations from the other FAA

elements and the aviation community.

Issued in Washington, DC.

Bill M. Pickelsimer,

Assistant Manager, Regulatory Support

Division.

[FR Doc. 97–34047 Filed 12–30–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse

Prevention Programs for Personnel

Engaged in Specified Aviation

Activities

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The FAA has determined that

the minimum percentage rate for drug

testing for the period January 1, 1998,

through December 31, 1998, will remain

at 25 percent of covered aviation

employees for random drug testing and

will decrease to 10 percent of covered

aviation employees for random alcohol

testing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.

Patrice M. Kelly, Office of Aviation

Medicine, Drug Abatement Division,

Program Implementation and Special

Projects Branch (AAM–810), Federal

Aviation Administration, 800

Independence Avenue SW, Washington,

DC 20591; telephone (202) 267–8976.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Administrator’s Determination of 1998

Random Drug and Alcohol Testing

Rates

In final rules published in the Federal

Register on February 15, and December

2, 1994 (59 FR 7380 and 62218,

respectively), the FAA announced that

it will set future minimum annual

percentage rates for random alcohol and

drug testing for aviation industry

employers according to the results

which the employers experience

conducting random alcohol and drug

testing during each calendar year. The

rules set forth the formula for

calculating an annual aviation industry

‘‘violation rate’’ for random alcohol

testing and an annual aviation industry

‘‘positive rate’’ for random drug testing.

The ‘‘violation rate’’ for random alcohol

tests means the number of covered

employees found during random tests

given under 14 CFR part 121, appendix

J to have an alcohol concentration of

0.04 or greater plus the number of

employees who refused a random

alcohol test, divided by the total

reported number of employees given

random alcohol tests plus the total

reported number of employees who

refused a random test. The ‘‘positive

rate’’ means the number of positive

results for random drug tests conducted

under 14 CFR part 121, appendix I plus

the number of refusals to take random

drug tests, divided by the total number

of random drug tests plus the number of

refusals to take random drug tests. The

violation rate and the positive rate are

calculated using information required to

be submitted to the FAA by specified

aviation industry employers as part of

an FAA Management Information

System (MIS) and form the basis for

maintaining or adjusting the minimum

annual percentage rates for random

alcohol and drug testing as indicated in

the following paragraphs.

When the annual percentage rate for

random alcohol testing is 25 percent or

more, the FAA Administrator may lower

the rate to 10 percent if data received

under the MIS reporting requirements

for two consecutive calendar years

indicate that the violation rate is less

than 0.5 percent.

When the minimum annual

percentage rate for random alcohol

testing is 50 percent, the FAA

Administrator may lower the rate to 25

percent if data received under the MIS

reporting requirements for two

consecutive calendar years indicate that

the violation rate is less than 1.0 percent

but equal to or greater than 0.5 percent.

When the minimum annual

percentage rate for random alcohol