32826 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

1Unless otherwise specified, all references to CFR 

sections and parts in this document refer to Title 

49 of the CFR. 

determined that all appropriate 

response actions at the RCP identified 

under CERCLA have been completed, 

other than maintenance, monitoring and 

five-year reviews. However, this partial 

deletion does not preclude future 

actions under CERCLA. 

DATES: Comments must be received by 

August 15, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, 

identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– 

SFUND–1990–0011, by mail to 

Randolph Cano, NPL Deletion 

Coordinator, U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency Region 5 (SR–6J), 77 

West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 

60604. Comments may also be 

submitted electronically or through 

hand delivery/courier by following the 

detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES

section of the direct final rule located in 

the Rules section of this Federal 

Register. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Randolph Cano, NPL Deletion 

Coordinator, U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency Region 5 (SR–6J), 77 

West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 

60604, (312) 886–6036, email: 

cano.randolph@epa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the 

‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of 

today’s Federal Register, we are 

publishing a direct final Notice of 

Partial Deletion for the Former Beloit 

Corp. Research Center Property of the 

Beloit Corp. Superfund Site without 

prior Notification of Intent for Partial 

Deletion because EPA views this as a 

noncontroversial revision and 

anticipates no adverse comment. We 

have explained our reasons for this 

partial deletion in the preamble to the 

direct final Notice of Partial Deletion, 

and those reasons are incorporated 

herein. If we receive no adverse 

comment(s) on this partial deletion 

action, we will not take further action 

on this Notification of Intent for Partial 

Deletion. If we receive adverse 

comment(s), we will publish a timely 

withdrawal of the direct final partial 

deletion in the Federal Register 

informing the public that the partial 

deletion will not take effect. We will 

then, as appropriate, address all public 

comments in a subsequent final Notice 

of Partial Deletion based on this 

Notification of Intent for Partial 

Deletion. We will not institute a second 

comment period on this Notification of 

Intent for Partial Deletion. Any parties 

interested in commenting must do so at 

this time. 

For additional information, see the 

direct final Notice of Partial Deletion 

which is located in the Rules section of 

this Federal Register. 

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300 

Environmental protection, Air 

pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous 

substances, Hazardous waste, 

Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements, Superfund, Water 

pollution control, Water supply. 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. 

9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, 

2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 

3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 

FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193. 

Dated: June 25, 2018. 

Cathy Stepp, 

Regional Administrator, Region 5. 

[FR Doc. 2018–15145 Filed 7–13–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Railroad Administration 

49 CFR Part 210 

[Docket No. FRA–2017–0038] 

RIN 2130–AC69 

Railroad Noise Emission Compliance 

Regulations 

AGENCY: Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: FRA proposes to eliminate the 

requirement that certain locomotives 

display a badge or tag to demonstrate 

the railroad has certified the 

locomotives comply with noise 

emission standards. This proposed rule 

would reduce economic burdens on the 

rail industry by removing the badge or 

tag requirement. 

DATES: 

(1) Written comments must be 

received by September 14, 2018. 

Comments received after that date will 

be considered to the extent practicable. 

(2) FRA anticipates being able to 

resolve this rulemaking without a 

public, oral hearing. However, if FRA 

receives a specific request for a public, 

oral hearing prior to August 15, 2018, 

one will be scheduled and FRA will 

publish a supplemental document in the 

Federal Register to inform interested 

parties of the date, time, and location of 

any such hearing. 

ADDRESSES: 

Comments: Comments related to 

Docket No. FRA–2017–0038 may be 

submitted by any of the following 

methods: 

• Website: Federal eRulemaking 

Portal, http://www.regulations.gov. 

Follow the online instructions for 

submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Room W12–140 on 

the Ground level of the West Building, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140, 

Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

Instructions: All submissions must 

include the agency name and docket 

number or Regulatory Identification 

Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. Note 

that all comments received will be 

posted without change to http://

www.regulations.gov including any 

personal information. Please see the 

Privacy Act heading in the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 

this document for Privacy Act 

information related to any submitted 

comments or materials. 

Docket: For access to the docket to 

read background documents or 

comments received, go to http://

www.regulations.gov at any time or to 

Room W12–140 on the Ground level of 

the West Building, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michael Watson, Industrial Hygienist, 

Office of Railroad Safety, Federal 

Railroad Administration, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE, W38–224, 

Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202– 

493–1388), or Sam Gilbert, Trial 

Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, 

Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, W31–228, 

Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202– 

493–0270). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Executive Summary 

On January 30, 2017, the President 

issued Executive Order 13771, which 

requires, when an agency proposes a 

new significant regulation, it must 

identify at least two existing regulations 

to be repealed. FRA reviewed the 

Railroad Noise Emission Compliance 

Regulations in 49 CFR part 210 1 (‘‘part 

210’’) and identified for potential 

elimination the requirement that 

railroads display a permanent badge or 

tag in the cabs of their locomotives 

certifying the locomotives comply with 

FRA’s noise emission standards. FRA 

believes eliminating this requirement 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 32827 

would reduce economic burdens on the 

rail industry without adversely 

impacting compliance with part 210. 

Therefore, in this NPRM, FRA proposes 

to eliminate the badge or tag 

requirement. 

FRA estimates there would be no cost 

burden associated with this proposed 

rule. In fact, the elimination of the 

requirement to install a badge in 

locomotives would save most railroads 

both the labor to install the badge, and 

the cost of the badge itself. Over a 20- 

year period, FRA estimates $1,858,859 

in cost savings would accrue—a present, 

discounted value of $1,053,564 (7% 

discount). 

II. Background and Overview of the 

Proposal 

FRA regulations in part 210 limit the 

noise emitted by railroad locomotives, 

cars, and other equipment. FRA 

originally developed these regulations 

in consultation with the Environmental 

Protection Agency under the Noise 

Control Act of 1972 (86 Stat. 1234, 

Pub. L. 92–574) and FRA’s general 

enforcement and inspection authority 

under the railroad safety statutes. See 41 

FR 49183, 49183–84 (Nov. 8, 1976). 

Part 210 requires railroads to certify 

that locomotives built after December 

31, 1979, comply with FRA’s noise 

emission standards. Under section 

210.27(d), railroads must attach a 

permanent badge or tag in the cab of the 

locomotive displaying the results of the 

certification test (including the method, 

date and location of the test, and the 

sound level reading obtained during the 

test). 

In 2014, the Association of American 

Railroads (AAR) requested FRA 

eliminate the requirement to display the 

certification of compliance with noise 

emission standards in the locomotive, in 

its comments on a separate proposed 

rule concerning stenciling requirements 

for window glazing. AAR Comment, 

November 25, 2014, Docket No. FRA– 

2012–0103. AAR noted that when FRA 

added section 210.27(d) in 1983, few 

locomotives had been tested and 

certified to comply with FRA’s noise 

emission standards. AAR contended 

that instead of testing individual 

locomotives for compliance with the 

noise emission standards, railroads 

currently test locomotives by model. 

Documentation of that testing is 

maintained by the railroads as a usual 

and customary practice, and may be 

consulted if FRA has a doubt about 

whether a locomotive has been tested 

for compliance with part 210. 

FRA declined to eliminate the display 

requirement for noise certification at 

that time because it was beyond the 

scope of the window-glazing 

rulemaking. However, FRA said it 

would consider the merits of AAR’s 

request and evaluate how to address the 

issue in the future. 81 FR 6775, 6778 

(Feb. 9, 2016). 

FRA continually reviews and revises 

its regulations to ensure the regulatory 

burden on the rail industry is not 

excessive, clarify the application of 

existing requirements and remove 

requirements no longer necessary, and 

keep pace with emerging technology, 

changing operational realities and safety 

concerns. In addition, on January 30, 

2017, the President issued Executive 

Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and 

Controlling Regulatory Costs). Executive 

Order 13771 requires agencies to 

identify at least two existing regulations 

to repeal when they propose a new 

significant regulation. Because the 

badge or tag requirement is unnecessary 

for purposes of FRA enforcement of the 

noise testing requirements, FRA 

determined repealing section 210.27(d) 

would reduce the burden on the rail 

industry without adversely impacting 

FRA’s ability to ensure compliance with 

part 210. Accordingly, FRA proposes to 

eliminate the requirement for 

locomotives to display a permanent 

badge or tag certifying compliance with 

noise emission standards. 

III. Section-by-Section Analysis 

FRA seeks comments on all proposals 

made in this NPRM. 

Section 210.27 New Locomotive 

Certification 

Section 210.27 requires railroads 

certify their locomotives comply with 

FRA’s noise emission standards. 

Paragraph (a) requires railroads certify 

that locomotives built after December 

31, 1979, comply with the noise 

emission standards. Paragraph (b) 

provides railroads must determine 

certification for each locomotive model 

by load cell testing or passby testing. 

Paragraph (c) states if railroads use 

passby testing, they should conduct the 

test with the locomotive operating at 

maximum rated horsepower output. 

Under paragraph (d), railroads must 

attach a permanent badge or tag in the 

cab of the locomotive to display the 

results of the certification test. 

FRA determined this badge or tag is 

no longer necessary, and the proposed 

rule would remove paragraph (d) in its 

entirety. Although railroads would no 

longer need to display a badge or tag in 

the locomotive cab, they would still 

need to test their locomotives and 

certify they comply with the noise 

emission standards, as required under 

section 210.27(a) through (c). 

IV. Regulatory Impact and Notices 

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

FRA evaluated this proposed rule 

consistent with existing policies and 

procedures, and determined it to be 

non-significant under both Executive 

Orders 12866 and 13563 as well as DOT 

policies and procedures (44 FR 11034 

(February 26, 1979)). The proposed rule 

is also consistent with Executive Order 

13563, which emphasizes the 

importance of quantifying both costs 

and benefits, reducing costs, 

harmonizing rules, and promoting 

flexibility. Finally, this proposed rule is 

expected to be an E.O. 13771 

deregulatory action. Details on the 

estimated cost savings of this proposed 

rule can be found in the rule’s economic 

analysis. 

FRA proposes to eliminate the 

requirement that locomotives display a 

permanent badge or tag to demonstrate 

they have been certified to comply with 

noise emission standards. (The 

permanent badge or tag will hereafter be 

referred to as a ‘‘badge’’ in this analysis.) 

A badge is typically a metal plate 

installed inside the cab of the 

locomotive. Most railroads would 

benefit from this proposed rule because 

a badge is currently required in all 

locomotives. Any railroad purchasing 

new locomotives would not be required 

to display a badge, therefore saving it 

money. Also, badges would no longer 

need to be replaced when locomotives 

are overhauled. 

FRA estimates there would be no cost 

burden associated with this proposed 

rule. The elimination of the requirement 

to install a badge in locomotives would 

save most railroads both the labor to 

install the badge, and the cost of the 

badge itself. Over a 20-year period, this 

analysis finds $1,858,859 in cost savings 

would accrue through the elimination of 

this requirement. The present, 

discounted value of these cost savings is 

$1,053,564 (7% discount). FRA has 

prepared and placed in the docket a 

regulatory analysis addressing the 

economic impact of this proposed rule. 

FRA requests comments on all aspects 

of the regulatory evaluation and its 

conclusions. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive 

Order 13272 

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 

(94 Stat. 1164, Pub. L. 96–354), as 

amended, and codified as amended at 5 

U.S.C. 601–612, and Executive Order 

13272 (Proper Consideration of Small 

Entities in Agency Rulemaking), require 

agency review of proposed and final 

rules to assess their impact on ‘‘small 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
32828 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

entities’’ for purposes of the RFA. An 

agency must prepare a regulatory 

flexibility analysis unless it determines 

and certifies a rule is not expected to 

have a significant economic impact on 

a substantial number of small entities. 

FRA expects this proposed rule would 

not have a significant economic impact 

on a substantial number of small 

entities. 

Federal agencies may adopt their own 

size standards for small entities, in 

consultation with the Small Business 

Administration and in conjunction with 

public comment. FRA published a final 

statement of agency policy that formally 

establishes ‘‘small entities’’ or ‘‘small 

businesses’’ as being railroads, 

contractors, and hazardous materials 

shippers with the revenue of a Class III 

railroad as set forth in 49 CFR 1201.1– 

1, which is $20 million or less in 

inflation-adjusted annual revenues, and 

commuter railroads or small 

governmental jurisdictions that serve 

populations of 50,000 or less. See 68 FR 

24891 (May 9, 2003), codified at 49 CFR 

part 209, Appendix C. FRA is using this 

definition for this rulemaking. 

FRA estimates there are 704 Class III 

railroads, most of which would be 

affected by this proposed rule. Most 

Class III railroads do not purchase new 

locomotives; rather, they purchase used 

locomotives from Class I and Class II 

railroads. Therefore, any badges 

required would have already been 

installed by the larger railroad. If a small 

railroad did indeed purchase a new 

locomotive, however, they would save 

money because the badge would no 

longer be required. Small railroads 

would at all events benefit since they 

would not need to replace badges as 

they age or when locomotives are 

overhauled. Therefore, any impact on 

small railroads by this proposed 

regulation would likely be small and 

entirely beneficial. 

FRA invites comments from all 

interested parties concerning the 

potential economic impact on small 

entities resulting from this proposed 

rule. FRA will consider the comments 

and data it receives in determining the 

small entity impact for the final rule. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

The information collection 

requirements in this proposed rule are 

being submitted for approval to the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) for review and approval in 

accordance with the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 

et seq.). The sections that contain the 

current information collection 

requirements and the estimated time to 

fulfill each requirement are as follows: 

CFR section Respondent universe Total annual 

responses 

Average time per 

response 

Total annual burden 

hours 

210.27(a)—New Locomotive Certification— 

Request to Manufacturer for Certification.

4 Manufacturers ......... 4 requests .................. 30 minutes ................. 2 hours. 

210.27(d)—New Locomotive Certification— 

Identification of Certified Locomotive by 

Badge Plate (Proposed Rescission of Provision).

4 Manufacturers ......... 790 badges ................ 30 minutes ................. minus 395 hours 

(Previously Approved Burden by 

OMB). 

210.31—Recorded Measurements of Locomotive Noise Emission Test.4 Manufacturers ......... 745 forms/records ...... 3 hours ....................... 2,235 hours. 

All estimates include the time for 

reviewing instructions, searching 

existing data sources, gathering or 

maintaining the needed data, and 

reviewing the information. 

Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(B), 

FRA solicits comments concerning: 

Whether these information collection 

requirements are necessary for the 

proper performance of the functions of 

FRA, including whether the information 

has practical utility; the accuracy of 

FRA’s estimates of the burden of the 

information collection requirements; the 

quality, utility, and clarity of the 

information to be collected; and 

whether the burden of collection of 

information on those who are to 

respond, including through the use of 

automated collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology, 

may be minimized. 

For information or a copy of the 

paperwork package submitted to OMB, 

contact Mr. Robert Brogan, Information 

Collection Clearance Officer, Office of 

Railroad Safety, Federal Railroad 

Administration, at 202–493–6292, or 

Ms. Kimberly Toone, Information 

Collection Clearance Officer, Office of 

Railroad Administration, Federal 

Railroad Administration, at 202–493– 

6139. 

Organizations and individuals 

desiring to submit comments on the 

collection of information requirements 

should direct them to Mr. Robert Brogan 

or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Federal 

Railroad Administration, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE, 3rd Floor, 

Washington, DC 20590. Comments may 

also be submitted via email to Mr. 

Brogan at Robert.Brogan@dot.gov, or to 

Ms. Toone at Kim.Toone@dot.gov. 

OMB is required to make a decision 

concerning the collection of information 

requirements contained in this proposed 

rule between 30 and 60 days after 

publication of this document in the 

Federal Register. Therefore, a comment 

to OMB is best assured of having its full 

effect if OMB receives it within 30 days 

of publication. The final rule will 

respond to any OMB or public 

comments on the information collection 

requirements contained in this proposal. 

FRA is not authorized to impose a 

penalty on persons for violating 

information collection requirements 

which do not display a current OMB 

control number, if required. FRA 

intends to obtain current OMB control 

numbers for any new information 

collection requirements resulting from 

this rulemaking action prior to the 

effective date of the final rule. The 

current OMB control number for this 

information collection is OMB No. 

2130–0527. 

Federalism Implications 

Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism’’ 

(64 FR 43255, Aug. 10, 1999), requires 

FRA to develop an accountable process 

to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input 

by State and local officials in the 

development of regulatory policies that 

have federalism implications.’’ ‘‘Policies 

that have federalism implications’’ are 

defined in the Executive Order to 

include regulations that have 

‘‘substantial direct effects on the States, 

on the relationship between the national 

government and the States, or on the 

distribution of power and 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government.’’ Under Executive 

Order 13132 (Federalism), agencies may 

not issue a regulation with federalism 

implications that imposes substantial 

direct compliance costs and that is not 

required by statute, unless the Federal 

government provides the funds 

necessary to pay the direct compliance 

costs incurred by State and local 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 32829 

governments, or the agency consults 

with State and local government 

officials early in the process of 

developing the regulation. 

This proposed rule has been analyzed 

consistent with the principles and 

criteria in Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed rule would not have a 

substantial effect on the States or their 

political subdivisions; it would not 

impose any substantial direct 

compliance costs; and it would not 

affect the relationships between the 

Federal government and the States or 

their political subdivisions, or the 

distribution of power and 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. Therefore, the 

consultation and funding requirements 

of Executive Order 13132 do not apply. 

However, this proposed rule could 

have preemptive effect under certain 

provisions of the Federal railroad safety 

statutes, specifically the former Federal 

Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (former 

FRSA), repealed and re-codified at 49 

U.S.C. 20106, and the former 

Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act (LIA) 

at 45 U.S.C. 22–34, repealed and recodified at 49 U.S.C. 20701–03. The 

former FRSA provides that States may 

not adopt or continue in effect any law, 

regulation, or order related to railroad 

safety or security that covers the subject 

matter of a regulation prescribed or 

order issued by the Secretary of 

Transportation (with respect to railroad 

safety matters) or the Secretary of 

Homeland Security (with respect to 

railroad security matters), except when 

the State law, regulation, or order 

qualifies under the ‘‘local safety or 

security hazard’’ exception to section 

20106. Moreover, the U.S. Supreme 

Court has held the former LIA preempts 

the field concerning locomotive safety. 

See Napier v. Atl. Coast Line R.R., 272 

U.S. 605 (1926) and Kurns v. R.R. 

Friction Prods. Corp., 565 U.S. 625 

(2012). Therefore, if this proposed rule 

were adopted, it is possible States 

would be preempted from requiring that 

locomotives display a permanent badge 

or tag certifying the locomotive 

complies with FRA’s noise emission 

standards. 

Environmental Impact 

FRA has evaluated this proposed 

regulation consistent with its 

‘‘Procedures for Considering 

Environmental Impacts’’ (FRA’s 

Procedures), 64 FR 28545 (May 26, 

1999), as required by the National 

Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 

4321 et seq.), other environmental 

statutes, Executive Orders, and related 

regulatory requirements. FRA has 

determined this proposed regulation is 

not a major FRA action (requiring the 

preparation of an environmental impact 

statement or environmental assessment) 

because it is categorically excluded from 

detailed environmental review pursuant 

to section 4(c)(20) of FRA’s Procedures. 

64 FR 28547–48. 

Under section 4(c) and (e) of FRA’s 

Procedures, the agency has further 

concluded no extraordinary 

circumstances exist with respect to this 

regulation that might trigger the need for 

a more detailed environmental review. 

Consequently, FRA finds this proposed 

regulation is not a major Federal action 

significantly affecting the quality of the 

human environment. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 

Under Section 201 of the Unfunded 

Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 

1531, each Federal agency ‘‘shall, unless 

otherwise prohibited by law, assess the 

effects of Federal regulatory actions on 

State, local, and tribal governments, and 

the private sector (other than to the 

extent that such regulations incorporate 

requirements specifically set forth in 

law).’’ Section 202 of the Act, 2 U.S.C. 

1532, further requires that before 

promulgating any general notice of 

proposed rulemaking that is likely to 

result in promulgation of any rule that 

includes any Federal mandate that may 

result in the expenditure by State, local, 

and tribal governments, in the aggregate, 

or by the private sector, of $100,000,000 

or more (adjusted annually for inflation) 

in any 1 year, and before promulgating 

any final rule for which a general notice 

of proposed rulemaking was published, 

the agency shall prepare a written 

statement detailing the effect on State, 

local, and tribal governments and the 

private sector. The proposed rule would 

not result in the expenditure, in the 

aggregate, of $100,000,000 or more in 

any one year (adjusted annually for 

inflation), and thus preparation of such 

a statement is not required. 

Privacy Act 

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), 

DOT solicits comments from the public 

to better inform its rulemaking process. 

DOT posts these comments, without 

edit, to www.regulations.gov, as 

described in the system of records 

notice, DOT/ALL–14 FDMS, accessible 

through www.dot.gov/privacy. In order 

to facilitate comment tracking and 

response, we encourage commenters to 

provide their name, or the name of their 

organization; however, submission of 

names is completely optional. Whether 

or not commenters identify themselves, 

all timely comments will be fully 

considered. If you wish to provide 

comments containing proprietary or 

confidential information, please contact 

the agency for alternate submission 

instructions. 

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 210 

Noise control. 

The Proposed Rule 

For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, FRA proposes to amend part 

210 of chapter II, subtitle B of title 49, 

Code of Federal Regulations, as follows: 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 210 

is revised to read as follows: 

Authority: Sec. 17, Pub. L. 92–574, 86 

Stat. 1234 (42 U.S.C. 4916); 49 CFR 1.89. 

§ 210.27 [Amended] 

■ 2. Amend § 210.27 by removing 

paragraph (d). 

Issued in Washington, DC. 

Ronald Louis Batory, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2018–14961 Filed 7–13–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Parts 648, 660, and 679 

RIN 0648–XG338 

Request for Information on National 

Reform of Regional Observer Program 

Insurance Requirements 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notification; Request for 

Information (RFI). 

SUMMARY: NMFS requests information 

from the public to support a national 

initiative to reform and streamline 

observer program insurance 

requirements. The goals of this reform 

effort are to: ease the regulatory burden 

and reduce costs for private companies 

that provide observer staffing to NMFS 

observer programs through more 

efficient, nationally applicable 

insurance requirements; eliminate 

outdated and/or inappropriate 

regulatory requirements; reduce 

observer deployment risks for vessel 

owners and shore side processors; and 

identify insurance that could improve 

observer safety and facilitate full 

compensation for observer occupational 

injuries. To proceed with this effort, 

NMFS seeks technical information on 

the types of insurance and minimum 

coverage amounts (in dollars) that 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS