Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 174 / Monday, September 9, 2024 / Notices 73181 

County Groundwater Conservation 

District. 

TxDOT will issue a single Final 

Environmental Impact Statement and 

Record of Decision document pursuant 

to 23 U.S.C. 139(n)(2), unless TxDOT 

determines statutory criteria or 

practicability considerations preclude 

issuance of a combined document. 

In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 139, 

cooperating agencies, participating 

agencies, and the public will be given 

an opportunity for continued input on 

project development. An in-person 

public scoping meeting is planned for 

Oct. 3, 2024, from 3 to 7 p.m. CT at 

Mansion Royal, 8001 S. Padre Island 

Dr., Corpus Christi, Texas 78412. A 

virtual option will go live at 3 p.m. CT 

on Oct. 3, 2024 at www.txdot.gov, 

keyword search ‘‘Regional Parkway’’. 

Additional information on both options 

will be provided at the previously 

indicated TxDOT website. The public 

scoping meeting will provide an 

opportunity for the public to review and 

comment on the draft coordination plan 

and schedule, the project purpose and 

need, the range of alternatives, and 

methodologies and level of detail for 

analyzing alternatives. It will also allow 

the public an opportunity to provide 

input on any expected environmental 

impacts, anticipated permits or other 

authorizations, and any significant 

issues that should be analyzed in depth 

in the EIS. In addition to the public 

scoping meeting, a public hearing will 

be held after the draft EIS is prepared. 

Public notice will be given of the time 

and place of the meeting and hearing. 

The public scoping meeting will be 

conducted in English, with Spanish 

materials available online and in 

person. If you need an interpreter or 

document translator because English is 

not your primary language or have 

difficulty communicating effectively in 

English, one will be provided to you. If 

you have a disability and need 

assistance, special arrangements can be 

made to accommodate most needs. If 

you need interpretation or translation 

services or you are a person with a 

disability who requires an 

accommodation to attend and 

participate in the public meeting, please 

contact Rickey Dailey, TxDOT Corpus 

Christi District, at rickey.dailey@

txdot.gov or please call 361–808–2544 

no later than 4 p.m. CT, Sept. 30, 2024. 

Please be aware that advance notice is 

required as some services and 

accommodations may require time for 

TxDOT to arrange. 

The public is requested to provide 

comments on alternatives or impacts 

and on relevant information, studies, or 

analyses with respect to this proposed 

project. Comments may be provided in 

writing by mail to TxDOT Corpus 

Christi District Office, c/o Victor 

Vourcos, 1701 S. Padre Island Dr., 

Corpus Christi, Texas 78416, or by email 

to regionalparkway@txdot.gov. 

Comments must be received on or 

before Oct. 18, 2024. 

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning 

and Construction.) 

Michael T. Leary, 

Director, Planning and Program Development, 

Federal Highway Administration. 

[FR Doc. 2024–20185 Filed 9–6–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0332; FMCSA– 

2013–0123; FMCSA–2013–0124; FMCSA– 

2015–0328; FMCSA–2015–0329; FMCSA– 

2017–0059; FMCSA–2017–0061; FMCSA– 

2019–0111; FMCSA–2021–0013; FMCSA– 

2022–0032] 

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption 

Applications; Hearing 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of final disposition. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its 

decision to renew exemptions for 11 

individuals from the hearing 

requirement in the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for 

interstate commercial motor vehicle 

(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable 

these hard of hearing and deaf 

individuals to continue to operate CMVs 

in interstate commerce. 

DATES: The exemptions were applicable 

on August 22, 2024. The exemptions 

expire on August 22, 2026. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical 

Programs Division, FMCSA, DOT, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001, (202) 366– 

4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov. Office 

hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

If you have questions regarding viewing 

or submitting material to the docket, 

contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366– 

9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation 

A. Viewing Comments 

To view comments go to 

www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 

number (FMCSA–2012–0332, FMCSA– 

2013–0123, FMCSA–2013–0124, 

FMCSA–2015–0328, FMCSA–2015– 

0329, FMCSA–2017–0059, FMCSA– 

2017–0061, FMCSA–2019–0111, 

FMCSA–2021–0013, or FMCSA–2022– 

0032) in the keyword box and click 

‘‘Search.’’ Next, sort the results by 

‘‘Posted (Newer-Older),’’ choose the first 

notice listed, and click ‘‘Browse 

Comments.’’ If you do not have access 

to the internet, you may view the docket 

online by visiting Dockets Operations 

on the ground floor of the DOT West 

Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001, between 9 

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

Friday, except Federal holidays. To be 

sure someone is there to help you, 

please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366– 

9826 before visiting Dockets Operations. 

B. Privacy Act 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 

31315(b)(6), DOT solicits comments 

from the public on the exemption 

requests. DOT posts these comments, 

without edit, including any personal 

information the commenter provides, to 

www.regulations.gov. As described in 

the system of records notice DOT/ALL 

14 (Federal Docket Management 

System), which can be reviewed at 

https://www.transportation.gov/ 

individuals/privacy/privacy-act-systemrecords-notices, the comments are 

searchable by the name of the submitter. 

II. Background 

On July 24, 2024, FMCSA published 

a notice announcing its decision to 

renew exemptions for 11 individuals 

from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 

391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in 

interstate commerce and requested 

comments from the public (89 FR 

59962). The public comment period 

ended on August 23, 2024, and no 

comments were received. 

FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility 

of these applicants and determined that 

renewing these exemptions would likely 

achieve a level of safety that is 

equivalent to, or greater than, the level 

that would be achieved by complying 

with § 391.41(b)(11). 

The physical qualification standard 

for drivers regarding hearing found in 

§ 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is 

physically qualified to drive a CMV if 

that person first perceives a forced 

whispered voice in the better ear at not 

less than 5 feet with or without the use 

of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of 

an audiometric device, does not have an 

average hearing loss in the better ear 

greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 

Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a 

hearing aid when the audiometric 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
73182 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 174 / Monday, September 9, 2024 / Notices 

1The Secretary may not assign its responsibility 

for making any conformity determination required 

under section 176 of the Clean Air Act. Also not 

assignable is Government to Government 

consultation with federally recognized Indian 

Tribes. 

device is calibrated to American 

National Standard (formerly ASA 

Standard) Z24.5—1951. 

This standard was adopted in 1970 

and was revised in 1971 to allow drivers 

to be qualified under this standard 

while wearing a hearing aid (35 FR 

6458, 6463 (Apr. 22, 1970) and 36 FR 

12857 (July 8, 1971), respectively). 

III. Discussion of Comments 

FMCSA received no comments in this 

proceeding. 

IV. Conclusion 

Based upon its evaluation of the 11 

renewal exemption applications and 

comments received, FMCSA announces 

its decision to exempt the following 

drivers from the hearing requirement in 

§ 391.41(b)(11). 

As of August 22, 2024, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following 11 individuals 

have satisfied the renewal conditions for 

obtaining an exemption from the 

hearing requirement in the FMCSRs for 

interstate CMV drivers (89 FR 59962): 

Thomas Buretz (FL) 

Adrian Crutchfield (MO) 

Ruben Faulkwell (TX) 

Nicholas Green (FL) 

Jada Hart (IA) 

Paul Micolichek (WA) 

Christopher Poole (OH) 

James Queen (FL) 

Wayne Turner (IL) 

Joshua Weaver (GA) 

James Weir (AZ) 

The drivers were included in docket 

number FMCSA–2012–0332, FMCSA– 

2013–0123, FMCSA–2013–0124, 

FMCSA–2015–0328, FMCSA–2015– 

0329, FMCSA–2017–0059, FMCSA– 

2017–0061, FMCSA–2019–0111, 

FMCSA–2021–0013, or FMCSA–2022– 

0032. Their exemptions were applicable 

as of August 22, 2024 and will expire on 

August 22, 2026. 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 

31315(b), each exemption will be valid 

for 2 years from the effective date unless 

revoked earlier by FMCSA. The 

exemption will be revoked if the 

following occurs: (1) the person fails to 

comply with the terms and conditions 

of the exemption; (2) the exemption has 

resulted in a lower level of safety than 

was maintained prior to being granted; 

or (3) continuation of the exemption 

would not be consistent with the goals 

and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136, 49 

U.S.C. chapter 313, or the FMCSRs. 

Larry W. Minor, 

Associate Administrator for Policy. 

[FR Doc. 2024–20173 Filed 9–6–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Railroad Administration 

[Docket No. FRA–2024–0096] 

Application Package From the State of 

Ohio to the Surface Transportation 

Project Delivery Program and 

Proposed Memorandum of 

Understanding (MOU) Assigning 

Environmental Responsibilities to the 

State 

AGENCY: Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA), U.S. Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice, request for comments. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that 

FRA has received and reviewed an 

application package from the State of 

Ohio (State), Ohio Department of 

Transportation (ODOT) in conjunction 

with the Ohio Rail Development 

Commission (ORDC), requesting 

participation in the Surface 

Transportation Project Delivery Program 

(Program). Under the Program, FRA may 

assign, and the State may assume, 

responsibilities under the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and 

all or part of FRA’s responsibilities for 

environmental review, consultation, or 

other actions required under any 

Federal environmental laws with 

respect to one or more railroad projects 

within the State. FRA has determined 

the application package to be complete 

and developed a draft MOU with the 

State outlining how the State will 

implement the Program with FRA 

oversight. The public is invited to 

comment on the State’s request, 

including its application package and 

the proposed MOU, which includes the 

proposed assignments and assumptions 

of environmental review, consultation, 

and other activities. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before October 9, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Comments related to Docket 

No. FRA–2024–0096 may be submitted 

by going to https://www.regulations.gov 

and following the online instructions for 

submitting comments. 

Instructions: All submissions must 

refer to the Federal Railroad 

Administration and the docket number 

in this notice (FRA–2024–0096). Note 

that all submissions received, including 

any personal information provided, will 

be posted without change and will be 

available to the public on https://

www.regulations.gov. You may review 

DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement 

in the Federal Register published April 

11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or at https://

www.transportation.gov/privacy. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

questions about this notice, for FRA, 

please contact Ms. Lana Lau, 

Supervisory Environmental Protection 

Specialist, Office of Environmental 

Program Management, Federal Railroad 

Administration, telephone (202) 923– 

5314, email: Lana.Lau@dot.gov. For 

ODOT, please contact Mr. Timothy Hill, 

Administrator of ODOT’s Office of 

Environmental Services, Ohio 

Department of Transportation, 1980 

West Broad Street, Mail Stop 4170, 

Columbus, Ohio 43223, telephone: (614) 

644–0377; email: Tim.Hill@dot.ohio.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background: Section 327 of title 23, 

United States Code (23 U.S.C. 327) 

establishes the Surface Transportation 

Project Delivery Program (Program). It 

allows the Secretary of the U.S. 

Department of Transportation 

(Secretary) to assign, and a State to 

assume, responsibility for all or part of 

the Secretary’s responsibilities for 

environmental review, consultation, or 

other actions required under NEPA (42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any Federal 

environmental law with respect to one 

or more highway projects within the 

State, as well as one or more railroad, 

public transportation, and/or 

multimodal projects.1 FRA is authorized 

to act on behalf of the Secretary with 

respect to these matters for railroad 

projects. 

The State of Ohio initially 

participated in the Federal Highway 

Administration’s (FHWA) Surface 

Transportation Project Delivery Program 

and in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 327, 

entered into a Memorandum of 

Understanding (MOU) with the Federal 

Highway Administration (FHWA) for 

the FHWA NEPA Assignment program 

in Ohio. The NEPA Assignment MOU 

between the State, acting through 

ODOT, and FHWA became effective 

December 11, 2015, was amended on 

June 6, 2018, and renewed on December 

14, 2020. Since being accepted into the 

FHWA NEPA Assignment program, the 

State has successfully completed four 

audits, eight self-assessments, and one 

monitoring event; a second monitoring 

event, as required under the MOU, is 

currently underway. FHWA has 

consistently publicly stated that the 

State continues to meet all requirements 

of the NEPA Assignment program and 

has held the State up as an example for 

other states to follow. The State will 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1