[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 5, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 47469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17027]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2020-0063]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this
document provides the public notice that on July 14, 2020, the American
Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) petitioned the
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from
certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained
at 49 CFR parts 213, 214, 217, 218, 220, 228, 232, 236, 240, 242, and
243. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2020-0063.
ASLRRA, on behalf of itself and its member railroads, requests to
renew emergency relief to allow for social distancing and workforce
shortages, which was previously granted by FRA by letter dated May 22,
2020, in its emergency relief docket (Docket Number FRA-2020-0002). See
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FRA-2020-0002-0072. FRA renewed
this relief for an additional 60 days on July 20, 2020. See https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FRA-2020-0002-0095.
ASLRRA also requests relief from the annual continuous welded rail
training requirement at 49 CFR 213.7(c)(2). Short lines have postponed
in-person training due to social distancing requirements, but based on
the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is unlikely that
training will be possible. Additionally, ASLRRA requests clarification
regarding refresher/recurrent training requirements for roadway workers
under 49 CFR 214.343-214.357.
In support of its petition, ASLRRA states that continuing the
relief to comply with guidance on social distancing from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is necessary to protect
railroad employees. ASLRRA further states that extending the relief
will enable railroads and their employees to maintain safe workplace
practices. ASLRRA explains it anticipates needing such relief so long
as CDC guidance recommending social distancing remains in place.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications
concerning the petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov (Docket Number FRA-2020-0063).
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings
by submitting written views, data, or comments. If any interested
parties desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing,
they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment
period and specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number and may be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Communications received by September 4, 2020 will be considered by
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date
will be considered if practicable. Anyone can search the electronic
form of any written communications and comments received into any of
our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or
signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) solicits comments from the public to
better inform its processes. 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 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the
privacy notice of regulations.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-17027 Filed 8-4-20; 8:45 am]
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