Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision, 12265-12267 [05-4844]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 47 / Friday, March 11, 2005 / Notices 12265 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Federal Aviation Administration Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (Formerly Subpart Q) During the Week Ending February 25, 2005 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Notice of Extension of the Public Comment Period for the O’Hare Modernization Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits were filed under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) of the Department of Transportation’s Procedural Regulations (See 14 CFR 301.201 et seq.). The due date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motions to Modify Scope are set forth below for each application. Following the Answer period DOT may process the application by expedited procedures. Such procedures may consist of the adoption of a show-cause order, a tentative order, or in appropriate cases a final order without further proceedings. Docket Number: OST–2000–6836. Date Filed: February 22, 2005. Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify Scope: March 15, 2005. Description: Application of Northwest Airlines, Inc., requesting renewal of its route 668 Experimental Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between the United States and Kiev, Ukraine. Docket Number: OST–1995–958. Date Filed: February 25, 2005. Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify Scope: March 18, 2005. Description: Application of Continental Airlines, Inc., requesting renewal its Route 29 F Segment 14 authority and to amend Continental’s current Route 29 F Segment 14 authority to award Continental authority to provide scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between a point or points in the United States via intermediate points and the coterminal points Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador, and beyond to the extent consistent with applicable air transport agreements. Continental also asks for renewed authority to integrate its amended Route 29 F Segment 14 certificate authority with its existing certificate and exemption authority. AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Extension of public comment SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the comment period for the O’Hare Modernization Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, is extended. The comment period of the DEIS, ending on March 23, 2005, is extended to April 6, 2005. DATES: By notice dated January 21, 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the availability of the DEIS for the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. In that notice, the FAA described the schedule for public hearings regarding the DEIS and advised that the public comment period would close Wednesday, March 23, 2005. The public hearings were held as scheduled on February 22, 23, and 24, 2005. As set forth in the January 21, 2005, notice, all comments are to be submitted to Michael W. MacMullen of the FAA, at the address shown below. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael W. MacMullen, Airports Environmental Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago Airports District Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018. Telephone: 847–294–8339, Fax: 847–7046; e-mail address: ompeis@faa.gov. Issued in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2005. Rebecca B. MacPherson, Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations. [FR Doc. 05–4800 Filed 3–8–05; 11:04 am] Renee V. Wright, Acting Program Manager, Alternate Federal Register Liaison. [FR Doc. 05–4846 Filed 3–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–62–P VerDate jul<14>2003 16:40 Mar 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemption; request for comments. AGENCY: period. BILLING CODE 4910–13–M [Docket Nos. FMCSA–99–6156, FMCSA– 2000–7165, FMCSA–2000–7363, FMCSA– 2000–7918, FMCSA–2000–8398] SUMMARY: This notice publishes the FMCSA decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 30 individuals. The FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from vision standards if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. This decision is effective March 23, 2005. Comments from interested persons should be submitted by April 11, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT DMS Docket Numbers FMCSA–99–6156, FMCSA– 2000–7165, FMCSA–2000–7363, FMCSA–2000–7918, and FMCSA–2000– 8398 by any of the following methods: • Web Site: https://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590– 0001. • Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket numbers for this notice. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public DATES: E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1 12266 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 47 / Friday, March 11, 2005 / Notices Participation heading of the section of this document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading under Regulatory Notices. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL– 401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maggi Gunnels, Office of Bus and Truck Standards and Operations, (202) 366– 4001, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation: The DMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You can get electronic submission and retrieval help guidelines under the ‘‘help’’ section of the DMS Web site. If you want us to notify you that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line. Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the Department of Transportation’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78) or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Exemption Decision Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the FMCSA may renew an exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce, for a two year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The procedures for requesting an exemption (including renewals) are set out in 49 CFR part 381. This notice addresses 30 individuals who have requested renewal VerDate jul<14>2003 16:40 Mar 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 of their exemptions in a timely manner. The FMCSA has evaluated these 30 applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend each exemption for a renewable two year period. They are: Carl W. Adams Glenn A. Babcock, Jr. David W. Ball David F. Bardsley, Sr. Joseph M. Blankenship Willie Burnett, Jr. Charles C. Chapman Dennis J. Christensen Robert P. Conrad, Sr. Jerald O. Edwards Elias Gomez, Jr. William G. Holland Thomas E. Howard John N. Lanning Thomas F. Marczewski Roy E. Mathews Velmer L. McClelland Duane A. McCord James T. McGraw, Jr. Robert A. Moss Henry C. Patton Bobby G. Pool, Sr. Richard Rankin Billy G. Saunders George D. Schell Scottie Stewart Clarence L. Swann, Jr. Thaddeus E. Temoney Harry C. Weber Yu Weng These exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: (1) That each individual have a physical exam every year (a) by an ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), and (b) by a medical examiner who attests that the individual is otherwise physically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41; (2) that each individual provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s report to the medical examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (3) that each individual provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver’s qualification file and retain a copy of the certification on his/her person while driving for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. Each exemption will be valid for two years unless rescinded earlier by the FMCSA. The exemption will be rescinded if: (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 before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e). Basis for Renewing Exemptions Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon application for additional two year periods. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), each of the 30 applicants has satisfied the entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirements (64 FR 54948; 65 FR 159; 67 FR 57266; 65 FR 33406; 65 FR 57234; 68 FR 13360; 65 FR 45817; 65 FR 77066; 65 FR 66286; 66 FR 13825; 68 FR 10300; 65 FR 78256; 66 FR 16311). Each of these 30 applicants has requested timely renewal of the exemption and has submitted evidence showing that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the standard specified at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and that the vision impairment is stable. In addition, a review of each record of safety while driving with the respective vision deficiencies over the past two years indicates each applicant continues to meet the vision exemption standards. These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver’s ability to continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. Therefore, the FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. Comments The FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a particular driver’s safety record and determine if the continuation of the exemption is consistent with the requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e). However, the FMCSA requests that interested parties with specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit comments by April 11, 2005. In the past the FMCSA has received comments from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) expressing continued opposition to the FMCSA’s procedures for renewing exemptions from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Specifically, Advocates objects to the agency’s extension of the exemptions without any opportunity for public comment prior to the decision to renew, and reliance on a summary statement of evidence to make its decision to extend the exemption of each driver. The issues raised by Advocates were addressed at length in 69 FR 51346 (August 18, 2004). The FMCSA E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 47 / Friday, March 11, 2005 / Notices continues to find its exemption process appropriate to the statutory and regulatory requirements. Issued on: March 4, 2005. Rose A. McMurray, Associate Administrator, Policy and Program Development. [FR Doc. 05–4844 Filed 3–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 34654] Watco Companies, Inc.—Continuance in Control Exemption—Appalachian & Ohio Railroad, Inc. Watco Companies, Inc. (Watco), has filed a verified notice of exemption to continue in control of Appalachian & Ohio Railroad, Inc. (AO), upon AO’s becoming a Class III rail carrier. The transaction is scheduled to be consummated on or shortly after March 25, 2005. This transaction is related to a concurrently filed verified notice of exemption in STB Finance Docket No. 34653, Appalachian & Ohio Railroad, Inc.—Lease and Operation Exemption— CSX Transportation, Inc., wherein AO seeks to acquire by lease from CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) and operate approximately 158.22 miles of rail lines in the State of West Virginia.1 Watco, a Kansas corporation, is a noncarrier that currently controls 10 Class III rail carriers: South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad Company (SKO), Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad, Inc. (PRCC), Timber Rock Railroad, Inc. (TIBR), Stillwater Central Railroad (SLWC), Eastern Idaho Railroad, Inc. (EIRR), Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, Inc. (K&O), Pennsylvania Southwestern Railroad, Inc. (PSWR), Great Northwest Railroad, Inc. (GNR), Kaw River Railroad, Inc. (KRR), and Mission Mountain Railroad, Inc. (MMT). Applicant states that: (1) The rail lines operated by SKO, PRCC, TIBR, SLWC, EIRR, K&O, PSWR, GNR, KRR, and 1 The rail lines being leased are between: (1) Milepost BUC 0.0, at Berkeley Run Jct., WV, and milepost BUC 119.0, at Cowen, WV; (2) milepost BUN 0.0, at Berryburg Jct., WV, and milepost BUN 4.0, at the Sentinel Mine near Berryburg Jct.; (3) milepost BUO 0.0, at Century Jct., WV, and milepost BUO 5.05, at the Century Mine, near Century Jct.; (4) milepost BUJ 0.0, at Buckhannon, WV, and milepost BUJ 1.65, near Buckhannon; (5) milepost BUF 0.0, at Burnsville, WV, and milepost BUF 6.2, at Gilmer, WV; (6) milepost BUR 0.0, at Cowen, and milepost BUR 1.0, near Cowen; (7) milepost BUH 0.0, at Hampton Jct., WV, and milepost BUH 17.0, at Alexander, WV; and (8) milepost BTF 0.0, at Island Creek Jct., WV, and milepost BTF 4.32, near Island Creek Jct. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:40 Mar 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 MMT do not connect with the rail lines being leased by AO; (2) the continuance in control is not part of a series of anticipated transactions that would connect the rail lines being acquired by AO with any railroad in the Watco corporate family; and (3) neither AO nor any of the carriers controlled by Watco are Class I rail carriers. Therefore, the transaction is exempt from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323. See 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2). The purpose of the transaction is to reduce overhead expenses, coordinate billing, maintenance, mechanical and personnel policies and practices of applicant’s rail carrier subsidiaries, thereby improving the overall efficiency of rail service provided by the 11 railroads. Under 49 U.S.C. 10502(g), the Board may not use its exemption authority to relieve a rail carrier of its statutory obligation to protect the interests of its employees. Section 11326(c), however, does not provide for labor protection for transactions under sections 11324 and 11325 that involve only Class III rail carriers. Accordingly, the Board may not impose labor protective conditions here, because all of the carriers involved are Class III carriers. If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 34654, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423– 0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on Karl Morell, Of Counsel, Ball Janik LLP, 1455 F Street, NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at https:// www.stb.dot.gov. Decided: March 7, 2005. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. 05–4834 Filed 3–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12267 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 34653] Appalachian & Ohio Railroad, Inc.— Lease and Operation Exemption—CSX Transportation, Inc. Appalachian & Ohio Railroad, Inc. (AO), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to lease, from CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), and operate approximately 158.22 miles of rail line extending between: (1) milepost BUC 0.0, at Berkeley Run Jct., WV, and milepost BUC 119.0, at Cowen, WV; (2) milepost BUN 0.0, at Berryburg Jct., WV, and milepost BUN 4.0, at the Sentinel Mine near Berryburg Jct.; (3) milepost BUO 0.0, at Century Jct., WV, and milepost BUO 5.05, at the Century Mine, near Century Jct.; (4) milepost BUJ 0.0, at Buckhannon, WV, and milepost BUJ 1.65, near Buckhannon; (5) milepost BUF 0.0, at Burnsville, WV, and milepost BUF 6.2, at Gilmer, WV; (6) milepost BUR 0.0, at Cowen, and milepost BUR 1.0, near Cowen; (7) milepost BUH 0.0, at Hampton Jct., WV, and milepost BUH 17.0, at Alexander, WV; and (8) milepost BTF 0.0, at Island Creek Jct., WV, and milepost BTF 4.32, near Island Creek Jct. AO certifies that its projected revenues as a result of this transaction will not exceed those that would qualify it as a Class III rail carrier. However, because its projected annual revenues will exceed $5 million, AO also certifies that it has complied with the posting and service requirements of 49 CFR 1150.32(e). In accordance with that section, the transaction cannot be consummated before March 22, 2005, the effective date of the exemption. The transaction is scheduled to be consummated on or shortly after March 25, 2005. This transaction is related to STB Finance Docket No. 34654, Watco Companies, Inc.—Continunance in Control Exemption—Appalachian & Ohio Railroad, Inc., wherein Watco Companies, Inc., has concurrently filed a verified notice of exemption to continue in control of AO upon its becoming a carrier. If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 34653, must be filed with E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 47 (Friday, March 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12265-12267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4844]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket Nos. FMCSA-99-6156, FMCSA-2000-7165, FMCSA-2000-7363, FMCSA-
2000-7918, FMCSA-2000-8398]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemption; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice publishes the FMCSA decision to renew the 
exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations for 30 individuals. The FMCSA has statutory 
authority to exempt individuals from vision standards if the exemptions 
granted will not compromise safety. The agency has concluded that 
granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be 
equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without 
the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

DATES: This decision is effective March 23, 2005. Comments from 
interested persons should be submitted by April 11, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT DMS Docket Numbers 
FMCSA-99-6156, FMCSA-2000-7165, FMCSA-2000-7363, FMCSA-2000-7918, and 
FMCSA-2000-8398 by any of the following methods:
     Web Site: https://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket numbers for this notice. For detailed instructions on submitting 
comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the 
Public

[[Page 12266]]

Participation heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change 
to https://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information provided. 
Please see the Privacy Act heading under Regulatory Notices.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL-
401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maggi Gunnels, Office of Bus and Truck 
Standards and Operations, (202) 366-4001, FMCSA, Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Public Participation: The DMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. You can get electronic submission and retrieval help 
guidelines under the ``help'' section of the DMS Web site. If you want 
us to notify you that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement 
page that appears after submitting comments on-line.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the 
Department of Transportation's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; 
Pages 19477-78) or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.

Exemption Decision

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the FMCSA may renew an 
exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which 
applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce, for a two year 
period if it finds ``such exemption would likely achieve a level of 
safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved absent such exemption.'' The procedures for requesting an 
exemption (including renewals) are set out in 49 CFR part 381. This 
notice addresses 30 individuals who have requested renewal of their 
exemptions in a timely manner. The FMCSA has evaluated these 30 
applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend each 
exemption for a renewable two year period. They are:

Carl W. Adams
Glenn A. Babcock, Jr.
David W. Ball
David F. Bardsley, Sr.
Joseph M. Blankenship
Willie Burnett, Jr.
Charles C. Chapman
Dennis J. Christensen
Robert P. Conrad, Sr.
Jerald O. Edwards
Elias Gomez, Jr.
William G. Holland
Thomas E. Howard
John N. Lanning
Thomas F. Marczewski
Roy E. Mathews
Velmer L. McClelland
Duane A. McCord
James T. McGraw, Jr.
Robert A. Moss
Henry C. Patton
Bobby G. Pool, Sr.
Richard Rankin
Billy G. Saunders
George D. Schell
Scottie Stewart
Clarence L. Swann, Jr.
Thaddeus E. Temoney
Harry C. Weber
Yu Weng

    These exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: 
(1) That each individual have a physical exam every year (a) by an 
ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the 
better eye continues to meet the standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), and 
(b) by a medical examiner who attests that the individual is otherwise 
physically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41; (2) that each individual 
provide a copy of the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's report to the 
medical examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (3) 
that each individual provide a copy of the annual medical certification 
to the employer for retention in the driver's qualification file and 
retain a copy of the certification on his/her person while driving for 
presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement 
official. Each exemption will be valid for two years unless rescinded 
earlier by the FMCSA. The exemption will be rescinded if: (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 before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption 
would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 
31315 and 31136(e).

Basis for Renewing Exemptions

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no 
longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon 
application for additional two year periods. In accordance with 49 
U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), each of the 30 applicants has satisfied the 
entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision 
requirements (64 FR 54948; 65 FR 159; 67 FR 57266; 65 FR 33406; 65 FR 
57234; 68 FR 13360; 65 FR 45817; 65 FR 77066; 65 FR 66286; 66 FR 13825; 
68 FR 10300; 65 FR 78256; 66 FR 16311). Each of these 30 applicants has 
requested timely renewal of the exemption and has submitted evidence 
showing that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the 
standard specified at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and that the vision 
impairment is stable. In addition, a review of each record of safety 
while driving with the respective vision deficiencies over the past two 
years indicates each applicant continues to meet the vision exemption 
standards. These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each 
driver's ability to continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. 
Therefore, the FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each 
renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a 
level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption.

Comments

    The FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a 
particular driver's safety record and determine if the continuation of 
the exemption is consistent with the requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31315 
and 31136(e). However, the FMCSA requests that interested parties with 
specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit 
comments by April 11, 2005.
    In the past the FMCSA has received comments from Advocates for 
Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) expressing continued opposition to 
the FMCSA's procedures for renewing exemptions from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Specifically, Advocates objects to 
the agency's extension of the exemptions without any opportunity for 
public comment prior to the decision to renew, and reliance on a 
summary statement of evidence to make its decision to extend the 
exemption of each driver.
    The issues raised by Advocates were addressed at length in 69 FR 
51346 (August 18, 2004). The FMCSA

[[Page 12267]]

continues to find its exemption process appropriate to the statutory 
and regulatory requirements.

    Issued on: March 4, 2005.
Rose A. McMurray,
Associate Administrator, Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 05-4844 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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