Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision, 42402-42404 [E8-16618]

Download as PDF 42402 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the Order. On July 8, 2008, the Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and other relevant agencies, designated two individuals and one entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13382. Information on the additional designees is as follows: 1. TAMAS COMPANY. AKA: TAMAS; AKA: NUCLEAR FUEL PRODUCTION COMPANY. Address: No. 84, 20th Street. Northern Kargar Avenue. Tehran, 10000. Iran. 2. YAHYA RAHIM SAFAVI. AKA: RAHIM SAFAVI; AKA: YAHYA RAHIM-SAFAVI; AKA: SAYED YAHYA SAFAVI; AKA: YAHIA RAHIM SAFAWI; AKA: SEYYED YAHYA RAHIM-SAFAVI; AKA: YAHYA RAHIM AL-SIFAWI. Date of Birth: March to September 1952–1953. Place of Birth: Esfahan, Iran. 3. MOHSEN FAKHRIZADEHMAHABADI. AKA: MOHSEN FAKHRIZADEH; AKA: FAKHRIZADEH. Passport Numbers: A0009228, 4229533. Dated: July 7, 2008. John C. Rood, Acting Under Secretary, Arms Control and International Security, Department of State. [FR Doc. E8–16621 Filed 7–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–27–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Delegation of Authority No. 166–3] PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Redelegation of Authority 166–2 Providing for the Settlement of Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act and 22 U.S.C. 2669–1 By virtue of the authority vested in me by State Department Delegation of Authority No. DA–166–2, I hereby redelegate to the Assistant Legal Adviser and Deputy Assistant Legal Adviser for International Claims and Investment Disputes the functions delegated to me in that Delegation of Authority, including the denial of all claims, except for the function of making any award, compromise or settlement in excess of $10,000. This Delegation of Authority supersedes DA–166–1. This Delegation of Authority shall be published in the Federal Register. VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 Dated: July 3, 2008. John B. Bellinger III, Legal Adviser, Department of State. [FR Doc. E8–16629 Filed 7–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement; St. Lucie County, FL Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed new river crossing project in the City of Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, Florida. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Hadley, Federal Highway Administration, 545 John Knox Road, Suite 200, Tallahassee, Florida 32303, Telephone: (850) 942–9650 ext. 3011. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation, will prepare an EIS for a third east-west bridge crossing over the North Fork of the St. Lucie River in the City of Port St. Lucie, in St. Lucie County, Florida. The proposed improvement would link the Crosstown Parkway on the west to U.S. 1 (SR 5) on the east. The proposed action is known as the Crosstown Parkway Corridor Extension Study and was formerly known as the Third EastWest River Crossing Study. The proposed action would provide needed relief to the two existing river crossings which are over capacity. Alternatives under consideration include a No Build Alternative and multiple alternatives that provide a river crossing on a new alignment. Expansion of the two existing river crossings was previously considered and determined to be infeasible. Coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and private organizations and citizens who have expressed interest in this proposal has been ongoing and will continue. A series of public meetings and workshops have been held in Port St. Lucie as part of the planning efforts for this project and will continue throughout the EIS process. A formal scoping meeting is planned for this project and is anticipated to occur in August of 2008. In addition, public workshops and a public hearing will be held. Public notice will be given of the time and place of the hearing and for future PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 meetings. The Draft EIS will be made available for public and agency review and comment before the public hearing date. To ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed action is addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the FHWA at the address provided above. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation of Federal programs and activities apply to this program.) Issued on: July 15, 2008. George B. Hadley, Environmental Programs Coordinator, Tallahassee, Florida. [FR Doc. E8–16574 Filed 7–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–99–6480; FMCSA–02– 11714; FMCSA–03–14223; FMCSA–04– 17195; FMCSA–05–21254; FMCSA–06– 24015; FMCSA–06–24783] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 11 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is 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 August 1, 2008. Comments must be received on or before August 20, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA–99– 6480; FMCSA–02–11714; FMCSA–03– 14223; FMCSA–04–17195; FMCSA–05– E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices 21254; FMCSA–06–24015; FMCSA–06– 24783, using any of the following methods. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or 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. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment 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 may search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19476). This information is also available at https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical Programs, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64– 224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may renew an exemption from the vision requirements 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. Exemption Decision This notice addresses 11 individuals who have requested a renewal of their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has evaluated these 11 applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are: Manuel A. Almeida, Ronald B. Brown, Thomas L. Corey, Brian G. Hagen, Donald E. Hathaway, John C. Lewis, William R. Proffitt, Jose M. Suarez, Louis E. Villa, Jr., Barney J. Wade, Richard A. Yeager. These exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: (1) That each individual have a physical examination 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 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. 31136(e) and 31315. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42403 and may be renewed upon application for additional two year periods. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 11 applicants has satisfied the entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirements (64 FR 68195; 65 FR 20251; 67 FR 38311; 69 FR 26221; 71 FR 27033; 67 FR 15662; 67 FR 37907; 69 FR 26206; 71 FR 26601; 68 FR 10301; 68 FR 19596; 70 FR 74102; 69 FR 17263; 69 FR 31447; 71 FR 43556; 70 FR 30999; 70 FR 46567; 71 FR 14566; 71 FR 30227; 71 FR 32183; 71 FR 41310). Each of these 11 applicants has requested 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, 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. Request for Comments 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. 31136(e) and 31315. However, FMCSA requests that interested parties with specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit comments by August 20, 2008. FMCSA believes that the requirements for a renewal of an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 can be satisfied by initially granting the renewal and then requesting and evaluating, if needed, subsequent comments submitted by interested parties. As indicated above, the Agency previously published notices of final disposition announcing its decision to exempt these 11 individuals from the vision requirement in49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final decision to grant an exemption to each of these individuals was based on the merits of each case and only after careful consideration of the comments received to its notices of applications. The notices of applications stated in detail the qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each applicant for an exemption from the vision E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 42404 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices requirements. That information is available by consulting the above cited Federal Register publications. Interested parties or organizations possessing information that would otherwise show that any, or all of these drivers, are not currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a driver. Issued on: July 11, 2008. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development. [FR Doc. E8–16618 Filed 7–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. MARAD–2008–0067] Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel PLAYIN’ HOOKEY. PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: As authorized by Pub. L. 105– 383 and Pub. L. 107–295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD–2008– 0067 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Pub. L. 105–383 and MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 Submit comments on or before August 20, 2008. DATES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD–2008–0067. Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. You may also send comments electronically via the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. All comments will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection and copying at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. An electronic version of this document and all documents entered into this docket is available on the World Wide Web at https:// www.regulations.gov. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws VerDate Aug<31>2005 the commenter’s interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in § 388.4 of MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR Part 388. Joann Spittle, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W21–203, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202– 366–5979. As described by the applicant the intended service of the vessel PLAYIN’ HOOKEY is: Intended Use: ‘‘Charter fishing.’’ Geographic Region: ‘‘Wisconsin.’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78). Dated: July 10, 2008. By order of the Maritime Administrator. Christine Gurland, Acting Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. E8–16523 Filed 7–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–81–P PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. MARAD–2008–0068] Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel JENA. AGENCY: SUMMARY: As authorized by Public Law 105–383 and Public Law 107–295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD–2008– 0068 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105–383 and MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter’s interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in § 388.4 of MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR Part 388. DATES: Submit comments on or before August 20, 2008. ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD–2008–0068. Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. You may also send comments electronically via the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. All comments will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection and copying at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 140 (Monday, July 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42402-42404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16618]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-99-6480; FMCSA-02-11714; FMCSA-03-14223; FMCSA-04-
17195; FMCSA-05-21254; FMCSA-06-24015; FMCSA-06-24783]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

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

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions from the 
vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 
11 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals 
from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not 
compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these 
exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is 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 August 1, 2008. Comments must be 
received on or before August 20, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-99-6480; FMCSA-02-11714; 
FMCSA-03-14223; FMCSA-04-17195; FMCSA-05-

[[Page 42403]]

21254; FMCSA-06-24015; FMCSA-06-24783, using any of the following 
methods.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number 
for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without 
change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading 
below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or 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. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. If you want acknowledgment 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 may search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19476). This information is 
also available at https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical 
Programs, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-224, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may renew an exemption 
from the vision requirements 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.

Exemption Decision

    This notice addresses 11 individuals who have requested a renewal 
of their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has 
evaluated these 11 applications for renewal on their merits and decided 
to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are: 
Manuel A. Almeida, Ronald B. Brown, Thomas L. Corey, Brian G. Hagen, 
Donald E. Hathaway, John C. Lewis, William R. Proffitt, Jose M. Suarez, 
Louis E. Villa, Jr., Barney J. Wade, Richard A. Yeager.
    These exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: 
(1) That each individual have a physical examination 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 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. 31136(e) and 
31315.

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. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 11 applicants has satisfied the 
entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision 
requirements (64 FR 68195; 65 FR 20251; 67 FR 38311; 69 FR 26221; 71 FR 
27033; 67 FR 15662; 67 FR 37907; 69 FR 26206; 71 FR 26601; 68 FR 10301; 
68 FR 19596; 70 FR 74102; 69 FR 17263; 69 FR 31447; 71 FR 43556; 70 FR 
30999; 70 FR 46567; 71 FR 14566; 71 FR 30227; 71 FR 32183; 71 FR 
41310). Each of these 11 applicants has requested 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, 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.

Request for Comments

    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. 31136(e) 
and 31315. However, FMCSA requests that interested parties with 
specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit 
comments by August 20, 2008.
    FMCSA believes that the requirements for a renewal of an exemption 
under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 can be satisfied by initially 
granting the renewal and then requesting and evaluating, if needed, 
subsequent comments submitted by interested parties. As indicated 
above, the Agency previously published notices of final disposition 
announcing its decision to exempt these 11 individuals from the vision 
requirement in49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final decision to grant an 
exemption to each of these individuals was based on the merits of each 
case and only after careful consideration of the comments received to 
its notices of applications. The notices of applications stated in 
detail the qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each 
applicant for an exemption from the vision

[[Page 42404]]

requirements. That information is available by consulting the above 
cited Federal Register publications.
    Interested parties or organizations possessing information that 
would otherwise show that any, or all of these drivers, are not 
currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately 
notify FMCSA.
    The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted and, if 
safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption would 
not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a 
driver.

    Issued on: July 11, 2008.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E8-16618 Filed 7-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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