Membership Availability in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group Aviation Rulemaking Committee, 16442-16443 [E9-7695]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 68 / Friday, April 10, 2009 / Notices
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at:
(800) 877–8339.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board
uses URCS to determine a rail carrier’s
variable costs in a variety of regulatory
proceedings. URCS determines, for each
Class I railroad, the portion of each
category of expenses shown in the
carrier’s Annual Report to the Board
(STB Form R–1) that represents its
system-average variable unit cost for
that cost category for that year. More
specifically, URCS consists of a series of
computer programs and manual
procedures organized into three phases.
Phase I compiles the raw data provided
by the carriers into a useable format,
and then uses statistical estimation
procedures to determine the portion of
specific expense account groupings that
vary with changes in the volume of
activity. In Phase II, these cost/volume
relationships are then used to develop
the variable unit costs that allow costing
of specific rail movements. Finally, in
Phase III, these variable unit costs are
applied to determine the costs of
specific movements via an interactive
computer program that permits the user
to enter operating characteristic data for
the specific movements under
consideration.
URCS was initially adopted by the
Board’s predecessor agency, the
Interstate Commerce Commission, as the
general purpose costing system in Ex
Parte No. 431 (Sub-No. 1), Adoption of
the Uniform Railroad Costing System as
a General Purpose Costing System For
All Regulatory Costing Purposes, 5
I.C.C.2d 894 (1989). Periodic review of
URCS is called for in 49 U.S.C. 11161.
The first review of URCS came in a
decision served on October 1, 1997, in
which the system was modified to: (1)
Alter the procedures used to determine
the variable costs associated with rail
movements of intermodal traffic; (2)
revise the train switching conversion
factor used in the costing procedures;
(3) discontinue the collection of cost
data on switching and terminal
companies; and (4) revise the procedure
for determining the variable cost of
using privately-owned rail cars. See
Review of the General Purpose Costing
System, 2 S.T.B. 659 (1997). On
reconsideration in a decision served on
December 12, 1997, the costing of
intermodal rail movements was further
modified. See Review of the General
Purpose Costing System, 2 S.T.B. 754
(1997).
The Board believes it is time for a
second, and more comprehensive,
review of URCS to determine whether
and to what extent modifications are
needed to account for recent changes in
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15:39 Apr 09, 2009
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Board procedures and to improve the
system outputs. Accordingly, the Board
is instituting this proceeding and
holding a hearing to receive public
comment on how best to revise the
existing URCS model. Parties are
specifically encouraged to address
whether and how the Board could:
1. Improve the efficiency adjustments
associated with unit-train and multi-car
movements;
2. Update the historical studies used
in URCS;
3. Improve the costing of trailer or
container on flat car (TOFC/COFC)
traffic;
4. Update the URCS national car tare
weight calculation to account for the
number of car miles that each car type
operates;
5. Update the number of miles
between non-intermodal intertrain/
intratrain (I&I) switches by URCS car
type;
6. Disaggregate loss and damage
information by carrier and by two-digit
Standard Transportation Commodity
Code (STCC) groupings;
7. Revise the Train Switching
Conversion factor used to place all road
train crew wages on a common mileage
basis;
8. Require carriers to report their
average switch engine speeds in order to
better reflect switching expenses;
9. Revise the ratio of urban and rural
land values to allocate expenses
between running and switching;
10. Revise the URCS car types to
eliminate outdated car types and add
new car types to reflect those currently
used in the railroad industry;
11. Revise the spotted to pulled factor
for each car type;
12. Revise the approach used in
individual proceedings to index URCS
in order to use the Rail Cost Adjustment
Factor indexes published by the Board;
and
13. Update the various statistical
relationships used in URCS, including
the variability estimates.
The Board welcomes suggestions on
additional aspects or features of URCS
the Board should revisit. However, note
that, by an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking served and published on
January 5, 2009 (74 FR 248), the Board
already sought comments on whether
and how the Board should update its
accounting and financial reporting for
Class I rail carriers and URCS to better
capture the operating cost of
transporting hazardous materials. The
Board is currently reviewing the
comments submitted. Therefore,
comments for this public hearing need
not duplicate those already submitted in
that proceeding.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
As a follow up to this hearing, the
Board will accept comments for 30 days
responsive to the hearing.
Date of Hearing. The hearing will
begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 30,
2009, in the 1st floor hearing room at
the Board’s headquarters at 395 E Street,
SW., in Washington, DC, and will
continue until every person scheduled
to speak has been heard.
Notice of Intent to Participate and
Testimony. Any person wishing to
speak at the hearing should file with the
Board a combined written notice of
intent to participate (identifying the
party, the proposed speaker, the time
requested, and topic(s) to be covered)
and their written testimony as soon as
possible, but no later than April 23,
2009.
Board Releases and Live Audio
Available Via the Internet. Decisions
and notices of the Board, including this
notice, are available on the Board’s Web
site at https://www.stb.dot.gov. This
hearing will be available on the Board’s
Web site by live video streaming. To
access the hearing, click on the ‘‘Live
Video’’ link under ‘‘Information Center’’
at the left side of the home page
beginning at 9 a.m. on April 30, 2009.
This action will not significantly
affect either the quality of the human
environment or the conservation of
energy resources.
Dated: April 6, 2009.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. E9–8152 Filed 4–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Membership Availability in the National
Parks Overflights Advisory Group
Aviation Rulemaking Committee
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: The National Park Service
(NPS) and the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), as required by
the National Parks Air Tour
Management Act of 2000, established
the National Parks Overflights Advisory
Group (NPOAG) in March 2001. The
NPOAG was formed to provide
continuing advice and counsel with
respect to commercial air tour
operations over and near national parks.
This notice informs the public of six
vacancies (due to completion of
membership on October 9, 2009) on the
NPOAG (now the NPOAG Aviation
Rulemaking Committee (ARC)) for
members representing general aviation
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10APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 68 / Friday, April 10, 2009 / Notices
(one vacancy), commercial air tour
operators (two vacancies),
environmental concerns (two
vacancies), and Native American tribal
concerns (one vacancy) and invites
interested persons to apply to fill the
vacancies.
DATES: Persons interested in serving on
the NPOAG ARC should contact Mr.
Barry Brayer in writing and postmarked
or e-mailed on or before May 20, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barry Brayer, AWP–1SP, Special
Programs Staff, Federal Aviation
Administration, Western-Pacific Region
Headquarters, PO Box 92007, Los
Angeles, CA 90009–2007, telephone:
(310) 725–3800, e-mail:
Barry.Brayer@faa.gov, or Karen Trevino,
National Park Service, Natural Sounds
Program, 1201 Oakridge Dr., Suite 100,
Ft. Collins, CO 80525, telephone (970)
225–3563, e-mail:
Karen_Trevino@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The National Parks Air Tour
Management Act of 2000 (the Act) was
enacted on April 5, 2000, as Public Law
106–181. The Act required the
establishment of the advisory group
within 1 year after its enactment. The
advisory group was established in
March 2001, and is comprised of a
balanced group of representatives of
general aviation, commercial air tour
operations, environmental concerns,
and Native American tribes. The
Administrator of the FAA and the
Director of NPS (or their designees)
serve as ex officio members of the
group. Representatives of the
Administrator and Director serve
alternating 1-year terms as chairman of
the advisory group.
The advisory group provides ‘‘advice,
information, and recommendations to
the Administrator and the Director—
(1) On the implementation of this title
[the Act] and the amendments made by
this title;
(2) On commonly accepted quiet
aircraft technology for use in
commercial air tour operations over a
national park or tribal lands, which will
receive preferential treatment in a given
air tour management plan;
(3) On other measures that might be
taken to accommodate the interests of
visitors to national parks; and
(4) At the request of the Administrator
and the Director, safety, environmental,
and other issues related to commercial
air tour operations over a national park
or tribal lands.’’
Members of the advisory group may
be allowed certain travel expenses as
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15:39 Apr 09, 2009
Jkt 217001
authorized by section 5703 of Title 5,
United States Code, for intermittent
Government service.
By FAA Order No. 1110–138, signed
by the FAA Administrator on October
10, 2003, the NPOAG became an
Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
FAA Order No. 1110–138, was amended
and became effective as FAA Order No.
1110–138A, on January 20, 2006.
The current NPOAG ARC is made up
of one member representing general
aviation, three members representing
the commercial air tour industry, four
members representing environmental
concerns, and two members
representing Native American tribal
concerns. Current members of the
NPOAG ARC are: Claire Kultgen,
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association;
Alan Stephen, fixed-winged air tour
operator representative; Elling
Halvorson, Papillon Airways, Inc.;
Matthew Zuccaro, Helicopters
Association International; Chip
Dennerlein, Siskiyou Project; Gregory
Miller, American Hiking Society;
Kristen Brengel, The Wilderness
Society; Don Barger, National Parks
Conservation Association; Rory
Majenty, Huatapai Nation; and Richard
Deertrack, Taos Pueblo.
Public Participation in the NPOAG
ARC
In order to retain balance within the
NPOAG ARC, the FAA and NPS invite
persons interested in serving on the
ARC to represent general aviation,
commercial air tour operators,
environmental concerns, or Native
American tribal concerns, to contact Mr.
Barry Brayer (contact information is
written above in FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
Requests to serve on the ARC must be
made to Mr. Brayer in writing and
postmarked or e-mailed on or before
May 20, 2009. The request should
indicate whether or not you are a
member of an association or group
representing general aviation,
commercial air tours, environmental
concerns, or Native American tribal
concerns or have another affiliation
with issues relating to aircraft flights
over national parks. The request should
also state what expertise you would
bring to the NPOAG ARC as related to
the vacancy you are seeking to fill (e.g.,
general aviation). The term of service for
NPOAG ARC members is 3 years.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
16443
Issued in Hawthorne, CA on March 30,
2009.
Barry Brayer,
NPOAG Chairman, Manager, Special
Programs Staff, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. E9–7695 Filed 4–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. MC–F–21032]
FirstGroup plc—Intra-Corporate Family
Transaction Exemption
FirstGroup plc (FirstGroup), a
noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of
exemption under the Board’s class
exemption procedure at 49 CFR 1182.9.1
The exempt transaction involves the
reorganization by the FirstGroup family
of companies.2
The transaction is intended to
reorganize the North American structure
of FirstGroup to reduce the taxes
payable by its family of companies and
thereby to retain more of their earnings
to render the operations of their motor
carriers of passengers as safely and
comfortably as possible.
The transaction was expected to be
consummated on March 27, 2009.
This is a transaction within a
corporate family of the type specifically
exempted from prior review and
approval under 49 CFR 1182.9.
FirstGroup states that the transaction
will not result in adverse changes in
service levels, significant operational
changes, or a change in the competitive
balance with carriers outside the
corporate family. FirstGroup also states
that (1) no contracts or agreements have
been entered into to effect the proposed
changes within the FirstGroup’s North
American structure, and (2) there will
be no foreseeable effect upon the
1 The Board exempted intra-corporate family
transactions of motor carriers of passengers that do
not result in significant operational changes,
adverse changes in service levels, or a change in the
competitive balance with carriers outside the
corporate family in Class Exemption for Motor
Passenger Intra-Corporate Family Transactions,
STB Finance Docket No. 33685 (STB served Feb. 18,
2000).
2 Laidlaw International, Inc. has changed its name
to FirstGroup International, Inc., and instead of
being a direct subsidiary of FirstGroup will become
an indirect subsidiary, with two subsidiaries having
interests in FMCSA-registered motor carriers of
passengers: (1) FGI Canada Holdings Ltd., which
will control Greyhound Canada Transportation
Corp., which will be changed from an Ontario
corporation to an Alberta unlimited liability
corporation, and (2) First Group America Holdings,
Inc., formerly Laidlaw Transit Holdings, Inc., which
will control First Student, Inc., First Transit, Inc.,
and Greyhound Lines, Inc., which will continue to
have control of Americanos U.S.A., LLC and Valley
Transit Co., Inc.
E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM
10APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 68 (Friday, April 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16442-16443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7695]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Membership Availability in the National Parks Overflights
Advisory Group Aviation Rulemaking Committee
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), as required by the National Parks Air Tour
Management Act of 2000, established the National Parks Overflights
Advisory Group (NPOAG) in March 2001. The NPOAG was formed to provide
continuing advice and counsel with respect to commercial air tour
operations over and near national parks. This notice informs the public
of six vacancies (due to completion of membership on October 9, 2009)
on the NPOAG (now the NPOAG Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)) for
members representing general aviation
[[Page 16443]]
(one vacancy), commercial air tour operators (two vacancies),
environmental concerns (two vacancies), and Native American tribal
concerns (one vacancy) and invites interested persons to apply to fill
the vacancies.
DATES: Persons interested in serving on the NPOAG ARC should contact
Mr. Barry Brayer in writing and postmarked or e-mailed on or before May
20, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry Brayer, AWP-1SP, Special
Programs Staff, Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region
Headquarters, PO Box 92007, Los Angeles, CA 90009-2007, telephone:
(310) 725-3800, e-mail: Barry.Brayer@faa.gov, or Karen Trevino,
National Park Service, Natural Sounds Program, 1201 Oakridge Dr., Suite
100, Ft. Collins, CO 80525, telephone (970) 225-3563, e-mail: Karen_Trevino@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (the Act) was
enacted on April 5, 2000, as Public Law 106-181. The Act required the
establishment of the advisory group within 1 year after its enactment.
The advisory group was established in March 2001, and is comprised of a
balanced group of representatives of general aviation, commercial air
tour operations, environmental concerns, and Native American tribes.
The Administrator of the FAA and the Director of NPS (or their
designees) serve as ex officio members of the group. Representatives of
the Administrator and Director serve alternating 1-year terms as
chairman of the advisory group.
The advisory group provides ``advice, information, and
recommendations to the Administrator and the Director--
(1) On the implementation of this title [the Act] and the
amendments made by this title;
(2) On commonly accepted quiet aircraft technology for use in
commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands,
which will receive preferential treatment in a given air tour
management plan;
(3) On other measures that might be taken to accommodate the
interests of visitors to national parks; and
(4) At the request of the Administrator and the Director, safety,
environmental, and other issues related to commercial air tour
operations over a national park or tribal lands.''
Members of the advisory group may be allowed certain travel
expenses as authorized by section 5703 of Title 5, United States Code,
for intermittent Government service.
By FAA Order No. 1110-138, signed by the FAA Administrator on
October 10, 2003, the NPOAG became an Aviation Rulemaking Committee
(ARC). FAA Order No. 1110-138, was amended and became effective as FAA
Order No. 1110-138A, on January 20, 2006.
The current NPOAG ARC is made up of one member representing general
aviation, three members representing the commercial air tour industry,
four members representing environmental concerns, and two members
representing Native American tribal concerns. Current members of the
NPOAG ARC are: Claire Kultgen, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association;
Alan Stephen, fixed-winged air tour operator representative; Elling
Halvorson, Papillon Airways, Inc.; Matthew Zuccaro, Helicopters
Association International; Chip Dennerlein, Siskiyou Project; Gregory
Miller, American Hiking Society; Kristen Brengel, The Wilderness
Society; Don Barger, National Parks Conservation Association; Rory
Majenty, Huatapai Nation; and Richard Deertrack, Taos Pueblo.
Public Participation in the NPOAG ARC
In order to retain balance within the NPOAG ARC, the FAA and NPS
invite persons interested in serving on the ARC to represent general
aviation, commercial air tour operators, environmental concerns, or
Native American tribal concerns, to contact Mr. Barry Brayer (contact
information is written above in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Requests to serve on the ARC must be made to Mr. Brayer in writing
and postmarked or e-mailed on or before May 20, 2009. The request
should indicate whether or not you are a member of an association or
group representing general aviation, commercial air tours,
environmental concerns, or Native American tribal concerns or have
another affiliation with issues relating to aircraft flights over
national parks. The request should also state what expertise you would
bring to the NPOAG ARC as related to the vacancy you are seeking to
fill (e.g., general aviation). The term of service for NPOAG ARC
members is 3 years.
Issued in Hawthorne, CA on March 30, 2009.
Barry Brayer,
NPOAG Chairman, Manager, Special Programs Staff, Western-Pacific
Region.
[FR Doc. E9-7695 Filed 4-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE
