Pilot Project on NAFTA Trucking Provisions, 73765-73769 [2011-30735]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2011 / Notices
trailer-mounted electronic brake
controllers provides a level of safety that
is equivalent to the level of safety
achieved without the exemption. As
noted earlier, the use of a trailermounted electronic brake controller
does not alter the braking capability of
a trailer equipped with electric brakes;
instead, it alters the method by which
the trailer’s electric brakes are applied.
The Agency emphasizes that the
exemption should not be construed as
an exception to the brake performance
requirements under § 393.52; motor
carriers using trailer-mounted electric
brake controllers must ensure that any
commercial motor vehicle, or
combination of commercial motor
vehicles, complies with the brake
performance requirements under
§ 393.52 when operated in interstate
commerce.
FMCSA has decided to grant
Innovative Electronics’ exemption
application. The FMCSA encourages
any party, including Innovative
Electronics, having information that
motor carriers utilizing this exemption
are not achieving the requisite level of
safety immediately to notify the Agency.
If safety is being compromised, or if the
continuation of the exemption is not
consistent with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b) and
31136(e), FMCSA will take immediate
steps to revoke the temporary
exemption.
Terms and Conditions for the
Exemption
Based on its evaluation of the
application for an exemption, FMCSA
has decided to grant Innovative
Electronics’ exemption application. The
Agency believes that the level of safety
that will be achieved using a trailermounted electric brake controller during
the 2-year exemption period will likely
be equivalent to, or greater than, the
level of safety without the exemption.
The Agency hereby grants the
exemption for a two-year period,
beginning November 29, 2011 and
ending November 29, 2013.
During the temporary exemption
period, motor carriers must meet the
hydraulic surge brake requirements of
§§ 393.48(d) and 393.49(c), substituting
‘‘trailer-mounted electric brake
controller’’ for ‘‘surge brake’’ as follows:
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393.48
*
*
Brakes to be operative.
*
*
*
(d)(1) Trailer-mounted electric brake
controllers are allowed on:
(i) Any trailer with a gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) of 12,000 pounds or less,
when its GVWR does not exceed 1.75 times
the GVWR of the towing vehicle; and
(ii) Any trailer with a GVWR greater than
12,000 pounds, but less than 20,001 pounds,
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when its GVWR does not exceed 1.25 times
the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
(2) The gross vehicle weight (GVW) of a
trailer equipped with a trailer-mounted
electric brake controller may be used instead
of its GVWR to calculate compliance with the
weight ratios specified in paragraph (d)(1) of
this section when the trailer manufacturer’s
GVWR label is missing.
(3) The GVW of a trailer equipped with a
trailer-mounted electric brake controller must
be used to calculate compliance with the
weight ratios specified in paragraph (d)(1) of
this section when the trailer’s GVW exceeds
its GVWR.
(4) The trailer equipped with a trailermounted electric brake controller must meet
the requirements of § 393.40.
393.49
*
*
Control valves for brakes.
*
*
*
(c) Trailer-mounted electric brake
controller exception. This requirement is not
applicable to trailers equipped with trailermounted electric brake controllers that
satisfy the conditions specified in 393.48(d).
Interested parties possessing
information that would demonstrate
that motor carriers using the exemption
for trailer-mounted electric brake
controllers are not achieving the
requisite statutory level of safety should
provide that information to FMCSA, and
that information will be placed in
Docket No. FMCSA–2011–0022.
Placement of information in the docket
is addressed at 75 FR 33667, June 14,
2010. The Agency will evaluate any
such information placed in the docket
and, if safety is being compromised or
if the continuation of the exemption is
not consistent with 49 U.S.C.
31315(b)(4) and 31136(e), will take
immediate steps to revoke this
exemption, if warranted.
Preemption
During the period the exemption is in
effect, no State shall enforce any law or
regulation that conflicts with or is
inconsistent with this exemption to
allow commercial motor vehicle
operators to use trailer-mounted electric
brake controllers which monitor and
actuate electric trailer brakes based on
inertial forces developed in response to
the braking action of the towing vehicle.
Issued on: November 18, 2011.
Anne S. Ferro,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011–30739 Filed 11–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2011–0097]
Pilot Project on NAFTA Trucking
Provisions
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for public
comment.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces and
requests public comment on data and
information concerning the PreAuthorization Safety Audits (PASAs) for
motor carriers that have applied to
participate in the Agency’s long-haul
pilot program to test and demonstrate
the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor
carriers to operate safely in the United
States beyond the municipalities in the
United States on the United StatesMexico international border or the
commercial zones of such
municipalities. This action is required
by the ‘‘U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’
Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq
Accountability Appropriations Act,
2007’’ and all subsequent
appropriations.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before December 9, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by FDMS Docket Number
FMCSA–2011–0097 using any one of
the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Fax: 1–(202) 493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
(M–30), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., West Building, Ground
Floor, Room 12–140, Washington, DC
20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery: Same as mail
address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., ET, Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is (202) 366–9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only
one of these four methods. All
submissions must include the Agency
name and docket number for this notice.
See the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading
below for instructions on submitting
comments and additional information.
Note that all comments received,
including any personal information
provided, will be posted without change
to https://www.regulations.gov. Please
see the ‘‘Privacy Act’’ heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2011 / Notices
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov at any time or to
Room W12–140 on the ground floor of
the DOT Headquarters Building at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
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 Privacy Act System of
Records Notice for the DOT Federal
Docket Management System published
in the Federal Register on January 17,
2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit
https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/
E8–785.pdf.
Public Participation: The https://
www.regulations.gov Web site is
generally available 24 hours each day,
365 days each year. You can get
electronic submission and retrieval help
and guidelines under the ‘‘help’’ section
of the https://www.regulations.gov Web
site. Comments received after the
comment closing date will be included
in the docket, and will be considered to
the extent practicable.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marcelo Perez, FMCSA, North American
Borders Division, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001. Telephone (512) 916–5440 Ext.
228; e-mail marcelo.perez@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Background
On May 25, 2007, the President
signed into law the U.S. Troop
Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina
Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007 (the Act),
[Pub. L. 110–28, 121 Stat. 112, 183, May
25, 2007]. Section 6901 of the Act
requires that certain actions be taken by
the Department of Transportation (the
Department) as a condition of obligating
or expending appropriated funds to
grant authority to Mexico-domiciled
motor carriers to operate beyond the
municipalities in the United States on
the United States-Mexico international
border or the commercial zones of such
municipalities (border commercial
zones).
On July 8, 2011, FMCSA announced
in the Federal Register [76 FR 40420] its
intent to proceed with the initiation of
a U.S.-Mexico cross-border long-haul
trucking pilot program to test and
demonstrate the ability of Mexicodomiciled motor carriers to operate
safely in the United States beyond the
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border commercial zones as detailed in
the Agency’s April 13, 2011, Federal
Register notice [76 FR 20807]. The pilot
program is a part of FMCSA’s
implementation of the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) crossborder long-haul trucking provisions in
compliance with section 6901(b)(2)(B)
of the Act. FMCSA reviewed, assessed,
and evaluated the required safety
measures as noted in the July 8, 2011,
notice and considered all comments
received on or before May 13, 2011, in
response to the April 13, 2011, notice.
Additionally, to the extent practicable,
FMCSA considered comments received
after May 13, 2011.
In accordance with section
6901(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Act, FMCSA is
required to publish in the Federal
Register, and provide sufficient
opportunity for public notice and
comment comprehensive data and
information on the PASAs conducted of
motor carriers domiciled in Mexico that
are granted authority to operate beyond
the border commercial zones. This
notice serves to fulfill this requirement.
FMCSA is publishing for public
comment the data and information
relating to one PASA that was
completed on October 7, 2011. FMCSA
announces that the Mexico-domiciled
motor carrier in Table 1 successfully
completed its PASA. Notice of this
completion was also published in the
FMCSA Register.
Tables 2, 3 and 4 ‘‘Successful PreAuthorization Safety Audit (PASA)
Information’’ set out additional
information on the carrier(s) noted in
Table 1. A narrative description of each
column in the tables is provided as
follows:
A. Row Number in the Appendix for
the Specific Carrier: The row number for
each line in the tables.
B. Name of Carrier: The legal name of
the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier that
applied for authority to operate in the
United States (U.S.) beyond the border
commercial zones and was considered
for participation in the long-haul pilot
program.
C. U.S. DOT Number: The
identification number assigned to the
Mexico-domiciled motor carrier and
required to be displayed on each side of
the motor carrier’s power units. If
granted provisional operating authority,
the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier will
be required to add the suffix ‘‘X’’ to the
ending of its assigned U.S. DOT Number
for those vehicles approved to
participate in the pilot program.
D. FMCSA Register Number: The
number assigned to the Mexicodomiciled motor carrier’s operating
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authority as found in the FMCSA
Register.
E. PASA Initiated: The date the PASA
was initiated.
F. PASA Completed: The date the
PASA was completed.
G. PASA Results: The results upon
completion of the PASA. The PASA
receives a quality assurance review
before approval. The quality assurance
process involves a dual review by the
FMCSA Division Office supervisor of
the auditor assigned to conduct the
PASA and by the FMCSA Service
Center New Entrant Specialist
designated for the specific FMCSA
Division Office. This dual review
ensures the successfully completed
PASA was conducted in accordance
with FMCSA policy, procedures and
guidance. Upon approval, the PASA
results are uploaded into the FMCSA’s
Motor Carrier Management Information
System (MCMIS). The PASA
information and results are then
recorded in the Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier’s safety performance record in
MCMIS.
H. FMCSA Register: The date FMCSA
published notice of a successfully
completed PASA in the FMCSA
Register. The FMCSA Register notice
advises interested parties that the
application has been preliminarily
granted and that protests to the
application must be filed within 10 days
of the publication date. Protests are filed
with FMCSA Headquarters in
Washington, DC. The notice in the
FMCSA Register lists the following
information:
a. Current registration number (e.g.,
MX–123456);
b. Date the notice was published in
the FMCSA Register;
c. The applicant’s name and address;
and
d. Representative or contact
information for the applicant.
The FMCSA Register may be accessed
through FMCSA’s Licensing and
Insurance public Web site at https://lipublic.fmcsa.dot.gov/, and selecting
FMCSA Register in the drop down
menu.
I. U.S. Drivers: The total number of
the motor carrier’s drivers approved for
long-haul transportation in the United
States beyond the border commercial
zones.
J. U.S. Vehicles: The total number of
the motor carrier’s power units
approved for long-haul transportation in
the United States beyond the border
commercial zones.
K. Passed Verification 5 Elements
(Yes/No): A Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier will not be granted provisional
operating authority if FMCSA cannot
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2011 / Notices
verify all of the following five
mandatory elements. FMCSA must:
a. Verify a controlled substances and
alcohol testing program consistent with
49 CFR part 40.
b. Verify a system of compliance with
hours-of-service rules of 49 CFR part
395, including recordkeeping and
retention;
c. Verify the ability to obtain financial
responsibility as required by 49 CFR
387, including the ability to obtain
insurance in the United States;
d. Verify records of periodic vehicle
inspections; and
e. Verify the qualifications of each
driver the carrier intends to use under
such authority, as required by 49 CFR
parts 383 and 391, including confirming
the validity of each driver’s Licencia
Federal de Conductor and English
language proficiency.
L. If No, Which Element Failed: If
FMCSA cannot verify one or more of the
five mandatory elements outlined in 49
CFR part 365, Appendix A, Section III,
this column will specify which
mandatory element(s) cannot be
verified.
Please note that for items L through P
below, during the PASA, after verifying
the five mandatory elements discussed
in item J above, FMCSA will gather
information by reviewing a motor
carrier’s compliance with ‘‘acute and
critical’’ regulations of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
(FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMRs). Acute regulations
are those where noncompliance is so
severe as to require immediate
corrective actions by a motor carrier
regardless of the overall basic safety
management controls of the motor
carrier. Critical regulations are those
where noncompliance relates to
management and/or operational
controls. These regulations are
indicative of breakdowns in a carrier’s
management controls. A list of acute
and critical regulations is included in 49
CFR part 385, Appendix B, Section VII.
Parts of the FMCSRs and HMRs
having similar characteristics are
combined together into six regulatory
areas called ‘‘factors.’’ The regulatory
factors are intended to evaluate the
adequacy of a carrier’s management
controls.
M. Passed Phase 1, Factor 1: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 1 (listed in part
365, Subpart E, Appendix A, Section
IV(f)). Factor 1 includes the General
Requirements outlined in parts 387
(Minimum Levels of Financial
Responsibility for Motor Carriers) and
390 (Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations—General).
N. Passed Phase 1, Factor 2: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 2, which
includes the Driver Requirements
outlined in parts 382 (Controlled
Substances and Alcohol Use and
Testing), 383 (Commercial Driver’s
License Standards; Requirements and
Penalties) and 391 (Qualifications of
Drivers and Longer Combination
Vehicle (LCV) Driver Instructors).
O. Passed Phase 1, Factor 3: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 3, which
includes the Operational Requirements
outlined in parts 392 (Driving of
Commercial Motor Vehicles) and 395
(Hours of Service of Drivers).
P. Passed Phase 1, Factor 4: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 4, which
includes the Vehicle Requirements
outlined in parts 393 (Parts and
Accessories Necessary for Safe
Operation) and 396 (Inspection, Repair
and Maintenance) and vehicle
inspection and out-of-service data for
the last 12 months.
Q. Passed Phase 1, Factor 5: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 5, which
includes the hazardous material
requirements outlined in parts 171
(General Information, Regulations, and
Definitions), 177 (Carriage by Public
Highway), 180 (Continuing
Qualification and Maintenance of
Packagings) and 397 (Transportation of
Hazardous Materials; driving and
parking rules).
R. Passed Phase 1, Factor 6: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 6, which
includes Accident History. This factor is
the recordable accident rate during the
past 12 months. A recordable
‘‘accident’’ is defined in 49 CFR 390.5,
and means an accident involving a
commercial motor vehicle operating on
a public road in interstate or intrastate
commerce which results in: A fatality; a
bodily injury to a person who, as a
result of the injury, immediately
received medical treatment away from
the scene of the accident; or one or more
73767
motor vehicles incurring disabling
damage as a result of the accident
requiring the motor vehicle to be
transported away from the scene by a
tow truck or other motor vehicle.
S. Number U.S. Vehicles Inspected:
The total number of vehicles (power
units) the motor carrier is approved to
operate in the United States beyond the
border commercial zones and that
received a vehicle inspection during the
PASA. During a PASA, FMCSA
inspected all power units to be used by
the motor carrier in the pilot program
and applied a current Commercial
Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
inspection decal. This number reflects
the vehicles that were inspected,
irrespective of whether the vehicle
received a CVSA inspection decal as a
result of a passed inspection.
T. Number U.S. Vehicles Issued CVSA
Decal: The total number of inspected
vehicles (power units) the motor carrier
is approved to operate in the United
States beyond the border commercial
zones that received a CVSA inspection
decal as a result of an inspection during
the PASA.
U. Controlled Substances Collection:
Refers to the applicability and/or
country of origin of the controlled
substance and alcohol collection facility
that will be used by a motor carrier that
has successfully completed the PASA.
a. ‘‘US’’ means the controlled
substance and alcohol collection facility
is based in the United States.
b. ‘‘MX’’ means the controlled
substance and alcohol collection facility
is based in Mexico.
c. ‘‘Non-CDL’’ means that during the
PASA, FMCSA verified that the motor
carrier is not utilizing commercial motor
vehicles subject to the commercial
driver’s license requirements as defined
in 49 CFR 383.5 (Definition of
Commercial Motor Vehicle). Any motor
carrier that does not operate commercial
motor vehicles as defined in § 383.5 is
not subject to DOT controlled substance
and alcohol testing requirements.
V. Name of Controlled Substances
and Alcohol Collection Facility: Shows
the name and location of the controlled
substances and alcohol collection
facility that will be used by a Mexicodomiciled motor carrier who has
successfully completed the PASA.
TABLE 1
Row number in Tables 2, 3, and 4 of the Appendix to today’s
notice
Name of carrier
Moises Alvarez Perez DBA Distribuidora Marina El Pescador ...
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USDOT No.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2011 / Notices
TABLE 2—SUCCESSFUL PRE-AUTHORIZATION SAFETY AUDIT (PASA) INFORMATION (SEE ALSO TABLES 3 AND 4)
Column A—
row number
Column B—
name of
carrier
Column C—
US DOT
number
Column D—
FMCSA
register number
Column
E—PASA
initiated
1 ..................
Moises Alvarez Perez
DBA
Distribuidora Marina
El
Pescador.
677516
MX–313931
10/6/2011
Column F—
PASA
completed
10/7/2011
Column
G—PASA
results
Column H—
FMCSA
register
Column
I—US
drivers
Pass .........
11/21/2011 ..
1 ............
Column
J—US
vehicles
1
TABLE 3—SUCCESSFUL PRE-AUTHORIZATION SAFETY AUDIT (PASA) INFORMATION (SEE ALSO TABLES 2 AND 4)
Column
A—row
number
Column B—
name of carrier
Column C—
US DOT
number
Column D—
FMCSA
register number
Column K—
passed
verification 5
elements
(yes/no)
1 ..............
Moises Alvarez
Perez DBA
Distribuidora
Marina El
Pescador.
677516
MX–313931
Yes ...............
Column
M—
passed
phase 1
factor 1
Column
N—
passed
phase 1
factor 2
Column
O—
passed
phase 1
factor 3
Pass ........
Pass ........
Pass ........
Column L—if
no, which
element
failed
Column
P—
passed
phase 1
factor 4
Pass
TABLE 4—SUCCESSFUL PRE-AUTHORIZATION SAFETY AUDIT (PASA) INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 (SEE
ALSO TABLES 2 AND 3)
Column B—
name of
carrier
1 ..............
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Column
A—row
number
Column C—
US DOT
number
677516
MX–313931
Moises Alvarez Perez
DBA
Distribuidora
Marina El
Pescador.
In an effort to provide as much
information as possible for review, the
application and PASA results for this
carrier are posted at the Agency’s Web
site for the pilot program at https://www.
fmcsa.dot.gov/intl-programs/trucking/
Trucking-Program.aspx. Both
documents were redacted so that
personal information regarding the
drivers is not released. Sensitive
business information, such as the
carrier’s tax identification number, was
also redacted. In response to previous
comments received regarding the PASA
notice process, FMCSA also posted
copies of the vehicle inspections
conducted during the PASA in the
PASA document.
A list of the carrier’s vehicles
approved by FMCSA for use in the pilot
program is also available at the above
referenced Web site.
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Column
Q—
passed
phase I
factor 5
Column
R—
passed
phase I
factor 6
N/A ..........
Pass ........
Column D—
FMCSA register
number
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Column S—
Number US
vehicles
inspected
Column T—
Number US
vehicles
issued CVSA
decal
Column
U—
Controlled
substance
collection
1
1
U.S. ........
To date, no carriers have failed the
PASA. The Act only requires
publication of data for carriers receiving
operating authority, as failure to
successfully complete the PASA
precludes the carrier from being granted
authority to participate in the long-haul
pilot program. FMCSA will publish this
information to show motor carriers that
failed to meet U.S. safety standards.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Act, FMCSA
requests public comment from all
interested persons on the PASA
information presented in this notice. All
comments received before the close of
business on the comment closing date
indicated at the beginning of this notice
will be considered and will be available
for examination in the docket at the
location listed under the ADDRESSES
PO 00000
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Column
V—Name
of
controlled
substances
and
alcohol
collection
facility
RMC Testing Solutions
section of this notice. Comments
received after the comment closing date
will be filed in the public docket and
will be considered to the extent
practicable. In addition to late
comments, the FMCSA will also
continue to file, in the public docket,
relevant information that becomes
available after the comment closing
date. Interested persons should continue
to examine the public docket for new
material.
FMCSA notes that under its
regulations, preliminary grants of
authority, pending the carrier’s showing
of compliance with insurance and
process agent requirements and the
resolution of any protests, are publically
noticed through publication in the
FMCSA Register. Any protests of such
grants must be filed within 10 days of
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publication of notice in the FMCSA
Register.
Issued on: November 9, 2011.
Anne S. Ferro,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011–30735 Filed 11–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2011–0299]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Vision
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of applications for
exemptions; request for comments.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces receipt of
applications from 8 individuals for
exemption from the vision requirement
in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations. If granted, the exemptions
would enable these individuals to
qualify as drivers of commercial motor
vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce
without meeting the Federal vision
requirement.
SUMMARY:
Comments must be received on
or before December 29, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA–
2011–0299 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: 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.
Instructions: Each submission must
include the Agency name and the
docket numbers for this notice. Note
that all comments received will be
posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please
see the Privacy Act heading below for
further information.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments, go to https://
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DATES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:20 Nov 28, 2011
Jkt 226001
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 DOT’s Privacy Act
Statement for the FDMS published in
the Federal Register on January 17,
2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit
https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/
E8–785.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical
Programs Division, (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 grant an exemption from
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations for a 2-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.’’
FMCSA can renew exemptions at the
end of each 2-year period. The 8
individuals listed in this notice have
each requested such an exemption from
the vision requirement in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers
of CMVs in interstate commerce.
Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate
the qualifications of each applicant to
determine whether granting an
exemption will achieve the required
level of safety mandated by statute.
Qualifications of Applicants
Marion J. Coleman, Jr.
Mr. Coleman, age 40, has had
amblyopia in his right eye since
childhood. The best corrected visual
acuity in his right eye is 20/70 and in
his left eye, 20/25. Following an
PO 00000
Frm 00188
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
73769
examination in 2011, his
ophthalmologist noted, ‘‘He has
sufficient vision to perform the driving
tasks required to operate a commercial
vehicle.’’ Mr. Coleman reported that he
has driven tractor-trailer combinations
for 12 years, accumulating 1.8 million
miles. He holds a Class A Commercial
Driver’s License (CDL) from Kentucky.
His driving record for the last 3 years
shows no crashes but one conviction for
speeding in a Commercial Motor
Vehicle (CMV). He exceeded the speed
limit by 9 mph.
Layne C. Coscorrosa
Mr. Coscorrosa, 33, has had
amblyopia in his left eye since
childhood. The best corrected visual
acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and in
his left eye, 20/200. Following an
examination in 2011, his
ophthalmologist noted, ‘‘I certify that he
can perform the tasks required to
operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr.
Coscorrosa reported that he has driven
buses for 6 years, accumulating 150,000
miles. He holds a Class B CDL from
Washington. His driving record for the
last 3 years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a
CMV.
Lex A. Fabrizio
Mr. Fabrizio, 39, has had complete
loss of vision in his left eye, due to
coat’s disease since age 3. The best
corrected visual acuity in his right eye
is 20/20. Following an examination in
2011, his ophthalmologist noted, ‘‘In my
opinion, Lex has normal vision and can
perform all visual tasks necessary in
driving a commercial truck.’’ Mr.
Fabrizio reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating
50,000 miles and tractor-trailer
combinations for 5 years, accumulating
400,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL
from Utah. His driving record for the
last 3 years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a
CMV.
Mark A. Ferris
Mr. Ferris, 55, has had amblyopia in
his left eye since childhood. The best
corrected visual acuity in his right eye
is 20/20 and in his left eye, 20/70.
Following an examination in 2011, his
optometrist noted, ‘‘In my professional
opinion, Mr. Ferris has more than
sufficient vision to perform the driving
tasks required to operate any
commercial motor vehicle.’’ Mr. Ferris
reported that he has driven straight
trucks for 21 years, accumulating
651,000 miles and tractor-trailer
combinations for 5 years, accumulating
150,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL
E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM
29NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73765-73769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30735]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0097]
Pilot Project on NAFTA Trucking Provisions
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces and requests public comment on data and
information concerning the Pre-Authorization Safety Audits (PASAs) for
motor carriers that have applied to participate in the Agency's long-
haul pilot program to test and demonstrate the ability of Mexico-
domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond
the municipalities in the United States on the United States-Mexico
international border or the commercial zones of such municipalities.
This action is required by the ``U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care,
Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007''
and all subsequent appropriations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 9, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by FDMS Docket Number
FMCSA-2011-0097 using any one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Fax: 1-(202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, (M-30), U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building,
Ground Floor, Room 12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
telephone number is (202) 366-9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number for this
notice. See the ``Public Participation'' heading below for instructions
on submitting comments and additional information.
Note that all comments received, including any personal information
provided, will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov.
Please see the ``Privacy Act'' heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
[[Page 73766]]
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or to
Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT Headquarters Building at
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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
Privacy Act System of Records Notice for the DOT Federal Docket
Management System published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2008
(73 FR 3316), or you may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.
Public Participation: The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is
generally available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You can get
electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines under the
``help'' section of the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. Comments
received after the comment closing date will be included in the docket,
and will be considered to the extent practicable.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcelo Perez, FMCSA, North American
Borders Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-
0001. Telephone (512) 916-5440 Ext. 228; e-mail marcelo.perez@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On May 25, 2007, the President signed into law the U.S. Troop
Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007 (the Act), [Pub. L. 110-28, 121 Stat. 112,
183, May 25, 2007]. Section 6901 of the Act requires that certain
actions be taken by the Department of Transportation (the Department)
as a condition of obligating or expending appropriated funds to grant
authority to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the
municipalities in the United States on the United States-Mexico
international border or the commercial zones of such municipalities
(border commercial zones).
On July 8, 2011, FMCSA announced in the Federal Register [76 FR
40420] its intent to proceed with the initiation of a U.S.-Mexico
cross-border long-haul trucking pilot program to test and demonstrate
the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the
United States beyond the border commercial zones as detailed in the
Agency's April 13, 2011, Federal Register notice [76 FR 20807]. The
pilot program is a part of FMCSA's implementation of the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cross-border long-haul trucking provisions
in compliance with section 6901(b)(2)(B) of the Act. FMCSA reviewed,
assessed, and evaluated the required safety measures as noted in the
July 8, 2011, notice and considered all comments received on or before
May 13, 2011, in response to the April 13, 2011, notice. Additionally,
to the extent practicable, FMCSA considered comments received after May
13, 2011.
In accordance with section 6901(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Act, FMCSA is
required to publish in the Federal Register, and provide sufficient
opportunity for public notice and comment comprehensive data and
information on the PASAs conducted of motor carriers domiciled in
Mexico that are granted authority to operate beyond the border
commercial zones. This notice serves to fulfill this requirement.
FMCSA is publishing for public comment the data and information
relating to one PASA that was completed on October 7, 2011. FMCSA
announces that the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier in Table 1
successfully completed its PASA. Notice of this completion was also
published in the FMCSA Register.
Tables 2, 3 and 4 ``Successful Pre-Authorization Safety Audit
(PASA) Information'' set out additional information on the carrier(s)
noted in Table 1. A narrative description of each column in the tables
is provided as follows:
A. Row Number in the Appendix for the Specific Carrier: The row
number for each line in the tables.
B. Name of Carrier: The legal name of the Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier that applied for authority to operate in the United States
(U.S.) beyond the border commercial zones and was considered for
participation in the long-haul pilot program.
C. U.S. DOT Number: The identification number assigned to the
Mexico-domiciled motor carrier and required to be displayed on each
side of the motor carrier's power units. If granted provisional
operating authority, the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier will be
required to add the suffix ``X'' to the ending of its assigned U.S. DOT
Number for those vehicles approved to participate in the pilot program.
D. FMCSA Register Number: The number assigned to the Mexico-
domiciled motor carrier's operating authority as found in the FMCSA
Register.
E. PASA Initiated: The date the PASA was initiated.
F. PASA Completed: The date the PASA was completed.
G. PASA Results: The results upon completion of the PASA. The PASA
receives a quality assurance review before approval. The quality
assurance process involves a dual review by the FMCSA Division Office
supervisor of the auditor assigned to conduct the PASA and by the FMCSA
Service Center New Entrant Specialist designated for the specific FMCSA
Division Office. This dual review ensures the successfully completed
PASA was conducted in accordance with FMCSA policy, procedures and
guidance. Upon approval, the PASA results are uploaded into the FMCSA's
Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). The PASA
information and results are then recorded in the Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier's safety performance record in MCMIS.
H. FMCSA Register: The date FMCSA published notice of a
successfully completed PASA in the FMCSA Register. The FMCSA Register
notice advises interested parties that the application has been
preliminarily granted and that protests to the application must be
filed within 10 days of the publication date. Protests are filed with
FMCSA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The notice in the FMCSA Register
lists the following information:
a. Current registration number (e.g., MX-123456);
b. Date the notice was published in the FMCSA Register;
c. The applicant's name and address; and
d. Representative or contact information for the applicant.
The FMCSA Register may be accessed through FMCSA's Licensing and
Insurance public Web site at https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/, and
selecting FMCSA Register in the drop down menu.
I. U.S. Drivers: The total number of the motor carrier's drivers
approved for long-haul transportation in the United States beyond the
border commercial zones.
J. U.S. Vehicles: The total number of the motor carrier's power
units approved for long-haul transportation in the United States beyond
the border commercial zones.
K. Passed Verification 5 Elements (Yes/No): A Mexico-domiciled
motor carrier will not be granted provisional operating authority if
FMCSA cannot
[[Page 73767]]
verify all of the following five mandatory elements. FMCSA must:
a. Verify a controlled substances and alcohol testing program
consistent with 49 CFR part 40.
b. Verify a system of compliance with hours-of-service rules of 49
CFR part 395, including recordkeeping and retention;
c. Verify the ability to obtain financial responsibility as
required by 49 CFR 387, including the ability to obtain insurance in
the United States;
d. Verify records of periodic vehicle inspections; and
e. Verify the qualifications of each driver the carrier intends to
use under such authority, as required by 49 CFR parts 383 and 391,
including confirming the validity of each driver's Licencia Federal de
Conductor and English language proficiency.
L. If No, Which Element Failed: If FMCSA cannot verify one or more
of the five mandatory elements outlined in 49 CFR part 365, Appendix A,
Section III, this column will specify which mandatory element(s) cannot
be verified.
Please note that for items L through P below, during the PASA,
after verifying the five mandatory elements discussed in item J above,
FMCSA will gather information by reviewing a motor carrier's compliance
with ``acute and critical'' regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs).
Acute regulations are those where noncompliance is so severe as to
require immediate corrective actions by a motor carrier regardless of
the overall basic safety management controls of the motor carrier.
Critical regulations are those where noncompliance relates to
management and/or operational controls. These regulations are
indicative of breakdowns in a carrier's management controls. A list of
acute and critical regulations is included in 49 CFR part 385, Appendix
B, Section VII.
Parts of the FMCSRs and HMRs having similar characteristics are
combined together into six regulatory areas called ``factors.'' The
regulatory factors are intended to evaluate the adequacy of a carrier's
management controls.
M. Passed Phase 1, Factor 1: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 1 (listed in part 365, Subpart E,
Appendix A, Section IV(f)). Factor 1 includes the General Requirements
outlined in parts 387 (Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for
Motor Carriers) and 390 (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations--
General).
N. Passed Phase 1, Factor 2: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 2, which includes the Driver
Requirements outlined in parts 382 (Controlled Substances and Alcohol
Use and Testing), 383 (Commercial Driver's License Standards;
Requirements and Penalties) and 391 (Qualifications of Drivers and
Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Driver Instructors).
O. Passed Phase 1, Factor 3: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 3, which includes the Operational
Requirements outlined in parts 392 (Driving of Commercial Motor
Vehicles) and 395 (Hours of Service of Drivers).
P. Passed Phase 1, Factor 4: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 4, which includes the Vehicle
Requirements outlined in parts 393 (Parts and Accessories Necessary for
Safe Operation) and 396 (Inspection, Repair and Maintenance) and
vehicle inspection and out-of-service data for the last 12 months.
Q. Passed Phase 1, Factor 5: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 5, which includes the hazardous
material requirements outlined in parts 171 (General Information,
Regulations, and Definitions), 177 (Carriage by Public Highway), 180
(Continuing Qualification and Maintenance of Packagings) and 397
(Transportation of Hazardous Materials; driving and parking rules).
R. Passed Phase 1, Factor 6: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 6, which includes Accident History.
This factor is the recordable accident rate during the past 12 months.
A recordable ``accident'' is defined in 49 CFR 390.5, and means an
accident involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a public
road in interstate or intrastate commerce which results in: A fatality;
a bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately
received medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or one
or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the
accident requiring the motor vehicle to be transported away from the
scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.
S. Number U.S. Vehicles Inspected: The total number of vehicles
(power units) the motor carrier is approved to operate in the United
States beyond the border commercial zones and that received a vehicle
inspection during the PASA. During a PASA, FMCSA inspected all power
units to be used by the motor carrier in the pilot program and applied
a current Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection decal.
This number reflects the vehicles that were inspected, irrespective of
whether the vehicle received a CVSA inspection decal as a result of a
passed inspection.
T. Number U.S. Vehicles Issued CVSA Decal: The total number of
inspected vehicles (power units) the motor carrier is approved to
operate in the United States beyond the border commercial zones that
received a CVSA inspection decal as a result of an inspection during
the PASA.
U. Controlled Substances Collection: Refers to the applicability
and/or country of origin of the controlled substance and alcohol
collection facility that will be used by a motor carrier that has
successfully completed the PASA.
a. ``US'' means the controlled substance and alcohol collection
facility is based in the United States.
b. ``MX'' means the controlled substance and alcohol collection
facility is based in Mexico.
c. ``Non-CDL'' means that during the PASA, FMCSA verified that the
motor carrier is not utilizing commercial motor vehicles subject to the
commercial driver's license requirements as defined in 49 CFR 383.5
(Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle). Any motor carrier that does
not operate commercial motor vehicles as defined in Sec. 383.5 is not
subject to DOT controlled substance and alcohol testing requirements.
V. Name of Controlled Substances and Alcohol Collection Facility:
Shows the name and location of the controlled substances and alcohol
collection facility that will be used by a Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier who has successfully completed the PASA.
Table 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row number in Tables 2, 3, and 4
of the Appendix to today's notice Name of carrier USDOT No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moises Alvarez Perez DBA 677516
Distribuidora Marina El
Pescador.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 73768]]
Table 2--Successful Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) Information (See Also Tables 3 and 4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column D--
Column B--name of Column C--US FMCSA Column E--PASA Column F-- Column G--PASA Column H--FMCSA Column I--US Column J--US
Column A--row number carrier DOT number register initiated PASA results register drivers vehicles
number completed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................. Moises Alvarez 677516 MX-313931 10/6/2011......... 10/7/2011 Pass.............. 11/21/2011........ 1................. 1
Perez DBA
Distribuidora
Marina El
Pescador.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Successful Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) Information (See Also Tables 2 and 4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column D-- Column L--if
Column B--name of Column C--US FMCSA Column K--passed no, which Column M--passed Column N--passed Column O--passed Column P--passed
Column A--row number carrier DOT number register verification 5 element phase 1 factor 1 phase 1 factor 2 phase 1 factor 3 phase 1 factor 4
number elements (yes/no) failed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................. Moises Alvarez 677516 MX-313931 Yes............... ............ Pass.............. Pass.............. Pass.............. Pass
Perez DBA
Distribuidora
Marina El
Pescador.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4--Successful Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) Information as of September 9, 2011 (See Also Tables 2 and 3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column V--Name of
Column D-- Column S-- Column T-- Column U-- controlled
Column B--name of Column C--US FMCSA Column Q--passed Column R--passed Number US Number US Controlled substances and
Column A--row number carrier DOT number register phase I factor 5 phase I factor 6 vehicles vehicles substance alcohol
number inspected issued CVSA collection collection
decal facility
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................... Moises Alvarez 677516 MX-313931 N/A................ Pass............... 1 1 U.S................ RMC Testing
Perez DBA Solutions
Distribuidora
Marina El Pescador.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In an effort to provide as much information as possible for review,
the application and PASA results for this carrier are posted at the
Agency's Web site for the pilot program at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/intl-programs/trucking/Trucking-Program.aspx. Both documents were
redacted so that personal information regarding the drivers is not
released. Sensitive business information, such as the carrier's tax
identification number, was also redacted. In response to previous
comments received regarding the PASA notice process, FMCSA also posted
copies of the vehicle inspections conducted during the PASA in the PASA
document.
A list of the carrier's vehicles approved by FMCSA for use in the
pilot program is also available at the above referenced Web site.
To date, no carriers have failed the PASA. The Act only requires
publication of data for carriers receiving operating authority, as
failure to successfully complete the PASA precludes the carrier from
being granted authority to participate in the long-haul pilot program.
FMCSA will publish this information to show motor carriers that failed
to meet U.S. safety standards.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Act, FMCSA requests public comment from all
interested persons on the PASA information presented in this notice.
All comments received before the close of business on the comment
closing date indicated at the beginning of this notice will be
considered and will be available for examination in the docket at the
location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Comments
received after the comment closing date will be filed in the public
docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to
late comments, the FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public
docket, relevant information that becomes available after the comment
closing date. Interested persons should continue to examine the public
docket for new material.
FMCSA notes that under its regulations, preliminary grants of
authority, pending the carrier's showing of compliance with insurance
and process agent requirements and the resolution of any protests, are
publically noticed through publication in the FMCSA Register. Any
protests of such grants must be filed within 10 days of
[[Page 73769]]
publication of notice in the FMCSA Register.
Issued on: November 9, 2011.
Anne S. Ferro,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-30735 Filed 11-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
