Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products; Designation of Implementation Date, 44700-44701 [2014-18223]

Download as PDF 44700 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 148 / Friday, August 1, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. 12. Energy Effects This action is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. 13. Technical Standards This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards. 14. Environment We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023–01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and have determined that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule involves the establishment of a safety zone and, therefore it is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2–1 of the Commandant Instruction. An environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and a Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this rule. List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165 Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS 2. A new temporary § 165.T09–0427 is added to read as follows: ■ This document identifies the implementation date for the revised service standards for market-dominant (a) Location. This zone will mail products associated with the encompass all waters of North Coast second phase of the Network Harbor, Cleveland, OH within the Rationalization initiative, and makes following positions: 41°30′37.21″ N and conforming changes to the applicable 081°41′43.88″ W, the East to regulations. 41°30′38.66″ N and 081°41′38.95″ W DATES: Effective Date: August 1, 2014. then Northwest to 41°30′41.63″ N and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 081°41′43.59″ W then Southwest to Dave Williams, Network Operations, at 41°30′37.21″ N and 081°41′43.88″ W 202–268–4305. (NAD 83). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (b) Effective and enforcement Period. On September 21, 2011, the Postal This regulation is effective and will be Service published an advance notice of enforced on August 10, 2014 from 5:45 proposed rulemaking (the Advance a.m. until 10:15 a.m. (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with Notice) in the Federal Register to solicit the general regulations in section 165.23 public comment on a conceptual proposal to revise service standards for of this part, entry into, transiting, or market-dominant products.1 After anchoring within this safety zone is considering comments received in prohibited unless authorized by the response to the Advance Notice, the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his Postal Service decided to develop the designated on-scene representative. concept into a concrete proposal, (2) This safety zone is closed to all identified as Network Rationalization. vessel traffic, except as may be The basic logic of Network permitted by the Captain of the Port Rationalization is that falling mail Buffalo or his designated on-scene volumes and the resultant excess representative. capacity in the Postal Service’s mail (3) The ‘‘on-scene representative’’ of processing network necessitate a major the Captain of the Port Buffalo is any consolidation of the network, and this Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or task in turn is contingent on revisions petty officer who has been designated to service standards, particularly the by the Captain of the Port Buffalo to act overnight standard for First-Class Mail. on his behalf. On December 5, 2011, the Postal (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter Service submitted a request to the Postal or operate within the safety zone shall Regulatory Commission (PRC) for an contact the Captain of the Port Buffalo advisory opinion on the service changes or his on-scene representative to obtain associated with Network permission to do so. The Captain of the Rationalization, in accordance with 39 Port Buffalo or his on-scene U.S.C. 3661(b).2 On December 15, 2011, representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16. Vessel operators given the Postal Service published proposed revisions to its market-dominant service permission to enter or operate in the standards in the Federal Register and safety zone must comply with all sought public comment (the Proposed directions given to them by the Captain Rulemaking).3 The comment period for of the Port Buffalo, or his on-scene the Proposed Rulemaking closed on representative. February 13, 2012. The final rule was Dated: July 22, 2014. published on May 25, 2012.4 B.W. Roche, Having considered public input and Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the the results of its market research, the Port Buffalo. Postal Service decided to implement [FR Doc. 2014–18284 Filed 7–31–14; 8:45 am] Network Rationalization in a phased manner. The service standard changes BILLING CODE 9110–04–P § 165.T09–0427 Safety Zone; Gay Games 9 Triathlon, North Coast Harbor, Cleveland, OH. POSTAL SERVICE ■ 1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows: 39 CFR Part 121 Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapters 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 107–295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Revised Service Standards for MarketDominant Mail Products; Designation of Implementation Date VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:22 Jul 31, 2014 Jkt 232001 Final rule; designation of implementation date. ACTION: AGENCY: PO 00000 Postal ServiceTM. Frm 00066 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 SUMMARY: 1 Proposal to Revise Service Standards for FirstClass Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail, 76 FR 58433 (September 21, 2011). 2 PRC Docket No. N2012–1, Request of the United States Postal Service for an Advisory Opinion on Changes in the Nature of Postal Services (December 5, 2011). Documents pertaining to the Request are available at the PRC Web site, https://www.prc.gov. 3 Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products, 76 FR 77942 (December 15, 2011). 4 Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products, 77 FR 31190 (May 25, 2012). E:\FR\FM\01AUR1.SGM 01AUR1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 148 / Friday, August 1, 2014 / Rules and Regulations associated with the first phase of Network Rationalization became effective on July 1, 2012.5 In a Federal Register notice dated January 24, 2014, the Postal Service announced its decision to postpone implementation of the second phase of Network Rationalization, and to identify the implementation date for the second phase at least 90 days before it takes effect.6 This document identifies the implementation date for the second phase of Network Rationalization, and the corresponding service standard changes. The Postal Service’s market-dominant service standards are contained in 39 CFR part 121. This document revises the service standards by identifying the implementation date for the service standards associated with the second phase of Network Rationalization, and by modifying 39 CFR 121.1(b)(2) to clarify that the 2-day service standard for First-Class Mail includes intra-SCF single piece First-Class Mail.7 The revision concerning the second phase implementation date is applied by replacing ‘‘the effective date identified by the Postal Service in a future Federal Register document’’ with ‘‘January 5, 2015’’ each place where ‘‘the effective date identified by the Postal Service in a future Federal Register document’’ appears in the current version of 39 CFR part 121, and in Appendix A to that part. The 2-day service standard for First-Class Mail is clarified through the addition of a reference to ‘‘intra-SCF single piece domestic First-Class Mail properly accepted before the day-zer0– CET’’ in paragraph 121.1(b)(2). In addition, conforming non-substantive edits were made. List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 121 Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service. Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal Service adopts the following revisions to 39 CFR part 121: 5 Id. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES 6 Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products; Postponement of Implementation Date, 79 FR 4079 (January 24, 2014). 7 Application of the two-day service standard to intra-SCF single piece domestic First-Class Mail was described in previous Federal Register notices. See Proposal to Revise Service Standards for FirstClass Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail, 76 FR 58433 (September 21, 2011); Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products, 76 FR 77942 (December 15, 2011). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:22 Jul 31, 2014 Jkt 232001 44701 2. Section 121.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as follows: accepted before the day-zero CET with an origin or destination that is in American Samoa or one of the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or designated portions thereof): 995 (5digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999. * * * * * ■ 3. Section 121.2 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows: § 121.1 § 121.2 PART 121—SERVICE STANDARDS FOR MARKET DOMINANT MAIL PRODUCTS 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 121 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 1001, 3691. ■ First-Class Mail. (a)(1) Until January 5, 2015, a 1-day (overnight) service standard is applied to intra-Sectional Center Facility (SCF) domestic First-Class Mail® pieces properly accepted before the day-zero Critical Entry Time (CET), except for mail between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, mail between American Samoa and Hawaii, and mail destined to the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999. (2) On and after January 5, 2015, a 1day (overnight) service standard is applied to intra-SCF domestic Presort First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted at the SCF before the day-zero CET, except for mail between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and mail destined to American Samoa and the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999. (b)(1) Until January 5, 2015, a 2-day service standard is applied to inter-SCF domestic First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted before the day-zero CET if the drive time between the origin Processing & Distribution Center or Facility (P&DC/F) and destination Area Distribution Center (ADC) is 6 hours or less; or if the origin and destination are separately in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; or if the origin or destination is in American Samoa or one of the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999. (2) On and after January 5, 2015, a 2day service standard is applied to intraSCF single piece domestic First-Class Mail properly accepted before the dayzero CET, inter-SCF domestic First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted before the day-zero CET if the drive time between the origin P&DC/F and destination SCF is 6 hours or less, Presort First-Class Mail properly accepted before the dayzero CET with an origin and destination that are separately in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and intra-SCF Presort First-Class Mail properly PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 Periodicals. (a) End-to-End. (1)(i) Until January 5, 2015, a 2- to 4day service standard is applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero Critical Entry Time (CET) and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for surface transportation (as per the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)), with the standard specifically equaling the sum of 1 day plus the applicable First-Class Mail service standard; (ii) On and after January 5, 2015, a 3to 4-day service standard is applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero CET and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for surface transportation (as per the DMM), with the standard specifically equaling the sum of 1 day plus the applicable FirstClass Mail service standard. * * * * * ■ 4. Appendix A to Part 121 is amended by revising the introductory text of Tables 1 through 4 to read as follows: Appendix A to Part 121—Tables Depicting Service Standard Day Ranges * * * * * Table 1. Prior to January 5, 2015, end-toend service standard day ranges for mail originating and destinating within the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. * * * * * Table 2. On and after January 5, 2015, endto-end service standard day ranges for mail originating and destinating within the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. * * * * * Table 3. Prior to January 5, 2015, end-toend service standard day ranges for mail originating and/or destinating in noncontiguous states and territories. * * * * * Table 4. On and after January 5, 2015, endto-end service standard day ranges for mail originating and/or destinating in noncontiguous states and territories. * * * * * Stanley F. Mires, Attorney, Federal Requirements. [FR Doc. 2014–18223 Filed 7–31–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–12–P E:\FR\FM\01AUR1.SGM 01AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44700-44701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18223]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 121


Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products; 
Designation of Implementation Date

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule; designation of implementation date.

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

SUMMARY: This document identifies the implementation date for the 
revised service standards for market-dominant mail products associated 
with the second phase of the Network Rationalization initiative, and 
makes conforming changes to the applicable regulations.

DATES: Effective Date: August 1, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Williams, Network Operations, at 
202-268-4305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    On September 21, 2011, the Postal Service published an advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking (the Advance Notice) in the Federal 
Register to solicit public comment on a conceptual proposal to revise 
service standards for market-dominant products.\1\ After considering 
comments received in response to the Advance Notice, the Postal Service 
decided to develop the concept into a concrete proposal, identified as 
Network Rationalization. The basic logic of Network Rationalization is 
that falling mail volumes and the resultant excess capacity in the 
Postal Service's mail processing network necessitate a major 
consolidation of the network, and this task in turn is contingent on 
revisions to service standards, particularly the overnight standard for 
First-Class Mail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Proposal to Revise Service Standards for First-Class Mail, 
Periodicals, and Standard Mail, 76 FR 58433 (September 21, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On December 5, 2011, the Postal Service submitted a request to the 
Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for an advisory opinion on the 
service changes associated with Network Rationalization, in accordance 
with 39 U.S.C. 3661(b).\2\ On December 15, 2011, the Postal Service 
published proposed revisions to its market-dominant service standards 
in the Federal Register and sought public comment (the Proposed 
Rulemaking).\3\ The comment period for the Proposed Rulemaking closed 
on February 13, 2012. The final rule was published on May 25, 2012.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ PRC Docket No. N2012-1, Request of the United States Postal 
Service for an Advisory Opinion on Changes in the Nature of Postal 
Services (December 5, 2011). Documents pertaining to the Request are 
available at the PRC Web site, https://www.prc.gov.
    \3\ Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products, 76 FR 
77942 (December 15, 2011).
    \4\ Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products, 
77 FR 31190 (May 25, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Having considered public input and the results of its market 
research, the Postal Service decided to implement Network 
Rationalization in a phased manner. The service standard changes

[[Page 44701]]

associated with the first phase of Network Rationalization became 
effective on July 1, 2012.\5\ In a Federal Register notice dated 
January 24, 2014, the Postal Service announced its decision to postpone 
implementation of the second phase of Network Rationalization, and to 
identify the implementation date for the second phase at least 90 days 
before it takes effect.\6\ This document identifies the implementation 
date for the second phase of Network Rationalization, and the 
corresponding service standard changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Id.
    \6\ Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products; 
Postponement of Implementation Date, 79 FR 4079 (January 24, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Postal Service's market-dominant service standards are 
contained in 39 CFR part 121. This document revises the service 
standards by identifying the implementation date for the service 
standards associated with the second phase of Network Rationalization, 
and by modifying 39 CFR 121.1(b)(2) to clarify that the 2-day service 
standard for First-Class Mail includes intra-SCF single piece First-
Class Mail.\7\ The revision concerning the second phase implementation 
date is applied by replacing ``the effective date identified by the 
Postal Service in a future Federal Register document'' with ``January 
5, 2015'' each place where ``the effective date identified by the 
Postal Service in a future Federal Register document'' appears in the 
current version of 39 CFR part 121, and in Appendix A to that part. The 
2-day service standard for First-Class Mail is clarified through the 
addition of a reference to ``intra-SCF single piece domestic First-
Class Mail properly accepted before the day-zer0-CET'' in paragraph 
121.1(b)(2). In addition, conforming non-substantive edits were made.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Application of the two-day service standard to intra-SCF 
single piece domestic First-Class Mail was described in previous 
Federal Register notices. See Proposal to Revise Service Standards 
for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail, 76 FR 58433 
(September 21, 2011); Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail 
Products, 76 FR 77942 (December 15, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 121

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal 
Service adopts the following revisions to 39 CFR part 121:

PART 121--SERVICE STANDARDS FOR MARKET DOMINANT MAIL PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 121 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 1001, 3691.

0
2. Section 121.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (b) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  121.1  First-Class Mail.

    (a)(1) Until January 5, 2015, a 1-day (overnight) service standard 
is applied to intra-Sectional Center Facility (SCF) domestic First-
Class Mail[supreg] pieces properly accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time (CET), except for mail between Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands, mail between American Samoa and Hawaii, and mail 
destined to the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or 
designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 
99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
    (2) On and after January 5, 2015, a 1-day (overnight) service 
standard is applied to intra-SCF domestic Presort First-Class Mail 
pieces properly accepted at the SCF before the day-zero CET, except for 
mail between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and mail destined 
to American Samoa and the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska 
(or designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 
99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
    (b)(1) Until January 5, 2015, a 2-day service standard is applied 
to inter-SCF domestic First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted before 
the day-zero CET if the drive time between the origin Processing & 
Distribution Center or Facility (P&DC/F) and destination Area 
Distribution Center (ADC) is 6 hours or less; or if the origin and 
destination are separately in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; 
or if the origin or destination is in American Samoa or one of the 
following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska (or designated portions 
thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998, 
and 999.
    (2) On and after January 5, 2015, a 2-day service standard is 
applied to intra-SCF single piece domestic First-Class Mail properly 
accepted before the day-zero CET, inter-SCF domestic First-Class Mail 
pieces properly accepted before the day-zero CET if the drive time 
between the origin P&DC/F and destination SCF is 6 hours or less, 
Presort First-Class Mail properly accepted before the day-zero CET with 
an origin and destination that are separately in Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands, and intra-SCF Presort First-Class Mail properly 
accepted before the day-zero CET with an origin or destination that is 
in American Samoa or one of the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in 
Alaska (or designated portions thereof): 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 
through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
* * * * *
0
3. Section 121.2 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  121.2  Periodicals.

    (a) End-to-End.
    (1)(i) Until January 5, 2015, a 2- to 4-day service standard is 
applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time (CET) and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for 
surface transportation (as per the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)), with 
the standard specifically equaling the sum of 1 day plus the applicable 
First-Class Mail service standard;
    (ii) On and after January 5, 2015, a 3- to 4-day service standard 
is applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero 
CET and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for surface transportation 
(as per the DMM), with the standard specifically equaling the sum of 1 
day plus the applicable First-Class Mail service standard.
* * * * *
0
4. Appendix A to Part 121 is amended by revising the introductory text 
of Tables 1 through 4 to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 121--Tables Depicting Service Standard Day Ranges

* * * * *
    Table 1. Prior to January 5, 2015, end-to-end service standard 
day ranges for mail originating and destinating within the 
contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.
* * * * *
    Table 2. On and after January 5, 2015, end-to-end service 
standard day ranges for mail originating and destinating within the 
contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.
* * * * *
    Table 3. Prior to January 5, 2015, end-to-end service standard 
day ranges for mail originating and/or destinating in non-contiguous 
states and territories.
* * * * *
    Table 4. On and after January 5, 2015, end-to-end service 
standard day ranges for mail originating and/or destinating in non-
contiguous states and territories.
* * * * *

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Requirements.
[FR Doc. 2014-18223 Filed 7-31-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
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