Surface Transportation Vulnerability Assessments and Security Plans (VASP); Reopening of Comment Period, 13575 [2017-04976]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
• Transportation Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04976]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

49 CFR Chapter XII

[Docket No. TSA-2016-0002]
RIN 1652-AA56


Surface Transportation Vulnerability Assessments and Security 
Plans (VASP); Reopening of Comment Period

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration is reopening the 
comment period for the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, published 
in the Federal Register on December 16, 2016, requesting public 
comments on several topics relevant to the development of surface 
transportation vulnerability assessment and security plan regulations 
mandated by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act 
of 2007 (9/11 Act). TSA is reopening the comment period for an 
additional 60 days due to several requests by commenters in the 
rulemaking docket.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published in the 
Federal Register on December 16, 2016 (81 FR 91401) is reopened. 
Comments must be received by May 15, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the TSA docket number 
to this rulemaking, to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS), a 
government-wide, electronic docket management system, using any one of 
the following methods:
    Electronically: You may submit comments through the Federal 
eRulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail, In Person, or Fax: Address, hand-deliver, or fax your written 
comments to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; fax (202) 493-2251. The 
Department of Transportation (DOT), which maintains and processes TSA's 
official regulatory dockets, will scan the submission and post it to 
FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry Schultz (TSA Office of Security 
Policy and Industry Engagement) or Traci Klemm (TSA Office of the Chief 
Counsel) at telephone (571) 227-3531 or email to 
VASPPOLICY@tsa.dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 16, 2016, TSA published an 
advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register 
(81 FR 91401), requesting public comments on several topics relevant to 
the development of surface transportation vulnerability assessment and 
security plan regulations mandated by the Implementing Recommendations 
of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act). Based on its regular 
interaction with stakeholders, TSA assumes many higher-risk railroads 
(freight and passenger), public transportation agencies, and over-the-
road buses (OTRBs) have implemented security programs with security 
measures similar to those identified by the 9/11 Act's regulatory 
requirements. In general, TSA is requesting information on three types 
of issues: (1) Existing practices, standards, tools, or other resources 
used or available for conducting vulnerability assessments and 
developing security plans; (2) information on existing security 
measures, including whether implemented voluntarily or in response to 
other regulatory requirements, and the potential impact of additional 
requirements on operations; and (3) information on the scope/cost of 
current security systems and other measures used to provide security 
and mitigate vulnerabilities. This information is necessary for TSA to 
establish the current baseline, estimate cost of implementing the 
statutory mandate, and develop appropriate performance standards.
    The comment period closed on February 14, 2017. TSA received 
multiple requests to extend the comment period. TSA believes reopening 
the comment period is necessary to meet the intended purpose of the 
ANPRM--to obtain information and perspectives from potentially 
regulated entities. Please see the ANPRM for additional background.

    Dated: March 6, 2017.
Huban A. Gowadia,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-04976 Filed 3-13-17; 8:45 am]
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