2023-25442. Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by petitions dated June 22, 2023; August 7, 2023; and September 6, 2023, Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway (SCBG) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR parts 215 (Railroad Freight Car Safety Standards) and 224 (Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2010–0001.

Specifically, SCBG requested a special approval pursuant to 49 CFR 215.203, Restricted cars, for a total of 8 flat cars ^[1] (SCBG 501–504 and SCBG 701–704) that are more than 50 years from the dates of original construction. SCBG also requested continued relief from § 215.303, Stenciling of restricted cars, and § 224.101, General requirements, to operate the cars in tourist/excursion service. In support of its request, SCBG stated that the cars will only be operated on SCBG track and a one-mile section of Union Pacific Railroad track.

A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov.

Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.

All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the appropriate docket number and may be submitted at www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

Communications are requested by January 16, 2024. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable. FRA reserves the right to extend the existing relief subject to subsequent consideration of any comments submitted to the docket.

Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) solicits comments from the public to better inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/​privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/​privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC.

John Karl Alexy,

Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.

Footnotes

1.  SCBG initially requested special approval and relief for 10 cars, but in its petition dated September 6, 2023, SCBG requested that two cars be removed from the petition.