98-10044. Public Availability of Information; Electronic FOIA Amendment  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 1998)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 18855-18863]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-10044]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Office of the Secretary
    
    49 CFR Part 7
    
    [Docket No. OST-96-1430; Notice 98-17]
    RIN 2105-AC69
    
    
    Public Availability of Information; Electronic FOIA Amendment
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation proposes to revise its 
    regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This 
    proposed revision provides changes to conform to the requirements of 
    the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 (EFOIA), 
    provides changes to DOT's fee schedule, and reflects certain 
    organizational changes.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 15, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Information Services, 
    Attention: Docket Section, Room PL-401, Docket No. OST-96-1430, 
    Department of Transportation, SVC-124.1, Washington, DC 20590. Any 
    person wishing acknowledgement that his/her comments have been received 
    should include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Comments received 
    will be available for public inspection and copying in the Documentary 
    Services Division, Room PL-401, Department of Transportation Building, 
    400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
    ET Monday through Friday except Federal holidays.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert I. Ross, Office of the General 
    Counsel, C-10, Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590, 
    telephone (202) 366-9156, FAX (202) 366-9170; electronic mail bob. 
    ross@ost.dot.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These proposed revisions reflect changes 
    required by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 
    1996 (Public law 104-231). New provisions implementing the amendments 
    are found at Secs. 7.5 (frequently requested documents), 7.8 
    (electronic reading room requirements), 7.21 (deletion markings and 
    volume estimation), 7.31 (timing of responses, multi-track and 
    expedited processing), and 7.33 (unusual circumstances). Proposed 
    revisions to DOT's fee schedule can be found at Sec. 7.43. DOT proposes 
    to charge fees at rates based on an average of hourly rates for three 
    pay scale levels. Finally, references to DOT's Urban Mass 
    Transportation Administration (UMTA) are changed to the Federal Transit 
    Administration (FTA) to reflect a statutory revision of the name of the 
    agency.
    
    Regulatory Notices and Analysis
    
        This proposed amendment is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
    within the meaning of Executive Order 12866. It is also not significant 
    within the definition in DOT's Regulatory Policies and Procedures, 49 
    FR 1034 (1979), in part because it does not involve any change in 
    important DOT policies. Because the economic impact should be minimal, 
    further regulatory evaluation is not necessary. Under the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act, the group of persons who will be directly affected by 
    this proposal are the public, who will find it easier to obtain 
    information from the DOT under FOIA. They do not qualify as small 
    entities, but will have burdens lessened by this proposal, as the 
    effect of the proposal will be to make records available through 
    electronic media and to streamline FOIA processing activities; however, 
    it is not likely that any such burden reduction will be large nor that 
    it will be convertible into economic equivalents. Hence, I certify that 
    this proposal will not have a significant economic impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities.
        This proposal does not significantly affect the environment, and 
    therefore an environmental impact statement is not required under the 
    National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It has also been reviewed 
    under Executive Order 12612, Federalism, and it has been determined 
    that it does not have sufficient implications for federalism to warrant 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        Finally, the proposal does not contain any collection of 
    information requirements, requiring review under the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act, as amended.
    
    List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 7
    
        Freedom of information.
    
        In accordance with the above, DOT proposes to revise 49 CFR part 7 
    to read as follows:
    
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    PART 7--PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION
    
    Subpart A--General Provisions
    
    Sec.
    7.1  General.
    7.2  Definitions.
    
    Subpart B--Information Required To Be Made Public by DOT
    
    7.3  Publication in the Federal Register.
    7.4  Publication required.
    7.5  Availabiity of opinions, orders, staff manuals, statements of 
    policy and interpretations and indices.
    7.6  Deletion of identifying detail.
    7.7  Access to materials and indices.
    7.8  Copies.
    7.9  Protection on records.
    7.10  Public records.
    
    Subpart C--Availability of Reasonably Described Records Under the 
    Freedom of Information Act
    
    7.11  Applicability.
    7.12  Administration of part.
    7.13  Records available.
    7.14  Requests for records.
    7.15  Contacts for records requested under the FOIA.
    7.16  Requests for records of concern to more than one government 
    organization.
    7.17  Consultation with submitters of commercial and financial 
    information.
    
    Subpart D--Procedures for Appealing Decisions Not To Disclose Records 
    and/or Waive Fees
    
    7.21  General.
    
    Subpart E--Time Limits
    
    7.31  Initial determinations.
    7.32  Final determination.
    7.33  Extension.
    
    Subpart F--Fees
    
    7.41  General.
    7.42  Payment of fees.
    7.43  Fee schedule.
    7.44  Services performed without charge or at a reduced charge.
    7.45  Transcripts.
    7.46  Alternative sources of information.
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 49 U.S.C. 322; E.O. 
    12600, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 235.
    
    Subpart A--General Provisions
    
    
    Sec. 7.1  General.
    
        (a) This part implements 5 U.S.C. 552, and prescribes rules 
    governing the availability to the public of DOT records. Many documents 
    are made available to the public for inspection and copying through 
    DOT's Primary Electronic Access Facility and public record unit 
    locations that are discussed in subpart B of this part, which contains 
    the DOT regulations concerning the availability to the public of 
    opinions issued in the adjudication of cases, policy issuances, 
    administrative manuals, and other information made available to the 
    public, without need for a specific request.
        (b) Subpart C of this part describes the records that are not 
    required to be disclosed on DOT's own action under this part, but that 
    may be available upon request under FOIA.
        (c) Indices are maintained to reflect all records subject to 
    subpart B of this part, and are available for public inspection and 
    copying as provided in subpart B.
    
    
    Sec. 7.2 Definitions.
    
        As used in this part--
        Act and FOIA mean the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as 
    amended.
        Administrator means the head of each operating administration of 
    DOT and includes the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Inspector 
    General, and the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
        Concurrence means that the approval of the person being consulted 
    is required in order for the subject action to be taken.
        Consultation means that the approval of the person being consulted 
    is not required in order for the subject action to be taken.
        Department or DOT means the Department of Transportation, including 
    the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, the Office of the 
    Inspector General, and the following operating administrations, all of 
    which may be referred to as DOT components:
    
    (Means of contacting each of these DOT components appear in 
    Sec. 7.15. This definition specifically excludes the Surface 
    Transportation Board, which has its own FOIA regulations (49 CFR 
    part 1001.)
    
        (1) United States Coast Guard,
        (2) Federal Aviation Administration,
        (3) Federal Highway Administration,
        (4) Federal Railroad Administration,
        (5) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
        (6) Federal Transit Administration,
        (7) Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation,
        (8) Maritime Administration,
        (9) Research and Special Programs Administration, and
        (10) Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
        Primary Electronic Access Facility means the electronic docket 
    facility in the DOT Headquarters Building, 400 7th Street, SW., 
    Washington, DC 20590.
        Reading room records are those records required to be made 
    available to the public under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2) as described in 
    Sec. 7.5 of subpart B. These records are made available through DOT's 
    Primary Electronic Access Facility. Other records may also be made 
    available at DOT's discretion at DOT inspection facilities, including 
    DOT's Primary Electronic Access Facility.
        Record includes any writing, drawing, map, recording, tape, film, 
    photograph, or other documentary material by which information is 
    preserved. The term also includes any such documentary material stored 
    by computer.
        Responsible DOT official means the head of the operating 
    administration concerned, or the General Counsel or the Inspector 
    General, as the case may be, or the designee of any of them, authorized 
    to take an action under this part.
        Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation or any person to 
    whom the Secretary has delegated authority in the matter concerned.
    
    Subpart B--Information Required To Be Made Public by DOT
    
    
    Sec. 7.3  Publication in the Federal Register
    
        This section implements 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1), and prescribes rules 
    governing publication in the Federal Register of the following:
        (A) Descriptions of DOT's organization, including its operating 
    administrations and the established places at which, the officers from 
    whom, and the methods by which, the public may secure information and 
    make submittals or obtain decisions;
        (b) Statements of the general course and methods by which DOT's 
    functions are channeled and determined, including the nature and 
    requirements of all formal and informal procedures available;
        (c) Rules of procedure, descriptions of forms available or the 
    places at which forms may be obtained, and instructions as to the scope 
    and contents of all papers, reports, or examinations;
        (d) Substantive rules of general applicability adopted as 
    authorized by law and statements of general policy or interpretations 
    of general applicability formulated and adopted by DOT; and
        (e) Each amendment, revision, or repeal of any material listed in 
    paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section.
    
    
    Sec. 7.4  Publication required.
    
        (a) General. The material described in Sec. 7.3 will be published 
    in the Federal Register. For the purposes of this paragraph, material 
    that will reasonably be available to the class of persons affected by 
    it will be considered to be published in the Federal Register if it has 
    been incorporated by reference with the approval of the Director of the 
    Federal Register.
    
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        (b) Effect of nonpublication. Except to the extent that he/she has 
    actual and timely notice of the terms thereof, a person may not in any 
    manner be required to resort to, or be adversely affected by, any 
    procedure or matter required to be published in the Federal Register, 
    but not so published.
    
    
    Sec. 7.5  Availability of opinions, orders, staff manuals, statements 
    of policy, and interpretations and indices.
    
        (a) This section implements 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2). It prescribes the 
    rules governing the availability for public inspection and copying of 
    the following reading room materials:
        (1) Any final opinion (including a concurring or dissenting 
    opinion) or order made in the adjudication of a case.
        (2) Any policy or interpretation that has been adopted under DOT 
    authority, including any policy or interpretation concerning a 
    particular factual situation, if that policy or interpretation can 
    reasonably be expected to have precedential value in any case involving 
    a member of the public in a similar situation.
        (3) Any administrative staff manual or instruction to staff that 
    affects any member of the public, including the prescribing of any 
    standard, procedure, or policy that, when implemented, requires or 
    limits any action of any member of the public or prescribes the manner 
    of performance of any activity by any member of the public. However, 
    this does not include staff manuals or instruction to staff concerning 
    internal operating rules, practices, guidelines, and procedures for DOT 
    inspectors, investigators, law enforcement officers, examiners, 
    auditors, and negotiators and other information developed predominantly 
    for internal use, the release of which could significantly risk 
    circumvention of agency regulations or statutes.
        (4) Copies of all records, regardless of form or format, that have 
    been released to any person under subpart C of this part and which, 
    because of the nature of their subject matter, a DOT component 
    determines have become or are likely to become the subject of 
    subsequent requests for substantially the same records.
        (5) A general index of the records listed in this paragraph.
        (b) Any material listed in paragraph (a) of this section that is 
    not made available for public inspection and copying, or that is not 
    indexed as required by Sec. 7.7, may not be cited, relied on, or used 
    as precedent by DOT to affect any member of the public adversely unless 
    the person to whose detriment it is relied on, used, or cited has had 
    actual timely notice of the material.
        (c) This section does not apply to material that is published in 
    the Federal Register or covered by subpart C of this part.
    
    
    Sec. 7.6  Deletion of identifying detail.
    
        Whenever it is determined to be necessary to prevent a clearly 
    unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, identifying details will be 
    deleted from any record covered by this subpart that is published or 
    made available for inspection. Whenever it is determined to be 
    necessary to prevent the disclosure of information required or 
    authorized to be withheld by another Federal statute, such information 
    shall be deleted from any record covered by this subpart that is 
    published or made available for inspection. A full explanation of the 
    justification for the deletion will accompany the record published or 
    made available for inspection.
    
    
    Sec. 7.7  Access to materials and indices.
    
        (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, material 
    listed in Sec. 7.5 will be made available for inspection and copying to 
    any member of the public at DOT document inspection facilities. It has 
    been determined that it is unnecessary and impracticable to publish the 
    index of materials in the Federal Register. Information as to the kinds 
    of materials available at each facility may be obtained from the 
    facility or the headquarters of the operating administration of which 
    it is a part.
        (b) The material listed in Sec. 7.5 that is published and offered 
    for sale will be indexed, but is not required to be kept available for 
    public inspection. Whenever practicable, however, it will be made 
    available for public inspection at the appropriate DOT reading room.
        (c) Each DOT component will also make the reading room records 
    identified in Sec. 7.5(a) that are created by DOT on or after November 
    1, 1996, available electronically. This includes indices of its reading 
    room records as required by law after December 1, 1999.
    
    
    Sec. 7.8  Copies.
    
        Copies of any material covered by this subpart that is not 
    published and offered for sale may be ordered, upon payment of the 
    appropriate fee, from the Docket Offices listed in Sec. 7.10. Copies 
    will be certified upon request and payment of the fee prescribed in 
    Sec. 7.43(f).
    
    
    Sec. 7.9  Protection of records.
    
        (a) Records made available for inspection and copying may not be 
    removed, altered, destroyed, or mutilated.
        (b) 18 U.S.C. 641 provides for criminal penalties for embezzlement 
    or theft of government records.
        (c) 18 U.S.C. 2071 provides for criminal penalties for the willful 
    and unlawful concealment, mutilation or destruction of, or the attempt 
    to conceal, mutilate, or destroy, government records.
    
    
    Sec. 7.10  Public records.
    
        Publicly available records are located in DOT'S Primary Electronic 
    Access Facility at 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
        (a) The Primary Electronic Access Facility maintains materials for 
    the Office of the Secretary, including former Civil Aeronautics Board 
    material, and materials for the operating administrations. This 
    facility is located at Plaza Level 401, and the hours of operation are 
    10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
        (b) Certain operating administrations also maintain public record 
    units at regional offices and at the offices of the Commandant and 
    District Commanders of the United States Coast Guard. These facilities 
    are open to the public Monday through Friday except Federal holidays, 
    during regular working hours. The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development 
    Corporation has facilities at 180 Andrews Street, Massena, New York 
    13662-0520.
        (c) Operating Administrations may have separate facilities for 
    manual records. Additional information on the location and hours of 
    operations for Docket Offices and inspection facilities can be obtained 
    through DOT's Primary Electronic Access Facility, at (202) 366-9322.
    
    Subpart C--Availability of Reasonably Described Records Under the 
    Freedom of Information Act
    
    
    Sec. 7.11  Applicability.
    
        (a) This subpart implements 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3), and prescribes the 
    regulations governing public inspection and copying of reasonably 
    described records under FOIA.
        (b) This subpart does not apply to:
        (1) Records published in the Federal Register, opinions in the 
    adjudication of cases, statements of policy and interpretations, and 
    administrative staff manuals that have been published or made available 
    under subpart B of this part.
        (2) Records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes 
    and covered by the disclosure exemption described in Sec. 7.13(c)(7) 
    if--
    
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        (i) The investigation or proceeding involves a possible violation 
    of criminal law; and
        (ii) There is reason to believe that--
        (A) The subject of the investigation or proceeding is not aware of 
    its pendency, and
        (B) Disclosure of the existence of the records could reasonably be 
    expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings.
        (3) Informant records maintained by a criminal law enforcement 
    component of DOT under an informant's name or personal identifier, if 
    requested by a third party according to the informant's name or 
    personal identifier, unless the informant's status as an informant has 
    been officially confirmed.
    
    
    Sec. 7.12  Administration of part.
    
        Authority to administer this part and to issue determinations with 
    respect to initial requests is delegated as follows:
        (a) To the General Counsel for the records of the Office of the 
    Secretary other than the Office of Inspector General.
        (b) To the Inspector General for records of the Office of Inspector 
    General.
        (c) To the Administrator of each operating administration, who may 
    redelegate to officers of that administration the authority to 
    administer this part in connection with defined groups of records. 
    However, each Administrator may redelegate the duties under subpart D 
    of this part to consider appeals of initial denials of requests for 
    records only to his or her deputy or to not more than one other officer 
    who reports directly to the Administrator and who is located at the 
    headquarters of that operating administration.
    
    
    Sec. 7.13  Records available.
    
        (a) Policy. It is DOT policy to make its records available to the 
    public to the greatest extent possible, in keeping with the spirit of 
    FOIA. This includes providing reasonably segregable information from 
    documents that contain information that may be withheld.
        (b) Statutory disclosure requirement. FOIA requires that DOT, on a 
    request from a member of the public submitted in accordance with this 
    subpart, make requested records available for inspection and copying.
        (c) Statutory exemptions. Exempted from FOIA's statutory disclosure 
    requirement are matters that are:
        (1)(i) Specifically authorized under criteria established by 
    Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense 
    or foreign policy, and
        (ii) In fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order;
        (2) Related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of 
    an agency;
        (3) Specifically exempted from mandatory disclosure by statute 
    (other than the Privacy Act or the Government in the Sunshine Act), 
    provided that such statute--
        (i) Requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a 
    manner as to leave not any discretion on the issue, or
        (ii) Establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to 
    particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of 
    matters to be withheld;
        (4) Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained 
    from a person and privileged or confidential;
        (5) Inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters that would 
    not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation 
    with the agency;
        (6) Personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of 
    which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal 
    privacy;
        (7) Records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, 
    but only to the extent that the production of such law enforcement 
    records or information--
        (i) Could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement 
    proceedings,
        (ii) Would deprive a person of a right to a fair or an impartial 
    adjudication,
        (iii) Could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted 
    invasion of personal privacy,
        (iv) Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a 
    confidential source, including a State, local, Tribal, or foreign 
    agency or authority or any private institution that furnished 
    information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of a record or 
    information compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the 
    course of a criminal investigation, or by an agency conducting a lawful 
    national security intelligence investigation, information furnished by 
    a confidential source,
        (v) Would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement 
    investigations or prosecutions or would disclose guidelines for law 
    enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could 
    reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law, or
        (vi) Could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical 
    safety of any individual;
        (8) Contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition 
    reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of an agency 
    responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial 
    institutions; or
        (9) Geological and geophysical information and data, including 
    maps, concerning wells.
        (d) Deleted information. The amount of information deleted from 
    frequently-requested electronic records that are available in a public 
    reading room will be indicated on the released portion of the record, 
    unless doing so would harm an interest protected by the exemption 
    concerned. If technically feasible, the amount of information deleted 
    will be indicated at the place in the record where the deletion is 
    made.
    
    
    Sec. 7.14  Requests for records.
    
        (a) Each person desiring access to or a copy of a record covered by 
    this subpart shall comply with the following provisions:
        (1) A written request must be made for the record.
        (2) Such request should indicate that it is being made under FOIA.
        (3) The envelope in which a mailed request is sent should be 
    prominently marked: ``FOIA.''
        (4) The request should be addressed to the appropriate office as 
    set forth in Sec. 7.15.
        (5) The request should state the format (e.g., paper, microfiche, 
    computer diskette, etc.) in which the information is sought, if the 
    requestor has a preference.
        (b) If the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section are not 
    met, treatment of the request will be at the discretion of the agency. 
    The twenty-day limit for responding to requests, described in 
    Sec. 7.31, will not start to run until the request has been identified, 
    or would have been identified with the exercise of due diligence, by an 
    employee of DOT as a request pursuant to FOIA and has been received by 
    the office to which it should have been originally sent.
        (c) Form of Requests. (1) Each request should describe the 
    particular record to the fullest extent possible. The request should 
    describe the subject matter of the record, and, if known, indicate the 
    date when it was made, the place where it was made, and the person or 
    office that made it. If the description does not enable the office 
    handling the request to identify or locate the record sought, that 
    office will notify the requestor and, to the extent possible, indicate 
    the additional data required.
        (2) Each request shall--
        (i) Specify the fee category (commercial use, news media, 
    educational institution, noncommercial scientific institution, or 
    other) in which the requestor claims the request to fall and the basis 
    of this claim (see subpart F of this part for fees and fee waiver 
    requirements),
    
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        (ii) State the maximum amount of fees that the requestor is willing 
    to pay or include a request for a fee waiver, and
        (iii) A request seeking a fee waiver shall, to the extent possible, 
    address why the requestor believes that the criteria for fee waivers 
    set out in Sec. 7.44(f) are met.
        (3) Requesters are advised that the time for responding to requests 
    set forth in subpart E of this part will not begin to run--
        (i) If a requestor has not sufficiently identified the fee category 
    applicable to the request,
        (ii) If a requestor has not stated a willingness to pay fees as 
    high as anticipated by DOT,
        (iii) If a fee waiver request is denied and the requestor has not 
    included an alternative statement of willingness to pay fees as high as 
    anticipated by DOT, or
        (iv) If a fee waiver request does not address fee waiver criteria.
        (d) Creation of records. A request may seek only records that are 
    in existence at the time the request is received. A request may not 
    seek records that come into existence after the date on which it is 
    received and may not require that new records be created in response to 
    the request by, for example, combining or compiling selected items from 
    manual files, preparing a new computer program, or calculating 
    proportions, percentages, frequency distributions, trends, or 
    comparisons. In those instances where DOT determines that creating a 
    new record will be less burdensome than disclosing large volumes of 
    unassembled material, DOT may, in its discretion, agree to creation of 
    a new record as an alternative to disclosing existing records.
        Records will be provided in the form or format sought by the 
    requestor if the record is readily reproducible in the requested 
    format.
        (e) Search for records. (1) Each record made available under this 
    subpart will be made available for inspection and copying during 
    regular business hours at the place where it is located, or 
    photocopying may be arranged with the copied materials being mailed to 
    the requestor upon payment of the appropriate fee. Original records 
    ordinarily will be copied except in the instances where, in DOT's 
    judgment, copying would endanger the quality of the original or raise 
    the reasonable possibility of irreparable harm to the record. In these 
    instances, copying of the original would not be in the public interest. 
    In any event, original records will not be released from DOT custody. 
    Original records, regardless of format, may be returned to agency 
    service upon provision of a copy of the record to the requestor, or, in 
    the case of a denial, upon creation and retention of a copy of the 
    original for purposes of FOIA processing.
        (2) DOT will make a reasonable effort to search for requested 
    records in electronic form or format, unless doing so would 
    significantly interfere with operation of the affected automated 
    information system.
        (f) If a requested record is known not to exist in the files of the 
    agency, or to have been destroyed or otherwise disposed of, the 
    requestor will be so notified.
        (g) Fees will be determined in accordance with subpart F of this 
    part.
        (h) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section, 
    informational material, such as news releases, pamphlets, and other 
    materials of that nature that are ordinarily made available to the 
    public as a part of any information program of the Government will be 
    available upon oral or written request. A fee will not be charged for 
    individual copies of that material so long as the material is in 
    supply. In addition DOT will continue to respond, without charge, to 
    routine oral or written inquires that do not involve the furnishing of 
    records.
    
    
    Sec. 7.15  Contacts for records requested under the FOIA.
    
        Each person desiring a record under this subpart should submit a 
    request in writing (via paper, facsimile, or electronic mail) to the 
    DOT component where the records are located:
        (a) FOIA Offices at 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590:
        (1) Office of the Secretary of Transportation, Room 5432.
        (2) Federal Highway Administration, Room 4428.
        (3) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 5221.
        (4) Federal Transit Administration Room 9400.
        (5) Maritime Administration, Room 7221.
        (6) Research and Special Programs Administration, Room 8419.
        (7) Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Room 3430.
        (8) Office Inspector General, Room 9210.
        (b) Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
    Room 906A, Washington, DC 20591.
        (c) United States Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street, SW., Room 6106, 
    Washington, DC 20593-0001.
        (d) Director, Office of Finance, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development 
    Corporation, 180 Andrews Street, P.O. Box 520, Massena, New York 13662-
    0520.
        (e) Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Avenue NW., 7th 
    Floor, Washington, DC. (Mailing address: 400 Seventh St., SW., 
    Washington, DC 20590.)
        (f) Certain operating administrations also maintain FOIA contacts 
    at regional offices and at the offices of the Commandant and District 
    Commanders of the United States Coast Guard. Additional information on 
    the location of these offices can be obtained through the FOIA contact 
    offices listed above.
        (g) If the person making the request does not know where in DOT the 
    record is located, he or she may make inquiry to the Chief, FOIA 
    Division, Office of the General Counsel (voice: 202.366.4542; 
    facsimile: 202.366.8536).
        (h) Requests for records under this part, and Freedom of 
    Information Act inquiries generally, may be made by accessing the DOT 
    Home Page on the Internet (www.dot.gov) and clicking on the Freedom of 
    Information Act link.
    
    
    Sec. 7.16  Requests for records of concern to more than one government 
    organization.
    
        (a) If the release of a record covered by this subpart would be of 
    concern to both DOT and another Federal agency, the determination as to 
    release will be made by DOT only after consultation with the other 
    interested agency.
        (b) If the release of the record covered by this subpart would be 
    of concern to both DOT and a State, local, or Tribal government, a 
    territory or possession of the United States, or a foreign government, 
    the determination as to release will be made by DOT only after 
    consultation with the interested government.
        (c) Alternatively, DOT may refer the request (or relevant portion 
    thereof) for decision by a Federal agency that originated or is 
    substantially concerned with the records, but only if that agency is 
    subject to FOIA. Such referrals will be made expeditiously and the 
    requester notified in writing that a referral has been made.
    
    
    Sec. 7.17  Consultation with submitters of commercial and financial 
    information.
    
        (a) If a request if received for information that has been 
    designated by the submitter as confidential commercial information, or 
    which DOT has some other reason to believe may contain information of 
    the type described in Sec. 7.13(c)(4), the submitter of such 
    information will, except as is provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of 
    this section, be notified expeditiously and asked to submit any written 
    objections to release. At the same time, the requester will be notified 
    that notice and an opportunity to comment are
    
    [[Page 18860]]
    
    being provided to the submitter. The submitter will, to the extent 
    permitted by law, be afforded a reasonable period of time within which 
    to provide a detailed statement of any such objections. The submitter's 
    statement shall specify all grounds for withholding any of the 
    information. The burden shall be on the submitter to identify all 
    information for which exempt treatment is sought and to persuade the 
    agency that the information should not be disclosed.
        (b) The responsible DOT component will, to the extent permitted by 
    law, consider carefully a submitter's objections and specific grounds 
    for nondisclosure prior to determining whether to disclose business 
    information. Whenever a decision is made to disclose such information 
    over the objection of a submitter, the office responsible for the 
    decision will forward to the submitter a written notice that will 
    include:
        (1) A statement of the reasons for which the submitter's disclosure 
    objections were not accepted;
        (2) A description of the business information to be disclosed; and
        (3) A specific disclosure date. Such notice of intent to disclose 
    will, to the extent permitted by law, be forwarded to the submitter a 
    reasonable number of days prior to the specified date upon which 
    disclosure is intended. At the same time the submitter is notified, the 
    requester will be notified of the decision to disclose information.
        (c) The notice requirements of this section will not apply if:
        (1) The office responsible for the decision determines that the 
    information should not be disclosed;
        (2) The information lawfully has been published or otherwise made 
    available to the public; or
        (3) Disclosure of the information is required by law (other than 5 
    U.S.C. 552).
        (d) The procedures established in this section will not apply in 
    the case of:
        (1) Business information submitted to the National Highway Traffic 
    Safety Administration and addressed in 49 CFR part 512.
        (2) Information contained in a document to be filed or in oral 
    testimony that is sought to be withheld pursuant to Rule 39 of the 
    Rules of Practice in Aviation Economic Proceedings (14 CFR 302.39).
        (e) Whenever a requester brings suit seeking to compel disclosure 
    of confidential commercial information, the responsible DOT component 
    will promptly notify the submitter.
    
    Subpart D--Procedures for Appealing Decisions Not to Disclose 
    Records and/or Waive Fees
    
    
    Sec. 7.21  General.
    
        (a) Each officer or employee of DOT who, upon a request by a member 
    of the public for a record under this part, makes a determination that 
    the record is not to be disclosed, either because it is subject to an 
    exemption or not in DOT's custody and control, will give a written 
    statement of the reasons for that determination to the person making 
    the request; and indicate the names and titles or positions of each 
    person responsible for the initial determination not to comply with 
    such request, and the availability of an appeal within DOT. The denial 
    letter will include an estimate of the volume of records or information 
    withheld, in number of pages or in some other reasonable form of 
    estimation. This estimate does not need to be provided if the volume is 
    otherwise indicated through deletions on records disclosed in part, or 
    if providing an estimate would harm an interest protected by an 
    applicable exemption. Records disclosed in part will be marked or 
    annotated to show both the amount and the location of the information 
    deleted whenever practicable.
        (b) When a request for a waiver of fees pursuant to Sec. 7.44 has 
    been denied in whole or in part, the requestor may appeal the denial.
        (c) Any person to whom a record has not been made available within 
    the time limits established by Sec. 7.31 and any person who has been 
    given a determination pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section that a 
    record will not be disclosed may appeal to the responsible DOT 
    official. Any person who has not received an initial determination on 
    his or her request within the time limits established by Sec. 7.31 can 
    seek immediate judicial review, which may be sought without the need 
    first to submit an administrative appeal. Judicial review may be sought 
    in the United States District Court for the judicial district in which 
    the requestor resides or has his or her principal place of business, 
    the judicial district in which the records are located, or in the 
    District of Columbia. A determination that a record will not be 
    disclosed and/or that a request for a fee waiver or reduction will not 
    be granted does not constitute final agency action for the purposes of 
    judicial review unless:
        (1) It was made by the responsible DOT official; or
        (2) The applicable time limit has passed without a determination on 
    the initial request or the appeal, as the case may be, having been 
    made.
        (d) Each appeal must be made in writing within thirty days from the 
    date of receipt of the original denial and should include the DOT file 
    or reference number assigned to the request and all information and 
    arguments relied upon by the person making the request. (Appeals may be 
    submitted via facsimile and conventional mail, but not via electronic 
    mail.) Such letter should indicate that it is an appeal from a denial 
    of a request made under FOIA. The envelope in which a mailed appeal is 
    sent should be prominently marked: ``FOIA Appeal.'' If these 
    requirements are not met, the twenty-day limit described in Sec. 7.32 
    will not begin to run until the appeal has been identified, or would 
    have been identified with the exercise of due diligence, by a DOT 
    employee as an appeal under FOIA, and has been received by the 
    appropriate office.
        (e) Whenever the responsible DOT official determines it necessary, 
    he/she may require the requestor to furnish additional information, or 
    proof of factual allegations, and may order other proceedings 
    appropriate in the circumstances; in any case in which a request or 
    order is made, DOT's time for responding ceases to count while the 
    requestor response to the request or order. The decision of the 
    responsible DOT official as to the availability of the record or the 
    appropriateness of a fee waiver or reduction constitutes final agency 
    action for the purpose of judicial review.
        (f) The decision of the responsible DOT official not to disclose a 
    record under this part or not to grant a request for a fee waiver or 
    reduction is considered to be a denial by the Secretary for the purpose 
    of 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(B).
        (g) Any final determination by the head of an operating 
    administration not to disclose a record under this part, or not to 
    grant a request for a fee waiver or reduction, is subject to 
    concurrence by a representative of the General Counsel.
        (h) Upon a determination that an appeal will be denied, the 
    requestor will be informed in writing of the reasons for the denial of 
    the request and the names and titles or positions of each person 
    responsible for the determination, and that judicial review of the 
    determination is available in the United States District Court for the 
    judicial district in which the requestor resides or has his or her 
    principal place of business, the judicial district in which the 
    requested records are located, or the District of Columbia.
    
    [[Page 18861]]
    
    Subpart E--Time Limits
    
    
    Sec. 7.31  Initial determinations.
    
        An initial determination whether to release a record requested 
    pursuant to subpart C of this part will be made within twenty Federal 
    working days after the request is received by the appropriate office in 
    accordance with Sec. 7.14, except that this time limit may be extended 
    by up to ten Federal working days in accordance with Sec. 7.33. The 
    person making the request will be notified immediately of such 
    determination. If the determination is to grant this request, the 
    desired record will be made available as promptly as possible. If the 
    determination is to deny the request, the person making the request 
    will be notified in writing, at the same time he or she is notified of 
    such determination, of the reason for the determination, the right of 
    such person to appeal the determination, and the name and title of each 
    person responsible for the initial determination to deny the request.
        (a) In general. Components ordinarily will respond to requests 
    according to their order of receipt.
        (b) Multitrack processing. (1) A component may use two or more 
    processing tracks by distinguishing between simple and more complex 
    requests based on the amount of work and/or time needed to process the 
    request, or on the number of pages involved.
        (2) A component using multitrack processing may provide requesters 
    in its slower track(s) with an opportunity to limit the scope of their 
    requests in order to qualify for faster processing within the specified 
    limits of the component's faster track(s). A component doing so will 
    contact the requestor either by telephone, letter, facsimile, or 
    electronic mail, whichever is not efficient in each case.
        (c) Expedited processing. (1) Requests and appeals will be taken 
    out of order and given expedited treatment whenever a compelling need 
    is demonstrated and it is determined that the compelling need involves:
        (i) Circumstances in which the lack of expedited treatment could 
    reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or 
    physical safety of an individual;
        (ii) Requests made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating 
    information, with an urgency to inform the public of actual or alleged 
    Federal Government activity.
        (2) A request for expedited processing may be made at the time of 
    the initial request for records or at any later time. For a prompt 
    determination, a request for expedited processing must be received by 
    the proper component. Requests must be submitted to the component that 
    maintains the records requested.
        (3) A requestor who seeks expedited processing must submit a 
    statement, certified to be true and correct to the best of that 
    person's knowledge and belief, explaining in detail the basis for 
    requesting expedited processing. For example, a requestor within the 
    category in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, if not a full-time 
    member of the news media, must establish that he or she is a person 
    whose main professional activity or occupation is information 
    dissemination, though it need not be his or her sole occupation. A 
    requestor within the category in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section 
    also must establish a particular urgency to inform the public about the 
    government activity involved in the request, beyond the public's right 
    to know about government activity generally. The formality of 
    certification may be waived as a matter of discretion.
        (4) Within ten calendar days of its receipt of a request for 
    expedited processing, the proper component will decide whether to grant 
    it and will notify the requestor of the decision. If a request for 
    expedited treatment is granted, the request will be given priority and 
    will be processed as soon as practicable. If a request for expedited 
    processing is denied, any appeal of that decision will be acted on 
    expeditiously.
    
    
    Sec. 7.32  Final determination.
    
        A determination with respect to any appeal made pursuant to 
    Sec. 7.21 will be made within twenty Federal working days after receipt 
    of such appeal except that this time limit may be extended by up to ten 
    Federal working days in accordance with Sec. 7.33. The person making 
    the request will be notified immediately of such determination pursuant 
    to Sec. 7.21.
    
    
    Sec. 7.33  Extension.
    
        (a) In unusual circumstances as specified in this section, the time 
    limits prescribed in Sec. 7.31 and Sec. 7.32 may be extended by written 
    notice to the person making the request setting forth the reasons for 
    such extension and the date on which a determination is expected to be 
    dispatched. Such notice may not specify a date that would result in a 
    cumulative extension of more than 10 Federal working days without 
    providing the requestor an opportunity to modify the request as noted 
    below. Where the extension is for more than 10 working days, the DOT 
    component will provide the requestor with an opportunity either to 
    modify the request so that it may be processed within the time limits 
    or to arrange an alternative time period with the component for 
    processing the request or a modified request. As used in this 
    subparagraph, ``unusual circumstances'' means, but only to the extent 
    reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the particular 
    request:
        (1) The need to search for and collect the requested records from 
    field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the 
    office processing the request;
        (2) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a 
    voluminous amount of separate and distinct records that are demanded in 
    a single request; or
        (3) The need for consultation, which will be conducted with all 
    practicable speed, with any other agency or DOT component having a 
    substantial interest in the determination of the request or among two 
    or more components of the agency having substantial subject-matter 
    interest therein.
        (b) Where a component reasonably believes that multiple requests 
    submitted by a requestor, or by a group of requesters acting in 
    concert, constitute a single request that would otherwise involve 
    unusual circumstances, and the requests involve clearly related 
    matters, they may be aggregated for the purposes of fees and processing 
    activities. Multiple requests involving unrelated matters will not be 
    aggregated.
    
    Subpart F--Fees
    
    
    Sec. 7.41  General.
    
        (a) This subpart prescribes fees for services performed for the 
    public under subparts B and C of this part by DOT.
        (b) All terms defined by FOIA apply to this subpart, and the term 
    ``hourly rate'' means the actual hourly base pay for a civilian 
    employee or, for members of the Coast Guard, the equivalent hourly pay 
    rate computed using a 40-hour week and the member's normal basic pay 
    and allowances.
        (c) This subpart applies to all employees of DOT, including those 
    of non-appropriated fund activities of the Coast Guard and the Maritime 
    Administration.
        (d) This subpart does not apply to any special study, special 
    statistical compilation, table, or other record requested under 49 
    U.S.C. 329(c). The fee for the performance of such a service is the 
    actual cost of the work involved in compiling the record. All such fees 
    received by DOT in payment of the cost of such work are deposited in a 
    separate
    
    [[Page 18862]]
    
    account administered under the direction of the Secretary, and may be 
    used for the ordinary expenses incidental to providing the information.
        (e) This subpart does not apply to requests from record subjects 
    for records about themselves in DOT systems of records, which are 
    determined in accordance with the Privacy Act, as implemented by DOT 
    regulations (49 CFR part 10).
    
    
    Sec. 7.42  Payment of fees.
    
        (a) The fees prescribed in this subpart may be paid by check, 
    draft, or money order, payable to the DOT component where fees were 
    incurred, for deposit in the General Fund of the Treasury of the United 
    States, e.g. DOT/FAA.
        (b) Charges may be assessed by DOT for time spent searching for 
    requested records even if the search fails to locate records or the 
    records located are determined to be exempt from disclosure. In 
    addition, if records are requested for commercial use, DOT may assess a 
    fee for time spent reviewing any responsive records located to 
    determine whether they are exempt from disclosure.
        (c) When it is estimated that the search charges, review charges, 
    duplication fees, or any combination of fees that could be charged to 
    the requestor will likely exceed US $25, the requestor will be notified 
    of the estimated amount of the fees, unless the requestor has indicated 
    in advance his or her willingness to pay fees as high as those 
    anticipated. In cases where a requestor has been notified that actual 
    or estimated fees may amount to more than US $25, the request will be 
    deemed not to have been received until the requestor has agreed to pay 
    the anticipated total fee. The notice will also inform the requestor 
    how to consult with the appropriate DOT officials with the object of 
    reformulating the request to meet his or her needs at a lower cost.
        (d) Payment of fees may be required prior to actual duplication or 
    delivery of any releasable records to a requestor. However, advance 
    payment, i.e., before work is commenced or continued on a request, may 
    not be required unless:
        (1) Allowable charges that a requestor may be required to pay are 
    likely to exceed US $250; or
        (2) The requestor has failed to pay within 30 days of the billing 
    date fees charged for a previous request to any part of DOT.
        (e) When paragraph (d)(1) of this section applies, the requestor 
    will be notified of the likely cost and, where he/she has a history of 
    prompt payment of FOIA fees, requested to furnish satisfactory 
    assurance of full payment of FOIA fees. Where the requestor does not 
    have any history of payment, he or she may be required to make advance 
    payment of any amount up to the full estimated charges.
        (f) When paragraph (d)(2) of this section applies, the requestor 
    will be required to demonstrate that the fee has, in fact, been paid or 
    to pay the full amount owed, including any applicable interest, late 
    handling charges, and penalty charges as discussed below. The requestor 
    will also be required to make an advance payment of the full amount of 
    the estimated fee before processing of a new request or continuation of 
    a pending request is begun.
        (g) DOT will assess interest on an unpaid bill starting on the 31st 
    day following the day on which the notice of the amount due is first 
    mailed to the requestor. Interest will accrue from the date of the 
    notice of amount due and will be at the rate prescribed in 31 U.S.C. 
    3717. Receipt by DOT of a payment for the full amount of the fees owed 
    within 30 calendar days after the date of the initial billing will stay 
    the accrual of interest, even if the payment has not been processed.
        (h) If payment of fees charged is not received within 30 calendar 
    days after the date the initial notice of the amount due is first 
    mailed to the requestor, an administrative charge will be assessed by 
    DOT to cover the cost of processing and handling the delinquent claim. 
    In addition, a penalty charge will be applied with respect to any 
    principal amount of a debt that is more than 90 days past due. Where 
    appropriate, other steps permitted by Federal debt collection statutes, 
    including disclosure to consumer reporting agencies and use of 
    collection agencies, will be used by DOT to encourage payment of 
    amounts overdue.
        (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subpart, when the 
    total amount of fees that could be charged for a particular request (or 
    aggregation of requests) under subpart C of this part, after taking 
    into account all services that must be provided free of, or at a 
    reduced, charge, is less than US $10.00 DOT will not make any charge 
    for fees.
    
    
    Sec. 7.43  Fee schedule.
    
        The rates for manual searching, computer operator/programmer time 
    and time spent reviewing records will be calculated based on the grades 
    and rates established by the Washington-Baltimore Federal White-Collar 
    Pay Schedule or equivalent grades, as follows:
        When performed by employees:
    
    GS-1 through GS-8--Hourly rate of GS-5 step 7 plus 16%
    GS-9 through GS-14--Hourly rate of GS-12 step 7 plus 16%
    GS-15 and above--Hourly rate of GS-15 step 7 plus 16%
    
        (a) The standard fee for a manual search to locate a record 
    requested under subpart C of this part, including making it available 
    for inspection, will be determined by multiplying the searcher's rate 
    as calculated from the above chart and the time spent conducting the 
    search.
        (b) The standard fee for a computer search for a record requested 
    under subpart C of this part is the actual cost. This includes the cost 
    of operating the central processing unit for the time directly 
    attributable to searching for records responsive to a FOIA request and 
    the operator/programmer's rate as calculated from the above chart for 
    costs apportionable to the search.
        (c) The standard fee for review of records requested under subpart 
    C of this part is the reviewer's rate as calculated above multiplied by 
    the time he/she spent determining whether the requested records are 
    exempt mandatory disclosure.
        (d) The standard fee for duplication of a record requested under 
    subpart C of this part is determined as follows:
        (1) Per copy of each page (not larger than 8.5 x 14 inches) 
    reproduced by photocopy or similar means (includes costs of personnel 
    and equipment)--US $0.10.
        (2) Per copy prepared by computer such as tapes or printout--actual 
    costs, including operator time.
        (3) Per copy prepared by any other method of duplication--actual 
    direct cost of production.
        (e) Depending upon the category of requestor, and the use for which 
    the records are requested, in some cases the fees computed in 
    accordance with the above standard fee schedule will either be reduced 
    or not charged, as prescribed by other provisions of this subpart.
        (f) The following special services not required by FOIA may be made 
    available upon request, at the stated fees: Certified copies of 
    documents, with DOT or operating administration seal (where 
    authorized)--US $4.00; or true copy, without seal--US $2.00.
    
    
    Sec. 7.44  Services performed without charge or at a reduced charge.
    
        (a) A fee is not to be charged to any requestor making a request 
    under subpart C of this part for the first two hours of search time 
    unless the records are requested for commercial use. For purposes of 
    this subpart, when a computer search is required two hours of search 
    time will be considered spent when the hourly costs of operating the
    
    [[Page 18863]]
    
    central processing unit used to perform the search added to the 
    computer operator's salary cost (hourly rate plus 16 percent) equals 
    two hours of the computer operator's salary costs (hourly rate plus 16 
    percent).
        (b) A fee is not to be charged for any time spent searching for a 
    record requested under subpart C of this part if the records are not 
    for commercial use and the requestor is a representative of the news 
    media, an educational institution whose purpose is scholarly research, 
    or a non-commercial scientific institution whose purpose is scientific 
    research.
        (c) A fee is not to be charged for duplication of the first 100 
    pages (standard paper, not larger than 8.5 x 14 inches) of records 
    provided to any requestor in response to a request under subpart C of 
    this part unless the records are requested for commercial use.
        (d) A fee is not to be charged to any requestor under subpart C of 
    this part to determine whether a record is exempt from mandatory 
    disclosure unless the record is requested for commercial use. A review 
    charge may not be charged except with respect to an initial review to 
    determine the applicability of a particular exemption to a particular 
    record or portion of a record. A review charge may not be assessed for 
    review at the administrative appeal level. When records or portions of 
    records withheld in full under an exemption that is subsequently 
    determined not to apply are reviewed again to determine the 
    applicability of other exemptions not previously considered, this is 
    considered an initial review for purposes of assessing a review charge.
        (e) Documents will be furnished without charge or at a reduced 
    charge if the official having initial denial authority determines that 
    disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is 
    likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the 
    operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the 
    commercial interest of the requestor.
        (f) Factors to be considered by DOT officials authorized to 
    determine whether a waiver or reduction of fees will be granted 
    include:
        (1) Whether the subject matter of the requested records concerns 
    the operations or activities of the Federal government;
        (2) Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute to an 
    understanding of Federal government operations or activities;
        (3) Whether disclosure of the requested information will contribute 
    to the understanding of the public at large, as opposed to the 
    individual understanding of the requestor or a narrow segment of 
    interested persons;
        (4) Whether the contribution to public understanding of Federal 
    government operations or activities will be significant;
        (5) Whether the requestor has a commercial interest that would be 
    furthered by the requested disclosure; and
        (6) Whether the magnitude of any identified commercial interest to 
    the requestor is sufficiently large in comparison with the public 
    interest in disclosure that disclosure is primarily in the commercial 
    interest of the requestor.
        (g) Documents will be furnished without charge or at a reduced 
    charge if the official having initial denial authority determines that 
    the request concerns records related to the death of an immediate 
    family member who was, at the time of death, a DOT employee or a member 
    of the Coast Guard.
        (h) Documents will be furnished without charge or at a reduced 
    charge if the official having initial denial authority determines that 
    the request is by the victim of a crime who seeks the record of the 
    trial or court-martial at which the requestor testified.
    
    
    Sec. 7.45  Transcripts.
    
        Transcripts of hearings or oral arguments are available for 
    inspection. Where transcripts are prepared by a nongovernmental 
    contractor, and the contract permits DOT to handle the reproduction of 
    further copies, Sec. 7.43 applies. Where the contract for transcription 
    services reserves the sales privilege to the reporting service, any 
    duplicate copies must be purchased directly from the reporting service.
    
    
    Sec. 7.46  Alternative sources of information.
    
        In the interest of making documents of general interest publicly 
    available at as low a cost as possible, alternative sources will be 
    arranged whenever possible. In appropriate instances, material that is 
    published and offered for sale may be obtained from the Superintendent 
    of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; 
    U.S. Department of Commerce's National Technical Information Service 
    (NTIS), Springfield, Virginia 22151; or National Audio-Visual Center, 
    National Archives and Records Administration, Capital Heights, MD 
    20743-3701.
    
        Issued in Washington, DC, on March 26, 1998.
    Rodney E. Slater,
    Secretary of Transportation.
    [FR Doc. 98-10044 Filed 4-15-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-62-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/16/1998
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
98-10044
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before June 15, 1998.
Pages:
18855-18863 (9 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. OST-96-1430, Notice 98-17
RINs:
2105-AC69: Public Availability of Information: Electronic FOIA Amendment
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2105-AC69/public-availability-of-information-electronic-foia-amendment
PDF File:
98-10044.pdf
CFR: (53)
49 CFR 7.43(f)
49 CFR 7.1
49 CFR 7.2
49 CFR 7.3
49 CFR 7.4
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