[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56576-56577]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22470]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9916-93-Region-6]

Final NPDES General Permit Modification for Discharges From the
Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category to Coastal Waters in Texas
and Onshore Stripper Well Category East of the 98th Meridian
(TXG330000)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Final decision of NPDES general permit modification.

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SUMMARY: The Director of the Water Quality Protection Division, for the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 today announces issuance
of

the final permit modifications for the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) general permit (TXG330000) regulating
discharges from oil and gas wells in the Coastal Subcategory in Texas
and in the Stripper Subcategory which discharge into waters in Texas.
These modifications would restore coverage eligibility for certain
inland discharges that existed in the previous permit and require
freshwater whole effluent toxicity species for discharges to freshwater
receiving waters.
    EPA proposed the draft permit modification in the Federal Register
on December 2, 2013. EPA Region 6 has considered all comments received
and makes few significant changes to the proposed permit. A copy of the
Region's responses to comments and the final permit may be obtained
from the EPA Region 6 internet site: http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/npdes/genpermit/index.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Evelyn Rosborough, Region 6, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-
2733. Telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>.

DATES: This permit modification is effective on September 22, 2014, and
expires July 6, 2017. In accordance with 40 CFR 23, this permit shall
be considered issued for the purpose of judicial review on October 6,
2014. Under section 509(b) of the CWA, judicial review of this general
permit can be held by filing a petition for review in the United States
Court of Appeals within 120 days after the permit is considered issued
for judicial review. Under section 509(b)(2) of the CWA, the
requirements in this permit may not be challenged later in civil or
criminal proceedings to enforce these requirements. In addition, this
permit may not be challenged in other agency proceedings.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Changes from the proposed permit modification include:
    1. Add ``no visible sheen'' limit to produced water discharges to
inland waters;
    2. Replace acute 48-hour toxicity freshwater testing with acute 24-
hour toxicity LC-50 freshwater and remove the cease discharge
requirement; and
    3. Set October 1, 2017, deadline to comply with the acute Toxicity
LC-50 limit.

Other Legal Requirements

A. State Certification

    Under section 401(a)(1) of the CWA, EPA may not issue an NPDES
permit until the State in which the discharge will occur grants or
waives certification to ensure compliance with appropriate requirements
of the CWA and State law. The Railroad Commission of Texas issued the
401 certification on May 30, 2014.

B. Other Regulatory Requirements

    When EPA issued the general permit in 2012, EPA had conducted
evaluations required by Coastal Zone Management Act, National
Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Historic Preservation Act,
Paperwork Reduction Act, and Regulatory Flexibility Act. The scope of
today's permit modification action does not trigger requirements for
new evaluations for compliance with those regulatory requirements.

    Dated: September 11, 2014.
William K. Honker,
Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2014-22470 Filed 9-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 232 (Monday, December 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71679-71680]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29135]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0108; Notice 1]

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, Receipt of Petition
for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Receipt of petition.

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SUMMARY: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BRIDGESTONE),\1\
has determined that certain Bridgestone brand tires manufactured
between June 19, 2011 and March 17, 2012, do not fully comply with
paragraph S5.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No.
139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Bridgestone has
filed an appropriate report dated July 19, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR
Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.
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    \1\ Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, is a manufacturer
of replacement equipment and is registered under the laws of the
state of Delaware.
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    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) (see implementing rule
at 49 CFR part 556), Bridgestone submitted a petition for an exemption
from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. chapter 301
on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor
vehicle safety.
    This notice of receipt of Bridgestone's petition is published under
49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and does not represent any agency decision or
other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the petition.
    Vehicles Involved: Affected are approximately 1,102 Firestone
Firehawk Wide Oval AS size 245/40R19 and 245/35R20 brand tires
manufactured between June 19, 2011, and March 17, 2012. Only 97 of the
affected tires are no longer under the control of the petitioner.
Therefore, only those 97 tires are the subject of this petition.
    NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and
30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a
determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers
only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively,
to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance
and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, these provisions
only apply to the subject 97 \2\ tires that Bridgestone no longer
controlled at the time it determined that the noncompliance existed.
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    \2\ Bridgestone's petition, which was filed under 49 CFR part
556, requests an agency decision to exempt Bridgestone as an
equipment manufacturer from the notification and recall
responsibilities of 49 CFR part 573 for the 97 affected tires that
it still controls. However, a decision on this petition will not
relieve vehicle distributors and dealers of the prohibitions on the
sale, offer for sale, introduction or delivery for introduction into
interstate commerce of the noncompliant vehicles under their control
after Bridgestone notified them that the subject noncompliance
existed. The 1,005 affected tires that Bridgestone still controls
must be remedied or destroyed.
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    Noncompliance: Bridgestone explains that the noncompliance is that,
due to a mold labeling error. The sidewall marking on the reference
side of the tires incorrectly describes the actual number of plies in
the tread area of the tires as required by paragraph S5.5(f).
Specifically, the tires in question were inadvertently manufactured
with ``TREAD 1 POLYESTER 2 STEEL 1 NYLON.'' The labeling should have
been ``TREAD 1 POLYESTER 2 STEEL 2 NYLON.''
    Rule Text: Paragraph S5.5 of FMVSS No. 139 requires in pertinent
part:

    S5.5 Tire markings. Except as specified in paragraphs (a)
through (i) of S5.5, each tire must be marked on each sidewall with
the information specified in S5.5(a) through (d) and on one side-
wall with the information specified in S5.5(e) through (i) according
to the phase-in schedule specified in S7 of this standard. The
markings must be placed between the maximum section width and the
bead on at least one sidewall, unless the maximum section width of
the tire is located in an area that is not more than one-fourth of
the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire. If the
maximum section width that falls within that area, those markings
must appear between the bead and a point one-half the distance from
the bead to the shoulder of the tire, on at least one sidewall. The
markings must be in letters and numerals not less than 0.078 inches
high and raised above or sunk below the tire surface not less than
0.015 inches * * *
    (f) The actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual
number of plies in the tread area, if different * * *

Summary of Bridgestone's Analysis and Arguments

    Bridgestone believes that while the noncompliant tires are
mislabeled; the subject tires meet or exceed all performance
requirements as required in part by FMVSS No. 139 and that the
noncompliant labeling has no impact on the operational performance or
safety of vehicles on which these tires are mounted.
    Bridgestone also points out that NHTSA has previously granted
similar petitions for non-compliances in sidewall markings.
    Bridgestone has additionally informed NHTSA that it has corrected
future production and will re-label the 1,005 contained tires to
reflect correct construction.
    In summation, Bridgestone believes that the described noncompliance
of its tires is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, and that its
petition, to exempt it from providing recall notification of
noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the recall
noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120 should be granted.
    Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit written data,
views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the
docket and notice number cited at the beginning of this notice and be
submitted by any of the following methods:
    a. By mail addressed to: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    b. By hand delivery to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Section is open on
weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Federal Holidays.
    c. Electronically: by logging onto the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) Web site at http://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments. Comments may also be faxed
to 1-202-493-2251.

    Comments must be written in the English language, and be no greater
than 15 pages in length, although there is no limit to the length of
necessary attachments to the comments. If comments are submitted in
hard copy form, please ensure that two copies are provided. If you wish
to receive confirmation that your comments were received, please
enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard with the comments. Note that
all comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
    Documents submitted to a docket may be viewed by anyone at the
address and times given above. The documents may also be viewed on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by following the online
instructions for accessing the dockets. DOT's complete Privacy Act
Statement is available for review in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477-78).
    The petition, supporting materials, and all comments received
before the close of business on the closing date indicated below will
be filed and will be considered. All comments and supporting materials
received after the closing date will also be filed and will be
considered to the extent possible. When the petition is granted or
denied, notice of the decision will be published in the Federal
Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.
    Comment Closing Date: January 2, 2013.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at
CFR 1.95 and 501.8.

    Issued on: November 28, 2012.
Claude H. Harris,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2012-29135 Filed 11-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P


[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 13192]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04655]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0443]

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and
Seizure Disorders

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for five
individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of
epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of
consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions
enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are
taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce.

DATES: The exemptions were effective on May 19, 2016. The exemptions
expire on May 19, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief,
Medical Programs Division,<PHONE_NUMBER><EMAIL_ADDRESS>FMCSA,
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-224,
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket,
contact Docket Services, telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document
Management System (FDMS) at: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12-140 on the
ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information
the commenter provides, to http://www.regulations.gov, as described in
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed
at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On October 14, 2016, FMCSA published a notice announcing its
decision to renew exemptions for five individuals from the Epilepsy and
Seizure Disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) to operate a CMV
in interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (81 FR
71170). The public comment period ended on November 14, 2016, and no
comments were received.
    As stated in the previous notice, FMCSA has evaluated the
eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing these
exemptions would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater
than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding epilepsy
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) states that a person is physically
qualified to drive a CMV if that person:

    Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of
epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause the loss of
consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.

    In addition to the regulations, FMCSA has published advisory
criteria to assist Medical Examiners in determining whether drivers
with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in
interstate commerce. [49 CFR part 391, APPENDIX A TO PART 391--MEDICAL
ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: Sec.  391.41(b)(8), paragraphs
3, 4, and 5.]

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this preceding.

IV. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the five renewal exemption
applications and no comments received, FMCSA confirms its' decision to
exempt the following drivers from the Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41 (b)(8), subject to the requirements cited
above: Thomas Bynum (NC); Ronald Hartl (WI); Craig Hoisington (NH);
Michael Miller (WI); and Peter Thompson (FL).
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid
for two years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA.
The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person
fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the
exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained
prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not
be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and
31315.

    Issued on: February 27, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-04655 Filed 3-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P