82 FR 49478 - Establishment of Interim National Multimodal Freight Network

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 205 (October 25, 2017)

Page Range		49478-49480
FR Document		2017-22315

DOT is extending the deadline and comment period for materials related to the Interim National Multimodal Freight Network (Interim NMFN), as established in a notice published on June 6, 2016 at 81 FR 36381. The original notice asked for comments by September 6, 2016. The reopening and extension of the comment period is based on input received from DOT stakeholders that the September 6, 2016 closing date did not provide sufficient time for submission of comments to the Department, as well as an analysis that some comments submitted by States did not include the required statutory certification. DOT agrees that the comment period should be reopened and extended. Therefore, the comment period on the establishment of the Interim NMFN is reopened.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 205 (Wednesday, October 25, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49478-49480]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22315]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2016-0053]


Establishment of Interim National Multimodal Freight Network

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), 
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), and U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of reopening of comment period and extension of 
deadline.

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SUMMARY: DOT is extending the deadline and comment period for materials 
related to the Interim National Multimodal Freight Network (Interim 
NMFN), as established in a notice published on June 6, 2016 at 81 FR 
36381. The original notice asked for comments by September 6, 2016. The 
reopening and extension of the comment period is based on input 
received from DOT stakeholders that the September 6, 2016 closing date 
did not provide sufficient time for submission of comments to the 
Department, as well as an analysis that some comments submitted by 
States did not include the required statutory certification. DOT agrees 
that the comment period should be reopened and extended. Therefore, the 
comment period on the establishment of the Interim NMFN is reopened.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 22, 2018 to 
receive consideration by DOT with respect to the final designation of 
the NMFN. Late-filed comments received after this date will be 
considered to the fullest extent practicable. Comments may be submitted 
by all interested stakeholders.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not duplicate your docket submissions, 
please submit them by only one of the following means:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 366-
9329.

[[Page 49479]]

     Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket 
number at the beginning of your comments. All comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. If you have any GIS shapefiles or other 
geographic information to submit to the docket, please email those 
files to [email protected] with the agency name and docket number in 
the email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Endorf, 202-366-4835 or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: Section 70103 of title 49, U.S.C., which was 
established in section 8001 of the Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation (FAST) Act, directs the Under Secretary of 
Transportation for Policy (Under Secretary) to establish a NMFN that 
will be used to: (1) Assist States in strategically directing resources 
toward improved system performance for the efficient movement of 
freight on the NMFN; (2) inform freight transportation planning; (3) 
assist in the prioritization of Federal investment; and (4) assess and 
support Federal investments to achieve the national multimodal freight 
policy goals described in section 70101(b) of title 49, U.S.C., and the 
national highway freight program goals described in section 167 of 
title 23, U.S.C.
    On June 6, 2016, the Under Secretary established an Interim NMFN 
that includes the following components: (1) The National Highway 
Freight Network (NHFN), as established under section 167 of title 23, 
U.S.C.; (2) the freight rail systems of Class I railroads as designated 
by the Surface Transportation Board; (3) the public ports of the United 
States that have total annual foreign and domestic trade of at least 
2,000,000 short tons, as identified by the Waterborne Commerce 
Statistics Center of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), using the 
data from the latest year for which such data are available; (4) the 
inland and intracoastal waterways of the United States, as described in 
section 206 of the Inland Waterways Revenue Act of 1978 (33 U.S.C. 
1804); (5) the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and coastal and 
ocean routes along which domestic freight is transported; (6) the 50 
airports located in the United States with the highest annual landed 
weight, as identified by the FAA; and (7) other strategic freight 
assets, including strategic intermodal facilities and freight rail 
lines of Class II and Class III railroads, designated by the Under 
Secretary as critical to interstate commerce.
    The Interim NMFN was published in the Federal Register at 81 FR 
36381 on June 6, 2016, and the public was invited to submit comments to 
the docket through September 6, 2016. In the Federal Register notice, 
DOT posed several questions for the public to consider, and States and 
other stakeholders were provided the opportunity to submit additional 
designations for consideration of inclusion to the Final NMFN to be 
designated by the Under Secretary. As part of their submission, States 
were required by statute to certify that they had satisfied the 
statutory requirements under 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(4)(A) and that any 
additional designations submitted address the factors for designation 
under 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(2). Per the statute, only States are required 
to submit this certification along with their comments; other 
stakeholders or members of the public do not have this requirement.
    Several commenters stated in their comments to the docket that the 
initial 90-day comment period was insufficient in order to coordinate 
and prepare their comments and additional designations. In particular, 
multiple States stated that they did not have sufficient time to 
consider nominations from their public and private stakeholders, which 
is a requirement that these States would have needed to certify. 
Additionally, upon a review of comments submitted by the States, DOT 
has identified that many comments submitted by States lack the 
statutorily required certification and thus, DOT cannot consider those 
comments.
    As a result, DOT is reopening the comment period for all 
stakeholders to submit comments on the Interim NMFN. Comments that have 
previously been submitted will continue to receive consideration, 
though States that previously submitted comments should refer to the 
below section on State Input. Any stakeholder or member of the public 
is free to submit new comments and to amend or supplement previously 
submitted comments. In the initial June 6, 2016 Federal Register notice 
establishing the Interim NMFN at 81 FR 36381, DOT posed a number of 
questions by mode and solicited input from the public. DOT continues to 
seek input on these questions and encourages the public to refer back 
to the original FR notice located at Docket Number DOT-OST-2016-0053. 
Previously submitted comments can also be viewed at this docket. 
Interested stakeholders and members of the public can find more 
information on the Interim NMFN, including maps and tables by State, at 
https://www.transportation.gov/freight/InterimNMFN.
    State Input: 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(4)(D) requires that each State 
certify that they have considered nominations for additional 
designations from a wide range of stakeholders, including MPOs, State 
Freight Advisory Committees (as applicable), and owners and operators 
of port, rail, pipeline, and airport facilities. Each State proposing 
additional designations must certify that all additional designations 
are consistent with the Statewide transportation improvement program 
(STIP) or State freight plan. Finally, each State must also certify 
that each proposed designation addresses the factors listed in 49 
U.S.C. 70103(c)(2). Each State comment must include a statement 
addressing these certifications in order to it to receive consideration 
from DOT. An example of an acceptable certification is the following: 
``The State of A certifies it considered nominations from the 
stakeholders and the State Freight Advisory Committee [as applicable], 
required under 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(4)(A)(i) and (ii), in identifying 
additional NMFN designations within the State. These additional 
designations are consistent with the State's Statewide Transportation 
Improvement Program and our State Freight Plan [as applicable--some 
States may not have a completed State Freight Plan]. Further, the State 
of A certifies that the proposed additional designations address the 
factors described in 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(2).''
    States are not required to resubmit any comments provided in 
response to the June 6, 2016 Federal Register notice unless the State 
did not provide a certification with their previously submitted 
comments. If no certification was provided, the State should resubmit 
their comments with a certification in order to receive consideration. 
If a State has already provided the required certification and is not 
seeking to modify those comments or proposed designations, they are not 
required to resubmit their original comments or certification. Any 
State offering changes to prior submitted comments, including proposed 
additional designations, modifications, or deletions, must include a 
new certification. States that are commenting for the first time must 
provide a certification to receive consideration. In all cases, the 
State must submit a written certification to the docket consistent with 
49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(4)(D).
    Public Comment: The DOT invites comments by all those interested in 
the NMFN. Comments on the Interim

[[Page 49480]]

NMFN may be submitted and viewed at Docket Number DOT-OST-2016-0053. 
Comments must be received on or before February 22, 2018 to receive 
full consideration by DOT with respect to the final designation of the 
NMFN. After February 22, 2018, comments will continue to be available 
for viewing by the public.

    Dated: October 10, 2017.
Finch Fulton,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-22315 Filed 10-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 25, 2017 / Notices 49479

• Instructions: You must include the Secretary as critical to interstate including maps and tables by State, at
agency name and docket number at the commerce. https://www.transportation.gov/freight/
beginning of your comments. All The Interim NMFN was published in InterimNMFN.
comments received will be posted the Federal Register at 81 FR 36381 on State Input: 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(4)(D)
without change to http:// June 6, 2016, and the public was invited requires that each State certify that they
www.regulations.gov, including any to submit comments to the docket have considered nominations for
personal information provided. If you through September 6, 2016. In the additional designations from a wide
have any GIS shapefiles or other Federal Register notice, DOT posed range of stakeholders, including MPOs,
geographic information to submit to the several questions for the public to State Freight Advisory Committees (as
docket, please email those files to consider, and States and other applicable), and owners and operators
ryan.endorf@dot.gov with the agency stakeholders were provided the of port, rail, pipeline, and airport
name and docket number in the email. opportunity to submit additional facilities. Each State proposing
designations for consideration of additional designations must certify that
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
inclusion to the Final NMFN to be all additional designations are
Ryan Endorf, 202–366–4835 or email designated by the Under Secretary. As consistent with the Statewide
ryan.endorf@dot.gov. part of their submission, States were transportation improvement program
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: required by statute to certify that they (STIP) or State freight plan. Finally,
Background: Section 70103 of title 49, had satisfied the statutory requirements each State must also certify that each
U.S.C., which was established in section under 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(4)(A) and that proposed designation addresses the
8001 of the Fixing America’s Surface any additional designations submitted factors listed in 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(2).
Transportation (FAST) Act, directs the address the factors for designation Each State comment must include a
Under Secretary of Transportation for under 49 U.S.C. 70103(c)(2). Per the statement addressing these certifications
Policy (Under Secretary) to establish a statute, only States are required to in order to it to receive consideration
NMFN that will be used to: (1) Assist submit this certification along with their from DOT. An example of an acceptable
States in strategically directing comments; other stakeholders or certification is the following: ‘‘The State
resources toward improved system members of the public do not have this of A certifies it considered nominations
performance for the efficient movement requirement. from the stakeholders and the State
of freight on the NMFN; (2) inform Several commenters stated in their Freight Advisory Committee [as
freight transportation planning; (3) comments to the docket that the initial applicable], required under 49 U.S.C.
assist in the prioritization of Federal 90-day comment period was insufficient 70103(c)(4)(A)(i) and (ii), in identifying
investment; and (4) assess and support in order to coordinate and prepare their additional NMFN designations within
comments and additional designations. the State. These additional designations
Federal investments to achieve the
In particular, multiple States stated that are consistent with the State’s Statewide
national multimodal freight policy goals
they did not have sufficient time to Transportation Improvement Program
described in section 70101(b) of title 49,
consider nominations from their public and our State Freight Plan [as
U.S.C., and the national highway freight
and private stakeholders, which is a applicable—some States may not have a
program goals described in section 167
requirement that these States would completed State Freight Plan]. Further,
of title 23, U.S.C.
have needed to certify. Additionally, the State of A certifies that the proposed
On June 6, 2016, the Under Secretary upon a review of comments submitted additional designations address the
established an Interim NMFN that by the States, DOT has identified that factors described in 49 U.S.C.
includes the following components: (1) many comments submitted by States 70103(c)(2).’’
The National Highway Freight Network lack the statutorily required certification States are not required to resubmit
(NHFN), as established under section and thus, DOT cannot consider those any comments provided in response to
167 of title 23, U.S.C.; (2) the freight rail comments. the June 6, 2016 Federal Register notice
systems of Class I railroads as As a result, DOT is reopening the unless the State did not provide a
designated by the Surface comment period for all stakeholders to certification with their previously
Transportation Board; (3) the public submit comments on the Interim NMFN. submitted comments. If no certification
ports of the United States that have total Comments that have previously been was provided, the State should resubmit
annual foreign and domestic trade of at submitted will continue to receive their comments with a certification in
least 2,000,000 short tons, as identified consideration, though States that order to receive consideration. If a State
by the Waterborne Commerce Statistics previously submitted comments should has already provided the required
Center of the Army Corps of Engineers refer to the below section on State Input. certification and is not seeking to
(USACE), using the data from the latest Any stakeholder or member of the modify those comments or proposed
year for which such data are available; public is free to submit new comments designations, they are not required to
(4) the inland and intracoastal and to amend or supplement previously resubmit their original comments or
waterways of the United States, as submitted comments. In the initial June certification. Any State offering changes
described in section 206 of the Inland 6, 2016 Federal Register notice to prior submitted comments, including
Waterways Revenue Act of 1978 (33 establishing the Interim NMFN at 81 FR proposed additional designations,
U.S.C. 1804); (5) the Great Lakes, the St. 36381, DOT posed a number of modifications, or deletions, must
Lawrence Seaway, and coastal and questions by mode and solicited input include a new certification. States that
ocean routes along which domestic from the public. DOT continues to seek are commenting for the first time must
freight is transported; (6) the 50 airports input on these questions and encourages
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

provide a certification to receive
located in the United States with the the public to refer back to the original consideration. In all cases, the State
highest annual landed weight, as FR notice located at Docket Number must submit a written certification to
identified by the FAA; and (7) other DOT–OST–2016–0053. Previously the docket consistent with 49 U.S.C.
strategic freight assets, including submitted comments can also be viewed 70103(c)(4)(D).
strategic intermodal facilities and freight at this docket. Interested stakeholders Public Comment: The DOT invites
rail lines of Class II and Class III and members of the public can find comments by all those interested in the
railroads, designated by the Under more information on the Interim NMFN, NMFN. Comments on the Interim

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49480 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 25, 2017 / Notices

NMFN may be submitted and viewed at solicit input from interested public is invited to submit comments on
Docket Number DOT–OST–2016–0053. stakeholders. these requests.
Comments must be received on or The draft DOT Strategic Plan reflects DATES: Comments should be received on
before February 22, 2018 to receive full the Secretary’s priorities for achieving or before November 24, 2017 to be
consideration by DOT with respect to DOT’s mission through four strategic assured of consideration.
the final designation of the NMFN. After goals: ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding
February 22, 2018, comments will D Safety: Reduce Transportation- the burden estimate, or any other aspect
continue to be available for viewing by Related Fatalities and Serious Injuries of the information collection, including
the public. Across the Transportation System. suggestions for reducing the burden, to
D Infrastructure: Invest in
Dated: October 10, 2017. (1) Office of Information and Regulatory
Infrastructure to Ensure Mobility and
Finch Fulton, Affairs, Office of Management and
Accessibility and to Stimulate Economic
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for
Growth, Productivity and
for Policy. Treasury, New Executive Office
Competitiveness for American Workers
[FR Doc. 2017–22315 Filed 10–24–17; 8:45 am] Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC
and Businesses.
BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P D Innovation: Lead in the 20503, or email at OIRA_Submission@
Development and Deployment of OMB.EOP.gov and (2) Treasury PRA
Innovative Practices and Technologies Clearance Officer, 1750 Pennsylvania
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION that Improve the Safety and Ave. NW., Suite 8142, Washington, DC
Performance of the Nation’s 20220, or email at PRA@treasury.gov.
Office of the Secretary Transportation System. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Availability of Draft DOT Strategic Plan D Accountability: Serve the Nation Copies of the submissions may be
with Reduced Regulatory Burden and obtained from Jennifer Leonard by
for FY 2018–2022 and Request for emailing PRA@treasury.gov, calling
Public Comment Greater Efficiency, Effectiveness and
Accountability. (202) 622–0489, or viewing the entire
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. These strategic goals are supported by information collection request at
Department of Transportation (DOT). objectives that reflect the outcomes DOT www.reginfo.gov.
ACTION: Notice of availability and is trying to achieve and strategies that SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
request for public comment. describe how DOT plans to make
progress toward the objectives. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of The draft DOT Strategic Plan for FY Title: Return of Excise Taxes Related
Transportation invites the public to 2018–2022 may be accessed through the to Employee Benefit Plans.
comment on the draft DOT Strategic DOT Web site at https:// OMB Control Number: 1545–0575.
Plan for FY 2018–2022. www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic- Type of Review: Extension without
DATES: Comments must be received on plan. change of a currently approved
or before November 13, 2017. DOT will consider all input and collection.
revise the draft DOT Strategic Plan as Abstract: Code sections 4971, 4972,
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
appropriate. DOT anticipates that the 4973(a)(3), 4975, 4976, 4977, 4978,
submitted by email or U.S. mail.
final DOT Strategic Plan for FY 2018– 4978A, 4978B, 4979, 4979A and 4980
Respondents are encouraged to submit
2022 will be submitted to Congress and impose various excise taxes in
comments electronically to ensure
posted on the DOT Web site in February connection with employee benefit
timely receipt. Please include your
2018. plans. Form 5330 is used to compute
name, title, organization, postal address,
Dated: October 19, 2017. and collect these taxes.
telephone number, and email address.
Finch Fulton, Form: Form 5330.
Email: dotstrategicplanning@dot.gov.
Affected Public: Businesses or other
Please include the full body of your Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation
Policy.
for-profits.
comments in the text of the electronic Estimated Total Annual Burden
message and as an attachment. [FR Doc. 2017–23155 Filed 10–24–17; 8:45 am]
Hours: 540, 145.
Mail: U.S. Department of BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
Transportation, Office of the Under Title: Information Reporting by
Secretary for Policy, Attn: Strategic Plan Passport Applicants (REG–208274–86).
OMB Control Number: 1545–1359.
Comments, 1200 New Jersey Avenue DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Type of Review: Revision of a
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
currently approved collection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agency Information Collection Abstract: This document contains
Barbara McCann, Director, Office of Activities; Submission for OMB regulations that provide information
Policy Development, Strategic Planning Review; Comment Request; Multiple reporting rules for certain passport
and Performance, Office of the Under IRS Information Collection Requests applicants. The information provided by
Secretary for Policy, AGENCY: Departmental Offices, U.S. passport applicants will be used by the
dotstrategicplanning@dot.gov. Department of the Treasury. IRS for tax compliance purposes.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACTION: Notice. Forms: None.
Affected Public: Individuals or
Background SUMMARY: The Department of the Households.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

The Government Performance and Treasury will submit the following Estimated Total Annual Burden
Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, as amended information collection requests to the Hours: 1,213,354.
by the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 Office of Management and Budget Title: Return of U.S. Persons With
(Pub. L. 111–352), requires that Federal (OMB) for review and clearance in Respect to Certain Foreign Partnerships.
agencies revise and update their accordance with the Paperwork OMB Control Number: 1545–1668.
strategic plan at the beginning of each Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the Type of Review: Revision of a
new presidential term, and in doing so, date of publication of this notice. The currently approved collection.

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Document Created: 2017-10-25 01:16:49
Document Modified: 2017-10-25 01:16:49

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of reopening of comment period and extension of deadline.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before February 22, 2018 to receive consideration by DOT with respect to the final designation of the NMFN. Late-filed comments received after this date will be considered to the fullest extent practicable. Comments may be submitted by all interested stakeholders.
Contact		Ryan Endorf, 202-366-4835 or email [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 49478

82 FR 49478 - Establishment of Interim National Multimodal Freight Network

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONOffice of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 205 (October 25, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary