Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations (1997)

Passage 1[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 138 (Monday, July 20, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 38757-38758] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-18910] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Research and Special Programs Administration 49 CFR Parts 190, 191, 192, 193, 195, and 199 [Docket No. RSPA-97-2251; Amdt Nos. 190-8; 191-13; 192-84; 193-15; 194- 2; 195-61; 198-3; 199-17] RIN 2137-AD03 Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations (1997) AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Removal of direct final rule amendment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document removes an amendment in a direct final rule titled, ``Periodic Updates to the Pipeline Safety Regulations'' (63 FR 7721), published on February 17, 1998, and restores the regulatory text that existed prior to the direct final rule. The final rule updated references to voluntary specifications and standards incorporated by reference, and made various clarifications and grammatical corrections. The other amendments made by the direct final rule became effective on May 4, 1998. DATES: The removal of the amendment is effective July 20, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify the docket number (RSPA-97-2251). Persons should submit the original document and one (1) copy. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their comments must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. The Dockets Facility is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building in Room Number 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC. The Dockets Facility is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays when the facility is closed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eben M. Wyman, (202) 366-0918, or by e-mail ([email protected]), regarding the subject matter of this Notice; or the Dockets Unit, (202) 366-4453, for copies of this final rule or other material in the docket. Further information can be obtained by accessing OPS' Internet Home Page at: ops.dot.gov.#

Passage 2Under Clarifications of the direct final rule, Sec. 192.614(c)(5) requires operators to ``Provide for temporary marking of buried pipelines in the area of excavation activity before, as far as practical, the activity begins.'' RSPA believed that this requirement could be confusing to the reader in terms of interpreting the meaning of ``as far as practical.'' Therefore, RSPA amended the paragraph to require temporary marking of buried pipelines before excavation activities begins ``except in emergency situations.'' Based on a comment to this clarification, RSPA is removing this change from this direct final rule. The comment was based on the interpretation of the phrase ``as far as practical.'' RSPA did not mean to distort the language of the regulation, only to clarify that operators would not be responsible for marking in an emergency situation. However, based on feedback from the pipeline industry and other regulatory parties within RSPA, it was determined that the original language better served the reader of the regulation. RSPA plans to issue an interpretation of the language in Sec. 192.614 to clarify its meaning. 1. The authority citation for Part 192 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60102, 60104, 60108, 60109, 60110, 60113, 60118; and 49 CFR 1.53. 2. Paragraph (c)(5) of Sec. 192.614 is revised to read as follows: * * * * * (c) * * * (5) Provide for temporary marking of buried pipelines in the area of excavation activity before, as far as practical, the activity begins. * * * * * Issued in Washington, DC, on July 10, 1998. Kelley S. Coyner, Deputy Administrator. [FR Doc. 98-18910 Filed 7-17-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P#