[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16753-16754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8283]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 266

[FRA Docket No. 3R-1979-1, Notice No. 3]
RIN 2130-AA60


Local Rail Freight Assistance to States

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rules; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FRA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
addressing the Local Rail Freight Assistance Program. In its NPRM 
published on November 30, 1990, 55 FR 49648, FRA proposed to modify 49 
CFR part 266, which implements the agency's Local Rail Freight 
Assistance Program. Since the Administration has not requested, and the 
Congress has not provided, any appropriations for that program since 
1995, and no new appropriations are anticipated, the proposed 
amendments are no longer necessary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Pomponio, Senior Attorney, 
Office of Chief Counsel. FRA, 1120

[[Page 16754]]

Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 5 of the Department of 
Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1654 et seq.) establishes a program of 
federal grants to states to fund local rail freight assistance 
projects. The regulations implementing section 5 of the Act are 
contained in 49 CFR part 266. The Local Rail Service Reauthorizing Act, 
Public Law No. 101-213 (Dec. 11, 1989) (``Reauthorizing Act'') amended 
section 5 of the Act in several ways. The proposed amendment of part 
266 was to reflect those amendments enacted by the Reauthorizing Act. 
However, the Administration has not requested, and the Congress has not 
provided, any appropriations for that program since 1995. As a result 
no new funding has been made available to recipients since that time 
and none is anticipated. Since no further funding is anticipated for 
the program, the proposed amendments to part 266 are no longer 
necessary.
    Conclusion: Based on the foregoing, FRA is withdrawing the NPRM.

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 31, 2003.
Allan Rutter,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-8283 Filed 4-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P