[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23357-23358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10690]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-97-2426]


Pipeline Safety: National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS)

AGENCY: Office of Pipeline Safety, Research and Special Programs 
Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) 
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) will conduct a public meeting to 
discuss possible improvements in data submissions to the National 
Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). Possible improvements are more detailed 
pipeline attributes, more accurate pipeline locational data, and 
delineation of natural gas transmission high consequence areas. The 
potential for collecting annual report data through data submitted to 
the NPMS will also be discussed.

DATES: Wednesday, May 28, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public may attend the meeting at Loews L'Enfant Plaza 
Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Ballroom A, Lobby Level, Washington, 
DC.
    An opportunity will be provided for the public to make short 
statements on the topics under discussion. Anyone wishing to make an 
oral statement should notify Jean Milam, (202) 493-0967, not later than 
May 19, 2003, on the topic of the statement and the length of the 
presentation. The presiding officer at each meeting may deny any 
request to present an oral statement and may limit the time of any 
presentation.
    You may submit written comments by mail or deliver to the Dockets 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. It is open from 10 a.m. 
to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You also may 
submit written comments to the docket electronically. To do so, log 
onto the following Internet Web address: http://dms.dot.gov. Click on 
``Help & Information'' for instructions on how to file a document 
electronically. All written comments should reference docket number 
RSPA-

[[Page 23358]]

97-2426. Anyone who would like confirmation of mailed comments must 
include a self-addressed stamped postcard.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the April 11, 2000, issue of the 
Federal Register (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may 
visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Jean Milam at (202) 493-0967.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Fischer, OPS, (202) 366-6267 or 
Richard Huriaux, OPS, (202) 366-4565, regarding the subject matter of 
this notice. Additional information about the NPMS and the ``National 
Pipeline Mapping System Standards for Pipeline and Liquefied Natural 
Gas Operator Submissions'' can be found at http://www.npms.rspa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NPMS is a geographic information system 
database that contains the locations and selected attributes of 
hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission pipelines, breakout 
tanks, and liquefied natural gas. The data collected for the NPMS is 
necessary for regulatory oversight and for monitoring the security of 
the pipelines. The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2003 required 
operators to submit data to the NPMS by June 17, 2003. This initial 
submission is being done in accordance with guidance previously 
developed for voluntary data submissions to the NPMS.
    RSPA/OPS is holding this public meeting to solicit public comments 
on the potential for improving NPMS data submissions and the potential 
for collecting certain annual report data elements as submissions to 
the NPMS.
    Improvements being considered include more detailed pipeline 
attributes, more accurate pipeline locational data, and the 
identification of natural gas transmission pipeline high consequence 
areas. The additional data requirements for these improvements may 
include diameter, maximum operating pressure for hazardous liquid 
pipelines, and maximum allowable operating pressure for natural gas 
transmission pipelines.
    The current NPMS target locational accuracy goal is +/-500 feet for 
submitted geospatial data. RSPA/OPS will be soliciting feedback at the 
meeting regarding the effort required by the pipeline industry to 
better this target locational accuracy. To date, 15% of the NPMS 
mileage submitted has an accuracy of +/-50 feet, 46% has an accuracy of 
+/-50 to 300 feet, 28% has an accuracy of +/-301 to 500 feet, and 11% 
is either +/-500 feet or unknown.
    RSPA/OPS has identified NPMS data requirements that could support 
RSPA/OPS and State oversight of gas integrity management programs. At 
the meeting, RSPA/OPS will focus on how natural gas transmission 
operators delineate high-consequence areas and how that data could be 
submitted to the NPMS.
    Much of the data collected through RSPA/OPS annual reports lends 
itself to geospatial representation and could be submitted to RSPA/OPS 
through the NPMS. The meeting will address allowing pipeline operators 
the option of submitting certain annual report data elements as an NPMS 
submission in the future.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60102, 60109, 60117.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2003.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 03-10690 Filed 4-30-03; 8:45 am]
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