[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 245 (Friday, December 19, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 77531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30156]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

49 CFR Parts 1520 and 1580

[Docket No. TSA-2006-26514; Amendment nos. 1520-6, 1580-1]
RIN 1652-AA51


Rail Transportation Security

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extends the 
December 26, 2008 effective date of one section of the final rule 
entitled ``Rail Transportation Security,'' published in the Federal 
Register on November 26, 2008, 73 FR 72131, until April 1, 2009. This 
extension of the effective date is to afford affected freight railroad 
carriers, rail hazardous materials shippers, and rail hazardous 
materials receivers additional time to conduct training and implement 
procedures to come into compliance with the chain of custody and 
control requirements of the rule.

DATES: The effective date of 49 CFR 1580.107 of the final rule 
published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2008, at 73 FR 72131 
is delayed until April 1, 2009. The effective date of the amendment to 
49 CFR part 1520 and the effective date of all other sections of 49 CFR 
part 1580 remains December 26, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions related to freight rail 
security: Scott Gorton, Transportation Sector Network Management, 
Freight Rail Security, TSA-28, Transportation Security Administration, 
601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6028; telephone (571) 227-
1251; facsimile (571) 227-1923; e-mail [email protected].
    For questions related to passenger rail security: Morvarid 
Zolghadr, Mass Transit and Passenger Rail Security, TSA-28, 
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6028; telephone (571) 227-2957; e-mail 
[email protected].
    For questions related to SSI: Andrew E. Colsky, Office of the 
Special Counselor, SSI Office, TSA-31, Transportation Security 
Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6031; 
telephone (571) 227-3513; facsimile (571) 227-2945; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 26, 2008, TSA issued its Rail 
Transportation Security rule. 73 FR 72130. The effective date to comply 
with all provisions of the final rule was December 26, 2008.
    The final rule on rail transportation security included a section 
to require a secure chain of physical custody for rail cars containing 
one or more rail security-sensitive materials. See 49 CFR 1580.107. On 
December 11, 2008, the Association of American Railroads and its member 
freight railroads requested that TSA delay the effective date of this 
provision. They presented information indicating that the initial 30-
day period for compliance did not afford sufficient time for railroad 
carriers to implement procedures and train their workforce to meet the 
new regulatory requirement.
    TSA recognizes that the affected regulated parties would have 
significant difficulty in complying with the chain of custody and 
control requirements in the time specified, and has decided to extend 
the effective date for compliance with 49 CFR 1580.107 to April 1, 
2009.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on December 15, 2008.
John Sammon,
Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8-30156 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
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