[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 237 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 65849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29517]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Ex Parte No. 526 (Sub-No. 1)]


Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council 
Vacancy

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of vacancy on the Railroad-Shipper Transportation 
Advisory Council (RSTAC) and solicitation of nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice 
of one vacancy on RSTAC: a representative of a Class II or III 
railroad. The Board is soliciting suggestions for candidates to fill 
this vacancy.

DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RSTAC are due on 
January 11, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Suggestions may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing 
format or in the traditional paper format. Any person using e-filing 
should attach a document and otherwise comply with the instructions at 
the E-FILING link on the Board's Web site, at http://www.stb.dot.gov. 
Any person submitting a filing in the traditional paper format should 
send an original and 10 copies to: Surface Transportation Board, Attn: 
STB Ex Parte No. 526 (Sub-No. 1), 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Brian O'Boyle at 202-245-0536. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, created by Congress in 1996 to 
take over many of the functions previously performed by the Interstate 
Commerce Commission, exercises broad authority over transportation by 
rail carriers, including regulation of railroad rates and service (49 
U.S.C. 10701-10747, 11101-11124), as well as the construction, 
acquisition, operation, and abandonment of rail lines (49 U.S.C. 10901-
10907) and railroad line sales, consolidations, mergers, and common 
control arrangements (49 U.S.C. 10902, 11323-11327).
    RSTAC was established upon the enactment of the ICC Termination Act 
of 1995 (ICCTA), on December 29, 1995, to advise the Board's Chairman, 
the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, with respect to 
rail transportation policy issues that RSTAC considers significant. 
RSTAC focuses on issues of importance to small shippers and small 
railroads, including car supply, rates, competition, and procedures for 
addressing claims. ICCTA directs RSTAC to develop private-sector 
mechanisms to prevent, or identify and address, obstacles to the most 
effective and efficient transportation system practicable. The 
Secretary of Transportation and the members of the Board cooperate with 
RSTAC in providing research, technical, and other reasonable support. 
RSTAC also prepares an annual report concerning its activities and 
recommendations on whatever regulatory or legislative relief it 
considers appropriate. RSTAC is not subject to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.
    RSTAC consists of 19 members. Of this number, 15 members are 
appointed by the Chairman of the Board, and the remaining four members 
are the Secretary of Transportation and the Members of the Board, who 
serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of RSTAC. Of the 15 members to 
be appointed, nine members are voting members and are appointed from 
senior executive officers of organizations engaged in the railroad and 
rail shipping industries. At least four of the voting members must be 
representatives of small shippers as determined by the Chairman, and at 
least four of the voting members must be representatives of Class II or 
III railroads. The remaining six members to be appointed--three 
representing Class I railroads and three representing large shipper 
organizations--serve in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, but are 
entitled to participate in RSTAC deliberations.
    RSTAC is required by statute to meet at least semi-annually, and 
has chosen to meet four times in 2010, with the first meeting 
tentatively scheduled in February 2010. Meetings are generally held at 
the Board's headquarters in Washington, DC, although some may be held 
in other locations.
    The members of RSTAC receive no compensation for their services. 
RSTAC members are required to provide for the expenses incidental to 
their service, including travel expenses, as the Board cannot provide 
for these expenses. The RSTAC Chairman, however, may request funding 
from the Department of Transportation to cover travel expenses, subject 
to certain restrictions in ICCTA. RSTAC also may solicit and use 
private funding for its activities, again subject to certain 
restrictions in ICCTA. RSTAC members presently have elected to submit 
annual dues to pay for RSTAC expenses.
    RSTAC members must be citizens of the United States and represent 
as broadly as practicable the various segments of the railroad and rail 
shipper industries. They may not be full-time employees of the United 
States. The members of RSTAC are appointed for a term of 3 years. A 
member may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a 
successor has taken office. No member will be eligible to serve in 
excess of two consecutive terms.
    One vacancy currently exists for a 3-year term for a representative 
of a Class II or III railroad, beginning immediately upon appointment 
by the Chairman and ending on December 31, 2012. Suggestions for a 
member to fill this vacancy should be submitted in letter form, 
identifying the name of the candidate and a representation that the 
candidate is willing to serve a three-year term as a member of the 
RSTAC beginning in the Winter of 2010. Suggestions for a candidate for 
membership on RSTAC should be filed with the Board by January 11, 2010.
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 726.

    Decided: December 7, 2009.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. E9-29517 Filed 12-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P