[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 143 (Monday, July 27, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 40151-40152] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-19915] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Environmental Impact Statement: FRA Regulation of the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Nationwide (FRA Docket No. RSGC-7) AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Extension of Comment Period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the comment period for identifying the scope of FRA's planned environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposed regulation related to the use of locomotive horns at highway-rail grade crossings is extended to August 7, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Valenstein, Environmental Specialist, Office of Railroad Development, Federal Railroad Administration (RDV 13), 400 Seventh Street, SW (Mail Stop 20), Washington, D.C. 20590, (telephone 202-493-6368). SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Background On May 26, 1998, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed regulation of the use of locomotive horns at rail-highway grade crossings, as required by Section 20153 to title 49 United States Code, (63 Fed. Reg. 28549). Comments on the scope of the environmental document were requested by June 19, 1998. The FRA is extending the period in which comments will be accepted to August 7, 1998. Scoping and Comments Comments and suggestions are invited from all interested agencies and the public at large to insure the full range of issues related to the proposed action and all reasonable alternatives are addressed and all significant issues are identified. In particular, FRA is interested in determining whether there are any other reasonable alternatives consistent with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 20153 and whether there are other areas of environmental concern where there might be the potential for significant impacts, either adverse or favorable, as a result of promulgating the proposed rule. Persons interested in providing comments on the scope of this environmental document should do so by August 7, 1998. Comments can be [[Page 40152]] sent in writing to Mr. David Valenstein at the address identified above. Comments can also be sent via the Internet at: [email protected] The Remaining Environmental Review Process Comments received on the scope and methodology to be used in preparation of the EIS will be reviewed by FRA to develop the final scope of the environmental review. A draft EIS will be made available to the public for comment, presently scheduled for the late fall 1998. It is FRA's intention that the comment period for the draft EIS will occur during the comment period associated with the proposed rule so that interested agencies and the public can combine their comments and that the environmental issues can be fully considered as FRA develops the final rule. After reviewing comments on the draft EIS, FRA will prepare a final EIS that addresses these comments and incorporates any additional analyses and material deemed necessary. The final EIS will be made available for public review for not less than 30 days before FRA takes any final action on the proposed rule. Internet This notice and all subsequent documents prepared as part of this environmental review will be available in the environmental pages of the FRA internet website, located at: http://www.fra.dot.gov Issued in Washington, D.C. on: July 21, 1998. James T. McQueen, Assistant Administrator for Railroad Development. [FR Doc. 98-19915 Filed 7-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P