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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No.

2 / Wednesday, January 4, 2006 / Proposed Rules 309

decisions. The revised plan may Civil Justice Reform regulations in effect before November 9,
designate major rights-of-way corridors This proposed rule has been reviewed 2000.
for utility transmission lines, pipelines, under Executive Order 12988, Civil * * * * *
and water canals. The effects of such Justice Reform. The agency has not Dated: December 16, 2005.
designations on energy supply, identified any State or local laws or Dale N. Bosworth,
distribution, or use will be considered at regulations that are in conflict with this
the time such designations are Chief, USDA Forest Service.
regulation or that would impede full [FR Doc. E5–8245 Filed 1–3–06; 8:45 am]
proposed. implementation of this rule.
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Nevertheless, in the event that such a
Public conflict was identified, the proposed
rule, if implemented, would preempt
This proposed rule does not contain the State or local laws or regulations CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD
any additional record keeping or found to be in conflict. However, in that INVESTIGATION BOARD
reporting requirements or other case, (1) no retroactive effect would be 40 CFR Part 1604
information collection requirements as given to this proposed rule; and (2) the
defined in 5 CFR part 1320 that are not Department would not require the Accident Investigation Initiation Notice
already required by law or not already parties to use administrative and Order To Preserve Evidence
approved for use and, therefore, proceedings before parties may file suit
imposes no additional paperwork in court challenging its provisions. AGENCY: Chemical Safety and Hazard
burden on the public. Accordingly, the Investigation Board.
Unfunded Mandates ACTION: Proposed rule.
review provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. SUMMARY: The Chemical Safety and
et seq.) and its implementing
1531–1538), which the President signed Hazard Investigation Board (CSB)
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 do not
into law on March 22, 1995, the agency proposes the adoption of the following
apply.
has assessed the effects of this proposed regulation that is intended to notify the
Federalism rule on State, local, and Tribal owner and/or operator of a facility that
governments and the private sector. suffers an accidental release as defined
The agency has considered this by the Clean Air Act Amendments of
This rule does not compel the
proposed rule under the requirements of 1990, (also referred to here as a
expenditure of $100 million or more by
Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The chemical ‘‘accident’’ or ‘‘incident’’), that
any State, local, or Tribal governments
agency has made a preliminary the CSB intends to deploy investigators
or anyone in the private sector.
assessment that the rule conforms with to its facility, and that relevant evidence
Therefore, a statement under section
the federalism principles set out in this must be preserved. Under this
202 of the act is not required.
Executive orders; would not impose any regulation, site control would remain
compliance costs on the States; and List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 219 the responsibility of the owner and/or
would not have substantial direct effects Administrative practice and operator of the affected facility.
on the States, on the relationship procedure, Environmental impact However, owners/operators are required
between the national government and statements, Indians, Intergovernmental by this regulation to exercise care to
the States, or on the distribution of relations, Forest and forest products, ensure that the accident scene and
power and responsibilities among the National forests, Natural resources, relevant evidence found therein is
various levels of government. Based on Reporting and recordkeeping adequately protected from alteration.
comments received on this proposed requirements, Science and technology. DATES: Written comments must be
rule, the agency will determine if any Therefore, for the reasons set forth in received on or before February 3, 2005.
additional consultation will be needed the preamble, the Forest Service ADDRESSES: You may submit written
with State and local governments prior proposes to amend subpart A of part 219 comments concerning this proposed
to adopting a final rule. of title 36 of the Code of Federal rule, by the following method:
Consultation With Tribal Governments Regulations as follows: • Mail/Express delivery service:
Chemical Safety and Hazard
This proposed rule does not have PART 219—PLANNING Investigation Board, Office of General
tribal implications as defined in Counsel, Attn: Christopher Warner,
Executive Order 13175, Consultation Subpart A—National Forest System 2175 K Street, NW., Suite 650,
and Coordination with Indian Tribal Land Management Planning Washington, DC 20037.
Governments, and, therefore, advance 1. The authority citation for subpart A FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
consultation with tribes is not required. continues to read as follows: Christopher Warner, 202–261–7600.
No Takings Implications Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 1604, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preserving
1613. physical evidence at an accident scene
This proposed rule has been analyzed 2. Amend § 219.14 by revising is an important component in all
in accordance with the principles and paragraph (d)(1) to read as follows: manner of investigations. In a chemical
criteria contained in Executive Order accident investigation, securing an
12630, and it has been determined that § 219.14 Effective dates and transition. accident scene and preserving the
the rule does not pose the risk of a * * * * * integrity of the evidence contained
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taking of private property. This (d)(1) Plan development and plan therein is critical, especially where
proposed rule only allows the Tongass revisions initiated after January 5, 2005 significant explosions or fires have
National Forest to use either the existing must conform to the requirements of destroyed some or much of the relevant
planning regulations or the regulations this subpart, except that the plan for the physical evidence at the accident site.
in effect before November 9, 2000 for its Tongass National Forest may be revised According to one good-practice
next plan revision. once under this subpart or the planning guideline on chemical accident

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310 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 4, 2006 / Proposed Rules

investigation, securing the scene in with all federal, state, or local laws. Such issues are worked out on a case-
order to preserve evidence is the first Last, the Notice shall specifically inform by-case basis with interested parties.
priority of an investigator after all first the owner/operator of its legal The CSB, therefore, proposes the
responder responsibilities are met (i.e., obligation to preserve the accident site, following rule to address critical issues
to rescue victims and provide them with to the maximum extent possible, in its surrounding evidence preservation in
medical treatment, stabilize and secure original, post-accident state, and to order that CSB investigators have the
the accident scene, and address preserve any evidence at the site that is fullest possible opportunity to
imminent environmental concerns in or might reasonably be relevant to the determine the causes of chemical
accordance with controlling law). See, CSB’s investigation. accidents to which they are deployed.
generally, Guidelines for Investigating The CSB recognizes that emergency The CSB invites comments on these
Chemical Process Incidents, Center for response and mitigation activities will proposed regulations.
Chemical Process Safety of the take precedence over the preservation of
evidence and anticipates that most Regulatory Impact
American Institute of Chemical
Engineers, pp. 108–109, 115–122 (2nd emergency response activities will be Regulatory Flexibility Act
ed. 2003), available in bookstores, concluded prior to the issuance of a The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
libraries, and directly from CCPS at 3 Notice under this rule. This rule is not U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires that a rule
Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, or intended to interfere in any manner that has a significant economic impact
http://www.aiche.org/ccps. with critical first response activities— on a substantial number of small
The CSB’s enabling statute provides the rescue of victims and necessary entities, small businesses, or small
the CSB with broad authority to steps to address immediate public organizations must include an initial
establish any regulations needed to meet health and environmental concerns in regulatory flexibility analysis describing
the requirements of its investigative accordance with controlling law. The the regulation’s impact on such small
mission. Specifically, the Board is rule defines such emergency response entities. This analysis need not be
authorized to establish such procedural activities as ‘‘qualifying emergencies.’’ undertaken if the agency has certified
and administrative rules as are In the event that an owner/operator that the regulation will not have a
necessary to the exercise of its functions anticipates changing or modifying the significant economic impact on a
and duties. In addition to this broad site or any evidence following the substantial number of small entities. 5
statutory authority, the legislative issuance of a Notice, the owner/operator U.S.C. 605(b). The CSB has considered
history accompanying the CSB’s would be required to contact the CSB the impact of this proposed rule under
enabling statute lists ‘‘five enumerated and, if advance notice to the CSB is not the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The
duties’’ for the Board, the third of which possible, to document the condition of CSB’s General Counsel, Christopher W.
includes the duty to establish measures the site. Warner, certifies that this final rule will
to preserve evidence which may The CSB is aware that there may be not have a significant economic impact
substantiate the cause or probable cause multiple Federal, state, and local on a substantial number of small
of an accident. Pertinent legislative agencies responding to an incident and entities.
history also provides that Board each agency will have specific
regulations shall provide for the authorities and responsibilities. The Paperwork Reduction Act
preservation of evidence at the site of regulation specifically states that it We reviewed this rule to determine
the accident so that the Board may ‘‘shall not be interpreted to abrogate or whether it invokes issues that would
properly conduct an investigation to supersede any other Federal, State, or subject it to the Paperwork Reduction
determine the cause or probable cause local agencies’ ability to provide Act (PRA). While the PRA applies to
when its representatives arrive at the emergency response or to perform their agencies and collections of information
site of the accident. Moreover, Congress duties arising under law.’’ conducted or sponsored by the CSB, the
specifically intended that the CSB be The CSB coordinates its field Act, 44 U.S.C. 3518(c), exempts
empowered to regulate the activities of investigative activities with other collections of information that occur
other parties during accident parties in accordance with the National ‘‘during the conduct of * * * an
investigations undertaken by the CSB. Incident Management System and administrative action, investigation, or
Through this proposed regulation, the through memoranda of understanding audit involving an agency against
CSB intends to establish the means by with specific agencies. The CSB has specific individuals or entities,’’ except
which it will preserve accident scenes/ Memoranda of Understanding with for investigations or audits ‘‘undertaken
sites, and the evidence within those ATF, OSHA, EPA, NIST, and the NTSB with reference to a category of
sites. The CSB proposes a procedure by which set out procedures for dealing individual or entities such as a class of
which it may issue a written ‘‘Notice of with site specific issues. The CSB also licensees or an entire industry.’’ The
Accident Investigation Initiation and works with owners/operators and other rule adopted below comes squarely
Order to Preserve Evidence.’’ The Notice governmental responders to enter into within this exemption, as it deals
shall identify the CSB’s Investigator-in- site-specific evidence preservation entirely with administrative
Charge (IIC), provide contact agreements. Where such voluntary investigations and actions involving
information, and an official agreements can be entered into quickly specific individuals or entities.
investigation number. The Notice shall and in a manner that does not Therefore, we have determined that the
also specify that the owner/operator compromise the CSB’s investigation, a PRA does not apply to this rule.
continues to be responsible for the Notice under this rule may not be
security and protection of its own site, necessary, or if one is issued, it may be Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
including any real or personal property rescinded upon execution of such an 1995
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located therein, and that the owner/ agreement. This proposed rule does not require
operator continues to be responsible for This regulation does not address the preparation of an assessment
the protection of the life, health, and specific issues that may arise between statement in accordance with the
safety of its employees or any other Federal, State, and local agencies Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
people affected by the accident under regarding custody of or testing of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1531. This rule does not
investigation, as well as compliance evidence in specific investigations. include a Federal mandate that may

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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 4, 2006 / Proposed Rules 311

result in the annual expenditure by Preliminary Assessment Team refers any personnel working for or on behalf
State, local, and tribal governments, in to one or more CSB personnel, in the of the owner/operator. It also includes
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of possession of appropriate credentials taking reasonable steps to protect any
more than the annual threshold and a Notice of Inspection Authority, such evidence from third party
established by the Act ($123 million in and led by a designated IIC, that has intervention through appropriate
2005, adjusted annually for inflation). been tasked by the CSB to make a security and/or other site control
preliminary factual analysis of an measures. The ‘‘relevant evidence’’
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 1604 accidental release in order that the CSB portion of this definition includes any
Administrative practice and can make an informed decision as to structures, artifacts, machine(s),
procedure, Investigations. whether or not the CSB will undertake device(s), apparatus(es), process(es),
Dated: December 27, 2005.
an investigation of an incident. control(s), equipment, sample(s),
Qualifying emergency refers to substance(s), and/or any other physical
Raymond C. Porfiri,
genuine emergency situations or objects or documents that a reasonable
Deputy General Counsel. circumstances that include: person would believe might help
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth (1) Removing persons injured or establish the cause or causes of the
in the preamble, the Chemical Safety trapped and obtaining for them needed accident under investigation. This
and Hazard Investigation Board medical attention or removing the obligation necessarily includes but is
proposes to add a new 40 CFR part 1604 remains of deceased persons; not limited to the notification
to read as follows: (2) Extinguishing fires; requirements in § 1604.3(g).
(3) Stabilizing an accident scene to
the extent necessary to protect the § 1604.3 Procedures.
PART 1604—NOTICE OF ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION INITIATION AND facility from further imminent damage; (a) After a decision has been made by
ORDER TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE (3) Protecting workers or the public the CSB to deploy investigators to the
from additional releases or other site or scene of an accidental release, the
Sec. potential source(s) of injury; CSB IIC designated to lead any type of
1604.1 Purpose and Scope of Regulations. (4) Complying with any Federal, CSB team at a particular accident scene
1604.2 Definitions. State, or local environmental laws may issue a Notice of Accident
1604.3 Procedures. requiring an immediate response Investigation Initiation and Order to
1604.4 Enforcement. (including but not limited to immediate Preserve to the owner and/or operator of
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7412(r)(6)(N). accident reporting, clean up of any the facility that suffered the accident.
pollutants or hazardous substances, Such a notice shall be issued whenever
§ 1604.1 Purpose and Scope of
Regulations.
mitigation, etc.); and an IIC has determined that physical
(5) Taking any other actions required evidence at the site is in danger of being
The purpose of this regulation is to to meet the lawful obligations imposed removed, altered, or tampered with. The
provide for the preservation of evidence by any other Federal, State, or local Notice shall identify the IIC by name,
at the site of an accidental release so laws. and it shall also provide appropriate
that the Chemical Safety and Hazard Preserve an accident site or scene contact information, an official
Investigation Board (CSB) may conduct refers to the obligation of a facility investigation number, and an estimate
a full investigation to determine the owner and/or operator to maintain and of when CSB personnel will arrive at the
cause or probable cause of a release. keep intact the status quo with respect scene, if they have not already arrived.
This regulation applies only to an to the site (or scene) of an accidental The Notice shall also specify that the
accidental release to which the CSB release, including but not limited to the owner/operator continues to be
deploys or intends to deploy part of the facility in which a chemical responsible for the security and
investigators as part of a Field accident occurred, as well as the area protection of its own site, and any real
Investigation Team or Preliminary immediately adjacent to the site of the or personal property located therein,
Assessment Team, and only where the accident. The ‘‘accident site or scene’’ and that nothing in this regulation or
owner and/or operator of the facility portion of this definition must any subsequent site control agreement
that suffered an accidental release necessarily be flexible, and is to be that might be entered into relieves the
receives a ‘‘Notice of Accident determined based on an analysis of the owner/operator of its obligations under
Investigation Initiation and Order to totality of the circumstances. An law to protect the life, health, and safety
Preserve Evidence,’’ as outlined in this accident site or scene could therefore be of its employees or any other people
rule. small, such as an accident that occurred affected by the accident under
indoors and is limited to a single room. investigation, or any of its other
§ 1604.2 Definitions.
Conversely, an accident site or scene obligations under any other federal,
Accidental Release refers to an could be quite large, such as when state, or local law.
unanticipated emission of a substance debris and other relevant evidence is (b) In the same Notice, the IIC shall
regulated under 42 U.S.C. 7412, or other scattered over a wide area following an further inform the owner and/or
extremely hazardous substance into the explosion. This obligation necessarily operator that the owner/operator is
ambient air from a stationary source includes but is not limited to the required to preserve the accident site or
resulting in a fatality, serious injury, or notification requirements in § 1604.3(g). scene, and that the owner/operator must
substantial property damages. Protect any relevant evidence refers to protect any relevant evidence therein
Field Investigation Team refers to one the obligation of a facility owner and/or which may assist the CSB in
or more CSB personnel, in the operator to ensure that any evidence determining the cause or causes of the
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possession of appropriate credentials within an accident site or scene is not accidental release, subject to the
and a Notice of Inspection Authority, tampered with, moved, or in any other provisions of paragraphs (c) and (d) of
and led by a designated CSB way altered or changed, and the status this section. Special attention should be
Investigator-in-Charge (IIC), who has and integrity of the evidence is given to preserve records; files; papers;
been authorized by the CSB to protected from post-accident human electronic records; processes; controls;
investigate an accidental release. intervention. This obligation extends to facilities; and samples of substances,

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312 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 4, 2006 / Proposed Rules

physical objects, or any documents notice could not be provided to the CSB evidence under this rule is incompatible
believed to be involved in the accident, prior to altering the evidence/site; (2) a with the lawful demands of other
or in any way relevant to the accident complete description of all actions governmental responders, the owner/
and/or the CSB investigation. With taken, and by whom, to rectify the operator must provide notice to the CSB
respect to records of any type, the emergency; (3) a chronological timeline under paragraph (d) of this section prior
Notice shall specify that an owner/ of events that includes all actions from to altering the scene so that the CSB
operator is required to preserve relevant the original accidental release through may attempt to resolve the issue, or if
records that may be stored at a different the termination of responsive activities advance notice is not possible,
location. The Notice will also indicate required by the qualifying emergency; document the condition of the site as
that such items shall also be made and (4) photographic or video evidence, provided under paragraph (e) of this
readily available to CSB personnel at the and any other documentation (i.e., section.
first reasonable opportunity. descriptive notes, sketches, or other
(c) Upon receipt of a Notice of such documentation) indicating the § 1604.4 Enforcement.
Accident Investigation Initiation and original position and condition of any Upon a written showing by the IIC
Order to Preserve signed by a CSB IIC, evidence which had to be moved or that relevant evidence may be altered or
an owner and/or operator must altered, as well as any changes to the destroyed, the IIC may, with the
acknowledge receipt in writing and post accident site itself. concurrence of the General Counsel,
a copy of the Notice of Accident (f) A Notice of Accident Investigation immediately issue a subpoena for such
Investigation Initiation and Order to Initiation and Order to Preserve shall evidence to the owner/operator of the
Preserve in a conspicuous place such as remain in effect until the owner and/or facility. If a person disobeys a subpoena
in the immediate area of, adjacent to, or operator of the facility in question issued by the IIC under this section, the
at the entrance to, the machine(s), receives written notice from the IIC or Attorney General, acting on behalf of the
device(s), apparatus(es), process(es), other CSB official designated by the CSB, may bring a civil action in a
control(s), equipment, sample(s), or Chairperson that the original Order to district court of the United States to
substance(s) and any other physical Preserve has been rescinded. A signed enforce the subpoena. Instances of any
objects or documents that are believed site control agreement does not negate knowing failure to comply with these
to be relevant in determining the or otherwise nullify a previously issued regulations and/or the express terms
cause(s) of the accident. An owner/ Notice of Accident Investigation contained in any Notice sent out
operator should post additional copies Initiation and Order to Preserve unless pursuant to these regulations may also
of the notice at different areas of the such agreement contains a specific be referred to the U.S. Department of
scene if that would aid site preservation. provision rescinding that Order. Justice, a local United States Attorney,
In addition, the owner and/or operator (g) This regulation shall not be or any State’s Attorney General, for
must comply with the Order to the interpreted to mean that the CSB is investigation and possible enforcement
maximum extent possible, and must authorized to bar any party from under applicable Federal or State law.
refrain from any activity that would entering an accident site to pursue their [FR Doc. E5–8239 Filed 1–3–06; 8:45 am]
affect the accident scene/site, or own independent investigation when
BILLING CODE 6350–01–P
potential evidence contained therein, that party is authorized by relevant law
except to the extent necessary to to enter the site and conduct an
respond to a qualifying emergency as investigation. However, owners and/or
operators of facilities that have suffered FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
defined in § 1604.2.
(d) When it appears it will become an accidental release, upon receipt of a COMMISSION
necessary to disturb an accident scene/ CSB Notice of Accident Investigation 47 CFR Part 73
site or any evidence contained therein Initiation and Order to Preserve, shall
in any way prior to the arrival of CSB ensure that its employees, its [DA 05–3209, Docket No. 02–106, RM–10416
personnel due to the existence of a contractors, and any third parties that and Docket No. 02–108, RM–10418]
qualifying emergency, the owner or might seek access to the owner’s and/or
Radio Broadcasting Services;
operator of the facility shall notify the operator’s property, wherever it may be
Harrisville and Presque Isle, MI
CSB as soon as possible of the existence located, have been provided a copy of
of a qualifying emergency and allow the the Notice of Accident Investigation AGENCY: Federal Communications
CSB the opportunity to: (1) Comment on Initiation and Order to Preserve. Commission.
the nature and extent of proposed (h) This regulation shall not be ACTION: Proposed rule, dismissal.
alteration to the evidence or scene/site; interpreted to abrogate or supersede the
(2) attempt to document the evidence/ designation of the National SUMMARY: This document dismisses at
site through appropriate means, as Transportation Safety Board as the lead the request of Petitioner Northern Paul
quickly as possible, including through agency with respect to chemical Bunyan Radio Company its pending
the use of a third party; or (3) seek other accidents in the transportation sector, petitions for rulemaking to allot
appropriate actions, including but not pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. Channel 227A at Presque Isle, Michigan
limited to an emergency court order in (i) This regulation shall not be in MB Docket No. 02–106, RM–10416
federal court to prohibit the proposed interpreted to abrogate or supersede any and to allot Channel 226A at Harrisville,
alteration to the evidence/site. other Federal, State, or local agencies’ Michigan in MB Docket No. 02–108,
(e) If advance notice to the CSB is not ability to provide emergency response RM–10418. See 67 FR 39933, published
possible under the circumstances prior or to perform their duties arising under June 11, 2002. This document also
to the alteration of the accident site or law. In most instances, the actions taken dismisses a counterproposal filed by
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evidence due to existence of a by emergency responders should not Northern Michigan Radio, Inc. which
qualifying emergency, post-action conflict with the requirement to proposes inter alia to reallot Channel
written notice must be given to the CSB preserve relevant evidence. In the event 223C1 from Atlanta, Michigan to
as soon as possible after the alteration, that the owner and/or operator of a Vanderbilt, Michigan, and conflicts with
which must include the following: (1) A facility determines that preserving an both the proposals for Presque Isle and
complete explanation as to why advance accident scene or protecting relevant Harrisville. The counterproposal is

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