
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9117-9121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04029]



[[Page 9117]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 372

[Docket No FMCSA-2015-0372]
RIN 2126-AB86


Commercial Zones at International Border With Mexico

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; interim final rule and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA issues a final rule establishing the New Mexico 
Commercial Zone in Dona Ana County and Luna County, NM. This action is 
required by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-
21). The Agency also issues an interim final rule establishing an 
expanded commercial zone for the City of El Paso, TX, which now 
includes the new Tornillo-Guadalupe international bridge and port of 
entry on the border with Mexico. Additionally, through this action, 
FMCSA provides clarification on the definition of the San Luis, AZ 
commercial zone. The Agency is interested in receiving public comments 
regarding what should constitute the eastern boundary for the FMCSA's 
commercial zone for the City of El Paso, TX, that would include the new 
Tornillo-Guadalupe international bridge, port of entry, and public 
access roads O.T. Smith Road and Texas Farm-to-Market Road 3380 (M.F. 
Aguilera Highway) to Interstate Highway 10.

DATES: Effective Date: The additions of 49 CFR 372.245 (final rule) and 
372.247 (interim final rule) are both effective on February 24, 2016.
    Comment Period Date: Comments only on the amendments to Sec.  
372.247 (interim final rule), related to the City of El Paso, TX's 
commercial zone, must be received on or before March 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System Docket ID [FMCSA-2015-0372] using any of the 
following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 0590-0001.
    Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number 
for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without 
change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit Room W12-140 
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The online Federal document management system 
is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want 
acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement 
page that appears after submitting comments online.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the 
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Price, Chief, North American 
Borders Division, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590-0001. Telephone (202) 680-4831; email bryan.price@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Legal Basis

    The statutes authorizing FMCSA to regulate certain economic 
activities of motor carriers provide for several exemptions. One of 
them, the ``commercial zone'' exemption, now set out in 49 U.S.C. 
13506(b)(1), provides that, except to the extent FMCSA finds it 
necessary to exercise jurisdiction to carry out the transportation 
policy of 49 U.S.C. 13101, FMCSA has no jurisdiction under 49 U.S.C. 
subtitle IV, part B\1\ over transportation provided entirely in a 
municipality, in contiguous municipalities, or in a zone that is 
adjacent to, and commercially a part of, the municipality or 
municipalities, except when the transportation is under common control, 
management, or arrangement for a continuous carriage or shipment to or 
from a place outside the municipality, municipalities, or zone. The 
statute does not specify the geographic limits of a commercial zone. 
From the outset commercial zone limits have usually been established by 
agency rulemaking under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 13301(a). 
Authority to administer the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 13506 has been 
delegated by the Secretary to the Administrator of FMCSA. 49 CFR 
1.87(a)(3).
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    \1\ This commercial zone exemption thus applies only to 
commercial regulations applicable to motor carriers, such as the 
requirements for operating authority set out in 49 U.S.C. 13901-
13904 and 49 CFR parts 365, and 390. Mexico-domiciled motor carriers 
operating in commercial zones at the international border are 
required to obtain certificates of registration under 49 U.S.C. 
13902(c) and 49 CFR part 368. At one time, motor carrier operations 
in commercial zones were exempt from most safety regulations, but 
since 1989, such operations have been subject to all of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, with one very limited exception 
for certain drivers. 49 U.S.C. 31136(f), Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations; General, 53 FR 18042, 18044-49 (May 19, 1988) 
and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; General; Exempt 
Intracity Zone; Foreign Motor Carriers, 54 FR 12200 (Mar. 24, 1989).
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    Although the promulgation of a rule to establish a commercial zone 
would ordinarily involve the issuance of a notice of proposed 
rulemaking and an opportunity for public comment, the Administrative 
Procedure Act does permit their omission for good cause, when ``notice 
and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or 
contrary to the public interest.'' 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). In addition, a 
final rule that is ``a substantive rule which grants or recognizes an 
exemption'' may be made effective on less than the 30 days' notice that 
is usually required. 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
    The establishment of the New Mexico Commercial Zone changes is a 
nondiscretionary ministerial action that can be taken without issuing a 
notice of proposed rulemaking and receiving public comment, in 
accordance with the good cause exception available to Federal agencies 
under the Administrative Procedure Act.
    Due to the imminent opening of the Tornillo-Guadalupe port of entry 
to commercial traffic to and from Mexico, it is critical that motor 
carriers, drivers, and law enforcement recognize the expanded 
commercial zone for the City of El Paso. However, the Agency is still 
interested in receiving public comments related to establishing 
boundaries specific to this commercial zone. Therefore, this second 
action is published as an interim final rule also in accordance with 
the good cause exception available to Federal agencies under the 
Administrative Procedure Act.

[[Page 9118]]

Background

    In the 1930s, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) established 
commercial zones under authority of the Motor Carrier Act of 1935.\2\ 
Originally, the ICC defined commercial zones on a case-by-case basis. 
According to a June 26, 1978, report by the U.S. General Accounting 
Office titled, ``ICC's Expansion of Unregulated Motor Carrier 
Commercial Zones Has Had Little or No Effect on Carriers and Shippers, 
CED-78-124'',\3\ the ICC established a population-mileage formula by 
rule in 1946,\4\ with the idea that population and mileage ``provided a 
reasonably accurate definition of commercial zones because urban 
development normally expands in all directions from the central city.'' 
Those general rules, which were revised by the ICC in 1976,\5\ are now 
found at 49 CFR 372.239, 372.241 and 372.243. The ICC also allowed 
municipalities ``to request specifically defined zones if [the 
municipalities] believed the territory included by the population-
mileage formula was too small.'' A number of such specifically defined 
commercial zones are established in 49 CFR part 372.
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    \2\ For example, see 2 FR 2498, Nov. 18, 1937, ``Los Angeles, 
Calif. Commercial Zone'' decision, and 2 FR 2500, Nov. 18, 1937, 
``Order Relative to Los Angeles, Calif. Commercial Zone.''
    \3\ See http://www.gao.gov/assets/130/123259.pdf.
    \4\ 11 FR 14693, Dec. 27, 1946.
    \5\ 41 FR 56652, Dec. 29, 1976.
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    When the ICC was dissolved (ICC Termination Act of 1995, Public Law 
104-88, 109 Stat. 803, (December 29, 1995)), its remaining authorities 
to regulate motor carrier transportation were transferred to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as 
the successor agency. Responsibility for administration of these 
authorities was later transferred to FMCSA in the Motor Carrier Safety 
Improvement Act of 1999, Public Law 106-159, 113 Stat. 1748 (Dec. 9, 
1999).

New Mexico Commercial Zone

    Section 4031 of Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, 
Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 419 (June 9, 1998) (TEA-21) provided for 
the designation of a New Mexico Commercial Zone, comprised of two 
counties in New Mexico: Dona Ana County and Luna County. The new zone 
is limited to use by motor carriers of property. There are two border 
crossings between Mexico and the United States within this commercial 
zone; Santa Teresa, and Columbus, NM. This new commercial zone went 
into effect on the date of enactment of the TEA-21 Act, June 9, 1998. 
However, FHWA did not codify these changes in its regulations at that 
time.
    The responsibilities of the ICC, first transferred to FHWA, were 
subsequently transferred to FMCSA upon its establishment on January 1, 
2000. When FMCSA became aware of the fact that the regulations at 49 
CFR part 372, subpart B--Commercial Zones, were not updated to include 
the New Mexico Commercial Zone comprising these two counties in New 
Mexico, the Agency included the codification of this commercial zone in 
the ``Unified Registration System'' (URS) notice of proposed 
rulemaking.\6\ No comments were received on this issue. However, this 
codification was not included in the Oct. 23, 2013, final rule.\7\ 
Today's final rule corrects that oversight.
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    \6\ 70 FR 28990, at 29052, May 19, 2005.
    \7\ 78 FR 52608.
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    FMCSA finds that there is good cause for omitting notice and an 
opportunity for public comment on the rule codifying the New Mexico 
Commercial Zone. Notice and comment is unnecessary because TEA-21 
established the commercial zone in 1998. In any case, an opportunity 
for public comment was already provided in the URS rulemaking and no 
comments were received.

City of El Paso, TX Commercial Zone

    The County of El Paso submitted a Presidential Permit application 
on April 14, 2003, to the U.S. Department of State for review/approval 
of a replacement port of entry location for the Fabens-Caseta 
International Bridge (connecting Fabens, TX to Caseta, Chihuahua, 
Mexico). The Department of State issued the Presidential Permit on 
March 16, 2005, for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the 
bridge pursuant to Executive Order 11423, ``Delegation of Functions to 
Secretary of State Respecting Certain Facilities Constructed and 
Maintained on United States Borders.'' \8\
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    \8\ 33 FR 11741, Aug. 16, 1968.
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    Presidential Permit 05-01 is titled ``Authorizing the County of El 
Paso, TX, to Construct, Operate, and Maintain an International Bridge, 
Its Approaches and Facilities, at the International Boundary Between 
the United States and Mexico.'' This permit, with conditions, granted 
El Paso County the authority to construct, operate, and maintain an 
international bridge. The permit noted that the name of the bridge was 
proposed as the ``Tornillo-Guadalupe New International Bridge.'' The 
bridge was to be constructed, ``approximately 1,950 feet upstream'' 
from the existing Fabens-Caseta International Bridge. The permit 
specified that, ``[T]he proposed Tornillo International Bridge will 
facilitate passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and pedestrian 
traffic.'' In June 2011, the General Services Administration (GSA) 
announced the kick-off of construction of the new port facility, 
including a six-lane replacement bridge. The scope of this project 
required GSA to secure Congressional approval of the project's 
prospectus.
    The new bridge and port of entry facilities on both sides of the 
international border have been completed and were opened to personally 
owned vehicles and pedestrians on February 4, 2016. The new bridge and 
port of entry facilities are expected to be opened to commercial 
traffic in March 2016.
    The commercial zone of the City of El Paso is currently defined by 
the general provisions of 49 CFR 372.239, 372.241 and 372.243 to 
include the municipality, all municipalities contiguous to the City of 
El Paso, and all other municipalities and all unincorporated areas that 
are adjacent to the City of El Paso including, ``when the base 
municipality has a population of 500,000 but less than 1 million [El 
Paso had a population of 649,121 as of the 2010 census], all 
unincorporated areas within 15 miles of its corporate limits and all of 
any other municipality any part of which is within 15 miles of the 
corporate limits of the base municipality.'' 49 CFR 372.241(c)(6). The 
unincorporated communities of Tornillo, TX, the intersection \9\ of 
Interstate Highway 10 with O.T. Smith Road and Texas Farm-to-Market 
Road 3380 (M.F. Aguilera Highway), as well as the area near the 
location of the new port of entry, are more than 15 miles from the 
closest municipal boundary of the City of El Paso. Those areas are thus 
not included as part of the current El Paso commercial zone.
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    \9\ A map depicting the intersection of Interstate 10 with O.T. 
Smith Road and Farm-to-Market Road 3380 is included in the draft 
EA's Appendix A as Figure 4 at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FMCSA-2015-0372-0001.
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    As a result, FMCSA must establish a commercial zone for the City of 
El Paso that clearly includes the new border crossing, which, unlike 
the current border crossing, will be used by motor carriers of both 
property and passengers. The expanded commercial zone must also include 
the intersection of Interstate 10 with O.T. Smith Road and Texas Farm-
to-Market Road 3380 so that trucks and buses that have FMCSA authority 
to operate only within the current El Paso commercial zone may use the 
new international bridge and

[[Page 9119]]

will be able to drive to and from the intersection of Interstate 10 and 
O.T. Smith Road/Farm-to-Market Road 3380.
    The specific description of the commercial zone for the City of El 
Paso set out below in new 49 CFR 372.247 includes all of the area 
presently within the commercial zone under the general rule in 49 CFR 
372.241. It adds a provision expanding the zone to include all 
unincorporated areas within 15 miles of the corporate boundaries of the 
City of San Elizario. The City of San Elizario (located southeast of 
the City of El Paso) was incorporated on November 18, 2013, under the 
general laws of TX and is thus included within the present commercial 
zone of the City of El Paso because it is within 15 miles of the 
boundary of the City of El Paso. By expanding the zone to include those 
unincorporated areas within 15 miles of the boundaries of San Elizario, 
the new commercial port of entry and the roads and highways providing 
access to the port of entry will be within the commercial zone of the 
City of El Paso. This expanded commercial zone \10\ would add 84 square 
miles to the existing El Paso commercial zone.
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    \10\ A map depicting the expanded commercial zone under the EA's 
alternative 2 is included in the draft EA's Appendix A as Figure 2.
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    FMCSA seeks comment on whether the boundary of the expanded 
commercial zone should instead be the eastern boundary \11\ of the 
County of El Paso (except where the current commercial zone extends 
beyond the eastern county boundary--these areas would still be 
included). This expanded commercial zone alternative would add 106 
square miles to the existing commercial zone, about 22 square miles 
more than the unincorporated areas within 15 miles of the boundaries of 
San Elizario in this interim final rule. Those are areas not included 
in either the current or the expanded commercial zone established by 
this interim final rule.
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    \11\ A map depicting the expanded commercial zone under the EA's 
alternative 3 is included in the draft EA as Figure 3.
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    This change will also provide enforcement personnel with the 
direction needed to determine if motor carriers are operating within 
the proper commercial zone. In view of the imminent opening of the new 
port of entry to commercial motor vehicle traffic, FMCSA is 
establishing this specifically defined commercial zone for the City of 
El Paso as an interim final rule but, as indicated above, with an 
opportunity for public comment before the Agency issues a final rule on 
this commercial zone. FMCSA finds that because of the imminent opening 
of the expanded port of entry to commercial traffic, it would be in the 
public interest to issue this interim final rule.

Effective Date of Final Rules

    The final rule recognizing the statutory creation of the New Mexico 
Commercial Zone and the interim final rule establishing the expanded 
commercial zone for the City of El Paso either recognize or grant an 
exemption, and therefore are made effective upon publication, as 
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1).

City of San Luis, AZ Commercial Zone

    On October 22, 2014, FMCSA received a letter from the Southwest 
Arizona Port User Association (SWAPUA) requesting confirmation that the 
City of Yuma, AZ is included in the commercial zone of San Luis, AZ as 
a ``contiguous municipality'' with the city of San Luis, AZ. The San 
Luis, AZ commercial zone is not one of the named commercial zones in 
Part 372. However, San Luis is a ``municipality'' as defined in Sec.  
372.239. FMCSA confirmed that the City of San Luis and the City of Yuma 
have common boundaries and, therefore, are determined to be contiguous. 
As a result, it is the determination of the FMCSA that the San Luis 
commercial zone extends throughout the City of Yuma (49 CFR 372.241(b)) 
and extends 6 air-miles beyond the corporate boundaries of the 
municipality of San Luis in other areas.
    No amendment to existing regulation is needed to address the 
interpretation requested regarding the Cities of San Luis and Yuma, AZ.

Rulemaking Analyses

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    FMCSA has determined that this action is not a significant 
regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563 (76 FR 3821, Jan. 18, 2011), or 
within the meaning of the DOT regulatory policies and procedures (44 FR 
1103, Feb. 26, 1979). Thus, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
did not review this document. We expect the final rule and the interim 
final rule will have no costs, as they exempt motor carriers from 
obtaining FMCSA operating authority when they operate in interstate or 
foreign commerce wholly within the New Mexico, or El Paso commercial 
zones; therefore, a full regulatory evaluation is unnecessary.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601-612), 
FMCSA is not required to complete a regulatory flexibility analysis, 
because, as discussed earlier in the legal basis section, this action 
is not subject to notice and comment under section 553(b) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act.\12\
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    \12\ 5 U.S.C 553(b).
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Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The final rule and interim final rule will not impose an unfunded 
Federal mandate, as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(2 U.S.C. 1532, et seq.), that will result in the expenditure by State, 
local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $155 million (which is the value of $100 million in 1995 
dollars after adjusting for inflation to 2014 dollars) or more in any 1 
year.

E.O. 13132 (Federalism)

    A rule has implications for Federalism under section 1(a) of 
Executive Order 13132 if it has ``substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between national government and the States, 
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among various 
levels of government.'' FMCSA has determined that this rule will not 
have substantial direct effects on States, nor will it limit the 
policymaking discretion of States. Nothing in this document preempts or 
modifies any provision of State law or regulation, imposes substantial 
direct unreimbursed compliance costs on any State, or diminishes the 
power of any State to enforce its own laws. Accordingly, the final rule 
and the interim final rule do not have Federalism implications 
warranting the application of E.O. 13132.

E.O. 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)

    The regulations implementing E.O. 12372 regarding intergovernmental 
consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this 
final rule and interim final rule.

Indian Tribal Governments

    This final rule and interim final rule do not have tribal 
implications under Executive Order 13175 titled, ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,'' because they would not 
have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the 
relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on 
the distribution of power and

[[Page 9120]]

responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they 
conduct, sponsor, or require through regulations. FMCSA determined that 
no new information collection requirements are associated with this 
final rule and interim final rule, nor are there any revisions to 
existing, approved collections of information.

National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Air Act

    The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) requires Federal agencies to integrate environmental 
values into their decision-making processes by requiring Federal 
agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of their 
proposed actions. In accordance with FMCSA's Order 5610.1, NEPA 
Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental 
Impacts, and other applicable requirements, FMCSA prepared an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the potential impacts of the 
interim final rule for the expansion of the City of El Paso, TX, 
commercial zone. FMCSA published a notice of availability of the draft 
EA, giving the public an opportunity to comment on it, on January 15, 
2016 (81 FR 2291). No comments were received by the end of the comment 
period. Because the implementation of this action will only expand an 
existing commercial zone, FMCSA found that endangered species, cultural 
resources protected under the National Historic Preservation Act, 
wetlands, and resources protected under Section 4(f) of the DOT Act of 
1966, 49 U.S.C. 303, as amended by Public Law 109-59 (Aug. 10, 2005), 
are not impacted. The impact areas that may be affected and were 
evaluated in this EA included air quality, noise, socioeconomics, 
environmental justice, public health and safety, and hazardous 
materials. FMCSA anticipates that expanding the El Paso commercial zone 
will have certain impacts related principally to air emissions and land 
use from economic growth; however, neither of these impacts 
individually or collectively will cause significant impacts. In 
addition, the economic impact will have beneficial impacts to the 
quality of life in terms of job creation.
    A final EA has been prepared and a Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) has been issued for this action. The final EA and FONSI are 
also available for inspection or copying in the Regulations.gov Web 
site at http://www.regulations.gov.
    FMCSA also analyzed this rule under the Clean Air Act, as amended 
(CAA), section 176(c) (42 U.S.C. 7506(c)), and implementing regulations 
promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. None of the 
alternatives considered in the EA is located in a nonattainment or 
maintenance area for any of the criteria pollutants; therefore, FMCSA 
has determined that it is not required to perform a CAA general 
conformity analysis.

E.O. 12898 (Environmental Justice)

    E.O. 12898 (59 FR 7629, Feb. 16, 1994), Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations, establishes Federal executive policy on environmental 
justice. The E.O.'s main provision directs Federal agencies to make 
environmental justice part of their mission by identifying and 
addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human 
health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and 
activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the 
United States. FMCSA evaluated the environmental effects of this final 
rule and interim final rule in accordance with E.O. 12898 and 
determined that there are no environmental justice issues associated 
with its provisions, nor any collective environmental impact resulting 
from its promulgation. None of the alternatives analyzed in the EA will 
result in high and adverse environmental impacts on minority or low-
income populations.

E.O. 13211 (Energy Effects)

    FMCSA has analyzed this final rule and interim final rule under 
Executive Order 13211, titled ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.'' The Agency 
has determined that the rule(s) are not a ``significant energy action'' 
under that Executive Order because it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy. Therefore, no Statement of Energy Effects is required.

E.O. 13045 (Protection of Children)

    Executive Order 13045 titled, ``Protection of Children from 
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, Apr. 23, 
1997), requires agencies issuing ``economically significant'' rules, if 
the regulation also concerns an environmental health or safety risk 
that an agency has reason to believe may disproportionately affect 
children, to include an evaluation of the regulation's environmental 
health and safety effects on children. As discussed previously, the 
final rule and interim final rule are not economically significant. 
Therefore, no analysis of the impacts on children is required.

E.O. 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This action meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of E.O. 12988 titled, ``Civil Justice Reform,'' to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

E.O. 12630 (Taking of Private Property)

    This final rule and interim final rule will not effect a taking of 
private property or otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630 
titled, ``Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally 
Protected Property Rights.''

National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) requires Federal agencies proposing to adopt technical standards 
to consider whether voluntary consensus standards are available. If the 
Agency chooses to adopt its own standards in place of existing 
voluntary consensus standards, it must explain its decision in a 
separate statement to OMB. Because FMCSA does not intend to adopt 
technical standards, there is no need to submit a separate statement to 
OMB on this matter.

Privacy Impact Assessment

    Section 522(a)(5) of the Transportation, Treasury, Independent 
Agencies, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108- 
447, Division H, Title I, 118 Stat. 2809 at 3268, Dec. 8, 2004) 
requires DOT and certain other Federal agencies to conduct a privacy 
impact assessment of each rule that will affect the privacy of 
individuals. Because this final rule and interim final rule will not 
affect the privacy of individuals, FMCSA did not conduct a separate 
privacy impact assessment.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 372

    Agricultural commodities, Buses, Cooperatives, Freight forwarders, 
Motor

[[Page 9121]]

carriers, Moving of household goods, Seafood.

    For reasons set forth in the preamble, FMCSA amends title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations, chapter III, subchapter B, part 372 as follows:

PART 372--EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 372 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 13504 and 13506; Pub. L. 105-178, sec. 
4031, 112 Stat. 418; and 49 CFR 1.87.

0
2. Add Sec. Sec.  372.245 and 372.247 to read as follows:

Sec.  372.245  New Mexico Commercial Zone.

    (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Dona Ana and Luna 
Counties, NM, by motor carriers of property, in interstate or foreign 
commerce, not under common control, management, or arrangement for 
shipment to or from points beyond such zone is partially exempt from 
regulation under 49 U.S.C. 13506(b)(1).
    (b) To the extent that commercial zones of municipalities within 
the two counties (as determined under Sec.  372.241) extend beyond the 
boundaries of this two county zone, the areas of such commercial zones 
shall be considered to be part of the zone and partially exempted from 
regulation under 49 U.S.C. 13506(b)(1).


Sec.  372.247  City of El Paso, TX.

    The zone adjacent to, and commercially a part of El Paso, TX, 
within which transportation of passengers or property by motor carriers 
in interstate or foreign commerce, not under common control, 
management, or arrangement for a continuous carriage or shipment to or 
from a point beyond such zone, is partially exempt from regulation 
under 49 U.S.C. 13506(b)(1), includes and is comprised of all points as 
follows:
    (a) The municipality of the City of El Paso, TX;
    (b) All municipalities which are contiguous to the City of El Paso;
    (c) All of any other municipalities and all unincorporated areas 
within the United States which are adjacent to the City of El Paso as 
follows:
    (1) Within 15 miles of the corporate limits of the City of El Paso; 
or
    (2) Within 15 miles of the corporate limits of the City of San 
Elizario, TX; and
    (d) All municipalities wholly surrounded, or so surrounded except 
for a water boundary, by the City of El Paso, by any municipality 
contiguous thereto, or by any municipality adjacent thereto which is 
included in the commercial zone of the City of El Paso under the 
provisions of paragraph (c) of this section.

    Issued pursuant to authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.87 on 
February 22, 2016.
T.F. Scott Darling, III,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-04029 Filed 2-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P


