PHMSA is amending its pipeline safety regulations to extend added protection to certain environmentally sensitive areas that could be damaged by failure of a rural onshore hazardous liquid gathering line or low-stress pipeline. The rule is intended to protect designated "unusually sensitive areas" (USAs)--locations requiring extra protection because of the presence of sole-source drinking water, endangered species, or other ecological resources. This rule is effective July 3, 2008. POC is Lane Miller by phone at (405) 954-4969 or by e-mail at Lane.Miller@dot.gov (Federal Register: June 3, 2008 [Rules and Regulations], Page 31634-31646).