[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24904-24905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12454]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
49 CFR Parts 171, 173 and 180
[Docket No. HM-200; Notice No. 96-9]
RIN 2137-AB37
Hazardous Materials in Intrastate Transportation; Extension of
Comment Period
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); extension
of comment period.
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SUMMARY: RSPA is extending for 60 days, until August 16, 1996, the
period for submitting comments on its March 20, 1996 supplemental
notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) in this proceeding. In the SNPRM,
RSPA proposed certain exceptions from requirements in the Hazardous
Materials Regulations that would otherwise apply to: the transportation
of small quantities of certain hazardous materials used by carriers,
particularly private carriers, in the conduct of their businesses
(``materials of trade''); smaller cargo tank motor vehicles (less than
13,250 liters [3,500 gallons] capacity) used exclusively in intrastate
transportation of flammable liquid petroleum products; and registered
inspections of these smaller cargo tank motor vehicles used exclusively
for transporting flammable liquid petroleum fuels.
DATES: Written comments: Comments must be received on or before August
16, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments: Address comments to Dockets Unit, Research and
Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify the Docket (HM-200)
and be submitted, if possible, in five copies. Persons wishing to
receive confirmation of receipt of their comments should include a
self-addressed stamped postcard showing the docket number. The Dockets
Unit is located in Room 8421 of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone: 202-366-5046. Public
dockets may be reviewed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.;
Monday through Friday except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jackie Smith or Diane LaValle, 202-366-8553, Office of Hazardous
Materials Standards, RSPA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590-0001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 1993, RSPA proposed to extend the
application of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), 49 CFR Parts
171-180, to all intrastate carriers of hazardous materials in commerce
and their shippers. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), was
published on July 9, 1993 (58 FR 36920), and a correction was published
on July 15, 1993 (58 FR 38111). Based on comments to that NPRM, on
March 20, 1996, RSPA published a supplemental notice proposing three
additional changes to the HMR. See 61 FR 11481. These changes would
provide: (1) An exception for ``materials of trade,'' certain small
quantities of hazardous materials transported and used by carriers,
particularly private carriers, in the conduct of their businesses; (2)
an exception to permit the continued use of non-specification smaller
cargo tank motor vehicles (i.e., less than 13,250 liters [3,500
gallons] capacity) used exclusively in intrastate transportation of
flammable liquid petroleum products; and (3) an exception from certain
[[Page 24905]]
requirements that address registered inspection of these smaller cargo
tank motor vehicles that are used exclusively for transporting
flammable liquid petroleum fuels. These proposals are aimed are
reducing regulatory burdens on persons subject to the HMR where costs
may be disproportionate to safety benefits.
A number of interested parties have requested additional time for
them to more fully consider these proposals. Farmers, farm suppliers,
and agricultural transporters state that they are presently occupied
with activities relating to planting this year's crop, and that they
need an extension of the comment period so that they may participate in
this important rulemaking. Because these parties' input to this
rulemaking would be valuable, RSPA is extending the comment period for
60 days, until August 16, 1996.
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 14, 1996, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR part 106, Appendix A.
Alan I. Roberts,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-12454 Filed 5-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-M
