[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40810-40811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19260]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
49 CFR Parts 171, 173, 174, 175, 176, and 177
[Docket No. RSPA-98-4952 (HM-223)]
RIN 2137-AC68
Applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations to Loading,
Unloading, and Storage
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension
of comment period.
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SUMMARY: On April 27, 1999, the Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA, ``we'') published a supplemental advance notice
of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) inviting public comment on the
applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations to loading,
unloading, and storage of hazardous materials. In response to a
petition filed by the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO,
we are extending until August 25, 1999, the period for filing comments
to the supplemental ANPRM.
DATES: Submit comments by August 25, 1999. To the extent possible, we
will consider comments received after this date in making our decision
on whether to proceed to develop a proposed rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Dockets Management System, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC
20590-0001. Comments should identify Docket Number RSPA-98-4952 and be
submitted in two copies. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt
of your written comments, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard.
You may also submit comments by e-mail by
[[Page 40811]]
accessing the Dockets Management System web site at ``http://dms.dot.
gov/'' and following the instructions for filing a document
electronically.
The Dockets Management System is located on the Plaza level of the
Nassif Building at the Department of Transportation at the above
address. You can review public dockets there between the hours of 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You
can also review comments on-line at the DOT Dockets Management System
web site at
``http://dms.dot.gov/.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gorsky (202) 366-8553, Office of
Hazardous Materials Standards, Research and Special Programs
Administration; or Nancy Machado (202) 366-4400, Office of the Chief
Counsel, Research and Special Programs Administration.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 27, 1999 (64 FR 22718), we
published a supplemental ANPRM seeking comments on the applicability of
the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to
loading, unloading, and storage of hazardous materials. The
supplemental ANPRM summarized comments received in response to an
earlier ANPRM, outlined commenters' three most commonly suggested
approaches for applying the HMR to activities incidental to
transportation, and asked a number of questions focused on the details
of each suggested approach.
As of July 23, 1999, we have received only eight comments in
response to the supplemental ANPRM. The Transportation Trades
Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO has petitioned for an extension to the
comment period, stating that an extension of 60 days will enable it to
work with its affiliates to present a sound, comprehensive response to
the questions posed in the supplemental ANPRM. In addition to the TTD
petition, several persons wishing to comment have asked if we have
considered extending the comment period. We agree that the comment
period should be extended. However, we believe that an extension of 30
days should be sufficient to accommodate commenters' need for
additional time. Accordingly, the closing date of the comment period is
extended to August 25, 1999.
Issued in Washington, DC on July 23, 1999, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR part 106.
Alan I. Roberts,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, Research and
Special Programs Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-19260 Filed 7-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
