Meetings: Hazardous materials in intrastate commerce; implementation and compliance,

[Federal Register: February 12, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 29)]

[Notices]

[Page 7192]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr12fe98-106]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Notice No. 98-2]

Hazardous Materials in Intrastate Commerce: Public Meetings Related to Implementation and Compliance

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

SUMMARY: This notice announces a series of four public meetings to provide information and accept questions regarding regulations issued under Docket HM-200, ``Hazardous Materials in Intrastate Transportation,'' published in the Federal Register on January 8, 1997 (62 FR 1208). The regulations require that most intrastate shippers and carriers comply with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and provide a number of exceptions to reduce regulatory burdens. The meetings are intended to assist in understanding and complying with the new requirements.

DATES: Public Meetings. Public meetings will be held as follows:

(1) March 26, 1998 in Lincoln, Nebraska;

(2) April 7, 1998 in Irving, Texas;

(3) April 22, 1998, in Decatur, Georgia; and

(4) May 5, 1998, in Seattle, Washington.

ADDRESSES: Meetings. See Supplementary Information for specific times, locations and agendas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane LaValle, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, (202) 366-8553, Research and Special Programs Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. E- mail address: rules@rspa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 8, 1997, RSPA published a final rule in the Federal Register (62 FR 1208) which amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts 171-180) to expand the scope of the regulations to include most intrastate transportation of hazardous materials. RSPA also provided exceptions to the regulations to reduce the impact on persons newly subject to the HMR and others. Exceptions for agricultural operations are found in Sec. 173.5; exceptions for materials of trade (MOTS) are found in Sec. 173.6; and exceptions for non-specification packagings for flammable liquid petroleum products are found in Sec. 173.8. As part of an outreach program to assist the public in understanding and complying with these regulations, RSPA is holding four public meetings.

Conduct of Meetings

Meetings will be informal, intended to produce dialogue between agency personnel and those persons affected by the expansion of the scope of the HMR.

Meeting Schedule and Agendas

The public meetings will be held at the following locations:

(1) March 26, 1998, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Lincoln, Nebraska, Best Western Airport Inn, I-80 and Airport Exit #399, (402) 475-9541;

(2) April 7, 1998, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Irving, Texas, Wilson World Hotel, 4600 West Airport Freeway, (972) 513-0800;

(3) April 22, 1998, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Decatur, Georgia, Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Plaza, 130 Clairemont Avenue, (404) 371- 0204; and

(4) May 5, 1998, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Seattle, Washington, Double Tree Hotel, 18470 Pacific Highway South, (206) 439-6130.

If there is interest, the meetings will resume after lunch.

Issued in Washington, DC on February 6, 1998 under authority delegated in 49 CFR. Alan I. Roberts, Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.

[FR Doc. 98-3562Filed2-11-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P