[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 200 (Monday, October 16, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61102-61103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26407]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Pallet Height Limitation for Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends section M041 of the Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM). Due to the limitations of aircraft used to transport 
mail, the Postal Service is lowering the maximum pallet height from 77 
inches to 72 inches for Periodicals, Standard Mail (A), and Standard 
Mail (B) entered at Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 2, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RoseMarie Gay (202) 268-7810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since most Periodicals, Standard Mail (A), 
and Standard Mail (B) mail for delivery in Alaska is transported by air 
due to prevailing operating conditions, mail must be prepared to 
facilitate air transportation. Pallets that are between 72 and 77 
inches high do not satisfy this requirement, although heights within 
this range are currently permitted under Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
standards.
    The problem is that pallets between 72 and 77 inches high do not 
fit through aircraft doors, forcing Alaskan air carriers to re-stack 
the pallets. To remedy this situation, the Postal Service is lowering 
the maximum height from 77 inches to 72 inches for mail on pallets 
(mail and pallet combined) that is entered at Anchorage and Fairbanks, 
Alaska. The change will allow mail on pallets to be shipped as 
originally prepared, which will eliminate the risk of mail damage or 
delay caused by additional handling to load and unload aircraft.
    Because the operational circumstances dictating a lower pallet 
height are not within the control of the Postal Service, the Postal 
Service finds no need to solicit comments or to delay implementation of 
the new pallet height specification.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
    For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service hereby adopts 
the following amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), which is 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 
CFR part 111).

PART 111--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552 (a): 39 U.S.C 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.


    2. Amend the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

M  Mail Preparation and Sortation

M000  General Preparation Standards

* * * * *

M040  Pallets

* * * * *

M041  General Standards

* * * * *
3.0  STACKING PALLETS
    [Amend 3.1f to read as follows:]

3.1  Stacking Up to Four Tiers

    Pallets may be stacked two, three, or four tiers high if:
* * * * *
    f. The combined height of the stacked pallets and their loads does 
not exceed 84 inches. Exception: Pallets prepared for entry at 
Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, may not measure more than 72 inches in 
height, mail and pallet combined.
* * * * *
5.0  PREPARATION
* * * * *

5.5  Maximum Load

* * * * *
    [Add new last sentence to 5.5 to read as follows:]
    * * * Exception: A single pallet that is prepared for entry at 
Anchorage or Fairbanks, Alaska, has a maximum height of 72 inches, mail 
and pallet combined.
* * * * *

[[Page 61103]]

    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111 will be published in the 
Federal Register to reflect these changes.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-26407 Filed 10-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P