Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 77515

(1) Staging area: The staging area is

the Port Everglades Turning Basin and

that portion of the Intracoastal

Waterway extending form Port

Everglades Turning Basin to Dania

Sound light 35 (LLNR 42865).

(2) Parade Route: The parade route

includes the Intracoastal Waterway from

Dania Sound Light 35 (LLNR 47575) to

Pompano Beach Daybeacon 74 (LLNR

47230)

(3) Viewing area: The Viewing area

extends from the Sunrise Blvd Bridge

South to the New River Sound Light 3

(LLNR 47240) West of the ICW.

(4) Coast Guard Patrol Commander.

The Coast Guard Patrol Commander is

a commissioned, warrant, or petty

officer of the Coast Guard who has been

designated by the Commander, Coast

Guard Group Miami, Florida. The Coast

Guard assumes no responsibility for the

operation of the event, the safety of

participants and spectators, the safety of

transient craft, and the qualification and

instruction of participants. These

responsibilities rest solely with the

sponsor of the event.

(b) Special Local Regulations. 

(1) Staging area: Entry or anchoring in

the staging area by nonparticipating

vessel is prohibited, unless authorized

by the Patrol Commander.

(2) Parade route: During the parade

transit, nonparticipating vessels are

prohibited from approaching within 500

feet ahead of the lead vessel and 500

feet astern of the last participating

vessel in the parade, and within 50 feet

either side of the parade unless

authorized by the Patrol Commander.

(3) Viewing Area: Anchoring in the

vicinity of the viewing area is

prohibited.

(4) Miscellaneous: A succession of not

fewer that 5 short whistle or horn blasts

from a patrol vessel will be the signal

for any non-participating vessel to stop

immediately. The display of an orange

distress smoke signal from a patrol

vessel will be the signal for any and all

vessels to stop immediately. At the

discretion of the Patrol Commander, all

vessels may resume normal operations

after the passage of the parade

participants.

(d) Effective date. This section is

effective from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST on

December 16, 2000.

Dated: December 1, 2000.

T.W. Allen,

U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast

Guard District.

[FR Doc. 00–31644 Filed 12–11–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–15–P

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

Sack Preparation Changes for

Periodicals Nonletter-Size Mailing Jobs

That Include Automation Flat Rate and

Presorted Rate Mailings

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule revises the

standards for preparation of Periodicals

nonletter-size mailing jobs that include

both an automation flats mailing and a

Presorted flats mailing to require use of

the co-sacking preparation method in

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) M910.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 7, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lynn M. Martin, 703–292–3645.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

October 30, 2000, the Postal Service

published for comment in the Federal

Register (65 FR 64643) a proposed rule

to require Periodicals mailers to prepare

sacked mailing jobs of nonletter-size

mail that include both an automation

flats rate mailing and a Presorted rate

mailing using the co-sacking

preparation requirements in DMM

M910.

This proposal was based on cost

models that suggest that handling costs

for Periodicals mail will be reduced if

mailers are required to prepare their

mail under new DMM M910. This

preparation method will reduce the

number of sacks prepared and handled,

and concurrently increase the number of

more finely presorted sacks. The

anticipated reduction in Postal Service

costs from requiring use of this

preparation method was incorporated in

the rates resulting from the R2000–1 rate

case.

This rulemaking also reorganizes

Domestic Mail Manual E200 and M200

to separate the eligibility and presort

requirements for Periodicals Presorted

rate mailings from those of carrier route

mailings. DMM E200 will now contain

section E220 that pertains only to

Presorted rate mailings and section E230

that pertains only to carrier route

mailings. (The information published in

DMM E220 in the Federal Register

proposed rule of August 29, 2000 (65 FR

52480), ‘‘Proposed Changes to the

Domestic Mail Manual to Implement

Docket No. R2000–1,’’ has been

redesignated as DMM E217 in the final

rule regarding that proposal.) DMM

M200 will contain section M210 that

pertains only to Presorted rate mailings

and section M220 that pertains only to

carrier route mailings. Under current

standards, Presorted and carrier route

are two separate mailings with separate

eligibility requirements and separate

packaging and sacking requirements.

This reorganization does not change

current requirements but reflects the

separate mailing status of these two

types of mailings. It also makes the

DMM numbering for Periodicals

consistent with the numbering system

used for Standard Mail (A). The final

rule also makes changes to E230 and

M200 references contained throughout

the DMM that appropriately change

them to E220, M210, or M220

references, as appropriate.

As information, the DMM language in

this final rule incorporates revisions to

the DMM from three previously

published Federal Register final rules

that also will take effect January 7, 2001.

These final rules are:

1. ‘‘Sack Preparation Changes for

Periodicals Nonletter-Size Pieces and

Periodicals Prepared on Pallets’’

published on July 28, 2000 (65 FR

46361).

2. ‘‘Line-of-Travel Sequencing for

Basic Carrier Route Periodicals’’

published on July 28, 2000 (65 FR

46363).

3. ‘‘Domestic Mail Manual Changes

for Sacking and Palletizing Periodicals

Nonletters and Standard Mail (A) Flats,

for Traying First-Class Flats, and for

Labeling Pallets’’ published on August

16, 2000 (65 FR 50054).

Accordingly, the numbering and the

language of the DMM sections in this

final rule have been synchronized with

those final rules and may not match the

numbering and language in current

DMM Issue 55.

Summary of Comments

The Postal Service received one in

response to the proposed rule. This

commenter who represents a mailing

association expressed support for the

new requirement.

Although exempt from the notice and

comment requirements of the

Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.

553(b), (c)) regarding rulemaking by 39

U.S.C. 410(a), 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.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

Administrative practice and

procedure, Postal Service.

PART 111—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 39 CFR

part 111 continues to read as follows:

77516 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

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 following sections of

the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as set

forth below:

E Eligibility

* * * * *

E200 Periodicals

* * * * *

E211 All Periodicals

* * * * *

12.0 Documentation

[In E211.12.0, revise ‘‘E230’’ to read

‘‘E220’’.]

* * * * *

14.0 Basic Rate Eligibility

* * * * *

14.3 Adjustments and Discounts

[In E211.14.3, revise ‘‘E230’’ to read

‘‘E220, E230’’.]

* * * * *

[Add new E220 to read as follows:]

E220 Presorted Rates

[Add new summary to read as

follows:]

Summary E220 describes the

eligibility standards for mailing

Presorted rate mailings (5-digit, 3-digit,

and basic rates). It also describes

combining multiple publications or

editions.

[Add new 1.0 that copies information

from E230 and deletes information

pertaining to carrier route mail to read

as follows:]

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

1.1 Standards

The standards for Presorted rates are

in addition to the basic standards for

Periodicals in E210, the standards for

other rates or discounts claimed, and

the applicable preparation standards in

M045, M200, M910, M920, M930, or

M940. Not all combinations of presort

level, automation, and destination entry

discounts are permitted.

[Copy E230.1.2 as new E220.1.2 and

amend to include references to new

palletization options to read as follows:]

1.2 Palletized Mail

A correctly prepared package is the

equivalent of a sack when palletized

under M045, M920, M930, or M940.

Individual pieces qualify for the presort

level rate appropriate for the palletized

packages in which they are placed,

regardless of the destination of the

pallet. Eligibility for destination entry or

other zoned rates depends on the point

of entry.

[Redesignate E230.1.3 as E220.1.3.]

1.4 Barcodes

[Copy E230.1.4 as E220.1.4 and

amend by changing ‘‘nonautomation’’ to

‘‘Presorted’’ to read as follows:]

Any POSTNET barcode on a

mailpiece in a Presorted Periodicals

mailing must be correct for the delivery

address and meet the standards in C840

and A950.

1.5 Documentation

[Copy E230.1.5 to E220.1.5 and

amend by adding information on

postage statements to read as follows:]

A complete, signed postage statement,

using the correct USPS form or an

approved facsimile, must accompany

each mailing, supported by

standardized documentation meeting

the basic standards in P012.

Documentation of postage is not

required if each piece in the mailing is

of identical weight and the pieces are

separated when presented for

acceptance by rate, by zone (including

separation by In-County and OutsideCounty rates), and by entry discount

(e.g., DDU and DSCF).

[Add new heading 2.0 to read as

follows:]

2.0 RATES

[Redesignate E230.3.0 through

E230.5.0 as E220.2.1, 2.2, and 2.3,

respectively.]

2.1 5–Digit Rates

[In redesignated 2.1, change the

reference ‘‘M200’’ to ‘‘M210.’’]

2.2 3-Digit Rates

[In redesignated 2.2, change the

reference ‘‘M200’’ to ‘‘M210.’’]

2.3 Basic Rates

[In redesignated 2.3, change the

reference ‘‘M200’’ to M210.’’]

[Copy E230.7.0 as E220.3.0.]

[Revise the heading of E230 to read as

follows:]

E230 Carrier Route Rates

[Amend the summary to exclude noncarrier route rates to read as follows:]

Summary E230 describes the

eligibility standards for mailing at

carrier route rates. It also describes

combining multiple publications or

editions.

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

1.1 Standards

[Amend 1.1 to delete information on

Presorted rate mail to read as follows:]

The standards for carrier route rates

are in addition to the basic standards for

Periodicals in E210, the standards for

other rates or discounts claimed, and

the applicable preparation standards in

M045, M200, M910, M920, M930, or

M940. Not all combinations of presort

level, automation, and destination entry

discounts are permitted.

[Amend 1.2 to include references to

new palletization options to read as

follows:]

1.2 Palletized Mail

A correctly prepared package is the

equivalent of a sack when palletized

under M045, M920, M930, or M940.

Individual pieces qualify for the presort

level rate appropriate for the palletized

packages in which they are placed,

regardless of the destination of the

pallet. Eligibility for destination entry or

other zoned rates depends on the point

of entry.

[Redesignate the heading 2.1 as 1.3

and amend to read as follows:]

1.3 Carrier Route Code Accuracy

[Redesignate the text of 2.1 as 1.3 and

amend to add references to the

sequencing requirements to read as

follows:]

Except for mailings prepared with a

simplified address under A040, carrier

route codes must be applied to mailings

using CASS-certified software and the

current USPS Carrier Route Information

System (CRIS) scheme, hard copy CRIS

files, or another AIS product containing

carrier route information, subject to

A930 and A950. Carrier route

information must be updated within 90

days before the mailing date. The

applicable sequencing requirements in

2.2, 3.0, and M050 must also be met.

* * * * *

1.5 Documentation

[Amend 1.5 to add information on

postage statement standards and to add

a cross-reference to the documentation

requirements in M050 for sequencing to

read as follows:]

A complete, signed postage statement,

using the correct USPS form or an

approved facsimile, must accompany

each mailing, supported by

standardized documentation meeting

the basic standards in P012.

Documentation of postage is not

required if each piece in the mailing is

of identical weight and the pieces are

separated when presented for

acceptance by rate, by zone (including

separation by In-County and OutsideCounty rates), and by entry discount

(e.g., DDU and DSCF). Documentation of

sequencing and of density standards

under M050 must be submitted with

each mailing.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 77517

[Revise the heading of 2.0 (as set forth

in the final rule published in 65 FR

50054, August 16, 2000), and add new

heading 2.1 to read as follows:]

2.0 SORTATION AND SEQUENCING

2.1 Sortation

[Redesignate the contents of 2.2a (as

set forth in the final rule published in

65 FR 50054, August 16, 2000) as 2.1a

and b to separate letter mail standards

from nonletter mail standards to read as

follows:]

Preparation to qualify eligible pieces

for carrier route rates is optional and is

subject to M045, M200, or (nonlettersize mail only) M920, M930, or M940.

Carrier route sort need not be done for

all carrier routes in a 5-digit area.

Specific rate eligibility is subject to

these standards:

a. The carrier route rates for letter-size

mail apply to copies that are prepared

in carrier route packages of six or more

pieces each that are sorted to carrier

route, 5-digit carrier routes, or 3-digit

carrier routes trays.

b. The carrier route rates for nonlettersize mail apply to copies of flat-size or

irregular parcel-size pieces prepared in

carrier route packages of six or more

pieces each, and that are sorted to

pallets under M045 or M920, M930, or

M940, or sacked in carrier route, 5-digit

scheme carrier routes, or 5-digit carrier

routes sacks, and, if prepared under

M920, merged 5-digit scheme sacks or

merged 5-digit sacks. Preparation of 5-

digit scheme carrier routes sacks or

pallets is required and must be done for

all 5-digit scheme destinations.

Preparation of merged 5-digit sacks and

merged 5-digit scheme sacks is optional

but if performed must be done for all 5-

digit ZIP Codes for which there is an

‘‘A’’ or ‘‘C’’ indicator in the City State

Product that permits co-containerization

of carrier route and 5-digit packages.

Preparation of merged 5-digit pallets

and merged 5-digit scheme pallets is

optional but if performed must be done

for all 5-digit ZIP Codes or 5-digit

schemes for which those pallet levels

are possible (under M920 if there is an

‘‘A’’ or ‘‘C’’ indicator in the City State

Product, under M930 if the 5%

threshold standard is met, and under

M940 if ZIP Codes have an ‘‘A’’ or ‘‘C’’

indicator in the City State Product and

if ZIP Codes with a ‘‘B’’ or ‘‘D’’ indicator

in the City State Product meet the 5%

threshold standards). For merged 5-digit

scheme sacks or pallets, preparation

also must be done for all 5-digit scheme

destinations. The applicable sequencing

requirements in M050 and in 2.2a or

2.2b also must be met.

[Amend the heading of 2.2 and

redesignate 2.2b and c (as set forth in

the final rule published in 65 FR 50054,

August 16, 2000) as 2.2a and b, to read

as follows:]

2.2 Sequencing Requirements

Carrier route mail must be prepared in

delivery sequence as follows:

a. Basic carrier route rate mail must be

prepared either in carrier walk sequence

or in line-of-travel (LOT) sequence

according to LOT schemes as prescribed

by the USPS (M050).

b. The high density and saturation

rates apply to pieces that are eligible for

carrier route rates under 2.1, are

prepared in carrier walk sequence, and

meet the applicable density standards in

3.0 for the rate claimed.

[Redesignate 6.0 (as set forth in the

final rule published in 65 FR 50054,

August 16, 2000) as 3.0; amend

redesignated 3.1 by changing the

reference ‘‘2.2’’ to ‘‘1.0 and 2.0,’’ by

changing the reference ‘‘M200’’ to

‘‘M220,’’ and by changing the reference

‘‘6.4’’ to ‘‘3.4’’; amend redesignated 3.4

by changing all references to ‘‘6.4’’ to

‘‘3.4.’’]

[Redesignate 7.0 as 4.0.]

* * * * *

E250 Destination Entry

* * * * *

2.0 DDU RATE

2.1 Eligibility

[Change the references ‘‘M200’’ to

‘‘M220.’’]

* * * * *

M Mail Preparation and Sortation

M000 General Preparation Standards

* * * * *

M050 Delivery Sequence

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

1.1 General

[Change the reference ‘‘M200’’ to

‘‘M220.’’]

* * * * *

4.0 DOCUMENTATION

4.2 High Density

[In 4.2a and 4.2b, change the reference

‘‘E230.6.4c’’ to ‘‘E230.3.4c.’’]

M200 Periodicals (Nonautomation)

[Add new heading M210 to read as

follows:]

M210 Presorted Rate Periodicals

[Redesignate the summary of M200 as

the summary of M210 and amend to

delete references to carrier route mail to

read as follows:]

Summary: M200 describes the basic

standards for Periodicals Presorted rate

mailings including package and tray

preparation for letters, and package and

sack preparation for flats and irregular

parcels. Additional requirements for

preparing mail on pallets are in M041

and M045, or M041 and M920, M930, or

M940. For standards on automation rate

Periodicals mailings see E240 and M810

(letters) or M820 (flats), as applicable.

For standards on carrier route mailings

see E230 and M220.

[Redesignate M200.1.0 as M210.1.0.]

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

[Revise heading and text of

redesignated M210.1.1 for clarity and to

exclude Presorted rate sacked nonlettersize mailings that contain an automation

rate mailing to read as follows:]

1.1 Basic Standards

For all letter-size mailings, for sacked

mailing jobs of nonletter-size mail that

do not contain an automation rate

mailing or a carrier route mailing, and

for all palletized mailing jobs the

following standards must be met for the

Presorted rate mailing:

a. All pieces in each Presorted rate

Periodicals mailing must be in the same

processing category.

b. Letter-size pieces must be packaged

under 2.0 and prepared in trays under

3.0. Trays prepared under this section

may subsequently be palletized under

M041 and M045.

c. Nonletter-size pieces must be

packaged under 2.0. Packages placed on

pallets must meet additional packaging

criteria under M045.

d. Packages of nonletter-size pieces

must be sacked or palletized under one

of the following:

(1) Sacked under 4.0, except that a

Presorted rate mailing that is part of a

mailing job that also contains an

automation flats mailing must be sacked

under M910 or M920 as described in

1.2; or

(2) Palletized under M041 and M045,

M920, M930, or M940.

e. Sacks prepared under 4.0 may

subsequently be prepared on pallets

under M041 and M045.

f. All pieces must be sorted together

to the finest extent required under the

applicable sortation standards described

above.

g. Postmasters may authorize

preparation of small mailings in

nonpostal containers if they consist

primarily of packages for local ZIP

Codes, do not exceed 20 pounds, and do

not require postal transportation for

processing.

[Move redesignated M200.1.3 to M220

and redesignate as M220.1.3, change the

77518 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

title from ‘‘Basic Carrier Route and Walk

Sequence’’ to ‘‘Sequencing Standards.’’]

[Redesignate 1.2 as 1.3 and add new

1.2 to read as follows:]

1.2 Additional Standards for Nonletter

Sacked Mailing Jobs Containing More

Than One Mailing

The following standards apply:

a. Flats and irregular parcel mailings

prepared in sacks that are part of a

mailing job that contains a carrier route

rate mailing, an automation flat rate

mailing, and a Presorted rate mailing

must be prepared under one of the

following options: (1) The carrier route

mailing must be prepared under E230

and M220 and the automation rate and

Presorted rate mailings must be

prepared under M910; or (2) all three

mailings in the mailing job must be

prepared under M920.

b. Flats and irregular parcel mailings

prepared in sacks that are part of a

mailing job that contain only an

automation flats mailing under E240

and a Presorted rate mailing under E220

must be presorted under the co-sacking

standards in M910.

c. Sacked mailing jobs that contain

only a carrier route mailing and a

Presorted rate mailing may be separately

sacked under M210 and M220, or may

be prepared using the merged sacking

option under M920.

d. Sacked mailing jobs that contain

only a carrier route mailing and an

automation rate mailing may be

separately sacked under M220 and

M820, or may be prepared using the

merged sacking option under M920.

* * * * *

1.3 Documentation

[Insert text of redesignated 1.3.]

1.4 Firm Packages

[Insert text of redesignated 1.4.]

1.5 Low-Volume Packages and Sacks

[Amend redesignated 1.5 to change

internal references and to correct the

names of applicable pallet levels to read

as follows:]

As a general exception to 2.2a through

2.2c and 4.0a through 4.0d, nonlettersize Periodicals may be prepared in 5-

digit and 3-digit packages containing

fewer than six pieces when the

publisher determines that such

preparation improves service, provided

those packages are placed in 5-digit, 3-

digit, and SCF sacks. These low-volume

packages may be placed on 5-digit

scheme, 5-digit, 3-digit, and SCF pallets

under M045, or on merged 5-digit

scheme, 5-digit scheme, merged 5-digit,

5-digit, 3-digit, or SCF pallets under

M920, M930, and M940.

[Delete 1.6.]

[Redesignate 1.7 as 1.6 and amend by

deleting ‘‘or pallets’’ from the end of the

first sentence, by deleting ‘‘sacks or’’

from the end of the second sentence, by

changing the section number references,

and by adding a new last sentence to

read as follows:]

1.6 Merged Palletization of NonletterSize Carrier Route, Automation Rate,

and Presorted Rate Mail

Under the standards in M920,

nonletter-size firm and 5-digit packages

that are prepared under 1.0 and under

2.2a and 2.2b may be co-sacked with

nonletter-size firm and carrier route

packages prepared under M220 and

with nonletter-size 5-digit packages at

automation rates prepared under M820

in merged 5-digit sacks and in merged

5-digit scheme sacks. Under the

standards in M920, M930, or M940,

nonletter-size firm and 5-digit packages

that are prepared under 1.0, 2.2a, and

2.2b may be copalletized with nonlettersize firm and carrier route packages

prepared under M220 and with

nonletter-size 5-digit packages at

automation rates prepared under M820

on merged 5-digit pallets and on merged

5-digit scheme pallets. See 1.2a for

information on when preparation under

M920 may be required.

2.0 PACKAGE PREPARATION

2.1 General

Package preparation is subject to

M020 and the specific standards below.

[Delete 2.2 and 2.3; redesignate 2.4 as

2.2 and amend to delete information on

carrier route packages to read as

follows:]

2.2 Package Preparation

Package size, preparation sequence,

and labeling:

a. Firm: optional (two-piece

minimum); blue Label F or optional

endorsement line (OEL).

b. 5-digit: required (six-piece

minimum, fewer not permitted except

under 1.5); red Label D or OEL; labeling

optional for mail placed in full 5-digit

trays.

c. 3-digit: required (six-piece

minimum, fewer not permitted except

under 1.5); green Label 3 or OEL.

d. ADC: required (six-piece minimum,

fewer not permitted); pink Label A or

OEL.

e. Mixed ADC: required (no

minimum); tan Label MXD or OEL.

[Redesignate 3.0 as 4.0 and

redesignate 4.0 as 3.0, amend

redesignated 3.0 and 4.0, respectively,

by consolidating former subsections into

a single section for trays and a single

section for sacks to read as follows:]

3.0 TRAY PREPARATION (LETTERSIZE PIECES)

Tray size, preparation sequence, and

labeling (Line 1 and 2):

a. 5-digit: required at 24 pieces,

optional with one six-piece package

minimum.

(1) Line 1: use 5-digit ZIP Code

destination of packages, preceded for

military mail by the prefixes under

M031.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘LTRS 5D NON BC.’’

b. 3-digit: required at 24 pieces (no

minimum for required origin/optional

entry 3-digit(s)), optional with one sixpiece package minimum.

(1) Line 1: use L002, Column A.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘LTRS 3D NON BC.’’

c. ADC: required at 24 pieces,

optional with one six-piece package

minimum.

(1) Line 1: use L004.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘LTRS ADC NON BC.’’

d. Mixed ADC: required (no

minimum).

(1) Line 1: use ‘‘MXD’’ followed by

the city/state/ZIP of the ADC serving the

3-digit ZIP Code of the entry post office,

as shown in L004.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘LTRS NON BC WKG.’’

4.0 SACK PREPARATION (FLAT-SIZE

PIECES AND IRREGULAR PARCELS)

For mailing jobs that also contain an

automation rate mailing see 1.2 and

M910 or M920. For other mailing jobs,

the following are the sack size,

preparation sequence, and lines 1 and 2

labeling:

a. 5-digit: required at 24 pieces,

optional with one six-piece package

minimum except under 1.5.

(1) Line 1: use 5-digit ZIP Code

destination of packages, preceded for

military mail by the prefixes under

M031.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘FLTS’’ or

‘‘IRREG,’’ as applicable, and ‘‘5D NON

BC.’’

b. 3-digit: required at 24 pieces,

optional with one six-piece package

minimum except under 1.5.

(1) Line 1: use L002, Column A.

(2) ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as applicable,

followed by ‘‘FLTS’’ or ‘‘IRREG,’’ as

applicable, and ‘‘5D NON BC.’’

c. SCF: required at 24 pieces, optional

with one six-piece package minimum

except under 1.5.

(1) Line 1: use L002, Column C.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘FLTS’’ or

‘‘IRREG,’’ as applicable, and ‘‘SCF NON

BC.’’

d. Origin/entry SCF: required for the

SCF of the origin (verification) office,

optional for the SCF of an entry office

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 77519

other than the origin office, (no

minimum); for Line 1 use L002, Column

C.

(1) Line 1: use L002, Column C.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘FLTS’’ or

‘‘IRREG,’’ as applicable, and ‘‘SCF NON

BC.’’

e. ADC: required at 24 pieces,

optional with one six-piece package

minimum.

(1) Line 1: use L004.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘FLTS’’ or

‘‘IRREG,’’ as applicable, and ‘‘ADC NON

BC.’’

f. Mixed ADC: required (no

minimum).

(1) Line 1: use ‘‘MXD’’ followed by

the city/state/ZIP of the ADC serving the

3-digit ZIP Code of the entry post office,

as shown in L004.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘FLTS’’ or

‘‘IRREG,’’ as applicable, and ‘‘NON BC

WKG.’’

* * * * *

[Add new M220 to read as follows:]

M220 Carrier Route Periodicals Mail

Summary M220 describes the basic

standards for Periodicals carrier route

mailings including package and tray

preparation for letters, and package and

sack preparation for flats and irregular

parcels. Additional requirements for

preparing mail on pallets are in M041

and M045, or M041 and M920, M930, or

M940. For standards on automation rate

Periodicals mailings see E240 and M810

(letters) or M820 (flats), as applicable.

For standards on Presorted rate mailings

see E220 and M210.

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

1.1 General Preparation Standards

The following standards must be met

for carrier route mailings:

a. All pieces in each carrier route

Periodicals mailing must be in the same

processing category.

b. Letter-size pieces must be packaged

under 2.0 and prepared in trays under

3.0. Trays prepared under this section

may subsequently be palletized under

M041 and M045.

c. Nonletter-size pieces must be

packaged under 2.0. Packages placed on

pallets must meet additional packaging

standards under M045.

d. Packages of nonletter-size pieces

must be sacked or palletized under one

of the following:

(1) sacked under 4.0 or, if eligible,

under M920; or

(2) palletized under M041 and M045,

M920, M930, or M940.

e. Sacks prepared under 4.0 may

subsequently be prepared on pallets

under M041 and M045.

d. All pieces must be sorted together

to the finest extent required under the

applicable sortation standards described

above.

e. Postmasters may authorize

preparation of small mailings in nonpostal containers if they consist

primarily of packages for local ZIP

Codes, do not exceed 20 pounds, and do

not require postal transportation for

processing.

[Copy former M200.1.2 as M210.1.2

and add the following as the last

sentence:]

1.2 Documentation

* * * Documentation of sequencing

and of density standards under M050

must be submitted with each mailing.

[Change the title of redesignated 1.3

from ‘‘Basic Carrier Route and Walk

Sequence’’ to ‘‘Sequencing Standards.’’]

[Copy former M200.1.4 as M220.1.4.]

1.5 Low-Volume Packages and Sacks

As a general exception to 2.4b and

4.0b and 4.0c, nonletter-size Periodicals

may be prepared in carrier route

packages containing fewer than six

pieces when the publisher determines

that such preparation improves service,

provided those packages are placed in 5-

digit scheme carrier routes, or 5-digit

carrier routes sacks. Low-volume carrier

route packages prepared under DMM

M920 may also be placed in merged 5-

digit scheme, 5-digit scheme carrier

routes, merged 5-digit, and 5-digit

carrier routes sacks. These low-volume

packages also may be placed on 5-digit

scheme carrier routes, 5-digit carrier

routes, 3-digit, and SCF pallets under

M045, or on merged 5-digit scheme, 5-

digit scheme carrier routes, merged 5-

digit, 5-digit carrier routes, 3-digit and

SCF pallets under M041 and M920,

M930, or M940.

[Copy current M200.1.7 as M220.1.6

and amend by deleting ‘‘or pallets’’ from

the end of the first sentence, by adding

a new second sentence, by deleting

‘‘sacks or’’ from the end of the third

sentence, and by changing the section

number references, to read as follows:]

1.6 Merged Containerization of

Nonletter-Size Carrier Route,

Automation Rate, and Presorted Rate

Mail

Under the standards in M920,

nonletter-size firm and carrier route

packages that are prepared under 1.0

and 2.4 may be co-sacked with

nonletter-size 5-digit packages at

Presorted rates prepared under M210

and with nonletter-size 5-digit packages

at automation rates prepared under

M820 in merged 5-digit sacks and in

merged 5-digit scheme sacks or pallets.

For sacked mailing jobs of nonletters

that contain an automation and a

Presorted rate mailing as well as a

carrier route mailing, mailers are

required to prepare the automation and

Presorted rate mailings under M910 (see

M210.1.2a) and prepare the carrier route

mailing under M220, unless they elect

to prepare the mailings under M920.

Under the standards in M920, M930, or

M940, nonletter-size firm and carrier

route packages that are prepared under

1.0 and 2.4 may be copalletized with

nonletter-size 5-digit packages at

Presorted rates prepared under M210

and with nonletter-size 5-digit packages

at automation rates prepared under

M820 on merged 5-digit pallets and on

merged 5-digit scheme pallets.

2.0 PACKAGE PREPARATION

2.1 General

Package preparation is subject to

M020 and the specific standards below.

2.2 Optional Higher Package

Minimums

A mailer may choose to prepare

carrier route packages at a higher level

of route saturation (for example, only if

there are at least 15 pieces per route).

Under this option, smaller groups of six

or more pieces per carrier route not

prepared in carrier route packages for

carrier route rates must be prepared for

and paid at another applicable rate.

2.3 Walk-Sequence Identification

In addition to the package label

showing carrier route type and number

under 2.4, each package of Periodicals

walk-sequence mail must show that the

mail is walk sequenced and the level of

sequencing. A facing slip with the

phrase ‘‘HIGH DENSITY WALKSEQUENCED CARRIER ROUTE MAIL’’

or ‘‘SATURATION WALK-SEQUENCED

CARRIER ROUTE MAIL’’ (as applicable)

may be placed on the top of each

package of walk-sequence mail. It may

be an address label with the required

information placed on a sample

mailpiece that is the top piece in the

package, or a slip of paper affixed to the

top of the package. If packages are

prepared without facing slips, an

optional endorsement line or carrier

route information line must be placed

on each piece in the package to provide

the equivalent information.

2.4 Package Preparation

Package size, preparation sequence,

and labeling:

77520 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

a. Firm: optional (two-piece

minimum); blue Label F or optional

endorsement line (OEL). s

b. Carrier route: optional but required

for rate eligibility (six-piece minimum,

fewer not permitted except under 1.5);

labeling required except for packages

placed in a direct carrier route tray or

sack (facing slip, OEL, or CR

information line).

3.0 TRAY PREPARATION (LETTERSIZE PIECES)

Tray size, preparation sequence, and

Line 1 and 2 labeling:

a. Carrier route: required for rate

eligibility at 24 pieces, optional with

one six-piece package minimum.

(1) Line 1: use 5-digit ZIP Code

destination of packages, preceded for

military mail by the prefixes under

M031.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘LTRS,’’

followed by ‘‘WSS’’ for saturation rate

mail, or ‘‘WSH’’ for high density rate

mail, or ‘‘CR’’ for basic rate mail, and

followed by the route type and number.

b. 5-digit carrier routes: required for

rate eligibility if full tray, optional with

minimum one six-piece package.

(1) Line 1: use 5-digit ZIP Code

destination of packages, preceded for

military mail by the prefixes under

M031.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘LTRS CR–

RTS.’’

c. 3-digit carrier routes: optional with

minimum one six-piece package for

each of two or more 5-digit areas.

(1) Line 1: use the city/state/ZIP

shown in L002, Column A that

corresponds to the 3-digit ZIP Code

prefix of packages.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS,’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘LTRS 3D CR–

RTS.’’

4.0 SACK PREPARATION (FLAT-SIZE

PIECES AND IRREGULAR PARCELS)

Sack size, preparation sequence, and

Line 1 and 2 labeling:

a. Carrier route: required for rate

eligibility at 24 pieces, fewer pieces not

permitted.

(1) Line 1: use 5-digit ZIP Code

destination of packages, preceded for

military mail by the prefixes under

M031.

(2) Line 2: ‘‘PER’’ or ‘‘NEWS’’ as

applicable, followed by ‘‘FLTS’’ or

‘‘IRREG’’ as applicable, followed by

‘‘CR–RTS.’’

[Copy current M200.5.0 and add as

M220.5.0.]

[Copy current M200.6.0 and add as

M220.6.0.]

* * * * *

M800 All Automation Mail

M820 Flat-Size Mail

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

1.8 Exception—Periodicals

Preparation

[Amend 1.8 by replacing the last

sentence with the following:]

These low-volume packages may be

placed on 5-digit scheme, 5-digit, 3-

digit, and SCF pallets under M041 and

M045, or on merged 5-digit scheme, 5-

digit scheme, merged 5-digit, 5-digit, 3-

digit, and SCF pallets under M041 and

either M920, M930, or M940. They may

also be placed in merged 5-digit scheme,

merged 5-digit, 5-digit, 3-digit, and SCF

sacks prepared under M920.

1.9 Co-Traying, Co-Sacking, or

Copalletizing with Presorted Rate Mail

Packages of First-Class and Standard

Mail (A) prepared under 1.0 and either

2.1 or 4.1, as applicable, may be cotrayed or co-sacked with Presorted rate

mail that is part of the same mailing job

and mail class at all levels of tray or

sack under the provisions of M910. For

sacked mailings of Periodicals

nonletters, packages of Periodicals

automation flats mail prepared under

1.0 and 3.1 that are part of the same

mailing job as a Presorted rate mailing

of nonletters must be co-sacked under

M910, unless the mailing job also

contains a carrier route mailing and is

eligible for and prepared under M920.

See M210.

* * * * *

3.0 PERIODICALS

* * * * *

3.2 Sack Preparation

[Revise the first sentence of 3.2 to

read as follows:]

For mailing jobs that also contain a

Presorted rate mailing see 1.9 and M910.

For other mailing jobs, the following are

the sack size, preparation sequence and

line 1 labeling: * * *

* * * * *

M900 Advanced Preparation Options

[Amend the heading M910 to read as

follows:]

M910 Co-Traying and Co-Sacking

Packages of Automation and Presorted

Rate Flats-Mailings

* * * * *

2.0 PERIODICALS

2.1 Basic Standards

[Amend 2.1d and 2.1e by replacing

‘‘E230’’ with ‘‘E220.’’]

* * * * *

2.2 Package Preparation

[Amend 2.2 by replacing ‘‘M200’’

with ‘‘M210.’’]

2.3 Low-Volume Packages in Sacks or

on Pallets

[Amend 2.3 by replacing ‘‘M200’’

with ‘‘M210’’ and by replacing

‘‘M200.1.4’’ with M210.1.4.]

* * * * *

[Amend the heading of M920 to read

as follows:]

M920 Merged Containerization of Flats

Packages Using the City State Product

* * * * *

1.0 PERIODICALS MAIL

1.1 Basic Standards

[Amend 1.1g, 1.1h, and 1.1i to change

the reference numbers to read as

follows:]

Carrier route packages of nonlettersize pieces in a carrier route rate mailing

may be placed in the same sack or on

the same pallet (a merged 5-digit sack or

pallet, or a merged 5-digit scheme sack

or pallet) as nonletter-size 5-digit

packages from an automation rate

mailing and nonletter-size 5-digit

packages from a Presorted rate mailing

under the following conditions:

* * * * *

g. The carrier route mailing must meet

the eligibility criteria in E230, the

automation rate mailing must meet the

eligibility criteria in E240, and the

Presorted rate mailing must meet the

eligibility criteria in E220.

h. For sacked mailings, the rates for

pieces in the carrier route mailing are

based on the criteria in E230, the rates

for pieces in the automation rate mailing

are applied based on the number of

pieces in the package and the level of

package to which they are sorted under

E240, and the rates for pieces in the

Presorted rate mailing are based on the

number of pieces in the package and the

level of sack to which they are sorted

under E220.

i. For palletized mailings, the rates are

based on the level of package and the

number of pieces in the package under

E220, E230, and E240.

* * * * *

1.2 Package Preparation

[Amend 1.2a to reflect new reference

numbers to read as follows:]

Packages must be prepared as follows:

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 77521

a. Sacked Mailings. The carrier route

mailing must be packaged and labeled

under M220. The automation rate

mailing must be packaged and labeled

under M820. The Presorted rate mailing

must be packaged and labeled under

M210.

* * * * *

1.3 Low-Volume Packages in Sacks or

on Pallets

[Amend 1.3 to reflect new reference

numbers to read as follows:]

Carrier route and 5-digit packages

prepared under M210, M220, and M820

that contain fewer than six pieces must

be placed in sacks under 1.4a through

1.4f or in 3-digit and SCF sacks under

1.4g, or on pallets under 1.5a through

1.5h, when the publisher determines

that such preparation improves service.

Pieces in such low-volume packages

must claim the applicable basic rate,

except that, as provided under M210.1.4

and M220.1.4, some firm packages may

be eligible for carrier route rates and for

5-digit and 3-digit Presorted rates.

1.4 Sack Preparation and Labeling

With Scheme Sort

[Change the reference ‘‘M200.3.0’’ to

‘‘M210.4.0.’’]

* * * * *

[Amend the heading M930 to read as

follows:]

M930 Merged Palletization of Flats

Packages Using a 5% Threshold

* * * * *

1.0 PERIODICALS MAIL

1.1 Basic Eligibility Requirements

[Amend 1.1f, 1.1g, and 1.1k to change

the reference numbers to read as

follows:]

Nonletter-size 5-digit packages from

an automation rate mailing and

nonletter-size 5-digit packages from a

Presorted rate mailing may be placed on

the same pallet (a merged 5-digit pallet

or a merged 5-digit scheme pallet) as

carrier route packages of nonletter-size

pieces in a carrier route rate mailing

under the following conditions:

* * * * *

f. The carrier route mailing must meet

the eligibility criteria in E230, the

automation rate mailing must meet the

eligibility criteria in E240, and the

Presorted rate mailing must meet the

eligibility criteria in E220.

g. The rates are based on the level of

package and the number of pieces in the

package under E220, E230, and E240.

* * * * *

k. Portions of the mailing job that

cannot be palletized must be prepared

in sacks under M210, M220, M820,

M910, or M920.

* * * * *

1.3 Low-Volume Packages on Pallets

[Amend 1.3 by changing ‘‘M200’’ to

‘‘M210, M220.’’]

1.4 5% Threshold Standard

[Amend 1.4f to reflect new reference

numbers to read as follows:]

Mailers may place 5-digit packages

with carrier route packages on the same

merged 5-digit scheme or merged 5-digit

pallet under 1.5 if all of the following

conditions are met:

* * * * *

f. Copies in firm packages claimed as

one piece for rate purposes will be

considered a single piece when

performing the 5% limit calculation

under 1.4a through 1.4d. As provided in

M210.1.4 and M220.1.4, some firm

packages claimed as one piece may be

eligible for carrier route rates, 5-digit

rates, or basic rates. The sortation level

of each firm piece (package) for

purposes of applying the 5% limit will

be considered to be carrier route if the

firm piece (package) is eligible for the

carrier route rate under M220.1.4.

Otherwise the firm package will be

considered to be a 5-digit sorted piece

(even if the basic rate must be paid on

that piece).

* * * * *

[Amend the heading M940 to read as

follows:]

M940 Merged Palletization of Flats

Packages Using the City State Product

and a 5% Threshold

1.0 PERIODICALS MAIL

1.1 Basic Standards

[Amend 1.1g, 1.1h, and 1.1l to change

the reference numbers to read as

follows:]

Nonletter-size 5-digit packages from

an automation rate mailing and

nonletter-size 5-digit packages from a

Presorted rate mailing may be placed on

the same pallet (a merged 5-digit pallet

or a merged 5-digit scheme pallet) as

carrier route packages of nonletter-size

pieces under the following conditions:

* * * * *

g. The carrier route mailing must meet

the eligibility criteria in E230, the

automation rate mailing must meet the

eligibility criteria in E240, and the

Presorted rate mailing must meet the

eligibility criteria in E220.

h. The rates are based on the level of

package and the number of pieces in the

package under E220, E230, and E240.

* * * * *

l. Portions of the mailing job that

cannot be palletized must be prepared

in sacks under M210, M220, M820,

M910, or M920.

* * * * *

1.3 Low-Volume Packages on Pallets

[Amend 1.3 by changing ‘‘M200’’ to

‘‘M210, M220.’’]

1.4 5% Threshold Standard

[Amend 1.4f to reflect new reference

numbers to read as follows:]

For 5-digit ZIP Codes with a ‘‘B’’ or

‘‘D’’ indicator in the City State Product,

mailers may place 5-digit packages with

carrier route packages on the same

merged 5-digit scheme or merged 5-digit

pallet under 1.5 if all of the following

conditions are met:

* * * * *

f. Copies in firm packages claimed as

one piece for rate purposes will be

considered a single piece when

performing the 5% limit calculation

under 1.4a through 1.4d. As provided in

M210.1.4 and M220.1.4, some firm

packages claimed as one piece may be

eligible for carrier route rates, 5-digit

rates, or basic rates. The sortation level

of each firm piece (package) for

purposes of applying the 5% limit will

be considered to be carrier route if the

firm piece (package) is eligible for the

carrier route rate under M220.1.4.

Otherwise the firm package will be

considered to be a 5-digit sorted piece

(even if the basic rate must be paid on

that piece).

* * * * *

This change will be published in a

future issue of the Domestic Mail

Manual. An appropriate amendment to

39 CFR 111.3 to reflect these changes

will be published.

Stanley F. Mires,

Chief Counsel, Legislative.

[FR Doc. 00–31360 Filed 12–11–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

46 CFR Part 207

[Docket No. MARAD–2000–8464]

RIN 2133–AB43

Statistical Data for Use in OperatingDifferential Subsidy Application

Hearings

AGENCY: Maritime Administration,

Transportation.

ACTION: Final rule.