[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