[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29386-29387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14157]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


North American Free Trade Agreement's Land Transportation 
Standards Subcommittee and Transportation Consultative Group; Annual 
Plenary Session

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice (1) announces the fourth joint annual plenary 
session of the North American Free Trade Agreement's (NAFTA) Land 
Transportation Standards Subcommittee (LTSS) and the Transportation 
Consultative Group (TCG) and other related meetings; and (2) invites 
representatives of non-governmental entities with an interest in land 
transportation issues to participate in a listening session immediately 
preceding the plenary meeting and to attend a briefing at a later date.

BACKGROUND: The Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee (LTSS) was 
established by the North American Free Trade Agreement's (NAFTA) 
Committee on Standards-Related Measures to examine the land 
transportation

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regulatory regimes in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and to 
seek to make certain standards more compatible. The Transportation 
Consultative Group (TCG) was formed by the three countries' departments 
of transportation to address non-standards-related issues that affect 
cross-border movements among the countries, but that are not included 
in the NAFTA.

MEETINGS AND DEADLINES: The fourth joint annual LTSS/TCG plenary 
session will be held from July 8 to 11, 1997, at the Westin Regina 
Hotel, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The following LTSS working 
groups will meet during the same week and at the same location: (1) 
Compliance and Driver and Vehicle Standards; (2) Vehicle Weights and 
Dimensions; and (3)Traffic Control Devices for Highways. Similarly, the 
following TCG working groups are expected to meet: (1) Cross-Border 
Operations and Facilitation; (2) Rail Safety and Economic Issues; (3) 
Automated Data Exchange; (4) and Maritime and Ports Policy.
    Also at the same Puerto Vallarta site, on July 8, 1997, from 3:00 
p.m. to 6:00 p.m., a listening session will be held for representatives 
of the truck, bus, rail, and chemical manufacturing industries, 
transportation labor unions, brokers and shippers, public safety 
advocates, and others who have notified us of their interest to attend 
and have submitted copies of their presentations, in English and 
Spanish, to the address below by June 20. This is an opportunity for 
presenters to voice their concerns, provide technical information, and 
offer suggestions relevant to achieving greater standards compatibility 
and improving cross-border trade. Hotel reservations may be arranged by 
calling 1-800-228-3000.
    A briefing to report on the outcome of the Puerto Vallarta meetings 
will be conducted at DOT at the address below, in Room 9230-32, on July 
24, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Interested parties may notify DOT of their 
interest to attend this briefing by calling (202) 366-2892 by July 21.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: LTSS-related documents, including working 
group reports and statements received by DOT from industry 
associations, transportation labor unions, public safety advocates, and 
others will be available for review in Docket no. OST-95-246, at the 
address below, Room PL-401, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., e.s.t., 
Monday through Friday, except national holidays.

ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS: Individuals and organizations interested 
in participating in the listening session may send notice of their 
interest and copies of their presentations to Maria Lameiro, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, OST/X-20, Room 10300, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590. Respondents may also send information by fax 
at (202) 366-7417. For additional information, call (202) 366-418-8269.

    Dated: May 23, 1997.
Bernard Gaillard,
Director, Office of International Transportation and Trade.
[FR Doc. 97-14157 Filed 5-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P