[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 164 (Monday, August 25, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22493]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 171

[Docket No. RSPA-97-2501 (HM-221B)]
RIN 2137-AD04


Hazardous Materials: Use of Non-Specification Open-Head Fiber 
Drum Packagings

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

ACTION: Confirmation of effective date of direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document confirms the October 1, 1997 effective date of 
the direct final rule in this rulemaking docket, published on June 2, 
1997. That rule amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to 
allow the transportation of certain liquid hazardous materials in non-
specification open-head fiber drums until September 30, 1999, if the 
fiber drums have been filled before, and are not emptied and refilled 
after, the expiration of the current authority for the use of these 
packagings.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The June 2, 1997 direct final rule published at 62 FR 
29673 is effective October 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frazer C. Hilder, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-00001; 
telephone 202-366-4400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 2, 1997, RSPA published in the 
Federal Register a direct final rule adding a new paragraph 49 CFR 
171.14(c)(2) to the HMR (49 CFR Parts 171-180) providing as follows:
    (2) A non-specification fiber drum with a removable head authorized 
by paragraph (c)(1) of this section may be offered for transportation 
and transported domestically prior to October 1, 1999, if it--
    (i) Was filled with an authorized hazardous material prior to the 
expiration of the authority in paragraph (c)(1) of this section; and
    (ii) Is not emptied and refilled after the expiration of the 
authority in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. 62 FR 29676. The reason 
and basis for the direct final rule were set forth in the preamble.
    RSPA stated that this direct final rule would become effective on 
October 1, 1997, unless an adverse comment or notice of intent to file 
an adverse comment was received by August 1, 1997. RSPA also stated 
that it would publish in the Federal Register a timely document 
confirming the effective date of this direct final rule. 62 FR 29673.
    This document confirms that, because no adverse comment or notice 
of intent to file an adverse comment was received by August 1, 1997, 
the effective date of the June 2, 1997 direct final rule is October 1, 
1997.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 19, 1997.
Alan I. Roberts,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 97-22493 Filed 8-22-97; 8:45 am]
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