[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 79458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32322]



[[Page 79458]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-00-8026 (PDA-26(R))]


Application by Boston & Maine Corporation for a Preemption 
Determination as to Massachusetts' Definitions of Hazardous Materials

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

ACTION: Notice Extending Period for Public Comment.

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SUMMARY: RSPA is extending the period for interested parties to submit 
comments on an application by Boston & Maine Corporation for an 
administrative determination whether Federal hazardous materials 
transportation law preempts the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' 
definitions of ``hazardous materials'' as applied to hazardous 
materials transportation.

DATES: Comments received on or before February 2, 2001, and rebuttal 
comments received on or before March 19, 2001, will be considered 
before an administrative ruling is issued by RSPA's Associate 
Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. Rebuttal comments may 
discuss only those issues raised by comments received during the 
initial comment period and may not discuss new issues.

ADDRESSES: The application and all comments received may be reviewed in 
the Dockets Office, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. The application and all 
comments are also available on-line through the home page of DOT's 
Docket Management System, at ``http://dms.dot.gov.''
    Comments must refer to Docket No. RSPA-00-8026 and may be submitted 
to the docket either in writing or electronically. Send three copies of 
each written comment to the Dockets Office at the above address. If you 
wish to receive confirmation of receipt of your written comments, 
include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. To submit comments 
electronically, log onto the Docket Management System website at http://dms.dot.gov, and click on ``Help & Information'' to obtain 
instructions.
    A copy of each comment must also be sent to (1) Robert B. 
Culliford, Esq., Corporate Counsel, Boston & Maine Corporation, Iron 
Horse Park, North Billerica, MA 01862, and (2) Ginny Sinkel, Esq., 
Assistant Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of 
the Attorney General, One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02108-
1698. A certification that a copy has been sent to these persons must 
also be included with the comment. (The following format is suggested: 
``I certify that copies of this comment have been sent to Mr. Culliford 
and Ms. Sinkel at the addresses specified in the Federal Register.'')
    A list and subject matter index of hazardous materials preemption 
cases, including all inconsistency rulings and preemption 
determinations issued, are available through the home page of RSPA's 
Office of the Chief Counsel, at ``http://rspa-atty.dot.gov.'' A paper 
copy of this list and index will be provided at no cost upon request to 
Ms. Christian, at the address and telephone number set forth in For 
Further Information Contact below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karin V. Christian, Office of the 
Chief Counsel, Research and Special Programs Administration (Tel. No. 
202-366-4400), Room 8407, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 16, 2000, RSPA published a 
notice in the Federal Register inviting interested parties to submit 
comments on an application by Boston & Maine Corporation for an 
administrative determination of whether Federal hazardous materials 
transportation law preempts the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' 
definitions of ``hazardous materials'' as applied to hazardous 
materials transportation. See 65 FR 69365.
    On December 12, 2000, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department 
of Fire Services and Department of Environmental Protection (the 
Commonwealth) sent RSPA a letter requesting a 30-day extension of time 
to comment on the preemption application. The Commonwealth states that 
Boston & Maine Corporation has assented to the request for an extension 
of time. Accordingly, RSPA is extending the comment period to February 
2, 2001 and the rebuttal comment period to March 19, 2001.

    Issued in Washington, DC on December 14, 2000.
Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 00-32322 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
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