[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16859-16860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8376]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. OST-95-246]


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

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the ninth joint 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. As an adjunct to the plenary session, 
technical working groups that address specific standards-related areas 
will also meet. Representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGO) 
with an interest in land transportation issues may contact the 
chairpersons of LTSS or TCG working groups to which they wish to direct 
their comments, either in writing or in person. Only U.S., Canadian, 
and Mexican government officials may attend the plenary session.

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 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's LTSS work program (Annex 
913.5.a-1).
    Meetings and Deadlines: The ninth joint LTSS/TCG plenary session 
will be held May 28 and 29, 2003, at the Hyatt Riverwalk, San Antonio, 
Texas, USA. The following LTSS working groups are expected to meet 
during the same dates and at the same location: (1) Compliance and 
Driver and Vehicle Standards; (2) Vehicle Weights and Dimensions; and 
(3) Hazardous Materials Transportation Standards. The following TCG 
working groups also are expected to meet: (1) Cross-Border Operations 
and Facilitation; (2) Rail Safety and Economic Issues; (3) Science and 
Technology; and (4) Maritime and Ports Policy.
    An opportunity will be provided for non-governmental organizations 
to address officials of the individual working groups regarding issues 
that concern them and that are within the purview of those working 
groups. Representatives of the truck, bus, and rail industries, 
transportation labor unions, brokers and shippers, chemical 
manufacturers, insurance industry, public safety advocates, and others 
who wish to take advantage of this opportunity are asked to contact the 
U.S. chairperson of the group they wish to address. Contact names, 
addresses and phone numbers are provided later in this notice. Copies 
of presentations, in English and Spanish, should be mailed to the 
working group chairs no later than May 14, 2003. 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. While written 
statements may be of any length, oral presentations will be limited 
based on the number of presenters to be accommodated. Working group 
chairs will determine the allowable length of any oral presentation and 
communicate that to the interested NGOs at least one week prior to the 
meeting dates. After May 14, statements may be submitted for the record 
and requests to present oral comments to the working groups will be 
accommodated only on a time-available basis.
    Interested parties can make hotel reservations by telephoning the 
Hyatt Riverwalk at 1-800-233-6343 and identifying themselves as 
attendees to the NAFTA LTSS. This will ensure that attendees receive 
the meeting room rate. A block of guest rooms has been reserved at the 
hotel for the nights of May 27, 28 and 29 until April 20, 2003. After 
that the meeting rate cannot be guaranteed, nor the availability of 
guest rooms. A credit card is required to guarantee payment for all 
rooms.
    A briefing to report on the outcome of the meetings will be 
conducted in room 3328 at DOT at the address below, on Wednesday, June 
25, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Interested parties may notify DOT of 
their interest in attending this briefing by calling (202) 366-2892 by 
June 24.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: LTSS-related documents, including past 
working group reports and statements received by DOT from industry 
associations, transportation labor unions, public safety advocates, and 
others are available for review in Docket No. OST-95-246, at the 
address below, Room PL-401, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., (EST) Monday 
through Friday, except national holidays. The Docket, which is updated 
periodically, may also be accessed electronically at http://dms.dot.gov. Information about the ninth plenary session can also be 
found on the DOT NAFTA Web site at http://www.dot.gov/NAFTA.
    Address and Phone Numbers: Individuals and organizations interested 
in participating in working group sessions must send notice of their 
interest and copies of their presentations by May 14 to one or more of 
the following working group chairs:

LTSS Working Groups

Compliance and Driver and Vehicle Standards, Tom Kozlowski--(202-366-
4049), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions, Jim March--(202-366-9237), Federal 
Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Hazardous Materials Transportation Standards, Bob Richard--(202-366-

[[Page 16860]]

0586), Research & Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

TCG Working Groups

Cross-Border Operations and Facilitation, Maria Lameiro (202-366-2892), 
Office of International Transportation & Trade, Office of the Secretary 
of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Rail Safety and Economic Issues, Jane Bachner (202-493-6405), Federal 
Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Science and Technology, Rich Biter (202-366-5781), Office of the 
Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Maritime and Ports Policy, Greg Hall (202-366-5773), Maritime 
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590.

    For additional information, call (202) 366-2892.

    Dated: March 31, 2003.
Bernestine Allen,
Director, Office of International, Transportation and Trade.
[FR Doc. 03-8376 Filed 4-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P