[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 89 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25656-25657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10473]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-04-16964 (Notice No. 04-3)]


Hazardous Materials: Regulations for the Safe Transport of 
Radioactive Material (TS-R-1); Solicitation of Proposed Changes

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

ACTION: Solicitation of proposals for changes to the International 
Atomic Energy Agency Regulations.

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SUMMARY: RSPA and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are 
jointly seeking proposed changes to the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive 
Material (referred to as TS-R-1). The proposed changes that are 
submitted by the U.S. and other IAEA member states and International 
Organizations might necessitate subsequent domestic compatibility 
rulemakings by both DOT and NRC.

DATES: Proposals will be accepted June 7, 2004. Proposals received 
after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, however 
we are only able to assure consideration only for proposals received on 
or before this date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit proposed changes identified by the docket 
number (RSPA-04-16964 (Notice No. 04-3)) by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-402, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Hand Delivery: To the Docket Management System; Room PL-
402 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this 
notice. For detailed instructions on submitting proposals and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public 
Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this 
document. Note that all proposals received will be posted without 
change to http://dms.dot.gov including any personal information 
provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading under Supplementary 
Information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
proposals received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to the 
Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Boyle, Office of Hazardous 
Material Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation, Nassif 
Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington DC, 20590-0001; (202) 
366-2993; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The IAEA periodically revises its Regulations for the Safe 
Transport of Radioactive Material to reflect new information and 
accumulated experience. The DOT is the U.S. competent authority before 
the IAEA for radioactive material transportation matters. The NRC 
provides technical support to the DOT in this regard, particularly with 
regard to Type B and fissile packages.
    The IAEA recently initiated the review cycle for the 2007 edition 
of its regulations. The IAEA's review process calls for Member States 
and International Organizations to provide proposed changes to the IAEA 
by July 15, 2004. The objective is publication of revised regulations 
in 2007, nominally

[[Page 25657]]

to become effective worldwide in 2009. To assure opportunity for public 
involvement in the international regulatory development process, the 
DOT and the NRC are soliciting proposals for changes to the IAEA 
Regulations at this time. This information will assist the DOT and the 
NRC in having a full range of views as the agencies develop the 
proposed changes the U.S. will submit to the IAEA.

II. Public Participation

    Proposed changes should identify the docket number (RSPA-04-16964 
(Notice No. 04-3)) and if by mail proposed changes are to be submitted 
in two copies. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of 
their proposals should include a self-addressed stamped postcard. 
Internet users may access all proposals received by the U.S. Department 
of Transportation at http://dms.dot.gov.
    Proposed changes must be submitted in writing (electronic file on 
disk in Microsoft Word format preferred) and are to include:
    Name;
     Address;
     Telephone no.;
     E-mail address;
     Objective of change/regulatory problem (e.g., a description of the 
problem being addressed and its consequences);
     Justification for change (e.g., the proposed change maintains 
safety in transport, is risk-informed, and is effective and efficient 
(e.g., does not impose an undue burden on shippers or carriers));
     Paragraphs of the current regulations (TS-R-1) affected (existing 
text, and proposed new text); and
     Modification of or additional guidance material (existing text, 
and proposed new text); and reference(s) and/or reference material as 
needed.
    The DOT and the NRC will review the proposed changes and 
rationales. Based in part on the information received, the U.S. will 
propose changes to be submitted to the IAEA by July 15, 2004.
    Proposals for changes from all Member States and International 
Organizations will be considered at an IAEA Review Panel Meeting to be 
convened by IAEA on September 27-October 1, 2004, in Vienna, Austria. 
Prior to that meeting, the DOT and the NRC anticipate holding a public 
meeting to solicit comment on all (including U.S.) proposed changes 
submitted to the IAEA.

III. Privacy Act

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all proposed 
changes received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the proposed change (or signing the proposed change, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 
19477-78) or may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC on May 4, 2004.
Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 04-10473 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
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