[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 51 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13951-13952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5191]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2005-22056]


Public Meeting: North American Cargo Securement Public Forum

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces a public meeting concerning the implementation 
of the North American Standard for Protection Against Shifting or 
Falling Cargo. FMCSA's cargo securement rules are based on the North 
American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulations (Model 
Regulations), reflecting the results of a multi-year comprehensive 
research program to evaluate what were then current U.S. and Canadian 
cargo securement regulations; the motor carrier industry's best 
practices; and recommendations presented during a series of public 
meetings involving U.S. and Canadian industry experts, Federal, State 
and Provincial enforcement officials, and other interested parties. 
Canada's Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and 
Highway Safety approved a National Safety Code Standard for cargo 
securement which is also based on the Model Regulations. This meeting 
is to discuss the process for ensuring the consistent interpretation of 
the harmonized cargo securement standards by FMCSA and the Canadian 
Provinces, and interpretation issues raised by enforcement agencies and 
motor carriers in the U.S. and Canada.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. The 
meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Colorado Convention Center, 
700 14th Street, Denver, Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Huntley, Chief of the Vehicle 
and Roadside Operations Division (MC-PSV), (202) 366-9209, Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

INFORMATION ON SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: For 
information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact: 
Mr. Mike Huntley, (202) 366-9209, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 13952]]

Background

    On September 27, 2002 (67 FR 61212), FMCSA published a final rule 
revising its regulations concerning protection against shifting and 
falling cargo for commercial motor vehicles operated in interstate 
commerce. Motor carriers were given until January 1, 2004, to comply 
with the new regulations.
    On September 23, 2004, Canada's Council of Ministers Responsible 
for Transportation and Highway Safety approved a National Safety Code 
Standard for cargo securement which is also based on the Model 
Regulations. Full implementation of the new cargo securement 
requirements in Canada began in the summer of 2005.
    On June 22, 2006 (71 FR 35819), FMCSA amended its cargo securement 
rules in response to several petitions for reconsideration. The 
amendments were effective on July 24, 2006.

Maintaining Uniformity Between U.S. and Canadian Cargo Securement 
Standards

    FMCSA is committed to continuing to work with U.S. and Canadian 
industry experts, Federal, State and Provincial enforcement officials, 
and other interested parties to maintain, to the greatest extent 
practicable, harmonization of U.S. and Canadian cargo securement 
standards. A major part of this effort includes uniformity in 
interpreting the meaning of the requirements adopted by the U.S. and 
Canada. While there are some differences between certain provisions of 
the regulations adopted by FMCSA and Canada's National Safety Code 
Standard 10, most of the contents of the model regulations have been 
adopted, or will soon be adopted, by almost all jurisdictions in the 
U.S. and Canada. To ensure consistency in the interpretation and 
enforcement of the requirements, FMCSA is working with its partners in 
Canada to share information about requests for interpretation, and to 
exchange technical information that would be helpful to the regulatory 
agencies in developing responses to such requests. FMCSA is also 
working with its partners in Canada to ensure that interpretations are 
made available to all interested parties in an efficient and timely 
manner.
    This meeting is intended to provide all stakeholders, including 
motor carrier safety agencies and industry, with an opportunity to 
discuss issues that have arisen concerning implementation of the cargo 
securement regulations in both countries, and to promote safe, 
harmonized requirements for the securement of cargo on or in commercial 
motor vehicles throughout North America. Participation in the North 
American Cargo Securement Forum is unrestricted, and open to all 
stakeholders and interested persons, including motor carrier safety 
enforcement agencies, safety advocacy groups, and industry.
    Meeting Information: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 
26, 2008, at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver, 
Colorado. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The 
meeting is being held in connection with the Commercial Vehicle Safety 
Alliance's (CVSA) 2008 Workshop. Attendance for the North American 
Cargo Securement Public Forum is free of charge and open to all 
interested parties. However, anyone interested in attending the 
sessions and committee meetings of the CVSA's 2008 Workshop must 
register with the CVSA and pay the appropriate registration fee. For 
further information about registration for other sessions or meetings 
of the CVSA's 2008 Workshop, please contact the CVSA at (202) 775-1623.

    Issued on: March 11, 2008.
Charles A. Horan III,
Acting Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E8-5191 Filed 3-13-08; 8:45 am]
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