# James H. Buchholz — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 02-0249  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2003-02-10

02-0249 concerning 171.1.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

i.S. Deparimen
of Transportatio
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
pecial Program
dministration
FEB 10 2003
Mr. James H. Buchholz
204 N Brayer St.
Ref. No.
02-0249
Holgate, OH 43527
Dear Mr. Buchholz:
This is in response to your September 19, 2002 letter
regarding applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations
plant movement of hazardous material that cross a public
(HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically you ask if intra-
railroad line is subject to the HMR?
The answer is yes.
material that utilizes or crosses a public railroad line is
An intra-plant movement of hazardous
subject to the HMR during that portion of the movement.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further
questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Sincerely,
Lilan, Bullyi
Delmer F.
Chief, Standards Development
Billings
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
17/1
020249

<<<PAGE 2>>>

BAH
02-0249
File: 171.1
I have an interpertation Dated Sep. 13,1999 addressed to MrRudolph Bouie, Ref. No. 99-0232 which
states: "Similarly, intra-plantmovement of hazardous materials that takes place within the
contiguousplant boundry is not subject to HMR. However, intra-plant movement thatutilizes or crosses
a public road is subject to the HMR during thatportion of the movement.My question is what if it is a
public rail line instead of a road? Theplant owns property on both sides of the tracks, and the railroad
built acrossing for the plant to cross the tracks. This crossing is onlyavailable to the plant.I am traveling
all week but am home at night and can check my e-mail. Ifpossible I need an aswer by the end of the
day 9/18/02. You might be ableto reach me by cell phone tomorrow. 419-262-0571. Respectfully - Jim
Buchholz

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020249.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `ffd00d860f48e53669c789787b185a7c1cf43bc73365314d1a5f6f66ef36ef2e`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T23:35:51.270Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-02-0249`

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