# J.H. Walker Trucking — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** CHI-02-001  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2002-06-26

CHI-02-001 response to J.H. Walker Trucking concerning 171.1, 171.8.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

BINEIEMPER
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Room 8407
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Special Programs
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
Administration
Chief Counsel
Office of the
Phone: (202) 366-4400
Fax: (202) 366-7041
JUN 26 2002
Mr. Kevin P. Mullen
Director of Safety
J.H. Walker Trucking
P.O. Box 19771
Houston, TX 77224
Dear Mr. Mullen:
I am returning your June 6, 2002 letter in which you asked the
Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) to "strike
down" certain requirements of the City of Galveston, Texas
concerning the issuance of a permit to load, unload, or transport
explosives.
You state that "these
rules restrict interstate
commerce and have not been submitted to RSPA for ratification."
The Department of Transportation and RSPA do not "strike down"
hazardous materials.
local requirements on the transportation of explosives or other
A local government (including a city) is
not required to submit its requirements to us for "ratification,"
interstate commerce
and we do not issue opinions on whether a requirement restricts
tribe applies for a "waiver" of preemption under 49 U.S.C.
(except when a State, locality, or Indian
$ 5125 (e)) .
Under 49 U.S.C. § 5125 (d), the Department of Transportation
may issue an administrative determination that Federal hazardous
material transportation law preempts a requirement of a State,
local, or Indian tribal government under the criteria set forth
in 49 U.S.C. § 5125 (a), (b) (1), and (c). RSPA's procedures for
issuing preemption determinations are contained in 49 C.F.R.
S§ 107.201 - 107.213. Copies of these sections of the law and
our procedural regulations are enclosed.
If you wish to submit an application for an administrative
determination of preemption,
you need to provide the information
specified in 49 C.F.R. § 107.203 (b), including why you believe
the Galveston requirements are preempted under the preemption
criteria in 49 U.S.C. S 5125(a) and (b) (1). You should also
address the extent to which the Galveston requirements are

<<<PAGE 2>>>

2
pursuant (or similar) to Captain of the Port or other orders of
"authorized by another law of the United States."
the U.s. Coast Guard and whether, on that account, they are
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further
the above address or at 202-366-4400.
questions, please contact me or Frazer C. Hilder of my staff, at
Sincerely,
Edward H. Bonekemper, III
Assistant Chief Counsel for
Hazardous Material Safety,
Research and Technology Law
Enclosures
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Hazmat/ChiefCounsel/CHI-02-001.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `dba3a9db2efb35d870ff8b8ea1a2cb35487f8b6266a63a000083367632da4ed8`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-25T05:31:32.245Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-chi-02-001`

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