Hazardous Materials: Prohibition of Oxidizers Aboard Aircraft; Notice of Public Meeting and Reopening of Comment Period

Passage 1[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 63306] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-31114] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket HM-224A; Notice No. 97-15] RIN 2137-AC92 Hazardous Materials: Prohibition of Oxidizers Aboard Aircraft; Notice of Public Meeting and Reopening of Comment Period AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Proposed rules; public meeting and reopening of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: RSPA is inviting additional comments concerning proposals to prohibit the transportation of oxidizers in passenger-carrying aircraft and in inaccessible locations on cargo aircraft, as issued by RSPA in a notice of proposed rulemaking on December 30, 1996, and a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on August 20, 1997. RSPA and FAA will hold a public meeting on January 14, 1998, in Washington, DC. In addition, RSPA is reopening the comment period for Docket HM-224A until February 13, 1998. DATES: Comments. Comments must be received by February 13, 1998. Public meeting The public meeting will be held on January 14, 1998 beginning at 9:00 a.m.#

Passage 2ADDRESSES: Comments. Address comments to the Dockets Unit, Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, room 8421, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001. Comments should identify the docket number and be submitted in five copies. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their comments should include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to the following address: [email protected]. The Dockets Unit is located in the Department of Transportation headquarters building (Nassif Building) at the above address on the eighth floor. Public dockets may be reviewed there between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Public meeting The public meeting will be held at the Federal Aviation Administration Auditorium, Third floor, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20591. Any person planning to present a statement at the public meeting should notify Diane LaValle, by telephone or by e-mail before January 9, 1998. Oral statements should be limited to 10 minutes in length. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane LaValle or John Gale, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, (202) 366-8553, Research and Special Programs Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590- 0001. E-mail address: [email protected].#

Passage 3SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 30, 1996, RSPA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register [61 FR 68955] which proposed to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts 171-180) to prohibit the carriage of oxidizers, including compressed oxygen, in passenger-carrying aircraft and in inaccessible locations on cargo aircraft. The December 30, 1996 notice of proposed rulemaking analyzed Class D cargo compartments. On August 20, 1997 a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register [62 FR 44374] which specifically analyzed the prohibition of oxidizers in other than Class D cargo compartments. Nine associations requested that RSPA schedule a public meeting to more fully explore issues relating to the necessity and effect of the proposed ban on transportation of oxidizers aboard aircraft. RSPA believes the request has merit and will hold a public meeting on January 14, 1998 to provide an opportunity for oral comment on the proposed action. RSPA is also reopening the comment period to provide additional time for submission of written comments. Issued in Washington, DC on November 21, 1997 under authority delegated in 49 CFR, Part 106. Alan I. Roberts, Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. [FR Doc. 97-31114 Filed 11-26-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P#