[Federal Register: December 16, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 241)]
[Notices]
[Page 65847-65848]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16de97-100]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. MC-96-40; FHWA-1997-2287]


Motor Carrier Regulatory Relief and Safety Demonstration Project

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Extension of deadline for submission of applications.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is extending the deadline for motor carriers to
submit applications to participate in the agency's Motor Carrier
Regulatory Relief and Safety Demonstration Project (the Project). The
Project will allow eligible motor carriers operating light- to medium-
weight commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce to qualify for
an exemption from certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
(FMCSRs) for a three-year period.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before June 30, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Robert W. Miller, Office of Motor Carrier Field Operations, HMC-DC,
(202) 523-0178, Federal Highway Administration, Union Center Plaza,
Suite 750, 820 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002; or Mr. Charles
E. Medalen, Office of the Chief Counsel, HCC-20, (202) 366-1354,
Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 28, 1995, the President signed the National Highway
System Designation Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-59, 109 Stat. 568) (the
Act). Section 344 of the Act, codified at 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)(2),
requires the Secretary to implement a commercial motor vehicle
regulatory relief and safety pilot program to grant and to monitor
exemptions from provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations. The exemptions would be applicable to motor carriers
operating commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) between 4,537 and 11,794 kilograms (10,001 and 26,000 pounds),
inclusive. However, commercial motor vehicles designed to transport
more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and vehicles
transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding are
not covered under the Project.
    On August 28, 1996 (61 FR 44385), the FHWA requested public comment
on the implementation of section 31136(e)(2). In response to comments
which raised the concerns about the relationship between the Project
and existing State motor carrier safety regulations, a supplemental
notice was published on October 29, 1996 (61 FR 55835). The
supplemental notice requested comment on the use of the FHWA's
preemption authority to resolve any conflicts between the Project and
State regulations. The FHWA issued the notice of final determination
for the Project on June 10, 1997 (62 FR 31655).

Reason for Extending the Application Deadline

    The FHWA has received numerous telephone calls from motor carriers
interested in participating in the Project but uncertain about how to
document the information that must be submitted with their requests to
participate. These inquiries indicate there is need for additional
information to assist motor carriers in understanding the criteria for

[[Page 65848]]

admission to, and the procedures for applying for, the Project. The
agency will soon publish in the Federal Register additional information
clarifying the eligibility criteria and application process. In the
meantime, to ensure that all eligible motor carriers have an
opportunity to submit the information required by the notice of final
determination, the agency is extending the application period to June
30, 1998.
    The FHWA notes that this extension of the deadline to submit
applications does not alter the eligibility criteria for participating
in the Project, or the information that must be submitted. Therefore,
eligible motor carriers interested in participating in the Project must
submit all of the information specified in the notice of final
determination. If there are questions about the eligibility criteria or
the application process, motor carriers should contact one of the
individuals listed at the beginning of this notice.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31136, 31141, and 31502; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: December 9, 1997.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-32737 Filed 12-15-97; 8:45 am]
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