Action
Notice of application for preemption determination, consolidation with the American Trucking Associations, Inc. (ATA) application for preemption determination, and extension of time to submit comments.
Summary
FMCSA provides notice and invites interested parties to submit comments on an application by the Massachusetts Department of Highways (MassHighway) for an administrative determination on whether Federal law preempts highway routing designations issued by the City of Boston (Boston) regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. MassHighway seeks a preemption determination to resolve whether Boston's regulatory scheme on hazardous materials transportation in Boston remains consistent with Federal law in light of the history of the Boston regulation, changes that have occurred since the regulation's inception in 1980, and policy changes in issuing permits under the regulation. The MassHighway application, filed on July 25, 2008, encompasses the issues raised by ATA in its application for preemption determination filed on May 30, 2008. Accordingly, the MassHighway application will be consolidated with the ATA application in Docket No. FMCSA-1008-0204 and the time period for submitting comments is extended by this notice.