Hazardous Materials; Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary Lithium Batteries and Cells Aboard Passenger Aircraft; Notice of Public Meeting, 2367 [05-736]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 9 / Thursday, January 13, 2005 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Research and Special Programs Administration 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, and 175 [Docket No. RSPA–04–19886 (HM–224E)] RIN 2137–AE05 Hazardous Materials; Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary Lithium Batteries and Cells Aboard Passenger Aircraft; Notice of Public Meeting Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces a public meeting to be held on January 27, 2005, to solicit public comments on amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations adopted by RSPA in an interim final rule published on December 15, 2004. This interim final rule imposed a limited prohibition on offering for transportation and transportation of primary (nonrechargeable) lithium batteries and cells as cargo aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. DATES: Comments date. Submit comments for presentation at the public meeting by January 20, 2005. We will consider comments received during this public meeting in making our decision on a final rule. Submit comments on the interim final rule by February 14, 2005. Public Meeting Date. The public meeting will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2005. ADDRESSES: Public Meeting. The public meeting will be held in Room 2230 at the U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC. For information on facilities or services for persons with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, please contact Mr. Darral Relerford at 202– 366–8553 as soon as possible. Comments. Written comments on the interim final rule may be submitted at the public meeting, or sent by mail to Dockets Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation PL–401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. Comments should identify Docket Number RSPA–04– 19886 (HM–224E) and be submitted in 2 copies. Comments may also be hand delivered to PL–401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also provide electronic comments via the DOT Web site at: https:// SUMMARY: VerDate jul<14>2003 14:42 Jan 12, 2005 Jkt 205001 dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darral Relerford (202) 366–8553, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, (202) 366–8553, Research and Special Programs Administration: or John A. Gale, (202) 366–8553, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, (202) 366–8553, Research and Special Programs Administration. Any person wishing to present an oral statement at the public meeting should notify Mr. Relerford before the public meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On December 15, 2004, the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA, we) published an interim final rule (IFR) (69 FR 75207) under Docket RSPA–04–19886 (HM–224E) imposing a limited prohibition on offering for transportation and transportation of primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries and cells as cargo aboard passenger-carrying aircraft and equipment containing or packed with large primary lithium batteries. These prohibitions took effect on December 29, 2004. The IFR applies to both foreign and domestic passenger-carrying aircraft entering, leaving, or operating in the United States and to persons offering primary lithium batteries and cells for transportation as cargo on any passenger-carrying aircraft. The IFR allows the carriage of lithium batteries or devices containing lithium batteries that are transported for personal use by a passenger in carry-on or checked luggage, with certain limits. In addition, the IFR allows the shipment of equipment that contains or is packed with small primary lithium batteries with certain limits, and the continued shipment of secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries). The IFR also requires packages of primary lithium batteries and cells that are excepted from classification as a Class 9 (miscellaneous) hazardous material, to be marked when offered for transport as cargo in any mode, to indicate that they are forbidden for transport aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. Public Meeting To facilitate public comments on the IFR, we are hosting a public meeting on January 27, 2005. The public meeting will provide an informal forum for interested persons to offer comments on the HM–224E IFR. A transcript of this meeting will be prepared and submitted to the docket. We anticipate significant PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 2367 public interest in this rulemaking; therefore, we ask that you limit your remarks to 10 minutes to assure that all participants have an opportunity to speak. The meeting may conclude earlier than scheduled if all persons wishing to offer comments have been heard. Issued in Washington, DC on January 7, 2005. Frits Wybenga, Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. [FR Doc. 05–736 Filed 1–12–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 229 [Docket No. 030221039–5006–17; I.D. 010705A] Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NOAA, announces temporary restrictions consistent with the requirements of the ALWTRP’s implementing regulations. These regulations apply to lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,889 square nautical miles (nm2) (6,479.1 km2), east of Portland, ME, for 15 days. The purpose of this action is to provide protection to an aggregation of North Atlantic right whales (right whales). DATES: Effective beginning at 0001 hours January 15, 2005, through 2400 hours January 29, 2005. ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed and final Dynamic Area Management (DAM) rules, Environmental Assessments (EAs), Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (ALWTRT) meeting summaries, and progress reports on implementation of the ALWTRP may also be obtained by writing Diane Borggaard, NMFS/Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Borggaard, NMFS/Northeast Region, 978–281–9328 x6503; or Kristy E:\FR\FM\13JAR1.SGM 13JAR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-736]



[[Page 2367]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, and 175

[Docket No. RSPA-04-19886 (HM-224E)]
RIN 2137-AE05


Hazardous Materials; Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary 
Lithium Batteries and Cells Aboard Passenger Aircraft; Notice of Public 
Meeting

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting to be held on January 
27, 2005, to solicit public comments on amendments to the Hazardous 
Materials Regulations adopted by RSPA in an interim final rule 
published on December 15, 2004. This interim final rule imposed a 
limited prohibition on offering for transportation and transportation 
of primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries and cells as cargo 
aboard passenger-carrying aircraft.

DATES: Comments date. Submit comments for presentation at the public 
meeting by January 20, 2005. We will consider comments received during 
this public meeting in making our decision on a final rule. Submit 
comments on the interim final rule by February 14, 2005.
    Public Meeting Date. The public meeting will be held from 9:30 a.m. 
to 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Public Meeting. The public meeting will be held in Room 2230 
at the U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters Building, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC. For information on facilities or 
services for persons with disabilities or to request special assistance 
at the meeting, please contact Mr. Darral Relerford at 202-366-8553 as 
soon as possible.
    Comments. Written comments on the interim final rule may be 
submitted at the public meeting, or sent by mail to Dockets Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify Docket Number 
RSPA-04-19886 (HM-224E) and be submitted in 2 copies. Comments may also 
be hand delivered to PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also provide 
electronic comments via the DOT Web site at: https://dms.dot.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket 
site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darral Relerford (202) 366-8553, 
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, (202) 366-8553, Research and 
Special Programs Administration: or John A. Gale, (202) 366-8553, 
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, (202) 366-8553, Research and 
Special Programs Administration. Any person wishing to present an oral 
statement at the public meeting should notify Mr. Relerford before the 
public meeting.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 15, 2004, the Research and Special Programs 
Administration (RSPA, we) published an interim final rule (IFR) (69 FR 
75207) under Docket RSPA-04-19886 (HM-224E) imposing a limited 
prohibition on offering for transportation and transportation of 
primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries and cells as cargo aboard 
passenger-carrying aircraft and equipment containing or packed with 
large primary lithium batteries. These prohibitions took effect on 
December 29, 2004. The IFR applies to both foreign and domestic 
passenger-carrying aircraft entering, leaving, or operating in the 
United States and to persons offering primary lithium batteries and 
cells for transportation as cargo on any passenger-carrying aircraft. 
The IFR allows the carriage of lithium batteries or devices containing 
lithium batteries that are transported for personal use by a passenger 
in carry-on or checked luggage, with certain limits. In addition, the 
IFR allows the shipment of equipment that contains or is packed with 
small primary lithium batteries with certain limits, and the continued 
shipment of secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries (e.g., lithium 
ion batteries). The IFR also requires packages of primary lithium 
batteries and cells that are excepted from classification as a Class 9 
(miscellaneous) hazardous material, to be marked when offered for 
transport as cargo in any mode, to indicate that they are forbidden for 
transport aboard passenger-carrying aircraft.

Public Meeting

    To facilitate public comments on the IFR, we are hosting a public 
meeting on January 27, 2005. The public meeting will provide an 
informal forum for interested persons to offer comments on the HM-224E 
IFR. A transcript of this meeting will be prepared and submitted to the 
docket. We anticipate significant public interest in this rulemaking; 
therefore, we ask that you limit your remarks to 10 minutes to assure 
that all participants have an opportunity to speak. The meeting may 
conclude earlier than scheduled if all persons wishing to offer 
comments have been heard.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 7, 2005.
Frits Wybenga,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 05-736 Filed 1-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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