New Mailing Standards for Live Animals and Special Handling, 24132-24134 [2013-09603]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 24132 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules otherwise specifically designated for exemptions herein which contain isolated items of properly classified information. (c) Exemption for Anticipation of a Civil Action or Proceeding. All systems of records maintained by the NGB shall be exempt under section (d)(5) of 5 U.S.C. 552a, to the extent that the record is compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding. (d) General Exemptions. No SOR within the NGB shall be considered exempt under subsection (j) or (k) of 5 U.S.C. 552a until the exemption rule for the SOR has been published as a final rule in the FR. (e) Specific exemptions. (1) System identifier and name: INGB 001, Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.) and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) Case Files. (i) Exemption: During the course of a 5 U.S.C. 552 or 5 U.S.C. 552a action, exempt materials from other systems of records may, in turn, become part of the case records in this system. To the extent that copies of exempt records from those other systems of records are entered into this 5 U.S.C. 552 or 5 U.S.C. 552a case record, the NGB hereby claims the same exemptions for the records from those other systems that are entered into this system, as claimed for the original primary SOR which they are a part. (ii) Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a, sections (j)(2), (k)(1), (k)(2), (k)(3), (k)(4), (k)(5), (k)(6), and (k)(7). (iii) Reasons: Records are only exempt from pertinent provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a to the extent such provisions have been identified and an exemption claimed for the original record and the purposes underlying the exemption for the original record still pertain to the record which is now contained in this SOR. In general, the exemptions were claimed in order to protect properly classified information relating to national defense and foreign policy, to avoid interference during the conduct of criminal, civil, or administrative actions or investigations, to ensure protective services provided the President and others are not compromised, to protect the identity of confidential sources incident to Federal employment, military service, contract, and security clearance determinations, to preserve the confidentiality and integrity of Federal testing materials, and to safeguard evaluation materials used for military promotions when furnished by a confidential source. The exemption rule for the original records will identify the specific reasons why the records are exempt from specific provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:02 Apr 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 (2) System identifier and name: INGB 005, Special Investigation Reports and Files. (i) Exemption: Investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes, other than material within the scope of subsection 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). However, if an individual is denied any right, privilege, or benefit for which he would otherwise be entitled by Federal law or for which he would otherwise be eligible, as a result of the maintenance of the information, the individual will be provided access to the information except to the extent that disclosure would reveal the identity of a confidential source. Note: When claimed, this exemption allows limited protection of investigative reports maintained in a SOR used in personnel or administrative actions. Any portion of this SOR which falls within the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) may be exempt from the following subsections of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and (f). (ii) Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a, section (k)(2). (iii) Reasons: (A) From subsection (c)(3) because to grant access to the accounting for each disclosure as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a, including the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure and the identity of the recipient, could alert the subject to the existence of the investigation. This could seriously compromise case preparation by prematurely revealing its existence and nature; compromise or interfere with witnesses or make witnesses reluctant to cooperate; and lead to suppression, alteration, or destruction of evidence. (B) From subsections (d) and (f) because providing access to investigative records and the right to contest the contents of those records and force changes to be made to the information contained therein would seriously interfere with and thwart the orderly and unbiased conduct of the investigation and impede case preparation. Providing access rights normally afforded under 5 U.S.C. 552a would provide the subject with valuable information that would allow interference with or compromise of witnesses or render witnesses reluctant to cooperate; lead to suppression, alteration, or destruction of evidence; enable individuals to conceal their wrongdoing or mislead the course of the investigation; and result in the secreting of or other disposition of assets that would make them difficult or impossible to reach in order to satisfy any Government claim growing out of the investigation or proceeding. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (C) From subsection (e)(1) because it is not always possible to detect the relevance or necessity of each piece of information in the early stages of an investigation. In some cases, it is only after the information is evaluated in light of other evidence that its relevance and necessity will be clear. (D) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H) because this SOR is compiled for investigative purposes and is exempt from the access provisions of subsections (d) and (f). (E) From subsection (e)(4)(I) because to the extent that this provision is construed to require more detailed disclosure than the broad, generic information currently published in the system notice, an exemption from this provision is necessary to protect the confidentiality of sources of information and to protect privacy and physical safety of witnesses and informants. Dated: April 15, 2013. Patricia Toppings, OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2013–09619 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 111 New Mailing Standards for Live Animals and Special Handling Postal ServiceTM. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Postal Service is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 503.14 and 601.9.3 to require special handling service for shipments containing certain types of live animals, to limit the mail classes available for use when shipping certain types of live animals, and to expand the mailability of live animals domestically to include any adult bird weighing no more than 25 pounds. DATES: Submit comments on or before May 24, 2013. ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446, Washington, DC 20260–5015. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS® Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 11th Floor North, Washington, DC, by appointment only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 1–202–268–2906 in advance for an appointment. Email SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM 24APP1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to: ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of ‘‘Live Animals.’’ Faxed comments are not accepted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grace Letto at 202–268–8370 or Rachel Devadas at 202–268–7276. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service currently requires special handling service for designated shipments of live animals needing additional care during transport and handling to its destination as follows: Domestic shipments containing honeybees or baby poultry are currently required to include special handling service, unless First-Class Mail®, FirstClass Package ServiceTM, or Priority Mail® is used. Shipments containing live animals must also be marked on the address side with a description of the contents, even if special handling service is not purchased. These markings provide notice to Postal Service employees that specific care, different from the handling of ordinary mailpieces, is required. Circumstances requiring the Postal Service to handle shipments containing live animals differently also include: a. Protection of Postal Service employees and the public against harm from diseased animals. b. Protection of the mail and the environment against damage to the shipping container or the live animal and offensive odors or noise. c. Protection of animals against death, taking into account the expected time and temperature in transit (weather conditions), and packaging sufficient to resist impact, heat and cold, and to prevent suffocation. The Postal Service consistently accepts, transports, and delivers live animals with additional care in handling, regardless of the mail class or the extra service being purchased. This additional care ensures safe and effective processing for mail containing live animals through the mailstream to its destination. Consequently, the Postal Service incurs additional expense to isolate and protect live shipments even when sent by air transportation, such as with Express Mail® or Priority Mail®. If this proposal is adopted the Postal Service will require special handling service for all parcels containing bulk shipments of bees (e.g. a queen bee packaged with an attending swarm), day-old poultry and adult birds, regardless of the class of mail used. Additionally, the Postal Service currently affixes a unique tracking barcode on all parcels presented at retail, and recommends that all mailers VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:02 Apr 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 not presenting shipments at retail include an Intelligent Mail® package barcode (IMpb) on their mailpieces, when not already required to do so as a condition of the mail class and price category or postage payment method used. If this proposal is adopted, the Postal Service will require mailers purchasing special handing to either present their mailpieces at retail, or to include an IMpb, embedded with the appropriate service type code applicable to special handling and the mail class used, on their mailpieces. The Postal Service also proposes that shipments of live animals that include special handling must be accepted at either a USPS retail unit, Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or a Detached Mail Unit (DMU). The Postal Service anticipates that the combination of IMpb tracking and special handling service will provide customers with the service they expect as their parcels containing live animals are transported to their respective destinations. To assure prompt or expedited delivery and to minimize the chances of animals dying in transit, the Postal Service is also proposing to require shipments containing amphibians and reptiles to be limited to the following products: Express Mail, Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail®), First-Class Mail (parcels only) or First-Class Package Service. If this proposal is adopted, shipments of live amphibians and reptiles would no longer be permitted for use with any Package Services, Standard PostTM, or Parcel Select® products. Currently, certain disease-free adult birds can be accepted for domestic shipment when mailed in compliance with applicable regulations. Mailability is currently restricted to adult chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, doves, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, quail ducks, geese, and swans. The Postal Service is proposing to expand its mailing standards to allow for the shipment of any disease-free live bird, weighing no more than 25 pounds, which can be legally transported. If this proposal is adopted, mailers must be compliant with all applicable governmental laws and regulations, including the Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any state, municipal or local ordinances. Mailings must also be compliant with the guidelines provided in USPS Publication 14, Prohibitions and Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter, Chapter 5. Although we are exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24133 553 (b), (c)) regarding proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we invite public comments on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1. List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service. Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 111 — [AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301– 307; 18 U.S.C. 1692–1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001–3011, 3201– 3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001. 2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows: ■ Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) * * * * * 500 Additional Mailing Services * * 503 Extra Services * * 14.0 * * * * * Special Handling 14.1 * * Fees for Special Handling * 14.1.2 * * * Fee and Postage [Revise the first sentence of 14.1.2 as follows:] The applicable special handling fee must be paid in addition to postage for each addressed piece for which special handling service is required by standards, or is requested. * * * 14.2 Basic Information 14.2.1 Description [Revise the 14.2.1 by adding a new fourth and fifth sentence as follows:] * * * Items with special handling service receive tracking and when not presented at retail must include an Intelligent Mail package barcode prepared in accordance with 708.5. Any mailpieces containing live animals and including special handling must be presented at retail postal unit, a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU), or a Detached Mail Unit (DMU). E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM 24APP1 24134 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Proposed Rules 14.2.2 Eligible Matter [Revise 14.2.2 as follows:] Special handling service is available only for Express Mail, Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail), First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service, Standard Post, Package Services, and Parcel Select (except Parcel Select Lightweight) pieces. * * * * * [Revise title of 14.2.4 and text as follows:] 14.2.4 Bees, Day-Old Poultry and Adult Birds Special handling is required for shipments containing day-old poultry, adult birds and bulk shipments of bees (e.g. a queen bee packaged with an attending swarm), regardless of the class of mail purchased. * * * * * [Delete item 14.2.6 in its entirety] * * * * * 600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services 601 Mailability * * 9.0 Perishables * * 9.3 Live Animals * * * * * * * * * * * [Revise the second sentence of 9.3.2 as follows.] tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 9.3.2 Day-Old Poultry * * * Live day-old chickens, ducks, emus, geese, guinea fowl, partridges, pheasants (pheasants may be mailed only from April through August), quail, and turkeys are acceptable in the mail only if: * * * * * [Revise the text of item f as follows:] f. The shipment bears special handling postage in addition to regular postage. * * * * * [Revise and reformat 9.3.3 to include a new last sentence, and a new item a and b as follows:] 9.3.3 Small Cold-Blooded Animals * * * The following also apply: a. Reptiles (e.g. lizards, skinks, and baby alligators and caimans not more than 20 inches long) must be mailed by Express Mail, Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail), First-Class Mail (parcels only), or First-Class Package Services. b. Amphibians (e.g. toads, frogs, and salamanders) must be mailed by Express Mail, Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail), First-Class Mail (parcels only), or First-Class Mail Package Services. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:02 Apr 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 [Revise title and introductory text of 9.3.4 as follows:] 9.3.4 Adult Birds Disease-free adult birds, weighing no more than 25 pounds, may be mailed domestically. Mailers must be compliant with all applicable governmental laws and regulations, including the Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any state, municipal or local ordinances. Mailings must also be compliant with the guidelines provided in USPS Publication 14, Prohibitions and Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter, Chapter 5. In addition, each container or package must be marked as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under 50 CFR 14. Adult birds are mailable as follows: [Revise 9.3.4a as follows:] a. The mailer must send adult fowl by Express Mail, including Special Handling service, in secure containers approved by the manager, Product Classification (see 608.8.0 for address). * * * * * 9.3.7 Bees [Revise the second sentence of 9.3.7 as follows:] * * * Bulk shipments of bees (e.g. a queen bee packaged with an attending swarm) must include postage for special handling service. * * * * * * * * We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes if our proposal is adopted. Stanley F. Mires, Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice. [FR Doc. 2013–09603 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 300 [EPA–HQ–SFUND–2005–0011; FRL–9805–7] National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Koppers Co., Inc. (Florence Plant) Superfund Site Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of intent. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 is issuing a Notice of Intent to Delete the Koppers SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Co., Inc. (Florence Plant) Superfund Site (Site) located in Florence, South Carolina, from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this proposed action. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) have determined that no further response activities under CERCLA are appropriate. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. DATES: Comments must be received by May 24, 2013. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA–HQ– SFUND–2005–0011, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov. Follow on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Email: jones.yvonneo@epa.gov. • Fax: 404–562–8788 Attention: Yvonne Jones. • Mail: Yvonne Jones, Remedial Project Manager, Superfund Remedial Section, Superfund Remedial Branch, Superfund Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303– 8960. • Hand delivery: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303– 8960. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The Regional EPA Office is open for business Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding Federal Holidays. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID no. EPA–HQ–SFUND–2005– 0011. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https:// www.regulations.gov or email. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM 24APP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24132-24134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09603]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Mailing Standards for Live Animals and Special Handling

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) 
503.14 and 601.9.3 to require special handling service for shipments 
containing certain types of live animals, to limit the mail classes 
available for use when shipping certain types of live animals, and to 
expand the mailability of live animals domestically to include any 
adult bird weighing no more than 25 pounds.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. You may inspect and photocopy all written 
comments at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., 
11th Floor North, Washington, DC, by appointment only between the hours 
of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 1-202-268-2906 in 
advance for an appointment. Email

[[Page 24133]]

comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent 
to: ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of ``Live 
Animals.'' Faxed comments are not accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grace Letto at 202-268-8370 or Rachel 
Devadas at 202-268-7276.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service currently requires 
special handling service for designated shipments of live animals 
needing additional care during transport and handling to its 
destination as follows: Domestic shipments containing honeybees or baby 
poultry are currently required to include special handling service, 
unless First-Class Mail[supreg], First-Class Package Service\TM\, or 
Priority Mail[supreg] is used. Shipments containing live animals must 
also be marked on the address side with a description of the contents, 
even if special handling service is not purchased. These markings 
provide notice to Postal Service employees that specific care, 
different from the handling of ordinary mailpieces, is required. 
Circumstances requiring the Postal Service to handle shipments 
containing live animals differently also include:
    a. Protection of Postal Service employees and the public against 
harm from diseased animals.
    b. Protection of the mail and the environment against damage to the 
shipping container or the live animal and offensive odors or noise.
    c. Protection of animals against death, taking into account the 
expected time and temperature in transit (weather conditions), and 
packaging sufficient to resist impact, heat and cold, and to prevent 
suffocation.
    The Postal Service consistently accepts, transports, and delivers 
live animals with additional care in handling, regardless of the mail 
class or the extra service being purchased. This additional care 
ensures safe and effective processing for mail containing live animals 
through the mailstream to its destination. Consequently, the Postal 
Service incurs additional expense to isolate and protect live shipments 
even when sent by air transportation, such as with Express Mail[supreg] 
or Priority Mail[supreg].
    If this proposal is adopted the Postal Service will require special 
handling service for all parcels containing bulk shipments of bees 
(e.g. a queen bee packaged with an attending swarm), day-old poultry 
and adult birds, regardless of the class of mail used.
    Additionally, the Postal Service currently affixes a unique 
tracking barcode on all parcels presented at retail, and recommends 
that all mailers not presenting shipments at retail include an 
Intelligent Mail[supreg] package barcode (IMpb) on their mailpieces, 
when not already required to do so as a condition of the mail class and 
price category or postage payment method used. If this proposal is 
adopted, the Postal Service will require mailers purchasing special 
handing to either present their mailpieces at retail, or to include an 
IMpb, embedded with the appropriate service type code applicable to 
special handling and the mail class used, on their mailpieces. The 
Postal Service also proposes that shipments of live animals that 
include special handling must be accepted at either a USPS retail unit, 
Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or a Detached Mail Unit (DMU). The 
Postal Service anticipates that the combination of IMpb tracking and 
special handling service will provide customers with the service they 
expect as their parcels containing live animals are transported to 
their respective destinations.
    To assure prompt or expedited delivery and to minimize the chances 
of animals dying in transit, the Postal Service is also proposing to 
require shipments containing amphibians and reptiles to be limited to 
the following products: Express Mail, Priority Mail (excluding Critical 
Mail[supreg]), First-Class Mail (parcels only) or First-Class Package 
Service. If this proposal is adopted, shipments of live amphibians and 
reptiles would no longer be permitted for use with any Package 
Services, Standard Post\TM\, or Parcel Select[supreg] products.
    Currently, certain disease-free adult birds can be accepted for 
domestic shipment when mailed in compliance with applicable 
regulations. Mailability is currently restricted to adult chickens, 
turkeys, guinea fowl, doves, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, quail 
ducks, geese, and swans. The Postal Service is proposing to expand its 
mailing standards to allow for the shipment of any disease-free live 
bird, weighing no more than 25 pounds, which can be legally 
transported. If this proposal is adopted, mailers must be compliant 
with all applicable governmental laws and regulations, including the 
Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and regulations of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any 
state, municipal or local ordinances. Mailings must also be compliant 
with the guidelines provided in USPS Publication 14, Prohibitions and 
Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter, Chapter 5.
    Although we are exempt from the notice and comment requirements of 
the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553 (b), (c)) regarding 
proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we invite public comments on 
the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by 
reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 111 -- [AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

500 Additional Mailing Services

* * * * *

503 Extra Services

* * * * *

14.0 Special Handling

14.1 Fees for Special Handling

* * * * *

14.1.2 Fee and Postage

    [Revise the first sentence of 14.1.2 as follows:]
    The applicable special handling fee must be paid in addition to 
postage for each addressed piece for which special handling service is 
required by standards, or is requested. * * *

14.2 Basic Information

14.2.1 Description

    [Revise the 14.2.1 by adding a new fourth and fifth sentence as 
follows:]
    * * * Items with special handling service receive tracking and when 
not presented at retail must include an Intelligent Mail package 
barcode prepared in accordance with 708.5. Any mailpieces containing 
live animals and including special handling must be presented at retail 
postal unit, a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU), or a Detached Mail Unit 
(DMU).

[[Page 24134]]

14.2.2 Eligible Matter

    [Revise 14.2.2 as follows:]
    Special handling service is available only for Express Mail, 
Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail), First-Class Mail, First-Class 
Package Service, Standard Post, Package Services, and Parcel Select 
(except Parcel Select Lightweight) pieces.
* * * * *
    [Revise title of 14.2.4 and text as follows:]

14.2.4 Bees, Day-Old Poultry and Adult Birds

    Special handling is required for shipments containing day-old 
poultry, adult birds and bulk shipments of bees (e.g. a queen bee 
packaged with an attending swarm), regardless of the class of mail 
purchased.
* * * * *
    [Delete item 14.2.6 in its entirety]
* * * * *

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

601 Mailability

* * * * *

9.0 Perishables

* * * * *

9.3 Live Animals

* * * * *
    [Revise the second sentence of 9.3.2 as follows.]

9.3.2 Day-Old Poultry

    * * * Live day-old chickens, ducks, emus, geese, guinea fowl, 
partridges, pheasants (pheasants may be mailed only from April through 
August), quail, and turkeys are acceptable in the mail only if:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item f as follows:]
    f. The shipment bears special handling postage in addition to 
regular postage.
* * * * *
    [Revise and reformat 9.3.3 to include a new last sentence, and a 
new item a and b as follows:]

9.3.3 Small Cold-Blooded Animals

    * * * The following also apply:
    a. Reptiles (e.g. lizards, skinks, and baby alligators and caimans 
not more than 20 inches long) must be mailed by Express Mail, Priority 
Mail (excluding Critical Mail), First-Class Mail (parcels only), or 
First-Class Package Services.
    b. Amphibians (e.g. toads, frogs, and salamanders) must be mailed 
by Express Mail, Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail), First-Class 
Mail (parcels only), or First-Class Mail Package Services.
    [Revise title and introductory text of 9.3.4 as follows:]

9.3.4 Adult Birds

    Disease-free adult birds, weighing no more than 25 pounds, may be 
mailed domestically. Mailers must be compliant with all applicable 
governmental laws and regulations, including the Lacey Act, the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA), and regulations of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any state, municipal 
or local ordinances. Mailings must also be compliant with the 
guidelines provided in USPS Publication 14, Prohibitions and 
Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter, Chapter 5. 
In addition, each container or package must be marked as required by 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under 50 CFR 14. Adult birds are 
mailable as follows:
    [Revise 9.3.4a as follows:]
    a. The mailer must send adult fowl by Express Mail, including 
Special Handling service, in secure containers approved by the manager, 
Product Classification (see 608.8.0 for address).
* * * * *

9.3.7 Bees

    [Revise the second sentence of 9.3.7 as follows:]
    * * * Bulk shipments of bees (e.g. a queen bee packaged with an 
attending swarm) must include postage for special handling service. * * 
*
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes if our proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2013-09603 Filed 4-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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