The District Department of Transportation announces the publication, in the DC Register of April 1, 2005, of implementing regulations for the Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005. The Act requires carriers transporting certain ultra-hazardous materials within 2.2 miles of the US Capitol to obtain a permit. The emergency rulemaking will apply only to rail carriers starting April 11, 2005; it will apply to motor vehicle carriers when legal issues are resolved.
This emergency action is based on the threat of a terrorist attack near the US Capitol through the use of extremely large shipments of ultra-hazardous materials transported by motor vehicle or rail car. The emergency rulemaking redirects these materials away from the Capitol via practical alternative routes while authorizing such shipments in defined circumstances. The new regulations contain the application procedures for the permits, the enforcement and adjudication provisions and the schedule of fines.
The emergency rulemaking will expire on July 16, 2005, or upon publication of a Notice of Final Rulemaking in the DC Register, whichever occurs first