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Feds examining cross-border trucking
By Jill Dunn
The Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee is having two public sessions to discuss guidance for implementing a new cross-border trucking program between the United States and Mexico.
The MCSAC will hold its first public session May 18 that will include a discussion between Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration management and the MCSAC committee on its assignment task that it was given at a March 18 meeting.
The committee is charged with providing guidance to the FMCSA on elements the agency should include when drafting legislation to permit Mexico trucks beyond the U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones.
President Obama has asked the Department of Transportation to work with the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of State, Congressional and Mexican officials to propose legislation creating a new trucking project that will meet Congressional concerns and North American Free Trade Agreement commitments.
FMCSA has invited all interested parties to participate, such as motor carriers and drivers.
The meeting will be held by conference call. To participate, contact Shannon Watson at (202) 385-2395, or via e-mail at shannon.watson@dot.gov by May 13, to receive information on how to access the call.
A May 20 meeting will be at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. Meeting attendees will need to be pre-cleared to expedite entry into the building. Those planning to attend should e-mail mcsac@dot.gov by May 13. One hour of public comments will be allowed at the May 20 meeting.
People can also submit written comment to the committee, along with the Federal Docket Management System Docket Number FMCSA-2006-26367 using any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, D.C. 20590.
In 2006, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation created the committee, which is charged with providing advice and recommendations to the FMCSA administrator on motor carrier safety programs and regulations.
The 15-member MCSAC committee is comprised of trucking and bus industry experts, safety advocates, and safety enforcement sectors. It includes representatives from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, American Trucking Associations and Con-way Freight.
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