What does 49 CFR 397.73 (Public information and reporting requirements) require?

Short answer

The regulation requires several things:

1. Information on NRHM routing designations must be made available to the public.

2. States and Indian tribes must provide information identifying all NRHM routing designations within their jurisdiction to FMCSA.

3. FMCSA will consolidate and make this information available on its website and publish it annually in the Federal Register.

The rule says

"Information on NRHM routing designations must be made available by the States and Indian tribes to the public in the form of maps, lists, road signs or some combination thereof." (49 CFR 397.73(a))

"Each State or Indian tribe, through its routing agency, shall provide information identifying all NRHM routing designations that exist within its jurisdiction" (49 CFR 397.73(b)(1))

"FMCSA will consolidate information on the NRHM routing designations, make it available on its website, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials/national-hazardous-materials-route-registry, and publish it annually in whole or as updates in the Federal Register." (49 CFR 397.73(b)(3)(i))

In plain English

This regulation is about making sure the public has access to information on designated routes for hazardous materials. States and Indian tribes must provide this information to FMCSA, which then consolidates and publishes it. In practice, this means that states and tribes must have a system in place for providing this information to FMCSA, and FMCSA must make it easily accessible to the public.

What to do

• Review your state or tribe's procedures for providing NRHM routing designation information to FMCSA.
• Ensure that your state or tribe is submitting this information electronically or by mail as required.
• Check FMCSA's website for the consolidated information on NRHM routing designations.
• Verify that your state or tribe is complying with the reporting and publishing requirements outlined in the regulation.