[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 2, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 29601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13897]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
49 CFR Part 1
[OST Docket No. 1; Amdt. 1-299]
Organization and Delegation of Powers and Duties; Delegation to
the Commandant, United States Coast Guard
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Transportation is delegating to the
Commandant, United States Coast Guard, authority to implement and
enforce measures to reduce the likelihood of collisions between ships
and right whales.
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 2, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blane Workie, Office of the General
Counsel, C-50, (202) 366-4723, Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998,
(Pub. L. 105-383) Section 313 amends the Ports and Waterways Act
(codified at 33 U.S.C. 1230) to authorize the Secretary, as Secretary
of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in cooperation
with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to implement and
enforce two mandatory ship reporting systems in designated areas. The
Secretary is delegating this authority to the Commandant of the Coast
Guard. These reporting systems will be implemented internationally, in
cooperation with the IMO, to reduce the likelihood of collisions
between ships and right whales by dissemination of information to
mariners through a variety of means. Right whales are the most
endangered of the big whales. With the dwindling number of right whale
spottings in U.S. waters, scientists are worried about the future of
the endangered species. We publish this rule as a final rule effective
on the date of publication. Since this amendment relates to the
departmental organization, procedure, and practice, notice and comment
are unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. 533(b). Furthermore, since this
amendment expedites the Coast Guard's ability to meet the needs of its
conservation and enforcement obligations, the Secretary finds good
cause, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and 5 U.S.C. 553(d) (3), that notice and
public comment on the rule are unnecessary and that this rule should be
made effective on the date of publication.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1
Authority delegations (Government agencies), Organization and
functions (Government agencies).
In consideration of the foregoing, part 1 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations, is amended to read as follows:
PART 1--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322; Pub. L. 101-552, 28 U.S.C. 2672, 31
U.S.C. 3711 (a)(2).
2. In Sec. 1.46, paragraph (rrr) is added to read as follows:
Sec. 1.46 Delegations to Commandant of the Coast Guard.
* * * * *
(rrr) Implement and enforce two mandatory ship reporting systems,
in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, pursuant
to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998, (Pub. L. 105-383),
section 313, codified at 33 U.S.C. 1230(d).
Issued in Washington, DC this 24th day of May, 1999.
Rodney E. Slater,
Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 99-13897 Filed 6-1-99; 8:45 am]
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