[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 126 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34312-34313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16141]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 95-048]
Annual Certification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory
Council
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Under the Oil Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight
and Monitoring Act of 1990, the Coast Guard may certify, on an annual
basis, a voluntary advisory group in lieu of a Regional Citizens'
Advisory Council for Cook Inlet, Alaska. This certification allows the
advisory group to monitor the activities of oil tankers and facilities
under the Cook Inlet Program established by the Act. The purpose of
this notice is to inform the public that the Coast Guard has
recertified the
[[Page 34313]]
alternative voluntary advisory group for Cook Inlet, Alaska.
DATES: June 1, 1995, through May 31, 1996.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Mrs. Janice Jackson, Project Manager, Marine
Environmental Protection Division, (G-MEP-3), (202) 267-0500, U.S.
Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street S.W., Washington, DC,
20593-0001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990,
Congress passed the Oil Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight
and Monitoring Act of 1990, (the Act), 33 U.S.C. 2732, to foster the
long-term partnership among industry, government, and local communities
in overseeing compliance with environmental concerns in the operation
of crude oil terminals and oil tankers.
Section 2732(o) permits an alternative voluntary advisory group to
represent the communities and interests in the vicinity of the oil
terminal facilities in Cook Inlet, in lieu of a council of the type
specified in 33 U.S.C. 2732(d), if certain conditions are met. The Act
requires that the group enter into a contract to ensure annual funding
and receive annual certification by the President that it fosters the
general goals and purposes of the Act and is broadly representative of
the community and interests in the vicinity of the terminal facilities.
Accordingly, in 1991, the President granted certification to the Cook
Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (CIRCAC). The authority to
certify alternative advisory groups was subsequently delegated to the
Commandant of the Coast Guard, and redelegated to the Chief, Office of
Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection.
On April 20, 1995, the Coast Guard announced in the Federal
Register, the availability of the application for recertification that
it received from the CIRCAC, and requested comments (60 FR 19803). Six
comments were received.
Discussion of Comments
The Coast Guard received six comments in response to the
recertification application of the CIRCAC. Five of these supported
recertification of CIRCAC without reservation. However, a comment
received from a member of the CIRCAC Monitoring Committee, while
supporting recertification, offered constructive criticism in several
areas.
The comment raised several important issues and possible methods of
addressing what the commenter perceives as shortcomings in the current
operation of CIRCAC. Specifically, the comment suggested limiting the
terms of office for CIRCAC members and committee leaders. This,
according to the comment, would help to increase local participation
through the years by involving greater numbers of individuals from the
community. The comment suggests that unless greater numbers of local
citizens are involved, CIRCAC may become too removed from the regional
community. The comment also suggests a close review of the focus of
CIRCAC's activities. The comment suggest that too much emphasis, and
funds, may be placed on travel outside the region, rather than
activities sponsored within the community. The Coast Guard has
forwarded the comment to CIRCAC and asked the members to review the
issues raised, consider the suggestions put forth, and provide a
response to the Coast Guard.
In a related issue, the Coast Guard has noted through the year in
its own review of CIRCAC, that the open budget process needed
improvement to assure that it is maintained in a manner which will
ensure that all members are aware of the projects being undertaken and
the funds being expended by CIRCAC and its subcommittees. The Coast
Guard notes that significant progress has been made to rectify this
problem. The Coast Guard will continue to stress the need for an open
budget process and consider CIRCAC's progress in this area when
reviewing future applications for recertification.
It is the Coast Guards's position that the issues raised by the
CIRCAC Monitoring Committee member and the Coast Guard can be addressed
successfully by CIRCAC and, in fact, progress has been made in these
areas in recent months. In light of this, and the many positive
comments received regarding CIRCAC's performance throughout the year,
the Coast Guard has determined that recertification of CIRCAC in
accordance with the Act is appropriate. The Coast Guard has informed
CIRCAC that documentation should be included in CIRCAC's
recertification application next year indicating how each of the issues
raised by the Monitoring Committee Member and the Coast Guard have been
addressed.
Recertification
By letter dated May 30, 1995, the Chief, Office of Marine Safety,
Security and Environmental Protection certified that the Cook Inlet
Regional Citizens' Advisory Council qualifies as an alternative
voluntary advisory group under the provisions of 33 U.S.C. 2732(o).
This recertification terminates on May 31, 1996. The Cook Inlet
Regional Citizens' Advisory Council was advised to review and address
the issues raised during this recertification period in order to
strengthen the organization and foster the goals and purposes of the
Act. These efforts will be examined with future recertification
requests of the CIRCAC.
Dated: June 23, 1995.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Acting Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental
Protection.
[FR Doc. 95-16141 Filed 6-29-95; 8:45 am]
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