[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43440-43441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21800]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-4298]
U.S. Delegation to the International Maritime Organization's
Ballast Water Working Group
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of meetings; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Delegation to the Ballast Water Working Group (BWWG)
of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) is conducting three public
meetings in preparation for the 42nd session of the MEPC. This session
is scheduled for November 2-6, 1998, in London, United Kingdom. All of
the U.S. Delegation's meetings will be open to the public. The Coast
Guard also solicits comments to develop its position for treaty
negotiations for a possible annex to the International Convention on
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).
DATES: The public meetings are scheduled for the following times. The
meetings will convene at the times indicated; however, they may be
concluded early if their business is finished: (1) Monday, August 31,
1998, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; (2) Thursday, September 10, 1998, from 2
p.m. to 5 p.m.; and (3) Thursday, October 15, 1998, from 2 p.m. to 5
p.m.
Written material and requests to make oral presentations should
reach the Coast Guard at least five days before the date of the meeting
you wish to attend. All comments must reach the Docket Management
Facility on or before October 20, 1998; however, you are highly
encouraged to submit your comments prior to the last meeting to
facilitate discussion.
ADDRESSES: All meetings will be held at the Department of
Transportation, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20590. This is near the L'Enfant Plaza stations of both the Metro
subway and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train service. The August
31, meeting will be held in Room 3328, the September 10, meeting in
Room 6200, and the October 15, meeting in Room 3328.
You may mail your comments to the Docket Management Facility,
(USCG-1998-4298), U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, or deliver them to room
PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building at the same address
between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this
rulemaking. Comments, and documents as indicated in this notice, will
become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or
copying at room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building at the
same address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. You may also access the docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For questions on this notice, or persons interested in presenting
information at the meetings, contact Lieutenant Mary Pat McKeown,
Office of Operating and Environmental Standards (G-MSO), telephone 202-
267-0500, fax 202-267-4690, or electronic mail mmckeown@comdt.uscg.mil.
For questions on viewing, or submitting material to, the docket,
contact Ms. Dorothy Walker, Chief, Dockets, Department of
Transportation, telephone 202-366-9329.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in the
preparation of the U.S. position on treaty negotiations for a possible
annex to the International Convention on the
[[Page 43441]]
Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) by submitting written
data, views, or arguments. The draft annex is titled ``Regulations for
the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments to
Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens''. A
copy of the draft document is available for viewing under this docket
at http://dms.dot.gov. Persons submitting comments should include their
names and addresses, identify this notice (USCG-1998-4298) and the
specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and
give the reason for each comment.
Please submit all comments and attachments in an unbound format, no
larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic
filing to the Docket Management Facility at the address under
ADDRESSES. Persons wanting acknowledgement of receipt of comments
should enclose stamped self-addressed postcards or envelopes. The Coast
Guard will consider all comments received during the comment period.
Written material and requests to make oral presentations should
reach the Coast Guard at least five days before the date of the meeting
you wish to attend. All comments must reach the Docket Management
Facility on or before October 20, 1998; however, you are highly
encouraged to submit your comments prior to the last meeting to
facilitate discussion.
Purpose of Meetings
The U.S. Delegation to the Ballast Water Working Group (BWWG) of
the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) consists of both Federal Government
employees and non-government advisors. The meetings will be held to
discuss the U.S. position of the treaty negotiations for a possible
Annex to the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). The MEPC will discuss a draft text of the
treaty annex at its 42nd session on November 2-6, 1998, in London,
United Kingdom. The Committee will determine whether or not to hold a
Conference of Parties to vote on the new Annex in the year 2000.
The U.S. delegation will also develop a U.S. position paper
commenting on aspects of the current draft of the treaty. Additionally,
the delegation will discuss the U.S. position on any papers submitted
by other countries for MEPC's 42nd session.
Information on Service for Individuals with Disabilities
For information on facilities or services for individuals with
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact
LT Mary Pat McKeown at the address or phone number under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT as soon as possible.
Dated: August 7, 1998.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 98-21800 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M
