94-21142. Annual Certification of Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-21142]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: August 29, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    Coast Guard
    [CGD 94-063 ]
    
     
    
    Annual Certification of Prince William Sound 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 Act), the Coast Guard may certify, on 
    an annual basis, a voluntary advisory group in lieu of a Regional 
    Citizens' Advisory Council for Prince William Sound, Alaska. This 
    certification allows the advisory group to monitor the activities of 
    oil tankers and facilities under the Prince William Sound Program 
    established by the Act. The purpose of this notice is to inform the 
    public that the Coast Guard has recertified the alternative voluntary 
    advisory group for Prince William Sound, Alaska.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Janice Jackson, Project Manager, 
    Marine Environmental Protection Division, (G-MEP-3), (202) 267-0500, 
    U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., 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 Prince William Sound, 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 Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory 
    Council (PWSRCAC). 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 May 5, 1994, the Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register, 
    the availability of the application for recertification that it 
    received from the PWSRCAC, and requested comments (59 FR 23251). 
    Fifteen comments were received.
    
    Discussion of Comments
    
        The Coast Guard received fifteen comments in response to the 
    recertification application of the PWSRCAC. The BP Oil Shipping 
    Company, USA, stated in its comment letter that the PWSRCAC had failed 
    to work toward building cooperation between industry and government, 
    one of the factors the Coast Guard considers when determining whether 
    recertification of an alternative advisory committee is appropriate. 
    However, BP noted that there are signs of improvement in the PWSRCAC's 
    relationship with industry. Thirteen comments from various 
    organizations stated that they were in support of BP's letter. The 
    Cordova District Fishermen United commented in support of 
    recertification of the PWSRCAC.
        The PWSRCAC submitted a comment letter expressing the belief that 
    the relationship between the PWSRCAC and industry, and BP in 
    particular, has been positive, especially recently. The PWSRCAC stated 
    that they had just recently met with BP, and had no indication that BP 
    was dissatisfied with the relationship.
        The Coast Guard agrees that building a cooperative relationship 
    among the community, industry, and government is a paramount goal of 
    any voluntary alternative advisory group established under the Act, and 
    seriously considers the efforts taken to build that relationship in 
    determining whether recertification is appropriate. After review of the 
    comments and other information, the Coast Guard has determined that 
    while PWSRCAC is working to improve relations with industry, further 
    improvement is needed to build better communication and a stronger 
    partnership. The PWSRCAC included in its letter some of the steps it 
    has taken to promote a partnership with industry. These efforts should 
    continue and, in addition, other avenues should be explored to address 
    the concerns raised by industry. It is the Coast Guard's position that 
    the PWSRCAC's efforts to improve its relationship with industry can 
    succeed. Recertification of the PWSRCAC is, therefore, appropriate. 
    However, the Coast Guard will be monitoring its progress and these 
    issues will be reexamined in future recertification requests.
    
    Recertification
    
        By letter dated August 4, 1994, the Chief, Office of Marine Safety, 
    Security, and Environmental Protection certified that the Prince 
    William 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 June 30, 1995. The PWSRCAC was 
    advised that the comments received from industry were seriously 
    considered by the U.S. Coast Guard and that the PWSRCAC would have to 
    make significant gains in alleviating both real and perceived 
    communication barriers during the coming year. These efforts will be 
    examined with future recertification requests of the PWSRCAC.
    
        Dated: August 19, 1994.
    J.C. Card,
    Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection.
    [FR Doc. 94-21142 Filed 8-26-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
08/29/1994
Department:
Coast Guard
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
94-21142
Dates:
July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: August 29, 1994, CGD 94-063