[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 168 (Friday, August 29, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45774-45775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23074]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Parts 148-150
[CGD 97-050]
Deepwater Ports
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard, in an effort to continually update its
regulations and in response to recent legislation, plans to revise the
Deepwater Port regulations. The Coast Guard solicits comments from the
public and industry on the questions listed in this request.
DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before October 14,
1997.
ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Executive Secretary, Marine
Safety Council (G-LRA) (CGD 97-050), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second
Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or deliver them to room 3406 at
the same address between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 267-1477.
The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this
rulemaking. Comments and documents as indicated in this preamble, will
become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or
copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, between 9:30 a.m.
and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LT Diane Foster, Office of Operating and Environmental Standards (G-
MSO-2), Room 1210, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street
SW., Washington, DC 20593, telephone (202) 267-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Information
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in
this request by submitting written data, views, or arguments. Persons
submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify
this notice (CGD 97-050) and the specific section or question of this
document to which each comment or question applies, and give the reason
for each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and
attachments in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches,
suitable for copying and electronic filing. 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.
The Coast Guard plans no public meeting. Persons may request a
public meeting by writing to the Marine Safety Council at the address
under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a meeting
would be beneficial. If it is determined that the opportunity for oral
presentations will aid this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold a
public meeting at a time and place announced by a later notice in the
Federal Register.
Background and Purpose
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 prescribes changes to the
regulations developed in accordance with the Deepwater Port Act of
1974, and contained in 33 CFR Parts 148 to 150. The changes include:
1. Removing from the regulations and placing in the license
conditions, those requirements necessary to carry out the provisions of
the Deepwater Port Act;
2. Removing from the regulations and license conditions, those
things which can be stated in an approved operations manual. Basic
standards and conditions, however, will continue to be addressed in the
regulations.
The Deepwater Port regulations were written in the 1970's when
there were
[[Page 45775]]
no Deepwater Ports in the United States. While revising the regulations
as discussed above, the Coast Guard is also considering revising the
regulations to reflect technological advancements which have occurred,
and operational knowledge which has been gained over the past twenty
years.
Questions
Public response to the following questions will help the Coast
Guard develop a more complete and carefully considered rulemaking. The
questions are not all-inclusive, and any supplemental information is
welcome. In responding to each question please explain the reasons for
each answer.
1. What provisions of the regulations addressed can be moved from
the regulations and placed in the license conditions?
2. What provisions of the regulations can be moved from the
regulations and placed in the operations manual?
3. What regulations are obsolete, unnecessary, redundant, or
restrictive?
4. Should the Outer Continental Shelf Activities regulations (33
CFR Subchapter N) be applied to Deepwater Ports?
5. Should the Regulations for Facilities Transferring Oil or
Hazardous Material in Bulk (33 CFR 154) be applied to Deepwater Ports?
6. Should the environmental monitoring program be revised?
7. What other regulations, if any, should the Deepwater Port
regulations be designed like?
Dated: August 22, 1997.
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety
and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 97-23074 Filed 8-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
