[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15191]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

15 CFR Part 990

RIN 0648-AE13

 

Natural Resource Damage Assessments

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: Section 1006(e)(1) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) 
requires the President, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans 
and Atmosphere to promulgate regulations for the assessment of natural 
resource damages resulting from the discharge of oil. The National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed those 
regulations on January 7, 1994 (59 FR 1062). In response to comments 
and numerous requests NOAA extended the comment period from April 7, 
1994 to July 7, 1994. (59 FR 9688) Today's Notice further extends the 
comment period on the proposed rule to October 7, 1994.

DATES: Written comments should be received no later than October 7, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Written inquiries are to be submitted to: Damage Assessment 
Regulations Team (DART), c/o NOAA/DAC, 1305 East-West Highway, SSMC #4, 
10th Floor, Workstation #10218, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Burlington or Karl Gleaves, 
Office of General Counsel, DART, telephone 202-606-8000; FAX: 202-606-
4900.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    On January 7, 1994 (59 FR 1062), NOAA published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking concerning the natural resource damage assessment 
and restoration regulations required by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. 
NOAA requested comments, recommendations, and technical information 
concerning appropriate assessment procedures and the overall assessment 
process. NOAA also announced a series of regional meetings to discuss 
and solicit comments on the proposed rule (59 FR 1189). On March 1, 
1994, NOAA extended the comment period to July 7, 1994 (59 FR 9688). 
Through today's Notice, NOAA announces a further extension of the 
comment period to October 7, 1994. A summary of information gathered at 
the previously announced regional meetings and specific issues on which 
NOAA seeks further comment will appear in a future Notice.

II. Comment Period for Proposed Rule

    Since its first extension of time for public comment from April 7, 
1994 to July 7, 1994, NOAA has received numerous requests from States 
and other interested parties to extend the comment period for the 
proposed rule. As in the previous extension requests, most requesters 
need more time to review the compensation formulas and its supporting 
documentation. In addition, some requesters need additional time to 
review the body of literature supporting NOAA's proposal for the use of 
contingent valuation.
    NOAA is dedicated to encouraging a thorough and thoughtful review 
of all components of the proposed rule, and in particular review and 
comment on the proposed compensation formulas and the economic 
methodology for estimating lost nonuse values known as contingent 
valuation. Therefore, the comment period for the proposed rule on 
natural resource damage assessment under the OPA is extended for ninety 
days. Comments on the proposed rule are now due on or before October 7, 
1994.
    NOAA is coordinating its rulemaking with a rulemaking being 
conducted by the Department of the Interior (DOI). DOI has published a 
proposed natural resource damage assessment rule under the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Clean Water Act, as amended 
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). (59 FR 23097) In a separate Notice in today's 
Federal Register, DOI is announcing the extension of the comment period 
on its proposed rule. The standards proposed for the assessment of lost 
nonuse values contained in DOI's proposed rule are identical to those 
proposed by NOAA. Commenters on NOAA's proposed standards for use of 
the economic methodology known as contingent valuation are encouraged 
to submit copies of their comments both to NOAA, at the address 
provided at the beginning of this Notice, and to DOI at the address 
specified in its notice appearing elsewhere in today's Federal 
Register.

    Authority: Sec. 1006(e), Pub. L. 101-380, 33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.

    Dated: June 17, 1994.
Douglas K. Hall,
Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-15191 Filed 6-21-94; 8:45 am]
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