[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