[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11643-11644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5144]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

33 CFR Part 402


Tariff of Tolls

AGENCY: Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation and the St. 
Lawrence Seaway Authority of Canada have jointly established and 
presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls. This 
Tariff sets forth the level of tolls assessed on all commodities and 
vessels transiting the facilities operated by the Corporation and the 
Authority. The Corporation and the Authority currently are in 
disagreement over the level and nature of future tolls. The Corporation 
is considering recommendations to be made to the Authority that joint 
rulemaking be undertaken to lower the level of tolls or otherwise 
change the Tariff. In order to determine whether such a rulemaking is 
warranted, what the substance should be, and what is the scope of the 
issues involved, the Corporation is holding five public meetings to 
discuss the problems encountered under the existing toll structure and 
possible solutions. This notice announces the dates, times, and places 
of the meetings.

DATES: The meetings will be held on March 7, 1995, in Duluth, 
Minnesota, on March 14, 1995, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 5, 
1995, in Portage, Indiana, on April 11, 1995, in Toledo, Ohio, and on 
April 26, 1995, in Ogdensburg, New York, each beginning at 9:30 a.m. 
and concluding at 12 noon, except the Duluth meeting which will begin 
at 2 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m., and the Milwaukee meeting which 
will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held in: the conference room of the 
Seaway Port Authority of Duluth, 1200 Port Terminal Drive, Duluth, 
Minnesota; the conference room of the Port of Milwaukee, 2323 South 
Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; in the conference room of 
Burns International Harbor, 6600 U.S. Highway 12, Portage, Indiana; the 
conference room of the Port Authority Office, 1 Maritime Plaza, Toledo, 
Ohio; and the board room of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, 
Bridge Plaza, Ogdensburg, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc C. Owen, Chief Counsel, Saint 
Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, P.O. Box 44090, 
Washington, DC 20026-4090, (202) 366-6823.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussions between the Corporation and the 
Authority about the Seaway Tariff of Tolls have resulted in 
disagreement over future Tariff amendments. It is necessary to take 
into account prevailing market conditions and not unduly restrict 
maritime commerce or create additional barriers to trade in the 
development of the Tariff. Both parties wish to pursue fairness among 
their primary goals and strive for equal treatment for vessels and 
cargoes using the Seaway, but disagree on the current, fundamental 
economic basis for new toll levels. In addition, they believe that it 
is necessary to seek simplicity in developing the Tariff as complexity 
and ambiguity tend to provide a disincentive to using the Seaway. 
Lastly, both parties wish to strive for stability so that those engaged 
in commerce on the Seaway can make long-term planning decisions with 
some confidence of future conditions.
    Based upon these mutual conclusions, the Corporation is considering 
recommending to the Authority that joint rulemaking be undertaken to 
lower the level of tolls or otherwise change the Tariff. In order to 
determine whether such a rulemaking is warranted, what the substance 
should be, and what is the scope of the issues involved, the 
Corporation is holding five public meetings to discuss the problems 
encountered under the existing toll structure and possible solutions. 
These meetings will be open for discussion, however, any person wishing 
to make a formal presentation is requested to notify the Corporation at 
least five working days before the meetings and provide the approximate 
time desired for the presentation to Marc C. Owen, Chief Counsel, Saint 
Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, P.O. Box 44090, Washington, DC 
20026-4090 (202-366-6823). In addition, the Corporation requests an 
original written text of any formal presentation along with five copies 
before, at, or within ten working days after the time of the meeting. 
Finally, if any person wishes to present written comments, but not 
participate in the meetings, they may submit those comments to that 
same address at any time before, at, or within ten working days after 
the time of the meetings.
    The meetings are open to the public, each beginning at 9:30 a.m. 
and [[Page 11644]] concluding at 12 noon, except the Duluth meeting 
which will begin at 2 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m., and the Milwaukee 
meeting which will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m., and will 
be at the following dates and places: March 7, 1995, in the conference 
room of the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth, 1200 Port Terminal Drive, 
Duluth, Minnesota; March 14, 1995, in the conference room of the Port 
of Milwaukee, 2323 South Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 
April 5, 1995, in the conference room of Burns International Harbor, 
6600 U.S. Highway 12, Portage, Indiana; April 11, 1995, in the 
conference room of the Port Authority Office, 1 Maritime Plaza, Toledo, 
Ohio; and April 26, 1995, in the board room of the Ogdensburg Bridge 
and Port Authority, Bridge Plaza, Ogdensburg, New York.

    Issued at Washington, D.C. on February 24, 1995.

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
Marc C. Owen,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 95-5144 Filed 3-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-61-M