[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 166 (Monday, August 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 43804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21737]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 96-037]


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 Coast Guard may certify, on an annual 
basis, a voluntary advisory group instead of a Regional Citizens' 
Advisory Council for Prince William Sound, Alaska. This certification 
allows the advisory group to monitor the activities of terminal 
facilities and crude-oil tankers under the Prince William Sound Program 
established by the statute. 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, 1996, through June 30, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LCDR Peter A. Jensen, Project Manager, 
Port and Environmentals Management Division (G-MOR-1), (202) 267-6134, 
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 terminal facilities and crude-oil tankers.
    Section 2732(o) permits an alternative voluntary advisory group to 
represent the communities and interests in the vicinity of the terminal 
facilities in Prince William Sound, instead of a council of the type 
specified in sub-section 2732(d), if certain conditions are met. The 
Act requires that the group enter into a contract to ensure annual 
funding, and that it receive annual certification by the President to 
the effect 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, Marine 
Safety and Environmental Protection.
    On April 30, 1996, in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard 
announced the availability of the application for recertification that 
it received from the RCAC and requested comments (61 FR 19110). Sixteen 
comments were received.

Discusion of Comments

    Although all of the comments received by the Coast Guard supported 
recertification of the PWSRCAC, three of them provided constructive 
criticism of PWSRCAC operations. One of the comments questioned the 
support provided by some Council members to certain parties opposing 
the Prince William Sound shipper contingency plans which were imposed 
by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The commentator 
emphasized that PWSRCAC's role is that of an advisor speaking with one 
voice and not individuals advocating their own interests. A second 
comment expressed the need for PWSRCAC to ensure greater participation 
by two local Native villages. The final comment objected to an increase 
in PWSRCAC's budget unless expenditures were more fully justified. It 
is the Coast Guard's position that those comments can be addressed 
successfully by PWSRCAC and has forwarded them to PWSRCAC for their 
review, consideration for what is necessary to resolve the issues, and 
to provide their response to the commentator and the Coast Guard. 
Therefore, since none of the comments received opposed the 
recertification, the Coast Guard has determined that recertification of 
the RCAC in accordance with the Act is appropriate.
    Recertification: By letter dated July 3, 1996, the Chief, Marine 
Safety and Environmental Protection certified that the RCAC qualifies 
as an alternative voluntary advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o). 
This recertification terminates on June 30, 1997.

    Dated: August 14, 1996.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Marine Safety and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 96-21737 Filed 8-23-96; 8:45 am]
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