[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]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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