[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 152 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 42474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21190]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-4272]


Application for Recertification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' 
Advisory Council

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of the application 
for recertification submitted by the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' 
Advisory Council (CIRCAC) for September 1, 1998, through August 31, 
1999. Under the Oil Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight and 
Monitoring Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2732), the Coast Guard may certify, 
on an annual basis, an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of 
Regional Citizens' Advisory Councils for Cook Inlet.

DATES: Comments must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before 
September 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: You may mail your comments to the Docket Management Facility 
(USCG--1998-XXXX), U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, or deliver them to room 
PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building at the same address 
between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this 
recertification process. Comments regarding recertification, and 
documents as indicated in this preamble, will become part of this 
docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401 
on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building at the same address between 
10 a.m. amd 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You 
may also access this docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
    A copy of the applicant is also available for inspection at the 
Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council's Offices, at 910 
Highland Ave., Kenai, Alaska 99611-8033 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (907) 283-7222 in Kenai, Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information regarding the 
CIRCAC contact Lt. Pittman, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection 
Directorate, Office of Response (G-MOR-1), (202) 267-0426. For 
questions on viewing, or submitting material to, the docket, contact 
Dorothy Walker, Chief, Dockets, Department of Transportation, telephone 
202-366-9329.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to submit written 
data, views, or arguments. It solicits comments from interested groups 
including oil terminal facility owners and operators, owners and 
operators of crude oil tankers calling at terminal facilities, and 
fishing, aquacultural, recreational and environmental citizens groups, 
concerning the recertification application of CIRCAC. Persons 
submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify 
this rulemaking (USCG-1998-XXXX) and the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each 
comment. Please submit all comments and attachments in an unbound 
format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and 
electronic filing to the Docket Management Facility at the address 
under ADDRESSES. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments 
should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or envelopes.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this recertification application or 
application process in view of the comments.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Docket Management Facility at the 
address under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a 
hearing would be beneficial. If it determines that the opportunity for 
oral presentations will aid this recertification process, the Coast 
Guard will hold a public hearing at time and place announced by a later 
notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

    The Coast Guard published guidelines on December 31, 1992, to 
assist groups seeking recertification under the Oil Terminal and Oil 
Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
2732) (the Act) (57 FR 62600). The Coast Guard issued a policy 
statement on July 7, 1993 (58 FR 36505), to clarify the factors that 
the Coast Guard would be considering in making its determination as to 
whether advisory groups should be certified in accordance with the Act; 
and the procedures which the Coast Guard would follow in meeting its 
certification responsibilities under the Act.
    The Coast Guard has received an application for recertification of 
CIRCAC, the currently certified advisory group for the Cook Inlet 
region. In accordance with the review and certification process 
contained in the policy statement, the Coast Guard announces the 
availability of that application.
    At the conclusion of the comment period, the Coast Guard will 
review all application materials and comments received and will take 
one of the following actions:
    (a) Recertify the advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o).
    (b) Issue a conditional recertification for a period of 90 days, 
with a statement of any discrepancies which must be corrected to 
qualify for recertification for the remainder of the year.
    (c) Deny recertification of the advisory group if the Coast Guard 
finds that the group is not broadly representative of the interests and 
communities in the area or is not adequately fostering the goals and 
purposes of the Act.
    The Coast Guard will notify CIRCAC by letter of the action taken on 
its application. A notice will be published in the Federal Register to 
advise the public of the Coast Guard's determination.

    Dated: July 29, 1998.
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety 
and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 98-21190 Filed 8-6-98; 8:45 am]
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