[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43440-43441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21800]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-4298]


U.S. Delegation to the International Maritime Organization's 
Ballast Water Working Group

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meetings; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Delegation to the Ballast Water Working Group (BWWG) 
of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the 
International Maritime Organization (IMO) is conducting three public 
meetings in preparation for the 42nd session of the MEPC. This session 
is scheduled for November 2-6, 1998, in London, United Kingdom. All of 
the U.S. Delegation's meetings will be open to the public. The Coast 
Guard also solicits comments to develop its position for treaty 
negotiations for a possible annex to the International Convention on 
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).

DATES: The public meetings are scheduled for the following times. The 
meetings will convene at the times indicated; however, they may be 
concluded early if their business is finished: (1) Monday, August 31, 
1998, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; (2) Thursday, September 10, 1998, from 2 
p.m. to 5 p.m.; and (3) Thursday, October 15, 1998, from 2 p.m. to 5 
p.m.
    Written material and requests to make oral presentations should 
reach the Coast Guard at least five days before the date of the meeting 
you wish to attend. All comments must reach the Docket Management 
Facility on or before October 20, 1998; however, you are highly 
encouraged to submit your comments prior to the last meeting to 
facilitate discussion.

ADDRESSES: All meetings will be held at the Department of 
Transportation, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590. This is near the L'Enfant Plaza stations of both the Metro 
subway and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train service. The August 
31, meeting will be held in Room 3328, the September 10, meeting in 
Room 6200, and the October 15, meeting in Room 3328.
    You may mail your comments to the Docket Management Facility, 
(USCG-1998-4298), 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 telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments, and documents as indicated in this notice, 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. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. You may also access the docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For questions on this notice, or persons interested in presenting 
information at the meetings, contact Lieutenant Mary Pat McKeown, 
Office of Operating and Environmental Standards (G-MSO), telephone 202-
267-0500, fax 202-267-4690, or electronic mail [email protected]. 
For questions on viewing, or submitting material to, the docket, 
contact Ms. Dorothy Walker, Chief, Dockets, Department of 
Transportation, telephone 202-366-9329.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in the 
preparation of the U.S. position on treaty negotiations for a possible 
annex to the International Convention on the

[[Page 43441]]

Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) by submitting written 
data, views, or arguments. The draft annex is titled ``Regulations for 
the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments to 
Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens''. A 
copy of the draft document is available for viewing under this docket 
at http://dms.dot.gov. Persons submitting comments should include their 
names and addresses, identify this notice (USCG-1998-4298) 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 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.
    Written material and requests to make oral presentations should 
reach the Coast Guard at least five days before the date of the meeting 
you wish to attend. All comments must reach the Docket Management 
Facility on or before October 20, 1998; however, you are highly 
encouraged to submit your comments prior to the last meeting to 
facilitate discussion.

Purpose of Meetings

    The U.S. Delegation to the Ballast Water Working Group (BWWG) of 
the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International 
Maritime Organization (IMO) consists of both Federal Government 
employees and non-government advisors. The meetings will be held to 
discuss the U.S. position of the treaty negotiations for a possible 
Annex to the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution 
from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). The MEPC will discuss a draft text of the 
treaty annex at its 42nd session on November 2-6, 1998, in London, 
United Kingdom. The Committee will determine whether or not to hold a 
Conference of Parties to vote on the new Annex in the year 2000.
    The U.S. delegation will also develop a U.S. position paper 
commenting on aspects of the current draft of the treaty. Additionally, 
the delegation will discuss the U.S. position on any papers submitted 
by other countries for MEPC's 42nd session.

Information on Service for Individuals with Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
LT Mary Pat McKeown at the address or phone number under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT as soon as possible.

    Dated: August 7, 1998.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 98-21800 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M