[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32211-32212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15245]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 16, 1999 / 
Notices  

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INTERAGENCY COMMISSION ON CRIME AND SECURITY IN U.S. SEAPORTS


Establishment of Commission To Study Nature and Extent of Crime 
and Overall State of Security in U.S. Seaports

AGENCY: Interagency Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the establishment of the Interagency 
Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports (the Commission). The 
Commission will conduct a comprehensive study of the nature and extent 
of crime and the overall state of security in U.S. seaports, and the 
ways in which Federal, State and local governments are responding to 
this problem. The study will address all serious crime occurring in the 
maritime context, including but not limited to drug trafficking, cargo 
theft, and the smuggling of contraband and aliens. This document 
requests, and the Commission will take full account of, the views and 
expertise of interested members of the private sector in identifying 
and addressing issues of serious crime and in improving overall 
security in relation to U.S. seaports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments from interested members of the private 
sector may be addressed and submitted to: The Interagency Commission on 
Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Suite 1331 North, Washington, DC 20004. Comments may also be submitted 
to the Commission by facsimile transmission (fax) (202-927-3743), or by 
electronic mail at the Commission's website address (http://
www.seaportcommission.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James F. Kelly, Working Group, (202-
927-3741).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Establishment of Commission

    By Memorandum, dated April 27, 1999, the President authorized the 
Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General and the Secretary of 
Transportation, in cooperation with numerous other executive 
departments and Federal agencies, to establish the Interagency 
Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports (the Commission). The 
President's Memorandum is printed in the Weekly Compilation of 
Presidential Documents, Vol. 35 (1999), page 755.

Composition of Commission

    The Commission is co-chaired by the Commissioner, U.S. Customs 
Service (Department of the Treasury), the Assistant Attorney General, 
Criminal Division (Department of Justice), and the Administrator, 
Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation).
    In addition, Commission members include senior officials from: The 
Departments of State, the Treasury, Defense, Justice, Agriculture, 
Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Transportation; the 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Management and Budget, 
the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Central Intelligence 
Agency, the National Security Council, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 
All members of the Commission are full-time Federal employees.
    The Executive Director of the Commission, chosen by the Secretary 
of the Treasury, oversees the support staff and a working group 
established to further the work of the Commission. The Executive 
Director reports directly to the three co-chairs. The working group is 
composed of Federal employees from the previously enumerated executive 
departments and agencies involved in the Commission.

Purpose of Commission

    The Commission will undertake a comprehensive study of the nature 
and extent of crime and the overall state of security related to U.S. 
seaports, as well as the ways in which Federal, State and local 
governments are responding to this problem. The study will address all 
serious crime occurring in the maritime context, including but not 
limited to drug trafficking, cargo theft, and the smuggling of 
contraband and aliens. Moreover, the study will carefully examine the 
role of internal conspiracies associated with such crime, including the 
potential threat posed by terrorists and others to the people and 
critical infrastructures of seaport cities.
    On or before completing its work within one year of the date of its 
establishment, the Commission will submit a report to the Secretary of 
the Treasury, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Attorney 
General. Within 3 months of the submission of the report, these 
officials will forward it, with their joint recommendations, to the 
Chief of Staff to the President for final review and appropriate 
action.
    The Commission's report will include: An analysis of the type and 
level of serious crime, as well as a determination as to the overall 
state of security, in U.S. seaports; an overview of the specific 
missions and authorities of Federal agencies in this area, along with a 
general description of the usual roles played in this regard by State 
and local agencies, as well as by the private sector; an evaluation of 
the nature and effectiveness of coordination among Federal, State and 
local government agencies responsible for dealing with issues of crime 
and security in the maritime context; and recommendations for improving 
the response of Federal, State and local governments to seaport crime 
and enhancing seaport security.

Some Areas of Focus

    The following is a general overview of some of the subject areas on 
which the Commission will focus in conducting its study:

1. Overall Assessment of Crime in the Maritime Context

    As noted, the Commission will undertake an analysis of the overall 
nature and extent of criminal activity occurring in relation to U.S. 
seaports, including drug trafficking, cargo theft, and the smuggling of 
contraband and aliens; assess the role of internal conspiracies in 
connection with such crime; provide an overview of the specific 
missions and authorities of the Federal agencies with relevant 
responsibilities for dealing with

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criminal activity in the maritime context, along with a general 
description of the typical roles played in this connection by State and 
local agencies and the private sector; conduct an assessment of the 
nature and effectiveness of coordination among Federal, State and local 
government agencies, including intelligence efforts; and provide 
recommendations for improving the response of Federal, State and local 
governments to the problem of serious crime, including resource 
requirements and mandatory crime reporting.

2. Terrorism, Threats, and Environmental Crime

    The Commission will: Assess the threat of terrorism in the maritime 
context, both from domestic and foreign sources; identify major 
vulnerabilities to terrorist activity at U.S. seaports, in the 
transportation of cargo to and from ports, and at foreign ports where 
cargo is laded aboard ships bound for the U.S.; and recommend 
improvements in overall seaport security intended to make ports less 
susceptible to terrorist acts.
    Also, the Commission will focus on potential threats of 
environmental terrorism and negligence in and around the nation's 
seaports, including the risk of marine accidents and pollution 
occasioned by, among other things, hazardous commodities such as 
petroleum; assess environmental consequences and vulnerabilities in 
this area; and make recommendations for improvements in environmental 
protection and safety at seaports and on coastal and inland waterways.

3. Security and Prevention

    The Commission will evaluate the overall state of security existing 
at U.S. seaports, including measures for controlling access to ports, 
safeguarding passengers and cargo, and ensuring the security of 
possible military mobilization operations (at selected seaports); the 
Commission will develop recommendations, including identifying new 
techniques, on enhancing seaport security standards, and on whether 
such standards should be mandatory or voluntary.

4. Cargo Control

    The Commission will analyze the effectiveness and integrity of 
cargo control mechanisms at U.S. seaports that deal, for example, with 
false manifesting and the diversion of cargo (inbound, outbound, and 
in-bond); and make recommendations on how cargo control procedures may 
be improved.

5. Technology

    The Commission will seek to identify and recommend state-of-the-art 
technology for use in combating crime and bolstering security at 
seaports.

6. Legislation/Regulation/Funding

    The Commission will identify, and develop recommendations for 
appropriate changes in, Federal laws and regulations pertaining to 
seaport crime, terrorism and security. Furthermore, the Commission will 
seek to identify potential sources of funding, as necessary to 
implement its recommendations in all areas.

Input From Private Sector Requested

    The issues involving U.S. seaport security affect many different 
private sector interests in a variety of ways. Accordingly, the 
Commission hereby invites, and will take full account of, the views and 
expertise of interested members of the private sector in addressing the 
issues of serious crime and overall security in U.S. seaports. All 
comments in this matter are welcome. In concert with the subject areas 
generally outlined above, the Commission believes input as to the 
following would be most helpful:
    (1) Describing particular problems that need to be solved 
concerning crime, terrorism and security in seaports;
    (2) Proposals for new laws or regulations, programs or other 
courses of action to combat crime and terrorism and increase security 
in seaports;
    (3) Suggested methods for ensuring better reporting and more 
accurate collection of data on crime in relation to the maritime 
context; and
    (4) Possible ways to improve coordination and cooperation among 
Federal, State and local government agencies, in combating criminal 
activity and fostering greater security in seaports.
    The Commission believes that the experience and knowledge that 
members of the private sector can bring to this undertaking will enable 
the Commission to conduct its evaluation of seaport crime and security 
in a more effective and reliable manner, and help ensure that the 
Commission's report contains recommendations that are realistic and 
that can be effectively implemented.

    Dated: June 9, 1999.
D. Lynn Gordon,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 99-15245 Filed 6-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P