[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9540-9541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04876]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2019-0032]
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council
Recertification
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of recertification.
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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that the Coast Guard has
recertified the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory
Council (PWSRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince
William Sound, Alaska. This certification allows the PWSRCAC to monitor
the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under an
alternative composition, other than prescribed, Prince William Sound
Program established by statute.
DATES: This recertification is effective for the period from February
28, 2019 through March 1, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT Ian McPhillips, Seventeenth Coast
Guard District (dpi), by phone at (907)463-2809, email at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Purpose
As part of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), Congress passed
the Oil Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring
Act of 1990 (the Act), 33 U.S.C. 2732, to foster a long-term
partnership among industry, government, and local communities in
overseeing compliance with environmental concerns in the operation of
crude oil terminals and oil tankers.
The President has delegated his authority under 33 U.S.C 2732(o)
respecting certification of advisory councils, or groups, subject to
the Act to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Section 8(g) of Executive Order 12777, (56 FR 54757, October 22, 1991),
as amended by section 34 of Executive Order 13286 (68 FR 10619, March
5, 2003). The Secretary redelegated that authority to the Commandant of
the USCG. Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1,
paragraph 80 of section II. The Commandant redelegated that authority
to the Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental
Protection (G-M) on March 19, 1992 (letter #5402).
The Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental
Protection (G-M), redelegated recertification authority for advisory
councils, or groups, to the Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District
on February 26, 1999 (letter #16450).
On July 7, 1993, the USCG published a policy statement,
``Alternative Voluntary Advisory Groups, Prince William Sound and Cook
Inlet'' (58 FR 36504), to clarify the factors considered in making the
determination as to whether advisory councils, or groups, should be
certified in accordance with the Act.
On September 16, 2002, the USCG published a policy statement, 67 FR
58440, which changed the recertification procedures such that
applicants are required to provide the USCG with comprehensive
information every three years (triennially). For each of the two years
between the triennial application procedures, applicants submit a
letter requesting recertification that includes a description of any
substantive changes to the information provided at the previous
triennial recertification. Further, public comment is only solicited
during the triennial comprehensive review.
The Alyeska Pipeline Service Company pays the PWSRCAC $3.6 million
annually in the form of a long-term contract. In return for this
funding, the PWSRCAC must annually show that it ``fosters the goals and
purposes'' of OPA 90 and is ``broadly representative of the communities
and interests in the vicinity of the terminal facilities and Prince
William Sound.'' The PWSRCAC
[[Page 9541]]
is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1989. Though it
receives federal oversight like many independent, non-profit
organizations, it is not a federal agency. The PWSRCAC is a local
organization that predates the passage of OPA 90. The existence of the
PWSRCAC was specifically recognized in OPA 90 where it is defined as an
``alternate voluntary advisory group.''
Alyeska funds the PWSRCAC, and the Coast Guard makes sure the
PWSRCRC operates in a fashion that is broadly consistent with OPA 90.
Recertification
By letter dated Feb 04 2019, the Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard
District, certified that the PWSRCAC qualifies as an alternative
voluntary advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o). This recertification
terminates on March 1, 2020.
Matthew T. Bell Jr.,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 2019-04876 Filed 3-14-19; 8:45 am]
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