
[Federal Register: March 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 59)]
[Notices]               
[Page 14142-14143]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30mr09-69]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0192]

 
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council 
(PWSRCAC) Charter Renewal

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of recertification.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to inform 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 the Prince William Sound Program established by statute.

DATES: This recertification is effective for the period from February 
28, 2009, through February 28, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LCDR Gary Koehler, Seventeenth Coast 
Guard District, by telephone at (907) 463-2809, or by mail at 709 W. 
Ninth Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801.

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.
    On October 18, 1991, the President delegated his authority under 33 
U.S.C 2732(o) to the Secretary of Transportation in Executive Order 
12777, section 8(g) (see 56 FR 54757; Oct. 22, 1991), for purposes of 
certifying advisory councils, or groups, subject to the Act. On March 
3, 1992, the Secretary redelegated that authority to the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard (see 57 FR 8582; Mar. 11, 1992). The

[[Page 14143]]

Commandant redelegated that authority to the Chief, Office of Marine 
Safety, Security and Environmental Protection (G-M), on March 19, 1992 
(letter 5402).
    On July 7, 1993, the Coast Guard published a policy statement (58 
FR 36504), to clarify the factors that shall be considered in making 
the determination as to whether advisory councils, or groups, should be 
certified in accordance with the Act.
    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 September 16, 2002, the Coast Guard published a policy statement 
(67 FR 58440), that changed the recertification procedures such that 
applicants are required to provide the Coast Guard with comprehensive 
information every three years (triennially). For each of the two years 
between the triennial application procedure, 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 not solicited 
prior to recertification during streamlined years, only during the 
triennial comprehensive review.
    The Alyeska Pipeline Service Company pays the PWSRCAC $2.9 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 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 March 10, 2009, the Commander, 
Seventeenth Coast Guard, certified that the PWSRCAC qualifies as an 
alternative voluntary advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o). This 
recertification terminates on February 28, 2010.

    Dated: March 17, 2009.
A.E. Brooks,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard 
District.
 [FR Doc. E9-6974 Filed 3-27-09; 8:45 am]

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