[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 88 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20085-20086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09664]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0289]


Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (CIRCAC) 
Recertification

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of recertification.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that the Coast Guard has 
completed its triennial recertification of the Cook Inlet Regional 
Citizens' Advisory Council (CIRCAC) as an alternative voluntary 
advisory group for Cook Inlet, Alaska. The certification allows the 
CIRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil 
tankers under an alternative composition other than prescribed Cook 
Inlet Program established by statute.

DATES: This recertification is effective for the period from September 
1st, 2017, through August 31st, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT Jonathan Dale, Seventeenth Coast 
Guard District (dpi), by phone at (907)463-2812, email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    As part of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 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.

Discussion of Comments

    On June 29th, 2017, the USCG published a ``Notice; request for 
comments for recertification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory 
Council'' in the Federal Register (82 FR 29572). We received 43 letters 
commenting on the proposed action. No public meeting was requested. One 
comment was received questioning CIRCAC's recent changes to its by laws 
governing the Tourism Group. Through coordination of the involved 
parties, the Coast Guard is satisfied that the concern

[[Page 20086]]

is now resolved. All of the other submissions were positive comments, 
and supported recertification. These letters consistently cited 
CIRCAC's broad representation of the respective community's interest, 
appropriate actions to keep the public informed, improvements to both 
spill response preparation and spill prevention, and oil spill industry 
monitoring efforts that combat complacency--as intended by the Act.

Recertification

    By letter dated August 22, 2017, the Commander, Seventeenth Coast 
Guard certified that the CIRCAC qualifies as an alternative voluntary 
advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o). While the triennial review is 
valid until August 31, 2020, the annual recertification terminates on 
August 31, 2018.

    April 20, 2018.
Michael F. McAllister,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2018-09664 Filed 5-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


