Application for Recertification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -

Coast Guard

[CGD 96-018]

Application for Recertification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizens'

Advisory Council

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability; requests for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of the application

for recertification submitted by the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens'

Advisory Council (CIRCAC) for June 1, 1996, through May 31, 1997. The

application may be reviewed at the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens'

Advisory Council's Office, 910 Highland Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611-

8033, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,

except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (907) 283-7222. The

Coast Guard seeks comments on the application from interested groups.

The Coast Guard will publish a later notice in the Federal Register to

notify the public of its decision regarding the recertification

request.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Commander (G-MRO-1), ATTN: J.

Jackson, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20593-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mrs. Janice Jackson, Response Division, (202) 267-0500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Oil Terminal and Oil Tanker

Environmental Oversight and Monitoring Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2732)

(the Act), the Coast Guard may certify, on an annual basis, an

alternative voluntary advisory group (advisory group) in lieu of

Regional Citizens' Advisory Councils for Cook Inlet and Prince William

Sound Alaska. The Coast Guard published guidelines on December 31,

1992, to assist groups seeking recertification under the Act (57 FR

62600). The Coast Guard issued a policy statement on July 7, 1993 (58

FR 36505), to clarify the factors that the Coast Guard would be

considering in making its determination as to whether advisory groups

should be certified in accordance with the Act; and the procedures

which the Coast Guard would follow in meeting its certification

responsibilities under the Act.

The Coast Guard has received an application for recertification of

CIRCAC, the currently certified advisory group for the Cook Inlet

region. In accordance with the review and certification process

contained in the policy statement, the Coast Guard announces the

availability of the application. It solicits comments from interested

groups including oil terminal facility owners and operators, owners and

operators of crude oil tankers calling at the terminal facilities, and

fishing, aquacultural, recreational and environmental citizens groups,

concerning the recertification application of CIRCAC. At the conclusion

of the comment period, the Coast Guard will review all application

materials and comments received and will take one of the following

actions:

(a) Recertify the advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o).

(b) Issue a conditional recertification for a period of 90 days,

with a statement of any discrepancies which must be corrected to

qualify for recertification for the remainder of the year.

(c) Deny recertification of the advisory group if the Coast Guard

finds that the group is not broadly representative of the interests and

communities in the area or is not adequately fostering the goals and

purposes of the Act.

The Coast Guard will notify CIRCAC by letter of the action taken on

its application. A notice will be published in the Federal Register to

advise the public of the Coast Guard's determination.

Dated: April 9, 1996.

J.C. Card,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security

and Environmental Protection.

[FR Doc. 96-9281 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]

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