Application for Recertification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[CGD 97-025]

Application for Recertification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizens'

Advisory Council

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request 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, 1997, through May 31, 1998. Under

the Oil Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring

Act of 1990 (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 Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 23, 1997.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Executive Secretary, Marine

Safety Council (G-LRA/ 3406) (CGD 97-025), U.S. Coast Guard

Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or

deliver them to room 3406 at the same address between 9:30 a.m. and 2

p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone

number is 202-267-1477. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information regarding the

CIRCAC contact Mr. Mark Meza, Marine Safety and Environmental

Protection Directorate, Office of Response, (G-MOR-1), (202) 267-0421.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to submit written

data, views, or arguments. 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. If you submit a

comment, please include your name and address, identify this docket

(CGD 97-025) and specify the section of the application to which your

comment applies. Please submit two copies of all comments and

attachments in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches,

suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you want confirmation

that the Coast Guard has received your comments you should enclose a

stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. The Coast Guard will

consider all comments received during the comment period.

Background

The Coast Guard published guidelines on December 31, 1992, (57 FR

62600) to assist groups seeking recertification under the Act. 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 that application. 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: May 13, 1997.

R.C. North,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety

and Environmental Protection.

[FR Doc. 97-13515 Filed 5-21-97; 8:45 am]

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