[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51077-51078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17093]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[CGD17-05-0010]


Annual Certification of Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory 
Council (CIRCAC)

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of recertification.

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SUMMARY: Under the Oil Terminal and Tanker Environmental Oversight Act 
of 1990, the Coast Guard may certify on an annual basis an alternative 
voluntary advisory group in lieu of a regional citizens' advisory 
council for Cook Inlet, Alaska. This certification allows the advisory 
group to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil 
tankers under the Cook Inlet Program established by the statute. The 
purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the Coast Guard has 
recertified the alternative voluntary advisory group for Cook Inlet, 
Alaska.

DATES: This recertification is effective for the period from September 
1, 2005 through August 31, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information regarding the 
CIRCAC or viewing material submitted to the docket, contact Rick 
Janelle, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, Marine Safety Division, 
(907) 463-2808.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In section 5002 of the Oil Pollution Act of 
1990, cited as the Oil Terminal and Tanker Environmental Oversight and 
Monitoring Act of 1990 (the Act), Congress sought to foster the long-
term partnership among industry, government, and local communities in 
overseeing compliance with the environmental concerns in the operation 
of terminal facilities and

[[Page 51078]]

crude-oil tankers. Subsection 5002(o) permits an alternative voluntary 
advisory group to represent to communities and interests in the 
vicinity of the terminal facilities in Cook Inlet (CI), in lieu of a 
council of the type specified in subsection 5002(d), if certain 
conditions are met.
    The Act requires that the group enter into a contract to ensure 
annual funding, and that it receive annual certification by the 
President to the effect that it fosters the general goals and purposes 
of the Act, and is broadly representative of the communities and 
interests in the vicinity of the terminal facilities and Cook Inlet. 
Accordingly, in 1991, the President granted certification to the Cook 
Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (CIRCAC). The authority to 
certify alternative advisory groups was subsequently delegated to the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard and redelegated to the Commander, 
Seventeenth Coast Guard District.
    On June 28, 2005, the Coast Guard published a notice of 
availability of an application for recertification submitted by the 
Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council in the Federal Register 
(70 FR 37103) and we requested comments. Eight comments were received.

Discussion of Comments

    Of the comments received, all were supportive of recertification 
and noted the positive efforts, good communication, and broad 
representation of Cook Inlet communities by CIRCAC as it carries out 
its responsibilities as intended by the Act.
    The Coast Guard received one letter of public comment from the Cook 
Inlet Keeper, a citizen-based, non-profit group dedicated to protecting 
Alaska's Cook Inlet watershed. This comment supported the 
recertification of the CIRCAC and also encouraged the Coast Guard to 
investigate ways to ensure the CIRCAC has a more reliable, long-term 
funding stream. Although the Coast Guard understands the Cook Inlet 
Keeper's concern, the Coast Guard is limited to determining whether the 
CIRCAC has entered into a contract for funding in accordance with the 
requirements of 33 U.S.C. 2732(o), and reviewing the expenditure of 
those funds.
    Upon review of the comments received regarding the CIRCAC's 
performance during the past year and the information provided by the 
RCAC in their annual report and recertification package, the Coast 
Guard finds the CIRCAC meets the criteria established under the Oil 
Pollution Act, and that recertification in accordance with the Act is 
appropriate.

Recertification

    By letter dated 12 August, 2005 the Commander, Seventeenth Coast 
Guard, certified that the CIRCAC qualifies as an alternative voluntary 
advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o). This recertification lasts 
through August 31, 2006.

    Dated: August 15, 2005.
James C. Olson,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 05-17093 Filed 8-26-05; 8:45 am]
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