Document ID: USCG-2016-0437-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Update to Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) National Guidelines
Posted Date: 2016-05-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33685-33686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12624]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

 Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0437]

Update to Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) National Guidelines

AGENCY: Coast Guard, OHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of a draft update 
to the Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) National Guidelines. The APC

[[Page 33686]]

Guidelines provide the maritime industry with updated information on 
the development and submission of an APC request made pursuant to 
existing regulations. In addition to providing guidance to vessel 
owners and operators on developing APC requests, the APC Guidelines 
will also facilitate consistency in the review of APC requests by Coast 
Guard personnel. This notice solicits public comment on the procedures 
contained in the draft update to the APC Guidelines.

DATES: Comments must reach the USCG by August 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To view the APC Guidelines as well as documents mentioned in 
this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type ``USCG-2016-0437'' 
and click ``Search.'' Then click the ``Open Docket Folder.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For USCG: CDR Scott Stoermer, Office of Marine Environmental 
Response Policy, 202-372-2234.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    The USCG encourages participation in updating the APC Guidelines by 
submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will 
be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include 
any personal information provided.
    Submitting comments: If you submit a comment, please include the 
docket number (USCG-2016-0437), indicate the specific section of the 
APC Guidelines to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for 
each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and 
material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only 
one of these means. We recommend that you include your name, a mailing 
address, an email address and/or a phone number in the body of your 
document to facilitate follow-up contact if we have questions regarding 
your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
type ``USCG-2016-0437'' in the search box, and click ``Search.'' Then 
click ``Comment Now!'' on the appropriate line. If you submit your 
comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no 
larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they 
reached the DHS Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed 
postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material 
received during the comment period.
    Viewing comments and documents: To view comments as well as 
documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go 
to http://www.regulations.gov, type ``USCG-2016-0437'' and click 
``Search.'' Then click the ``Open Docket Folder.''
    Privacy Act: Anyone can search the electronic material submitted 
into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the 
comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act 
and system of records notice regarding our public dockets in the 
January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

II. Abbreviations

APC Alternative Planning Criteria
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
017 District 17
FR Federal Register
MSIB Marine Safety Information Bulletin
NTV Nontank Vessel
OPA Oil Pollution Act of 1990
USCG U.S. Coast Guard
VOO Vessel of Opportunity
VRP Vessel Response Plan

III. Background

    Under 33 CFR 155.1015 and 155.5015, vessel response plans (VRPs) 
are required to cover all navigable waters of the U.S. in which a 
vessel operates. Several areas under U.S. jurisdiction do not have 
sufficient resources to meet the national planning criteria prescribed 
under 33 CFR part 155, Appendix B. In remote areas where typical 
response resources are not available, or the available commercial 
resources do not meet the national planning criteria, a vessel owner or 
operator may request that the Coast Guard accept an Alternative 
Planning Criteria (APC).
    In August 2009, the Coast Guard published CG-543 Policy Letter 09-
02, ``Industry Guidelines for Requesting Alternate Planning Criteria 
Approval, One Time Waivers and Interim Operating Authorization.'' The 
purpose of Policy Letter 09-02, was to provide guidance to the maritime 
industry in applying for an APC pursuant to 33 CFR 155.1065(f).
    In September 2013, the Coast Guard published regulations (78 FR 
60124) requiring NTVs over 400 gross tons to submit VRPs, which made 
the national planning criteria in 33 CFR part 155 applicable to 
thousands of additional vessels across the U.S., including geographic 
areas with limited commercially available response resources. Over 
time, it became apparent that additional guidance would be useful in 
addressing compliance issues that had developed from the promulgation 
of the nontank vessel (NTV) Final Rule.
    In 2015, Coast Guard Dl 7 published a draft Marine Safety 
Information Bulletin (MSIB) that provided guidance for APC submissions 
and expectations within Alaskan waters, with a focus on NTV traffic. Dl 
7 received a multitude of comments from various sectors of the maritime 
industry on the draft MSIB. By this time, the Coast Guard determined it 
would be best to update the national APC guidance rather than 
singularly focusing on APC guidelines specific to Alaska. The comments 
received on Dl 7's MSIB were strongly considered by the Coast Guard 
during the development of the revised APC national guidance now being 
published for public comment.

IV. Public Comment of APC Guidelines

    The draft APC Guidelines may be amended by the Coast Guard, as 
appropriate, based upon public comment on this Federal Register notice.
    This notice is issued under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552 (a).

    Dated: May 23, 2016.
J.B. Loring,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Marine Environmental 
Response Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016-12624 Filed 5-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P