Organization, functions, and authority delegations: Maritime Administrator,

[Federal Register: January 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 8)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 2150]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr13ja99-12]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

49 CFR Part 1

[OST Docket No. 1; Amendment 1-297]

Organization and Delegation of Powers and Duties; Delegations to the Maritime Administrator

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) is delegating his authority under sections 3602, 3603, and 3605 of Public Law 105-261 and under sections 427 and 428 of Public Law 105-383 to the Maritime Administrator. These sections authorize the Secretary to convey certain of the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) vessels and equipment to designated parties, or to parties selected under competitive procedures, as specified in the applicable section. The delegation should be made to the Maritime Administrator because the Maritime Administration has the interest, requisite expertise, capability and responsibility to dispose of merchant-type and similar vessels over 1,500 gross tons for the Federal Government.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 13, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Weaver, Chief, Division of Management and Organization, Maritime Administration, MAR-318, Room 7301, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: (202) 366- 2811; or Blane Workie, Office of General Counsel (C-50), Department of Transportation, Room 10424, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: (202) 366-9314.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of Transportation is delegating to the Maritime Administrator his authority under sections 3602, 3603, and 3605 of Public Law 105-261 and under sections 427 and 428 of Public Law 105-383. Specifically, under Public Law 105-261, titled the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization, and in accordance with the terms prescribed in the applicable section, the Secretary of Transportation may convey from the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet:

Sec. 3602--vessel M/V BAYAMON (United States official number 530007) to a purchaser for use as a self-propelled floating trade exposition to showcase United States technology, industrial products, and services.

Sec. 3603--vessels BENJAMIN ISHERWOOD (TAO-191) and HENRY ECKFORD (TAO-192) to a purchaser for reconstruction of those vessels for sale or charter to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization country for full use as an oiler.

Sec. 3605--vessel ex-USS LORAIN COUNTY (LST-1177) to the Ohio War Memorial, Inc., located in Sandusky, Ohio for use as a memorial to Ohio veterans; as well as any unneeded equipment from other vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, for use to restore the vessel conveyed under section 3605 to museum quality.

In addition, under Public Law 105-383, titled the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998, and in accordance with the terms prescribed in the applicable section, the Secretary of Transportation may convey from the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet:

Sec. 427--vessels S.S. AMERICAN VICTORY (United States official number 248005) and S.S. HATTIESBURG VICTORY (United States official number 248651) to the Victory Ship, Inc., located in Tampa, Florida for use as a memorial to the Victory class of ships; as well as any unneeded equipment from other vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet to restore the vessel(s) conveyed under section 427 to museum quality.

Sec. 428--vessel JOHN HENRY (United States official number 599294) to a purchaser for use in humanitarian relief efforts, including the provision of water and humanitarian goods in developing nations.

The Secretary is delegating his authority to convey certain of the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet vessels to the Maritime Administrator because the Maritime Administration has the necessary expertise to dispose of merchant-type and similar vessels over 1,500 gross tons for the Federal Government.

Since this amendment relates to departmental organization, procedure and practice, notice and comment are unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. 553(b). Further, since the amendment expedites the Maritime Administration's ability to meet the statutory intent of the sections covered by this delegation, the Secretary finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) for the final rule to be effective on the date of publication in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1

Authority delegations (Government agencies), Organization and functions (Government agencies).

In consideration of the foregoing, Part 1 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, is amended, effective upon publication, to read as follows:

PART 1--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322; Public Law 101-552, 28 U.S.C. 2672; 31 U.S.C. 3711(a)(2).

2. In Sec. 1.66 (Delegations to Maritime Administrator) the following section (bb) is added at the end thereof.

   Sec. 1.66 Delegations to Maritime Administrator.

   * * * * *

   (bb) Carry out the functions and exercise the authorities vested in the Secretary by sections 3602, 3603, and 3605 of Public Law 105-261, titled the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization; and sections 427 and 428 of Public Law 105-383, titled the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998.

   Issued at Washington, DC., this 4th day of January, 1999. Rodney E. Slater, Secretary of Transportation.

   [FR Doc. 99-715Filed1-12-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-62-P