Ports and waterways safety: benefit analysis; meetings,

[Federal Register: November 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 223)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 63266-63267]

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

[DOCID:fr19no99-27]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Chapter I

[USCG-1998-4501]

RIN 2115-AF68

Improvements to Marine Safety in Puget Sound-Area Waters

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of rescheduled meeting.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the rescheduling of the two meetings to describe the results of and solicit comments on the cost-benefit analysis of potential rules that could improve marine safety in Puget Sound-Area waters. These meetings, originally scheduled for Tuesday November 16, 1999 and Wednesday November 17, 1999 (64 FR 56286, October 19, 1999), will now be conducted on December 10, 1999. Under consideration are regulatory requirements for tug escorts and/or dedicated rescue tugs for certain vessels operating in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and adjacent waters.

DATES: The meetings will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Friday December 10, 1999, with additional time for questions to the regulatory analysis study team from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Comments to the docket for the advance notice of proposed rulemaking must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before January 31, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Jackson Federal Building Auditorium, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98174-1067.

You may submit your written comments and related material by only one of the following methods:

(1) By mail to the Docket Management Facility, (USCG-1999-4501), U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

(2) By hand to room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

(3) By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251.

(4) Electronically through the Web Site for the Docket Management System at http://dms.dot.gov.

The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this notice. Comments and documents, as indicated in this notice, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401 on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may electronically access the public docket for this notice on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on the public meeting, contact CDR Timothy M. Close, Human Element and Ship Design Division (G-MSE-1), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, telephone 202-267-2997, fax 202-267-4816, email fldr-he@comdt.uscg.mil. For questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Dorothy Walker, Chief, Dockets, Department of Transportation, telephone 202-366-9329.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

We encourage you to participate by submitting comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number [USCG-1998-4501], indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. You may submit your comments and material by mail, hand delivery, fax, or electronic means to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES; but please submit your comments and material by only one means. If you submit them 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 them by mail and would like to know they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. We may change this rule in view of them.

[[Page 63267]]

Public Meeting

The purpose of the meeting is to describe the results of the cost- benefit analysis. Also, as time allows, the Coast Guard will respond to questions about the cost-benefit analysis, and discuss how the results will be used. Attendance is open to the public.

Background and Purpose

This meeting has been rescheduled to allow time for the contracted study team to finalize the report. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with a briefing on the results of the cost-benefit analysis. Comments to the docket regarding the results of the cost- benefit analysis and their interpretation are encouraged. The analysis and these comments will be used by the Navigation Safety Advisory Council panel formed to develop a long-term oil-spill risk management plan for the region (64 FR 48442, September 3, 1999) and by the Secretary in the final determination regarding the regulatory measures under consideration. The cost-benefit study will be available from the Coast Guard's Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Internet site at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/gmhome.

Information on Services for the Handicapped

Contact CDR Close for information on facilities or services for the handicapped or to request special assistance at the meetings as soon as possible.

Dated: November 16, 1999. Jeffrey High, Acting Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.

[FR Doc. 99-30270Filed11-16-99; 3:05 pm]

BILLING CODE 4910-15-U