Recertification of Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard announces the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, Alaska for a period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Coast Guard may recertify the PWSRCAC on an annual basis. This certification allows PWSRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under an alternative composition as established by OPA 90 statute.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 207 (Wednesday, October 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 28, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 67848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21951]



[[Page 67848]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2026-0070]


Recertification of Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' 
Advisory Council

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of recertification.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the recertification of the Prince 
William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) as an 
alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, Alaska 
for a period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. Under the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Coast Guard may recertify the 
PWSRCAC on an annual basis. This certification allows PWSRCAC to 
monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers 
under an alternative composition as established by OPA 90 statute.

DATES: This recertification is effective for the period from March 1, 
2026 through February 28, 2027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email LT Case Kuikhoven, United States Coast Guard Arctic 
District; telephone 907-463-2809, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fc9f9d8f99d29dd29789959794938a9992bc898f9f9bd2919590"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f794968492d996d99c829e9c9f98819299b782849490d99a9e9b">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Purpose

    On December 31, 1992, the Coast Guard published Guidelines for 
Recertification of Alternative Voluntary Groups In Lieu of a Council 
(57 FR 62600) to assist groups seeking recertification under the Oil 
Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring Act of 
1990 (33 U.S.C. 2732) (the OPA 90 Act). On July 7, 1993, the Coast 
Guard published a notice (58 FR 36504) identifying the factors that the 
Coast Guard would consider in making its determination as to whether 
advisory groups should be certified in accordance with the OPA 90 Act, 
and the procedures which the Coast Guard would follow in meeting its 
recertification responsibilities under the OPA 90 Act. On September 16, 
2002, the Coast Guard published revised recertification procedure for 
alternative voluntary advisory groups established in lieu of councils 
(67 FR 58440). According to the revised procedures, an applicant 
alternative group requesting recertification is required to provide the 
Coast Guard with a comprehensive application once every 3 years 
(triennially). For each of the two years between the triennial 
application procedures, the applicant utilizes a streamlined process 
and submits a recertification application describing any substantive 
changes to the information provided at the previous triennial 
recertification. Public comment is only solicited during the triennial 
comprehensive review. 2026 is the year in this triennial cycle that 
PWSRCAC must provide comprehensive information.

II. Discussion of Comments

    On February 2, 2026, the Coast Guard published a Notice; Request 
for comments titled ``Application for Recertification of Prince William 
Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council'' in the Federal Register (91 
FR 4575). The Coast Guard received 70 comments from Alaska residents, 
former members of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory 
Council (PWSRCAC), educational institutions, government agencies, local 
business owners, Alaska State Legislators and Senators, and a former 
Governor of Alaska. All comments supported the recertification of the 
PWSRCAC. Commenters expressed strong support for the Council's work and 
highlighted its ongoing efforts and contributions. No comments proposed 
changes to the recertification.

Recertification

    By letter dated May 28, 2026, the Commander, Coast Guard Arctic 
District, certified that the PWSRCAC qualifies as an alternative 
voluntary advisory group under 33 U.S.C. 2732(o). This recertification 
terminates on February 28, 2027.

R.R. Little,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, United States Coast Guard 
Arctic District.
[FR Doc. 2026-21951 Filed 10-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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