81 FR 17765 - Oil Spill Response Planning Workshop

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 61 (March 30, 2016)

This notice is to announce a public workshop to discuss Oil Spill Response Plans covered by PHMSA's Part 130 and Part 194 regulations. The purpose of the workshop is to bring federal regulators, interested members of the public, industry, and other stakeholders together to share knowledge and experiences with oil spill response planning and preparedness, gather ideas for harmonizing PHMSA's regulations with other agencies, and discuss practical ways regulated entities can better plan and prepare for an oil spill.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17765-17766]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07096]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0021]


Oil Spill Response Planning Workshop

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public workshop.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to announce a public workshop to discuss Oil 
Spill Response Plans covered by PHMSA's Part 130 and Part 194 
regulations. The purpose of the workshop is to bring federal 
regulators, interested members of the public, industry, and other 
stakeholders together to share knowledge and experiences with oil spill 
response planning and preparedness, gather ideas for harmonizing 
PHMSA's regulations with other agencies, and discuss practical ways 
regulated entities can better plan and prepare for an oil spill.

DATES: The public workshop will held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, from 
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. Changes to start and finish times will be 
updated on the PHMSA meeting Web site (https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=112).

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the National Transportation 
Safety Board, 490 L'Enfant Plaza East, Southwest, Washington, DC.
    The workshop agenda and any additional information will be 
published on the PHMSA home page Web site at (http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline), and on the PHMSA meeting page Web site https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=112. Presentations will 
also be available online at the

[[Page 17766]]

meeting page Web site within 30 days following the workshop.
    Registration: Members of the public may attend this free workshop. 
Please note that the public workshop will be webcast. The details on 
this meeting, including the location, times, agenda items, and link to 
the webcast, will be available on the meeting page (https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=112) as they become 
available. Attendees, both in person and by webcast, are strongly 
encouraged to register in advance at (https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=112) to help ensure accommodations are 
adequate.
    Comments: Members of the public may also submit written comments 
either before or after the workshop. Comments should reference Docket 
No. PHMSA-2016-0021. Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
     E-Gov Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. This site 
allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice 
issued by any agency. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System, U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System, Room W12-140, 
on the ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except federal holidays.
    Instructions: Identify the docket number at the beginning of your 
comments. If you submit your comments by mail, submit two copies. If 
you wish to receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, 
include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit 
comments at http://www.regulations.gov.

    Note: Comments will be posted without changes or edits to http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information provided. 
Please see the Privacy Act Statement heading below for additional 
information.

Privacy Act Statement

    Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments received for 
any of our dockets. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement 
in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19476).

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, please 
contact Kristen Beer, Office of Pipeline Safety, at 202-366-8405 or by 
email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Lehman, Director, Emergency 
Support and Security Division, at 202-366-4439 or [email protected], 
regarding the subject matter in this notice.

Introduction

    The federal pipeline oil spill response plan regulations (49 CFR 
194) require operators to prepare and submit a response plan in order 
to minimize the harm caused to the environment due to the discharge of 
oil into or on any inland navigable waters of the United States or 
adjoining shorelines. This workshop will focus on multi-agency 
alignment, operator compliance, and participation in required drills 
and exercises. Additionally, attendees and commenters will be given the 
opportunity to provide suggestions and recommendations for possible 
changes to the oil spill response regulations.

Background

    PHMSA wishes to gather information about the efficacy of the oil 
spill response plan regulations. PHMSA is aware that regulated entities 
and members of the public have requested greater direction and 
regulatory interpretation. PHMSA is also aware that its oil spill 
response plan regulations do not fully align with the regulations of 
other federal agencies that have been delegated jurisdiction under 42 
U.S.C. 1321(j)(5). PHMSA is exploring ways to reduce redundancy, 
clarify language and improve efficacy of its oil spill response plan 
regulations.
    PHMSA believes improving the response plan preparation and 
submission process is important for improving response actions, 
ensuring response capabilities, and minimizing harm to the environment. 
In particular, PHMSA is interested in collaboration with other 
jurisdictional federal agencies, operators, and oil spill response 
organizations.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 24, 2016, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy and Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-07096 Filed 3-29-16; 8:45 am]
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