81 FR 63489 - Notice of Public Listening Session: Heavy Fuel Oil in the Arctic

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 179 (September 15, 2016)

The United States Coast Guard will conduct a public listening session in Washington, DC, on the topic of heavy fuel oil use by ships in the Arctic. The purpose of this public listening session is for the Coast Guard to gather information on issues relating to the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in the Arctic.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 179 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63489-63490]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22222]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0886]


Notice of Public Listening Session: Heavy Fuel Oil in the Arctic

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of public listening session.

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SUMMARY: The United States Coast Guard will conduct a public listening 
session in Washington, DC, on the topic of heavy fuel oil use by ships 
in the Arctic. The purpose of this public listening session is for the 
Coast Guard to gather information on issues relating to the use of 
heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in the Arctic.

DATES: This public listening session will begin at 10:00 a.m., Eastern 
Time and end at 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 27, 
2016. This meeting is open to the public, either in person or by phone. 
Seating is limited and the venue has security requirements, so an RSVP 
is required to

[[Page 63490]]

assure that space is available, arrange for entry, and to receive 
teleconference instructions. RSVPs for U.S. citizens are required by 
September 21, and non-U.S. citizens must RSVP by September 19.

ADDRESSES: The public listening session will be held in Room W22-308 of 
the United States Department of Transportation Headquarters building in 
Washington, DC. The United States Department of Transportation 
Headquarters building is located at 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, across from the Navy Yard Metro Station. Due to 
security requirements, each visitor must RSVP in advance, and present a 
valid government-issued photo identification (for example, a driver's 
license or passport) in order to gain entrance to the building. Due to 
limited seating and security requirements, an RSVP is required by 
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 for U.S. citizens and by Monday, 
September 19, 2016 for non-U.S. citizens. Contact the Coast Guard (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) to RSVP and to facilitate the security 
process related to building access, or to request reasonable 
accommodation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about this 
public listening session you may contact Mr. Wayne Lundy by telephone 
at 202-372-1379 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard is hosting a public 
listening session on the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in the 
Arctic on September 27, 2016. The purpose of this public listening 
session is for the Coast Guard to gather information on issues relating 
to the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in the Arctic. Please note 
that there is no obligation to attend and that no specific regulatory 
or other actions will be presented at this session. The agenda is as 
follows:
    At the onset of the session, the Coast Guard will provide a brief 
overview regarding the existing measures found in IMO Polar Code--
Resolution MSC.385(94), and in the International Convention on 
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 
(STCW Code) addressing Polar Waters.
    Following the Coast Guard's introduction, the public is invited to 
speak on items relating to the use of HFO by ships. Specifically, the 
Coast Guard is interested in public viewpoints relating to: (1) 
Environmental risks to Arctic waters posed by HFO use by ships; (2) 
potential measures that could be taken to reduce those risks to Arctic 
waters; and (3) the development, sustainment, and economics of 
communities that would be directly affected by such measures, 
particularly remote indigenous populations and business interests vital 
to remote population centers.

Procedural

    This listening session is open to the public. Please note that the 
public listening session venue has limited seating and security 
requirements, and thus requires individuals wishing to attend in person 
to RSVP by Wednesday, September 21, 2016 for U.S. citizens, and by 
Monday, September 19, 2016 for non-U.S. citizens. There will be 
audiovisual arrangements available for those interested in making brief 
(15 minutes or less) presentations. Teleconference information will be 
made available upon receipt of an RSVP. Additionally, written comments 
will be accepted both at the listening session and via email. Those 
interested in making presentations, submitting written comments, or 
teleconferencing should contact Mr. Wayne Lundy by telephone at (202) 
372-1379 or by email at [email protected]. A final agenda 
including a list of those making presentations will be distributed 
prior to the meeting. The Coast Guard will consider all information 
provided as public information.
    Please note that the Coast Guard will not be providing comments or 
responding to information provided at the listening session.

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, contact 
Mr. Wayne Lundy at (202) 372-1379 or by email at [email protected] 
as soon as possible.

    Dated: September 12, 2016.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2016-22222 Filed 9-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P