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.

91 FR 67848