DHS Re-establishes Chemical Transport Advisory Committee

Today the Coast Guard published a notice in the Federal Register (78 FR 55278-55279) concerning the re-establishment of the Chemical Transport Advisory Committee. The CTAC was established two years ago and advisory committees that are not specifically authorized by law must be re-established every two years {5 USC Appendix §9(c)(I)}.

Then new charter has some minor wording changes in describing the nature of the membership in the Committee; no substantive changes were made. It now states that each member must represent a point of view directly relevant to at least one of the following activities associated with marine transportation of hazardous materials:

• Chemical manufacturing;

• Marine handling or transportation of chemicals;

• Vessel design and construction;

• Marine safety or security; and

• Marine environmental protection.

The Secretary of DHS is soliciting public comments on the re-establishment of CTAC. Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.Regulations.gov; Docket #USCG-2013-0813). Comment must be submitted by October 9^th, 2013.