Contact: Matt Stout FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(202) 482-6090 8/21/95
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will hold a conference in Washington, D.C., Aug. 30-31, and in San Francisco, Calif., Sept. 6-7, to solicit public comments on the new proposed rule under the Oil Pollution Act. The new rule seeks to quickly and efficiently restore natural resources following an oil spill.
"To address public comment received on our proposed rule of Jan. 7, 1994, NOAA has revised the regulations," says NOAA Deputy Administrator Douglas K. Hall. "These two-day conferences are designed to encourage discussion on the rule proposed Aug. 3, 1995, and NOAA's restoration-based approach to natural resource damage assessment."
The Oil Pollution Act is designed to compensate the public for injury or loss of natural resources and services resulting from an oil spill. Under the act, representatives from federal, state, Indian tribal or foreign governments must assess injury to natural resources or services following an oil spill and take appropriate actions to restore, rehabilitate, replace or acquire the equivalent of injured natural resources.
The conferences will be held at the following locations:
10:00 a.m., Aug. 30-31 10:00 a.m., Sept. 6-7 U.S. Department of Commerce Fort Mason Center Herbert C. Hoover Bldg., Landmark Building C Main Auditorium Second Floor, Room 215 14th & Constitution Ave., NW San Francisco, CA Washington, DC
Comments on the new proposed rule published in the Aug. 3 Federal Register (60 FR 39804) must be received by Oct. 2, 1995. NOAA must submit a final rule to the Federal Register no later than Dec. 31, 1995. The conferences are open to the public; however, advance registration is appreciated. For more information and to register for either site, call David Chapman, (301) 713-3038, ext. 200.