---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 2732"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "2732"
heading: "Terminal and tanker oversight and monitoring"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/2732"
units:
  - "Chapter 40 — Oil Pollution"
  - "Subchapter II — Prince William Sound Provisions"
---

# §2732. Terminal and tanker oversight and monitoring

- (a) **Short title and findings—**
  - (1) **Short title—** This section may be cited as the “[Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Terminal and [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring Act of 1990”.
  - (2) **Findings—** The Congress finds that—
    - (A) the March 24, 1989, grounding and rupture of the fully loaded [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tanker, the EXXON VALDEZ, spilled 11 million gallons of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) in Prince William Sound, an environmentally sensitive area;
    - (B) many people believe that complacency on the part of the industry and government personnel responsible for monitoring the operation of the Valdez terminal and [vessel](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37) traffic in Prince William Sound was one of the contributing factors to the EXXON VALDEZ [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill;
    - (C) one way to combat this complacency is to involve local citizens in the process of preparing, adopting, and revising [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill contingency plans;
    - (D) a mechanism should be established which fosters the long-term partnership of industry, government, and local communities in overseeing compliance with environmental concerns in the operation of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminals;
    - (E) such a mechanism presently exists at the Sullom Voe terminal in the Shetland Islands and this terminal should serve as a model for others;
    - (F) because of the effective partnership that has developed at Sullom Voe, Sullom Voe is considered the safest terminal in Europe;
    - (G) the present system of regulation and oversight of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminals in the United States has degenerated into a process of continual mistrust and confrontation;
    - (H) only when local citizens are involved in the process will the trust develop that is necessary to change the present system from confrontation to consensus;
    - (I) a pilot program patterned after Sullom Voe should be established in Alaska to further refine the concepts and relationships involved; and
    - (J) similar programs should eventually be established in other major crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminals in the United States because the recent [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spills in Texas, Delaware, and Rhode Island indicate that the safe transportation of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) is a national problem.
- (b) **Demonstration programs—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** There are established 2 [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Terminal and [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring Demonstration Programs (hereinafter referred to as “Programs”) to be carried out in the State of Alaska.
  - (2) **Advisory function—** The function of these Programs shall be advisory only.
  - (3) **Purpose—** The Prince William Sound Program shall be responsible for environmental monitoring of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) in Prince William Sound and the crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers operating in Prince William Sound. The Cook Inlet Program shall be responsible for environmental monitoring of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers operating in Cook Inlet located South of the latitude at Point Possession and North of the latitude at Amatuli Island, including [offshore facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=22) in Cook Inlet.
  - (4) **Suits barred—** No program, association, council, committee or other organization created by this section may sue any [person](/usc/33/2701.md?p=27) or entity, public or private, concerning any matter arising under this section except for the performance of contracts.
- (c) **Oil Terminal Facilities and Oil Tanker Operations Association—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** There is established an [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Terminal [Facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Tanker Operations Association (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Association”) for each of the Programs established under [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (2) **Membership—** Each Association shall be comprised of 4 individuals as follows:
    - (A) One individual shall be designated by the owners and operators of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and shall represent those owners and operators.
    - (B) One individual shall be designated by the owners and operators of the crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers calling at the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and shall represent those owners and operators.
    - (C) One individual shall be an employee of the State of Alaska, shall be designated by the Governor of the State of Alaska, and shall represent the State government.
    - (D) One individual shall be an employee of the Federal Government, shall be designated by the President, and shall represent the Federal Government.
  - (3) **Responsibilities—** Each Association shall be responsible for reviewing policies relating to the operation and maintenance of the [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers which affect or may affect the environment in the vicinity of their respective terminals. Each Association shall provide a forum among the owners and operators of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), the owners and operators of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers calling at those [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), the United States, and the State of Alaska to discuss and to make recommendations concerning all permits, plans, and site-specific regulations governing the activities and actions of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) which affect or may affect the environment in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers calling at those [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9).
  - (4) **Designation of existing organization—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33) may designate an existing nonprofit organization as an Association under this subsection if the organization is organized to meet the purposes of this section and consists of at least the individuals listed in [paragraph (2)](#c-2).
- (d) **Regional Citizens’ Advisory Councils—**
  - (1) **Membership—** There is established a Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Council”) for each of the programs established by [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (2) **Membership—** Each Council shall be composed of voting members and nonvoting members, as follows:
    - (A) **Voting members—** Voting members shall be Alaska residents and, except as provided in clause (vii) of this paragraph, shall be appointed by the Governor of the State of Alaska from a list of nominees provided by each of the following interests, with one representative appointed to represent each of the following interests, taking into consideration the need for regional balance on the Council:
      - (i) Local commercial fishing industry organizations, the members of which depend on the fisheries resources of the waters in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9).
      - (ii) Aquaculture associations in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9).
      - (iii) Alaska Native Corporations and other Alaska Native organizations the members of which reside in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9).
      - (iv) Environmental organizations the members of which reside in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9).
      - (v) Recreational organizations the members of which reside in or use the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9).
      - (vi) The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, to represent the locally based tourist industry.
      - (vii)
        - (I) For the Prince William Sound Terminal [Facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) Council, one representative selected by each of the following municipalities: Cordova, Whittier, Seward, Valdez, Kodiak, the Kodiak Island Borough, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
        - (II) For the Cook Inlet Terminal [Facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) Council, one representative selected by each of the following municipalities: Homer, Seldovia, Anchorage, Kenai, Kodiak, the Kodiak Island Borough, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
    - (B) **Nonvoting members—** One ex-officio, nonvoting representative shall be designated by, and represent, each of the following:
      - (i) The Environmental Protection Agency.
      - (ii) The Coast Guard.
      - (iii) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
      - (iv) The United States Forest Service.
      - (v) The Bureau of Land Management.
      - (vi) The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
      - (vii) The Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
      - (viii) The Alaska Department of [Natural Resources](/usc/33/2701.md?p=20).
      - (ix) The Division of Emergency Services, Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
  - (3) **Terms—**
    - (A) **Duration of Councils—** The term of the Councils shall continue throughout the life of the operation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and so long as [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) is transported to or from Cook Inlet.
    - (B) **Three years—** The voting members of each Council shall be appointed for a term of 3 years except as provided for in [subparagraph (C)](#d-3-C).
    - (C) **Initial appointments—** The terms of the first appointments shall be as follows:
      - (i) For the appointments by the Governor of the State of Alaska, one-third shall serve for 3 years, one-third shall serve for 2 years, and one-third shall serve for one year.
      - (ii) For the representatives of municipalities required by [subsection (d)(2)(A)(vii)](#d-2-A-vii), a drawing of lots among the appointees shall determine that one-third of that group serves for 3 years, one-third serves for 2 years, and the remainder serves for 1 year.
  - (4) **Self-governing—** Each Council shall elect its own chairperson, select its own staff, and make policies with regard to its internal operating procedures. After the initial organizational meeting called by the [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33) under [subsection (i)](#i), each Council shall be self-governing.
  - (5) **Dual membership and conflicts of interest prohibited—**
    - (A) No individual selected as a member of the Council shall serve on the Association.
    - (B) No individual selected as a voting member of the Council shall be engaged in any activity which might conflict with such individual carrying out his functions as a member thereof.
  - (6) **Duties—** Each Council shall—
    - (A) provide advice and recommendations to the Association on policies, permits, and site-specific regulations relating to the operation and maintenance of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers which affect or may affect the environment in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9);
    - (B) monitor through the committee established under [subsection (e)](#e), the environmental impacts of the operation of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers;
    - (C) monitor those aspects of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9)’ and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers’ operations and maintenance which affect or may affect the environment in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9);
    - (D) review through the committee established under [subsection (f)](#f), the adequacy of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention and contingency plans for the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and the adequacy of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention and contingency plans for crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers, operating in Prince William Sound or in Cook Inlet;
    - (E) provide advice and recommendations to the Association on port operations, policies and practices;
    - (F) recommend to the Association—
      - (i) standards and stipulations for permits and site-specific regulations intended to minimize the impact of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9)’ and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers’ operations in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9);
      - (ii) modifications of terminal [facility](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) operations and maintenance intended to minimize the risk and mitigate the impact of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), operations in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and to minimize the risk of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spills;
      - (iii) modifications of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tanker operations and maintenance in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet intended to minimize the risk and mitigate the impact of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spills; and
      - (iv) modifications to the [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention and contingency plans for terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and for crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet intended to enhance the ability to prevent and respond to an [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill; and
    - (G) create additional committees of the Council as necessary to carry out the above functions, including a scientific and technical advisory committee to the Prince William Sound Council.
  - (7) **No estoppel—** No Council shall be held liable under State or Federal law for costs or [damages](/usc/33/2701.md?p=5) as a result of rendering advice under this section. Nor shall any advice given by a voting member of a Council, or program representative or agent, be grounds for estopping the interests represented by the voting Council members from seeking [damages](/usc/33/2701.md?p=5) or other appropriate relief.
  - (8) **Scientific work—** In carrying out its research, development and monitoring functions, each Council is authorized to conduct its own scientific research and shall review the scientific work undertaken by or on behalf of the terminal operators or crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tanker operators as a result of a legal requirement to undertake that work. Each Council shall also review the relevant scientific work undertaken by or on behalf of any government entity relating to the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) or crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers. To the extent possible, to avoid unnecessary duplication, each Council shall coordinate its independent scientific work with the scientific work performed by or on behalf of the terminal operators and with the scientific work performed by or on behalf of the operators of the crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers.
- (e) **Committee for Terminal and Oil Tanker Operations and Environmental Monitoring—**
  - (1) **Monitoring Committee—** Each Council shall establish a standing Terminal and [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Tanker Operations and Environmental Monitoring Committee (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Monitoring Committee”) to devise and manage a comprehensive program of monitoring the environmental impacts of the operations of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers while operating in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet. The membership of the Monitoring Committee shall be made up of members of the Council, citizens, and recognized scientific experts selected by the Council.
  - (2) **Duties—** In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Monitoring Committee shall—
    - (A) advise the Council on a monitoring strategy that will permit early detection of environmental impacts of terminal [facility](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) operations and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tanker operations while in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet;
    - (B) develop monitoring programs and make recommendations to the Council on the implementation of those programs;
    - (C) at its discretion, select and contract with universities and other scientific institutions to carry out specific monitoring projects authorized by the Council pursuant to an approved monitoring strategy;
    - (D) complete any other tasks assigned by the Council; and
    - (E) provide written reports to the Council which interpret and assess the results of all monitoring programs.
- (f) **Committee for Oil Spill Prevention, Safety, and Emergency Response—**
  - (1) **Technical Oil Spill Committee—** Each Council shall establish a standing technical committee (hereinafter referred to as “[Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Spill Committee”) to review and assess measures designed to prevent [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spills and the planning and preparedness for responding to, containing, cleaning up, and mitigating impacts of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spills. The membership of the [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Spill Committee shall be made up of members of the Council, citizens, and recognized technical experts selected by the Council.
  - (2) **Duties—** In fulfilling its responsibilities, the [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Spill Committee shall—
    - (A) periodically review the respective [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention and contingency plans for the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and for the crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers while in Prince William Sound or Cook Inlet, in light of new technological developments and changed circumstances;
    - (B) monitor periodic drills and testing of the [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill contingency plans for the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and for crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers while in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet;
    - (C) study wind and water currents and other environmental factors in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) which may affect the ability to prevent, respond to, contain, and clean up an [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill;
    - (D) identify highly sensitive areas which may require specific protective measures in the event of a spill in Prince William Sound or Cook Inlet;
    - (E) monitor developments in [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention, containment, response, and cleanup technology;
    - (F) periodically review port organization, operations, [incidents](/usc/33/2701.md?p=14), and the adequacy and maintenance of [vessel](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37) traffic service systems designed to assure safe transit of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers pertinent to terminal operations;
    - (G) periodically review the standards for tankers bound for, loading at, exiting from, or otherwise using the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9);
    - (H) complete any other tasks assigned by the Council; and
    - (I) provide written reports to the Council outlining its findings and recommendations.
- (g) **Agency cooperation—** On and after the expiration of the 180-day period following August 18, 1990, each Federal department, agency, or other instrumentality shall, with respect to all permits, site-specific regulations, and other matters governing the activities and actions of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) which affect or may affect the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), consult with the appropriate Council prior to taking substantive action with respect to the permit, site-specific regulation, or other matter. This consultation shall be carried out with a view to enabling the appropriate Association and Council to review the permit, site-specific regulation, or other matters and make appropriate recommendations regarding operations, policy or agency actions. Prior consultation shall not be required if an authorized Federal agency representative reasonably believes that an emergency exists requiring action without delay.
- (h) **Recommendations of Council—** In the event that the Association does not adopt, or significantly modifies before adoption, any recommendation of the Council made pursuant to the authority granted to the Council in [subsection (d)](#d), the Association shall provide to the Council, in writing, within 5 days of its decision, notice of its decision and a written statement of reasons for its rejection or significant modification of the recommendation.
- (i) **Administrative actions—** Appointments, designations, and selections of individuals to serve as members of the Associations and Councils under this section shall be submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33) prior to the expiration of the 120-day period following August 18, 1990. On or before the expiration of the 180-day period following August 18, 1990, the [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33) shall call an initial meeting of each Association and Council for organizational purposes.
- (j) **Location and compensation—**
  - (1) **Location—** Each Association and Council established by this section shall be located in the State of Alaska.
  - (2) **Compensation—** No member of an Association or Council shall be compensated for the member’s services as a member of the Association or Council, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at a rate established by the Association or Council not to exceed the rates authorized for employees of agencies under sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5. However, each Council may enter into contracts to provide compensation and expenses to members of the committees created under subsections [(d)](#d), [(e)](#e), and [(f)](#f).
- (k) **Funding—**
  - (1) **Requirement—** Approval of the contingency plans required of owners and operators of the Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers while operating in Alaskan waters in commerce with those terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) shall be effective only so long as the respective Association and Council for a [facility](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) are funded pursuant to [paragraph (2)](#k-2).
  - (2) **Prince William Sound Program—** The owners or operators of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) or crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers operating in Prince William Sound shall provide, on an annual basis, an aggregate amount of not more than $2,000,000, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33). Such amount—
    - (A) shall provide for the establishment and operation on the environmental oversight and monitoring program in Prince William Sound;
    - (B) shall be adjusted annually by the Anchorage Consumer Price Index; and
    - (C) may be adjusted periodically upon the mutual consent of the owners or operators of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) or crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers operating in Prince William Sound and the Prince William Sound terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) Council.
  - (3) **Cook Inlet Program—** The owners or operators of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), [offshore facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=22), or crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers operating in Cook Inlet shall provide, on an annual basis, an aggregate amount of not less than $1,400,000, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33). Such amount—
    - (A) shall provide for the establishment and operation of the environmental oversight and monitoring program in Cook Inlet;
    - (B) shall be adjusted annually by the Anchorage Consumer Price Index; and
    - (C) may be adjusted periodically upon the mutual consent of the owners or operators of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), [offshore facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=22), or crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers operating in Cook Inlet and the Cook Inlet Council.
- (l) **Reports—**
  - (1) **Associations and Councils—** Prior to the expiration of the 36-month period following August 18, 1990, each Association and Council established by this section shall report to the President and the Congress concerning its activities under this section, together with its recommendations.
  - (2) **GAO—** Prior to the expiration of the 36-month period following August 18, 1990, the Government Accountability Office shall report to the President and the Congress as to the handling of [funds](/usc/33/2701.md?p=11), including donated [funds](/usc/33/2701.md?p=11), by the entities carrying out the programs under this section, and the effectiveness of the demonstration programs carried out under this section, together with its recommendations.
- (m) **Definitions—** As used in this section, the term—
  - (1) “terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9)” means—
    - (A) in the case of the Prince William Sound Program, the entire [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminal complex located in Valdez, Alaska, consisting of approximately 1,000 acres including all buildings, docks (except docks owned by the City of Valdez if those docks are not used for loading of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23)), pipes, piping, roads, ponds, tanks, crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers only while at the terminal dock, tanker escorts owned or operated by the operator of the terminal, vehicles, and other [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) associated with, and necessary for, assisting tanker movement of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) into and out of the [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminal complex; and
    - (B) in the case of the Cook Inlet Program, the entire [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminal complex including all buildings, docks, pipes, piping, roads, ponds, tanks, [vessels](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37), vehicles, crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tankers only while at the terminal dock, tanker escorts owned or operated by the operator of the terminal, emergency spill response [vessels](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37) owned or operated by the operator of the terminal, and other [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) associated with, and necessary for, assisting tanker movement of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) into and out of the [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) terminal complex;
  - (2) “crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tanker” means a tanker (as that term is defined under [section 2101 of title 46](/usc/46/2101.md))—
    - (A) in the case of the Prince William Sound Program, calling at the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) for the purpose of receiving and transporting [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) to refineries, operating north of Middleston Island and bound for or exiting from Prince William Sound; and
    - (B) in the case of the Cook Inlet Program, calling at the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) for the purpose of receiving and transporting [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) to refineries and operating in Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska north of Amatuli Island, including tankers transiting to Cook Inlet from Prince William Sound;
  - (3) “vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9)” means that geographical area surrounding the environment of terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) which is directly affected or may be directly affected by the operation of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9); and
  - (4) “[Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33)” means the [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33) of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
- (n) **Savings clause—**
  - (1) **Regulatory authority—** Nothing in this section shall be construed as modifying, repealing, superseding, or preempting any municipal, State or Federal law or regulation, or in any way affecting litigation arising from [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spills or the rights and responsibilities of the United States or the State of Alaska, or municipalities thereof, to preserve and protect the environment through regulation of land, air, and water uses, of safety, and of related development. The monitoring provided for by this section shall be designed to help assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and shall only extend to activities—
    - (A) that would affect or have the potential to affect the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and the area of crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tanker operations included in the Programs; and
    - (B) are subject to the United States or State of Alaska, or municipality thereof, law, regulation, or other legal requirement.
  - (2) **Recommendations—** This subsection is not intended to prevent the Association or Council from recommending to appropriate authorities that existing legal requirements should be modified or that new legal requirements should be adopted.
- (o) **Alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of Council—** The requirements of subsections [(c)](#c) through [(l)](#l), as such subsections apply respectively to the Prince William Sound Program and the Cook Inlet Program, are deemed to have been satisfied so long as the following conditions are met:
  - (1) **Prince William Sound—** With respect to the Prince William Sound Program, the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company or any of its owner companies enters into a contract for the duration of the operation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System with the Alyeska Citizens Advisory Committee in existence on August 18, 1990, or a successor organization, to [fund](/usc/33/2701.md?p=11) that Committee or organization on an annual basis in the amount provided for by [subsection (k)(2)(A)](#k-2-A) and the President annually certifies that the Committee or organization fosters the general goals and purposes of this section and is broadly representative of the communities and interests in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and Prince William Sound.
  - (2) **Cook Inlet—** With respect to the Cook Inlet Program, the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), [offshore facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=22), or crude [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) tanker owners and operators enter into a contract with a voluntary advisory organization to [fund](/usc/33/2701.md?p=11) that organization on an annual basis and the President annually certifies that the organization fosters the general goals and purposes of this section and is broadly representative of the communities and interests in the vicinity of the terminal [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) and Cook Inlet.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–380, title V, § 5002, Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 544; Pub. L. 109–241, title IX, § 902(l)(2), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 568; Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 318, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3051; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3547(e), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2328.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (l)(2). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office”.

2014—Subsec. (k)(3). Pub. L. 113–281 substituted “not less than $1,400,000” for “not more than $1,000,000” in introductory provisions.

2006—Subsec. (m)(4). Pub. L. 109–241 substituted “of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.” for “of Transportation.”

### Executive Documents

### Delegation of Functions

Functions of President under subsecs. (c)(2)(D) and (o) of this section delegated to Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating by section 8(f), (g) of Ex. Ord. No. 12777, Oct. 18, 1991, 56 F.R. 54769, as amended, set out as a note under section 1321 of this title.

### Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Committee

Certification of President of the United States, Mar. 21, 1991, 56 F.R. 12439, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 5002(o)(1) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–380, 104 Stat. 552) [33 U.S.C. 2732(o)(1)], I hereby certify for the year 1991 the following:

(1) that the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Committee fosters the general goals and purposes of section 5002 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for the year 1991; and

(2) that the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Committee is broadly representative of the communities and interests in the vicinity of the terminal facilities and Prince William Sound.

This certification shall be published in the Federal Register.

### Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council

Certification of President of the United States, Aug. 6, 1991, 56 F.R. 37819, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 5002(o)(2) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2732(o)(2)], I hereby certify for the year 1991 the following:

(1) that the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council has met the general goals and purposes of section 5002 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for the year 1991; and

(2) that the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council is broadly representative of the communities and interests in the vicinity of the terminal facilities and offshore facilities in Cook Inlet.

This certification shall be published in the Federal Register.