---
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"
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](/usc/33/3602.md?p=8) 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](/usc/33/3602.md?p=8) from confrontation to consensus;
    - (I) a pilot [program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) patterned after Sullom Voe should be established in Alaska to further refine the concepts and relationships involved; and
    - (J) similar [programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) (hereinafter referred to as “[Programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11)”) to be carried out in the State of Alaska.
  - (2) **Advisory function—** The function of these [Programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) shall be advisory only.
  - (3) **Purpose—** The Prince William Sound [Program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) shall be responsible for environmental monitoring of the [terminal facilities](#m-1) in Prince William Sound and the [crude oil tankers](#m-2) operating in Prince William Sound. The Cook Inlet [Program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) shall be responsible for environmental monitoring of the [terminal facilities](#m-1) and [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), association, [council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), [committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) 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](#m-1) 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) 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](#m-1) and shall represent those owners and operators.
    - (B) One individual shall be designated by the owners and operators of the [crude oil tankers](#m-2) calling at the [terminal facilities](#m-1) 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](#m-1) and [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](#m-1), the owners and operators of [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](#m-1) which affect or may affect the environment in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3) and of [crude oil tankers](#m-2) calling at those [facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9).
  - (4) **Designation of existing organization—** The [Secretary](#m-4) may designate an existing [nonprofit organization](/usc/33/1981.md?p=9) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “[Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1)”) for each of the [programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) established by [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (2) **Membership—** Each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1):
      - (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](#m-3).
      - (ii) Aquaculture associations in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3).
      - (iii) Alaska Native Corporations and other Alaska Native organizations the members of which reside in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3).
      - (iv) Environmental organizations the members of which reside in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3).
      - (v) Recreational organizations the members of which reside in or use the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3).
      - (vi) The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, to represent the locally based tourist industry.
      - (vii)
        - (I) For the Prince William Sound [Terminal Facilities](#m-1) [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), one representative selected by each of the following [municipalities](/usc/33/1362.md?p=4): Cordova, Whittier, Seward, Valdez, Kodiak, the Kodiak Island Borough, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
        - (II) For the Cook Inlet [Terminal Facilities](#m-1) [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), one representative selected by each of the following [municipalities](/usc/33/1362.md?p=4): 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall continue throughout the life of the operation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline [System](/usc/33/3602.md?p=8) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](/usc/33/1362.md?p=4) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](#m-4) under [subsection (i)](#i), each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall be self-governing.
  - (5) **Dual membership and conflicts of interest prohibited—**
    - (A) No individual selected as a member of the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall serve on the Association.
    - (B) No individual selected as a voting member of the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall be engaged in any activity which might conflict with such individual carrying out his functions as a member thereof.
  - (6) **Duties—** Each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](#m-1) and [crude oil tankers](#m-2) which affect or may affect the environment in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3);
    - (B) monitor through the [committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) established under [subsection (e)](#e), the environmental impacts of the operation of the [terminal facilities](#m-1) and [crude oil tankers](#m-2);
    - (C) monitor those aspects of [terminal facilities](#m-1)’ and [crude oil tankers](#m-2)’ operations and maintenance which affect or may affect the environment in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3);
    - (D) review through the [committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) established under [subsection (f)](#f), the adequacy of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention and contingency plans for the [terminal facilities](#m-1) and the adequacy of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention and contingency plans for [crude oil tankers](#m-2), 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](#m-1)’ and [crude oil tankers](#m-2)’ operations in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3);
      - (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](#m-1), operations in the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3) and to minimize the risk of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spills;
      - (iii) modifications of [crude oil tanker](#m-2) 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](#m-1) and for [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) of the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) as necessary to carry out the above functions, including a scientific and technical advisory [committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) to the Prince William Sound [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1).
  - (7) **No estoppel—** No [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), or [program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) representative or agent, be grounds for estopping the interests represented by the voting [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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 tanker](#m-2) operators as a result of a legal requirement to undertake that work. Each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall also review the relevant scientific work undertaken by or on behalf of any government entity relating to the [terminal facilities](#m-1) or [crude oil tankers](#m-2). To the extent possible, to avoid unnecessary duplication, each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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 tankers](#m-2).
- (e) **Committee for Terminal and Oil Tanker Operations and Environmental Monitoring—**
  - (1) **Monitoring Committee—** Each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall establish a standing Terminal and [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Tanker Operations and Environmental Monitoring [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Monitoring [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3)”) to devise and manage a comprehensive [program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) of monitoring the environmental impacts of the operations of [terminal facilities](#m-1) and of [crude oil tankers](#m-2) while operating in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet. The membership of the Monitoring [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) shall be made up of members of the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), citizens, and recognized scientific experts selected by the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Duties—** In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Monitoring [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) shall—
    - (A) advise the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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 tanker](#m-2) operations while in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet;
    - (B) develop monitoring [programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) and make recommendations to the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) on the implementation of those [programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11);
    - (C) at its discretion, select and contract with universities and other scientific institutions to carry out specific monitoring projects authorized by the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) pursuant to an approved monitoring strategy;
    - (D) complete any other tasks assigned by the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1); and
    - (E) provide written reports to the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) which interpret and assess the results of all monitoring [programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11).
- (f) **Committee for Oil Spill Prevention, Safety, and Emergency Response—**
  - (1) **Technical Oil Spill Committee—** Each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall establish a standing technical [committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) (hereinafter referred to as “[Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Spill [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3)”) 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](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) shall be made up of members of the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), citizens, and recognized technical experts selected by the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Duties—** In fulfilling its responsibilities, the [Oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) Spill [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) shall—
    - (A) periodically review the respective [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill prevention and contingency plans for the [terminal facilities](#m-1) and for the [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](#m-1) and for [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](#m-3) 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](/usc/33/3602.md?p=8) designed to assure safe transit of [crude oil tankers](#m-2) pertinent to terminal operations;
    - (G) periodically review the standards for tankers bound for, loading at, exiting from, or otherwise using the [terminal facilities](#m-1);
    - (H) complete any other tasks assigned by the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1); and
    - (I) provide written reports to the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](#m-1) which affect or may affect the [vicinity of the terminal facilities](#m-3), consult with the appropriate [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) made pursuant to the authority granted to the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) in [subsection (d)](#d), the Association shall provide to the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), 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](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) under this section shall be submitted to the [Secretary](#m-4) 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](#m-4) shall call an initial meeting of each Association and [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) for organizational purposes.
- (j) **Location and compensation—**
  - (1) **Location—** Each Association and [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) established by this section shall be located in the State of Alaska.
  - (2) **Compensation—** No member of an Association or [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall be compensated for the member’s services as a member of the Association or [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1), but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at a rate established by the Association or [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) not to exceed the rates authorized for employees of agencies under sections [5702](/usc/5/5702.md) and [5703](/usc/5/5703.md) of title 5. However, each [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) may enter into contracts to provide compensation and expenses to members of the [committees](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) 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](#m-1) and [crude oil tankers](#m-2) while operating in Alaskan waters in commerce with those [terminal facilities](#m-1) shall be effective only so long as the respective Association and [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](#m-1) or [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](#m-4). Such amount—
    - (A) shall provide for the establishment and operation on the environmental oversight and monitoring [program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) 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](#m-1) or [crude oil tankers](#m-2) operating in Prince William Sound and the Prince William Sound [terminal facilities](#m-1) [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1).
  - (3) **Cook Inlet Program—** The owners or operators of [terminal facilities](#m-1), [offshore facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=22), or [crude oil tankers](#m-2) 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](#m-4). Such amount—
    - (A) shall provide for the establishment and operation of the environmental oversight and monitoring [program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) 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](#m-1), [offshore facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=22), or [crude oil tankers](#m-2) operating in Cook Inlet and the Cook Inlet [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1).
- (l) **Reports—**
  - (1) **Associations and Councils—** Prior to the expiration of the 36-month period following August 18, 1990, each Association and [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) under this section, and the effectiveness of the demonstration [programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) carried out under this section, together with its recommendations.
- (m) **Definitions—** As used in this section, the term—
  - (1) “terminal facilities” means—
    - (A) in the case of the Prince William Sound [Program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), 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 tankers](#m-2) 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), 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 tankers](#m-2) 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 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), calling at the [terminal facilities](#m-1) 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), calling at the [terminal facilities](#m-1) 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” means that geographical area surrounding the environment of [terminal facilities](#m-1) which is directly affected or may be directly affected by the operation of the [terminal facilities](#m-1); and
  - (4) “Secretary” means the Secretary 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](/usc/33/1362.md?p=4) 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](#m-3) and the area of [crude oil tanker](#m-2) operations included in the [Programs](/usc/33/467.md?p=11); and
    - (B) are subject to the United States or State of Alaska, or [municipality](/usc/33/1362.md?p=4) thereof, law, regulation, or other legal requirement.
  - (2) **Recommendations—** This subsection is not intended to prevent the Association or [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) 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) through (l)](#c..l), as such subsections apply respectively to the Prince William Sound [Program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11) and the Cook Inlet [Program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), 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](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), 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](/usc/33/3602.md?p=8) with the Alyeska Citizens Advisory [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) in existence on August 18, 1990, or a successor organization, to [fund](/usc/33/2701.md?p=11) that [Committee](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) 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](/usc/33/3301.md?p=3) 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](#m-3) and Prince William Sound.
  - (2) **Cook Inlet—** With respect to the Cook Inlet [Program](/usc/33/467.md?p=11), the [terminal facilities](#m-1), [offshore facilities](/usc/33/2701.md?p=22), or [crude oil tanker](#m-2) 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](#m-3) 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.