The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman and MTSNAC liaison Charles Kurz, II. Mr. Kurz expressed appreciation to Jonathan Benner for hosting the meeting. Attendees were invited to introduce themselves and their organizational affiliation. Mr. Kurz was pleased to note that 10 private sector representatives, on the Subcommittee, and 7 government agency representatives, as invited guests, were present for the meeting and acknowledged the increased participation on the Subcommittee, which is one of the most active MTSNAC Subcommittees to date.
The Minutes of the November 28, 2000 were presented for review and approved without change.
Mr. Kurz briefed the Subcommittee on the MTSNAC meeting held on March 2, 2001 in Charleston, South Carolina. He noted that a significant amount of time was dedicated to an activities report by the Awareness Subcommittee Chairman and discussion on the White Paper prepared by the Subcommittee entitled "U.S. Economic Growth and the Marine Transportation System". Acknowledging the benefit of a strong outreach and awareness program, Mr. Kurz asked the Safety and Environmental Protection Subcommittee to consider how and what safety and environmental protection issues could be integrated into the existing White Paper, which was distributed to all attendees. The Subcommittee agreed that this issue would be included on the next Subcommittee’s meeting agenda. Mr. Kurz also noted that each Subcommittee liaison was asked to brief the full MTSNAC on subcommittee activities. The Safety and Environmental Subcommittee report, including briefing papers and proposed resolutions on IMISS and Endurance Management, was provided to the Subcommittee but no MTSNAC action was taken due to the fact that the Council had only just received the documents. The Council referred both resolutions for further consideration back to this Subcommittee. Finally, Mr. Kurz noted the MTSNAC discussion surrounding funding and reported that there is no earmarked FY01 funding for administration of the Council or any currently in the President’s FY02 budget proposal.
Various participants expressed concerns and requested information about the funding prognosis for administration of MTS programs. The concern expressed was that the administrative viability of MTSNAC and other elements of the MTS initiative may affect the content and quality of participation in the MTSNAC process. The Subcommittee was informed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of MTSNAC, Messrs. Raymond and Sims, had met recently with the Secretary of Transportation to explain the importance of a continuing MTSNAC process. The discussion also suggested that advocates for increased MTS funding clearly distinguish between funding for MTSNAC administration (an extremely modest sum) and the ultimate funding for MTS programs that may be recommended as a result of MTSNAC recommendations. Guests from the ICMTS indicated that they have formed a Congressional and Public Affairs Team which will create a public affairs kit to assist in communicating "the message" to stakeholders, including government officials. Marad noted that their proposed MTSNAC administration budget was zeroed out, but the agency is looking for other internal funding sources.
Action Item: Request report from MTSNAC Chairman concerning outcome of meeting with Secretary of Transportation.
Action Item: Prepare request to MTSNAC emphasizing need for clear and stable funding for MTSNAC administration, noting Subcommittee concern with continued level of participation if initiative is seen as compromised by lack of funding.
DISCUSSION OF PRIORITY ITEMS
A lively and substantive discussion occurred relative to the three previously identified priority issues (near miss reporting system, maritime personnel endurance management program and multi-media vessel discharges) and what, if any, additional issues should be considered by the Subcommittee. Mr. Kurz directed the Subcommittee’s attention to the two draft resolutions on IMISS (near miss reporting system) and endurance management for the purpose of discussion and resubmission to MTSNAC at its May 2001 meeting. Some attendees could not support the inclusion of IMISS and endurance management on the Subcommittee’s agenda noting that these were "old" issues which did not necessarily fit into the overall goals of the MTSNAC process. Additionally, one attendee felt while the IMISS concept was acceptable, the IMISS program would not benefit the MTS due do certain fundamental flaws. Another attendee opposed to the endurance management issue indicated that his constituency might be able to support the concept if the term "endurance management" were replaced with "fatigue". Attendees agreed that a better refinement of the goals of the entire MTS initiative is warranted and must necessarily occur at the MTSNAC level. These attendees also were concerned that IMISS and endurance management were viewed quite differently by the broad range of stakeholders represented by MTSNAC and these potentially diverse views would hinder progression of these issues through the MTSNAC process.
Noting some opposition to the identified priorities, Mr. Kurz challenged the Subcommittee to identify other issues which they felt fit into the MTSNAC goals, noting that any issues should be tied to recommendations in the Report to Congress, per MTSNAC guidance. One attendee noted that the Subcommittee should take on issues that are not divisive and have a strong likelihood of being endorsed by MTSNAC. Additional issues identified for further discussion included oil spills, transportation safety, port state control, vessel traffic systems, promotion of safe navigation through adequate funding of charting, hydrographic services and aids to navigation, vessel discharges, criminal liability, and review and improvement of harbor approaches/channels. One attendee noted that many of these issues are equally important to commercial and recreational boaters and would impact a broad range of stakeholders.
One attendee noted that the issues discussion described above did not necessarily equate to priority of specific issues, but rather was intended to determine if a particular issue was important to some or all of the stakeholders. Agreeing to the importance of a given issue does not necessarily mean creating and implementing a new program, but rather may be nothing more than seeking MTSNAC endorsement that the issue is important and warrants additional discussion and analysis.
Action Item: Revise Endurance Management Resolution by deleting all references to endurance management and replacing same with fatigue.
Action Item: Delete "priority" in all references to issues being discussed by the Subcommittee.
Action Item: Joe Cox, assisted by Paul Kirchner, to prepare briefing paper on port state control. Bob Greco to prepare briefing paper on criminal liability issues in the MTS.
REPORT FROM THE ICMTS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SUBCOMMITTEE
Dr. Jean Snider and Richard Legatski (NOAA) briefed the Subcommittee on the activities of the ICMTS Safety and Environmental Subcommittee. She first provided a copy of the draft report requested by the Subcommittee identifying current activities on topics identified in the Report to Congress in the Safety and Environmental Protection section. The topics are broadly broken down into vessel operations and the human element, reception facilities/discharges, air/water discharges, nonindigenous species, dredging, waterways traffic management, ship/terminal interfaces and port development and terminal operations. Dr. Snider indicated that a final draft would be made available to the Subcommittee shortly.
Dr. Snider then noted three cross cutting issues which had been identified by her subcommittee for additional attention and are summarized as (1) improving safety and environmental protection awareness (2) assuring the availability of technical information and technology for the MTS and (3) review and streamlining the environmental review and permitting process e.g. dredging. Dr. Snider also noted that her subcommittee is working on other awareness/outreach efforts including the upcoming MTS Research & Technology Coordination Conference which is being sponsored by the ICMTS and will be held November 14-16, 2001 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC.
Dr. Snider also discussed her subcommittee’s suggestion that some form of gap analysis be done for the MTS that looks at where we are now and where we want to be in 2020. The gap analysis would necessarily include achievable goals, a timetable and strategic plan for reaching those goals, and performance measurements to measure the relative success of future initiatives.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Kurz and Cdr. Case briefly outlined upcoming events related to the MTS, noting the Harbor Safety Conference (March 19/20 in San Francisco), Conference on the Human Element in Marine Operations (April 24/25 in Washington, DC), the Connecticut Maritime Association Annual Conference (March 19-21 in Stamford, CT), the National Research Council Waterway Capacity Review (April 23) and a conference to address recruitment and retention of mariners (May 23/24 in Kings Point, NY). Mr. Kurz also noted that we need to be sure that the Subcommittee is not duplicating efforts of these many other organizations which are also addressing specific areas of the MTS.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mr. Glen Mandigo, University of Maine, addressed the Subcommittee regarding possible funding sources for a research project which will evaluate the damage and possible control and eradication of marine borers in dock faces along the Maine coast. He estimates the project will need approximately $3 million for completion. Mr. Mandigo was provided referrals to other organizations which have access to funding for projects of this nature e.g. Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, National Invasive Species Council/Committee.
NEXT MEETING
The Subcommittee agreed to set the next meeting date based on the upcoming MTSNAC meeting scheduled for a date to be determined in May. Recognizing the need to meet sufficiently in advance of the MTSNAC meeting to allow for documents to be submitted for MTSNAC consideration (at least 1 week prior to meeting), the Subcommittee meeting was tentatively set for May 1, 2001, commencing at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Benner has again graciously agreed to host the next meeting at the offices of Troutman Sanders, 401 9th Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004. Confirmation of this meeting date will be forwarded to the Subcommittee and the ICMTS SEP as soon as the MTSNAC meeting date has been fixed.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.
Secretariat’s note: The next meeting of the MTS Safety and Environmental Protection Subcommittee will be held on April 20, 2001 in Washington, DC beginning at 1:30 p.m. A formal meeting notice will be forthcoming from the Sponsor.
MTS National Advisory Council
Safety and Environmental Protection Subcommittee
List of Attendees for Meeting Held March 14, 2001
C. Jonathan Benner
U.S. Rep – Legal and Governmental Affairs
INTERTANKO
401 9th Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-2134
Tel (202) 274-2880
Fax (202) 274-2004
Email jonathan.benner@troutmansanders.com
Jon P. Calder
Marine Developments
8 Brittany Lane
Harpswell, ME 04079
Tel (207) 721-0742
Fax (207) 729-8291
Email jon@mar-dev.com
Joseph J. Cox
President
Chamber of Shipping of America
1730 M Street, NW
Suite 407
Washington, DC 20036
Tel (202) 775-4399
Fax (202) 659-3795
Email jcox@knowships.org
Robert Greco
General Manager, Marine Transportation
American Petroleum Institute
1220 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Tel (202) 682-8167
Fax (202) 962-4719
Email greco@api.org
Paul Kirchner
Executive Director
American Pilots’ Association
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Suite 409
Washington, DC 20003
Tel (202) 484-0700
Fax (202) 484-9320
Email apaxdir@aol.com
Charles Kurz II
Vice President
Keystone Shipping Co.
One Bala Plaza East, Suite 600
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004-1496
Tel (610) 617-6836
Fax (610) 617-6917
Email ckii@keyship.com
Glen Mandigo
Vice President
SMI Incorporated
1020 Nineteenth Street, N.W.
Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036
Tel (202) 467-5459
Fax (202) 467-5469
Email
Gmandigo@aol.com
Kathy Metcalf
Chamber of Shipping of America
1730 M Street, NW
Suite 407
Washington, DC 20036
Tel (202) 775-4399
Fax (202) 659-3795
Email kjmetcalf@msn.com
Robert Nelson
Boat Owners Association of The U.S.
10318 Regency Station Drive
Fairfax, VA 22039-6833
Tel (703) 323-6833
Fax (703) 323-4654
Email bobpatnels@aol.com
Emily Sporn
Transoceanic Cable Ship Co./Tycom
1001 E McComas St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
Tel (410) 783-2256
Fax
Email esporn@tycomltd.com
Michael Watson
President
American Pilots’ Association
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Suite 409
Washington, DC 20003
Tel (202) 484-0700
Fax (202) 484-9320
Email CaptWatson@aol.com
Government Representatives
Greg Case
USCG
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington, DC 20593
Tel (202) 267-0386
Fax (202) 267-4700
Email gcase@comdt.uscg.mil
Neil Christenson
NOAA
1305 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel (301) 713-3155 Ext. 167
Fax (301) 713-4367
Email neil.christenson@noaa.gov
Debbie Cunningham
Office of Environmental Activities
Maritime Administration
400 7th Street SW, Room 7201
Washington, DC 20590
Tel (202) 366-5475
Fax (202) 366-6988
Email debbie.cunningham@marad.dot.gov
Margie Hegy
USCG (G-MW)
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington, DC 20593
Tel (202) 267-0415
Fax (202) 267-4700
Email mhegy@comdt.uscg.mil
Richard Legatski
NOAA
14th and Constitution, NW
Room 5221
Washington, DC 20230
Tel (202) 482-4638
Fax (202) 482-4960
Email richard.legatski@noaa.gov
Richard J. Lolich
Program Manager
Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping
Maritime Administration
400 7th Street SW, Room 7201
Washington, DC 20590
Tel (202) 366-0704
Fax (202) 366-6988
Email richard.lolich@marad.dot.gov
Jean Snider
NOAA
Tel (301) 713-3074 (No. will change to (301) 713-3020 on 3/26)
Fax
Email jean.snider@noaa.gov