16 June 1999
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html

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[Federal Register: June 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 115)]
[Notices]
[Page 32211-32212]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn99-26]

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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.

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INTERAGENCY COMMISSION ON CRIME AND SECURITY IN U.S. SEAPORTS


Establishment of Commission To Study Nature and Extent of Crime
and Overall State of Security in U.S. Seaports

AGENCY: Interagency Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the establishment of the Interagency
Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports (the Commission). The
Commission will conduct a comprehensive study of the nature and extent
of crime and the overall state of security in U.S. seaports, and the
ways in which Federal, State and local governments are responding to
this problem. The study will address all serious crime occurring in the
maritime context, including but not limited to drug trafficking, cargo
theft, and the smuggling of contraband and aliens. This document
requests, and the Commission will take full account of, the views and
expertise of interested members of the private sector in identifying
and addressing issues of serious crime and in improving overall
security in relation to U.S. seaports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments from interested members of the private
sector may be addressed and submitted to: The Interagency Commission on
Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Suite 1331 North, Washington, DC 20004. Comments may also be submitted
to the Commission by facsimile transmission (fax) (202-927-3743), or by
electronic mail at the Commission's website address (http://
www.seaportcommission.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James F. Kelly, Working Group, (202-
927-3741).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Establishment of Commission

    By Memorandum, dated April 27, 1999, the President authorized the
Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General and the Secretary of
Transportation, in cooperation with numerous other executive
departments and Federal agencies, to establish the Interagency
Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports (the Commission). The
President's Memorandum is printed in the Weekly Compilation of
Presidential Documents, Vol. 35 (1999), page 755.

Composition of Commission

    The Commission is co-chaired by the Commissioner, U.S. Customs
Service (Department of the Treasury), the Assistant Attorney General,
Criminal Division (Department of Justice), and the Administrator,
Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation).
    In addition, Commission members include senior officials from: The
Departments of State, the Treasury, Defense, Justice, Agriculture,
Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Transportation; the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Management and Budget,
the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Central Intelligence
Agency, the National Security Council, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
All members of the Commission are full-time Federal employees.
    The Executive Director of the Commission, chosen by the Secretary
of the Treasury, oversees the support staff and a working group
established to further the work of the Commission. The Executive
Director reports directly to the three co-chairs. The working group is
composed of Federal employees from the previously enumerated executive
departments and agencies involved in the Commission.

Purpose of Commission

    The Commission will undertake a comprehensive study of the nature
and extent of crime and the overall state of security related to U.S.
seaports, as well as the ways in which Federal, State and local
governments are responding to this problem. The study will address all
serious crime occurring in the maritime context, including but not
limited to drug trafficking, cargo theft, and the smuggling of
contraband and aliens. Moreover, the study will carefully examine the
role of internal conspiracies associated with such crime, including the
potential threat posed by terrorists and others to the people and
critical infrastructures of seaport cities.
    On or before completing its work within one year of the date of its
establishment, the Commission will submit a report to the Secretary of
the Treasury, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Attorney
General. Within 3 months of the submission of the report, these
officials will forward it, with their joint recommendations, to the
Chief of Staff to the President for final review and appropriate
action.
    The Commission's report will include: An analysis of the type and
level of serious crime, as well as a determination as to the overall
state of security, in U.S. seaports; an overview of the specific
missions and authorities of Federal agencies in this area, along with a
general description of the usual roles played in this regard by State
and local agencies, as well as by the private sector; an evaluation of
the nature and effectiveness of coordination among Federal, State and
local government agencies responsible for dealing with issues of crime
and security in the maritime context; and recommendations for improving
the response of Federal, State and local governments to seaport crime
and enhancing seaport security.

Some Areas of Focus

    The following is a general overview of some of the subject areas on
which the Commission will focus in conducting its study:

1. Overall Assessment of Crime in the Maritime Context

    As noted, the Commission will undertake an analysis of the overall
nature and extent of criminal activity occurring in relation to U.S.
seaports, including drug trafficking, cargo theft, and the smuggling of
contraband and aliens; assess the role of internal conspiracies in
connection with such crime; provide an overview of the specific
missions and authorities of the Federal agencies with relevant
responsibilities for dealing with

[[Page 32212]]

criminal activity in the maritime context, along with a general
description of the typical roles played in this connection by State and
local agencies and the private sector; conduct an assessment of the
nature and effectiveness of coordination among Federal, State and local
government agencies, including intelligence efforts; and provide
recommendations for improving the response of Federal, State and local
governments to the problem of serious crime, including resource
requirements and mandatory crime reporting.

2. Terrorism, Threats, and Environmental Crime

    The Commission will: Assess the threat of terrorism in the maritime
context, both from domestic and foreign sources; identify major
vulnerabilities to terrorist activity at U.S. seaports, in the
transportation of cargo to and from ports, and at foreign ports where
cargo is laded aboard ships bound for the U.S.; and recommend
improvements in overall seaport security intended to make ports less
susceptible to terrorist acts.
    Also, the Commission will focus on potential threats of
environmental terrorism and negligence in and around the nation's
seaports, including the risk of marine accidents and pollution
occasioned by, among other things, hazardous commodities such as
petroleum; assess environmental consequences and vulnerabilities in
this area; and make recommendations for improvements in environmental
protection and safety at seaports and on coastal and inland waterways.

3. Security and Prevention

    The Commission will evaluate the overall state of security existing
at U.S. seaports, including measures for controlling access to ports,
safeguarding passengers and cargo, and ensuring the security of
possible military mobilization operations (at selected seaports); the
Commission will develop recommendations, including identifying new
techniques, on enhancing seaport security standards, and on whether
such standards should be mandatory or voluntary.

4. Cargo Control

    The Commission will analyze the effectiveness and integrity of
cargo control mechanisms at U.S. seaports that deal, for example, with
false manifesting and the diversion of cargo (inbound, outbound, and
in-bond); and make recommendations on how cargo control procedures may
be improved.

5. Technology

    The Commission will seek to identify and recommend state-of-the-art
technology for use in combating crime and bolstering security at
seaports.

6. Legislation/Regulation/Funding

    The Commission will identify, and develop recommendations for
appropriate changes in, Federal laws and regulations pertaining to
seaport crime, terrorism and security. Furthermore, the Commission will
seek to identify potential sources of funding, as necessary to
implement its recommendations in all areas.

Input From Private Sector Requested

    The issues involving U.S. seaport security affect many different
private sector interests in a variety of ways. Accordingly, the
Commission hereby invites, and will take full account of, the views and
expertise of interested members of the private sector in addressing the
issues of serious crime and overall security in U.S. seaports. All
comments in this matter are welcome. In concert with the subject areas
generally outlined above, the Commission believes input as to the
following would be most helpful:
    (1) Describing particular problems that need to be solved
concerning crime, terrorism and security in seaports;
    (2) Proposals for new laws or regulations, programs or other
courses of action to combat crime and terrorism and increase security
in seaports;
    (3) Suggested methods for ensuring better reporting and more
accurate collection of data on crime in relation to the maritime
context; and
    (4) Possible ways to improve coordination and cooperation among
Federal, State and local government agencies, in combating criminal
activity and fostering greater security in seaports.
    The Commission believes that the experience and knowledge that
members of the private sector can bring to this undertaking will enable
the Commission to conduct its evaluation of seaport crime and security
in a more effective and reliable manner, and help ensure that the
Commission's report contains recommendations that are realistic and
that can be effectively implemented.

    Dated: June 9, 1999.
D. Lynn Gordon,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 99-15245 Filed 6-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P
