Coast Guard Seeks Comments Regarding OPA 90 Claims Procedures

New Development

The Coast Guard issued a Notice of Inquiry ("NOI") on November 1, 2011 inviting the public to comment on the current Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA 90") claims procedures and whether certain pre-OPA 90 regulations should be removed. In addition, the Coast Guard is requesting background information and cost data as it is developing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNPRM") that will propose amendments to a 1992 Interim Rule setting forth OPA 90 claims procedures. The NOI includes 37 specific questions that the Coast Guard considers inadequately answered in 1992 or not addressed at all at the time. Comments are due by January 30, 2012. The NOI can be accessed at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-11-01/pdf/2011-28189.pdf.