Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee
Continuing the Legacy
Tom Marian, Buffalo Marine Service, Inc.
1
Federal Advisory Committee Act 1972
 Ensure advice from various advisory
committees formed over the years
“is objective & accessible to public”
 Over 1400 federal advisory committees in 1973 report.
 Gov’t in the Sunshine Act (1976)
 Termination & Limitation of FACs (1993)
 OMB Circular on FAC management (1994)
 FACA exemptions (1995) to promote free comms btwn
gov’t entities.
2
Federal Advisory Committee Act
Committees – Should be essential, finite terms,
limited powers of providing advice to Executive
Branch – not lobbying.
Eliminating the locker room discussions under the
guise of task forces, subcommittees, working
groups that are not open to the public (Fed Reg).
FACA database underscores this approach.
3
FACA Management - FIDO
 www.fido.gov
 From Biodefense to Railroads to Navigation
 Search for HOGANSAC, LMRSAC, Inland Waterways
User Board, NAVSAC, TSAC, NOSAC, TSAC, USNA
Board of Visitors & numerous subcommittees.
4
Houston-Galveston Navigation Safety
Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC)
 Creation of Public Law (102-241). 1991 with
5 year-renewal requirement. FACA-driven.
 Merely codified activity since 1972! Houston
VTS Advisory Committee comprised of
public & private sector stakeholders.
 1981 – Nav. Safety Advisory due to critical
nature of waterway.
 MTS management focus. Stakeholder
coordination.
5
Harbor Safety Committees
“Local committees that address safety, security, mobility &
environmental protection of a port or waterway” USCG
HSC Desk Reference
AKA – Waterway Task Forces ; Safety Groups; Safety
Councils; Coalitions; Management Fora; Marine Action
Teams; Port Safety Councils; Safety Associations; Reaction
Teams; Coordination Committees.
Thus, in August the WAP will host the National HSC
Conference where SETWAC, TBHSSC, MAPCHA &
DELMARVA WTC will discuss PCTs.
6
H S C s – A Local Port Coordinating Body
Over 80. USCG divides them regionally
Great Lakes
Gulf
Inland Waters
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Southwest
A key to safe, efficient & environmentally sound port
operations. Geared towards the needs of the port at hand.
7
Harbor Safety Committees
Potential Stakeholders
Port Authorities • Vessel owners and operators (tankers,
dry; cargo, barges, ferries) • Harbor pilots and pilot
associations • Marine Exchanges • Docking pilots / tug
and tow operators • Shipping agents • Terminal
operators • Industry associations (national, state, and
local) • Organized Labor • Commercial Fishing
Industry Associations • State / Local Government
agencies • Federal Government representatives
8
Lone Star HSC
 HOGANSAC charter in limbo due to DHS review.
 Imperative of remaining engaged with Stakeholders.
Fall 2011 scoping session & “town hall” meetings.
 SETWAC Charter & USCG HSC Instruction as
guidance.
Membership the most significant hurdle. Process next.
9
Lone Star HSC
 Voting (29) & Non Voting







(5) Members. Alternates.
Executive Board of 5.
2 year terms. 3 consecutive
term limit. 1 yr break.
½ Board staggered terms.
Attendance requirements.
Replacement by majority.
Subcommittees - engine of
the HSC process.
New business is genuinely
new (no public notice
constraints).
10
So What Happened?
 Lone Star HSC members officially appointed on Feb
17, 2012. Charter approved. Positions agreed upon.
Subcommittees appoints.
Navigation Operations ۩ Waterways Utilization ۩
Training & Outreach ۩ Dredging & Marine Construction.
 Each SubCmtte has authority to est’b work groups &
make advice & recommendations to the full HSC.
Met on May 18th for first full meeting. Acted on several
navigation issues. Highlights were Brownwater U
revitalization. AIS input to USCG. Providing input to
Bayport Dredging Project.
Next meeting Aug 9, 2012.
11
QUESTIONS?
tom@buffalomarine.com
Buffalo Marine Service, Inc. Houston, TX
"Leading the way and dedicated to exceeding expectations."
12