[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 250 (Friday, December 27, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 68200-68201] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-32902] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION 46 CFR Part 586 [Docket No. 96-20] Port Restrictions and Requirements in the United States/Japan Trade AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rule; extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This extends the comment deadline in regard to the Commission's proposed imposition of fees on liner vessels operated by Japanese carriers calling at United States ports in an effort to adjust or meet apparent unfavorable conditions caused by Japanese port restrictions and requirements. DATES: Comments due on or before January 20, 1997. ADDRESSES: Send comments (original and fifteen copies) to: Joseph C. Polking, Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573, (202) 523-5725. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [[Page 68201]] Robert D. Bourgoin, General Counsel, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573, (202) 523-5740. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission's Notice of proposed rulemaking in this proceeding, published November 13, 1996 (61 FR 58160), proposed countervailing burdens on Japanese ocean carriers designed to adjust or meet apparent unfavorable conditions caused by Japanese port restrictions and requirements. Sixty days were allowed for filing comments. The current deadline is January 13, 1997. Counsel for the Japanese Lines now has filed a request for a 45-day enlargement of the comment period to February 27, 1997. Counsel cite as justification for their request intergovernmental meetings regarding this matter scheduled for January 6-7, 1997, a week before comments are due, and the intervening holiday schedule. Counsel for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and American President Lines, Ltd. have responded in general opposition to the request, but state that they have no objection to a one-week extension of the filing deadline. The Commission has determined that an extension limited to one week should be granted. This would move the filing deadline to January 20, 1997, which would provide roughly two weeks after completion of the intergovernmental meetings for parties to finalize and submit comments. This should be sufficient in the circumstances. By the Commission Ronald D. Murphy, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 96-32902 Filed 12-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6730-01-M