The authorities listed in this section are delegated to the Secretary and, in the absence or preoccupation of the Secretary, to the Assistant Secretary.

(a) Authority to approve applications for permission to practice before the Commission and to issue admission certificates to approved applicants.

(b) Authority to extend the time to file exceptions or replies to exceptions, and the time for Commission review, relative to initial decisions of administrative law judges and decisions of Special Dockets Officers.

(c) Authority to extend the time to file appeals or replies to appeals, and the time for Commission review, relative to dismissals of proceedings, in whole or in part, issued by administrative law judges.

(d) Authority to establish and extend or reduce the time:

(1) To file documents either in docketed proceedings or relative to petitions filed under Part 502 of this chapter, which are pending before the Commission itself; and

(2) To issue initial and final decisions under §502.61 of this chapter.

(e) Authority to prescribe a time limit for the submission of written comments with reference to agreements filed pursuant to section 5 of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. 40301(d)-(e), 40302-40303, 40305).

(f) Authority, in appropriate cases, to publish in the Federal Register notices of intent to prepare an environmental assessment and notices of finding of no significant impact.

(g) Authority to prescribe a time limit less than ten days from date published in the Federal Register for filing comments on notices of intent to prepare an environmental assessment and notice of finding of no significant impact and authority to prepare environmental assessments of no significant impact.

(h) Authority, in the absence or preoccupation of the Managing Director, to sign travel orders, nondocketed recommendations to the Commission, and other routine documents for the Managing Director, consistent with the programs, policies, and precedents established by the Commission or the Managing Director.

[70 FR 7659, Feb. 15, 2005, as amended at 74 FR 50714, Oct. 1, 2009; 74 FR 54913, Oct. 26, 2009; 75 FR 29454, May 26, 2010]