80_FR_45637 80 FR 45491 - Requirements for Vessels With Registry Endorsements or Foreign-Flagged Vessels That Perform Certain Aquaculture Support Operations

80 FR 45491 - Requirements for Vessels With Registry Endorsements or Foreign-Flagged Vessels That Perform Certain Aquaculture Support Operations

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 146 (July 30, 2015)

Page Range45491-45498
FR Document2015-18620

The Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations to implement Section 901(c) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 that grants the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) the authority to issue a waiver allowing a documented vessel with only a registry endorsement or a foreign-flagged vessel to be used in certain aquaculture operations. Specifically, those operations include the treatment and/or protection of aquaculture fish from disease, parasitic infestation, or other threats to their health. The proposed part would establish the requirement for an owner or operator of a vessel who is issued a waiver by the Secretary of DOT to notify the Coast Guard that the vessel owner or operator has been issued a waiver that allows the vessel to conduct certain aquaculture support operations. The proposed part would also establish operational and geographic requirements for vessels that are issued such a waiver.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45491-45498]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18620]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Part 106

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0086]
RIN 1625-AC23


Requirements for Vessels With Registry Endorsements or Foreign-
Flagged Vessels That Perform Certain Aquaculture Support Operations

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations to implement 
Section 901(c) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 that grants 
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) the 
authority to issue a waiver allowing a documented vessel with only a 
registry endorsement or a foreign-flagged vessel to be used in certain 
aquaculture operations. Specifically, those operations include the 
treatment and/or protection of aquaculture fish from disease, parasitic 
infestation, or other threats to their health. The proposed part would 
establish the requirement for an owner or operator of a vessel who is 
issued a waiver by the Secretary of DOT to notify the Coast Guard that 
the vessel owner or operator has been issued a waiver that allows the 
vessel to conduct certain aquaculture support operations. The proposed 
part would also establish operational and geographic requirements for 
vessels that are issued such a waiver.

DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our 
online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before October 28, 
2015 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date. Comments 
sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on the collection of 
information must reach OMB on or before October 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2015-0086 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.
    Collection of Information Comments: If you have comments on the 
collection of information discussed in section VI.D. of this notice of 
proposed rulemaking, you must also send comments to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and 
Budget. To ensure that your comments to OIRA are received on time, the 
preferred methods are by email

[[Page 45492]]

to [email protected] (include the docket number and 
``Attention: Desk Officer for Coast Guard, DHS'' in the subject line of 
the email) or fax at 202-395-6566. An alternate, though slower, method 
is by the U.S. Postal Service to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20503, ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email Mr. David Belliveau, Fishing Vessels Division (CG-
CVC-3), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1247, email 
uscg.mil">David.J.Belliveau@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Cheryl Collins, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents for Preamble

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
    A. Submitting Comments
    B. Viewing Comments and Documents
    C. Privacy Act
    D. Public Meeting
II. Abbreviations
III. Basis and Purpose
IV. Background
V. Discussion of Proposed Rule
VI. Regulatory Analyses
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review
    B. Small Entities
    C. Assistance for Small Entities
    D. Collection of Information
    E. Federalism
    F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    G. Taking of Private Property
    H. Civil Justice Reform
    I. Protection of Children
    J. Indian Tribal Governments
    K. Energy Effects
    L. Technical Standards
    M. Environment

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov, and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2015-0086), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of 
these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing 
address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your 
document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your 
submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
and follow the instructions on that Web site. If you submit your 
comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no 
larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they 
reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard 
or envelope.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your 
comments.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov and 
follow the instructions on that Web site. If you do not have access to 
the Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of 
Transportation to use the Docket Management Facility.

C. Privacy Act

    You can search the electronic form of comments received into any of 
our dockets by searching for the name of the individual who submitted 
the comment (or who signed the comment, if the comment was submitted on 
behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review 
a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 
2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

D. Public Meeting

    We do not plan to hold a public meeting, but you may submit a 
request for one to the docket using one of the methods specified under 
ADDRESSES. In your request, explain why you believe a public meeting 
would be beneficial. If we determine that a public meeting would aid 
this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced in a 
later notice in the Federal Register.

II. Abbreviations

BLS U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
CBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CGAA Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010
COD Certificate of Documentation
DHS U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DOT U.S. Department of Transportation
E.O. Executive Order
FR Federal Register
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
OIRA Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
OMB Office of Management and Budget
Pub. L. Public Law
RA Regulatory Analysis
U.S.C. United States Code

III. Basis and Purpose

    Under Title 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1), the Secretary of the U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT) may issue a waiver to allow a 
documented vessel with only a registry endorsement or a foreign-flagged 
vessel to be used in operations that treat aquaculture fish for or 
protect aquaculture fish from disease, parasitic infestation, or other 
threats to their health if the Secretary finds, after publishing a 
notice in the Federal Register (FR), that a suitable vessel of the 
United States is not available to perform those services.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ These services are generally performed by ``wellboats'' 
(commonly understood as fishing and housing facility vessels) that 
pump fish out of their pens and into the vessel's fish hold. The 
fish hold is full of sea water and while the fish are inside the 
fish hold, a metered dose of de-lousing chemical is added to the 
fish holds. The water is then circulated vigorously to ensure 
complete mixing of the de-lousing agent. Upon completion of the 
treatment cycle, the fish are returned to their pens.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the Coast Guard 
proposes to amend 46 CFR subchapter I--Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels, 
by adding a new part 106 that would establish the requirement for an 
owner or operator of a vessel who is issued a waiver by the Secretary 
of DOT, for the purpose of conducting certain aquaculture support 
operations, to notify the Coast Guard that such a waiver has been 
issued. The proposed part would also establish operational and 
geographic requirements for a vessel that is issued such a waiver.

IV. Background

    Section 901 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (CGAA) 
(Pub. L. 111-281) amended 46 U.S.C. 12102 by adding subsection (d). 
Pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1), the Secretary of DOT may issue a 
waiver allowing a documented vessel with only a registry

[[Page 45493]]

endorsement or a foreign-flagged vessel to be used in operations that 
treat or protect aquaculture fish from disease, parasitic infestation, 
or other threats to their health if the Secretary finds, after 
publishing a notice in the Federal Register, that a suitable vessel of 
the United States is not available that could perform those services.
    This NPRM proposes regulations necessary to implement the Coast 
Guard's rulemaking responsibility as prescribed by 901(c)(2) of the 
CGAA. In that subsection, Congress directed the Secretary of the U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the department under which the 
Coast Guard operates, to promulgate regulations that are necessary and 
appropriate for permitting nonqualified vessels to perform certain 
aquaculture support operations. It also authorizes the Secretary of DHS 
to ``grant interim permits pending the issuance of such regulations 
upon receipt of applications containing the required information.'' 
Through this rule, we propose to establish the requirement that an 
owner or operator of a vessel who is issued a waiver by the Secretary 
of DOT for the purpose of conducting certain aquaculture support 
operations notify the Coast Guard that such a waiver has been issued. 
This proposed rule would also establish operational and geographic 
requirements for vessels that are issued such waivers.

V. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    Through this rulemaking, the Coast Guard proposes to add 46 CFR 
part 106, ``Requirements for Nonqualified Vessels that Perform Certain 
Aquaculture Support Operations.'' This proposed part would establish 
the requirement for owners or operators of vessels who are issued a 
waiver by the Secretary of DOT to conduct certain aquaculture support 
operations to notify the Coast Guard that such a waiver has been 
issued. In developing this proposed notification requirement, we 
considered the possibility of DOT notifying the Coast Guard that a 
waiver has been issued rather than imposing this notification burden on 
the owner/operator. However, we decided that an owner/operator may be 
better served if the owner/operator retains the responsibility of 
notifying the Coast Guard rather than rely on the issuing agency 
because doing so gives the owner/operator full and complete control 
regarding the timing of the notification. For more information on this 
proposed notification requirement, including the mailing and email 
addresses that notifications are to be sent, refer to Sec.  106.115. We 
are interested in hearing public comment on this proposed notification 
requirement (and the possibility of having DOT provide waiver 
notifications instead of an owner/operator) as we do with all of the 
requirements proposed in this rule. The proposed part would also 
establish operational and geographic requirements for vessels that are 
issued such a waiver. Based on submissions of applications for interim 
permits, we propose to require an owner or operator of a vessel who is 
issued a waiver by the Secretary of DOT, to submit to the Coast Guard:
    (1) The vessel(s) name(s);
    (2) The vessel's official and/or International Maritime 
Organization number;
    (3) The geographic location within the waters of the United States 
where the vessel(s) will conduct aquaculture treatment operations;
    (4) The period of time during which the waiver for the vessel(s) is 
approved including:
    (i) The start date (MM/DD/YYYY); and
    (ii) The expiration date (MM/DD/YYYY); and
    (5) A copy of the DOT-approved aquaculture waiver.

VI. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and executive orders (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize 
our analyses based on these statutes or E.O.s.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and 13563, 
Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, direct agencies to assess 
the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility.
    This NPRM is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of E.O. 12866 as supplemented by E.O. 13563. Accordingly, the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has not reviewed it under that Order. A 
combined preliminary Regulatory Analysis (RA) follows.
    This RA provides an evaluation of the economic impacts associated 
with this proposed rule. The table that follows provides a summary of 
the proposed rule's costs and benefits.

             Table 1--Summary of the Proposed Rule's Impacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Category                              Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicability.....................  Owners or operators of vessels that
                                     are issued a waiver allowing a
                                     documented vessel with only a
                                     registry endorsement or a foreign-
                                     flagged vessel to be used in
                                     operations that treat aquaculture
                                     fish.
Affected Population...............  2 vessels.
Costs to Industry and Government..  10-year: $808.98.
($, 7% discount rate).............  Annualized: $115.18.
Unquantified Benefits.............  Allows the Coast Guard to readily
                                     identify vessels with waivers to
                                     perform certain aquaculture support
                                     operations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On May 27, 2010, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ruled 
that aquaculture activities constitute ``engag[ing] in the fisheries,'' 
and is thus within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. 108, for which a vessel 
must possess a Certificate of Documentation (COD) endorsed pursuant to 
46 U.S.C. 12113 (See CBP ruling HQ H105735). Title 46 U.S.C. 12113 
limits employment in the fisheries to a vessel issued a COD with a 
fishery endorsement. This effectively disqualifies any foreign-flagged 
vessel from carrying out these activities.
    Wellboats (or live fish carriers) were especially affected by this 
CBP ruling. Wellboats are highly specialized vessels that are used to 
treat farmed salmon. The wellboats are designed to service large 
inventories of farmed salmon during the salt-water grow-out phase

[[Page 45494]]

and are specially equipped to protect the fish onboard the vessel. 
Direct treatment aboard a wellboat is currently the most efficient and 
effective method to treat salmon. If left untreated, salmon inventories 
can be destroyed and the industry can lose revenue. Currently, no U.S.-
flagged wellboats exist. The only wellboats available to the U.S. 
salmon aquaculture industry are foreign-flagged vessels, which make the 
industry highly dependent on foreign-flagged wellboats.
    Through this rulemaking, the Coast Guard proposes to amend its 
regulations to implement Section 901(c) of the CGAA. Under that 
provision, the Secretary of DOT has the authority to issue a waiver 
allowing a documented vessel with only a registry endorsement or a 
foreign-flagged vessel to be used in certain aquaculture support 
operations that treat or protect aquaculture fish from disease, 
parasitic infestation, or other threats to their health if no suitable 
U.S.-flagged vessel is available to perform those services. Under this 
proposed rule, a vessel owner or operator of a vessel who has been 
issued a waiver by DOT to perform aquaculture support operations will 
be required to notify and provide a copy of the waiver to the Coast 
Guard. Through this rulemaking, we also propose to establish 
operational and geographic requirements for a vessel that is issued a 
waiver by DOT to perform aquaculture support operations. For more 
information on these requirements, refer to Sec.  106.120 Operational 
and Geographic Requirements.
Affected Population
    The Coast Guard determined the affected population based on the 
number of waiver requests from vessel owners and operators. Since the 
2010 CBP ruling, only one entity has applied for waivers for foreign-
flagged wellboats to treat salmon. This U.S. entity operates two 
foreign-flagged wellboats, and we anticipate that this entity will 
continue to apply for waivers in the future. Therefore, this proposed 
rule is projected to affect one U.S. entity that operates two vessels. 
Depending on the growth of the salmon aquaculture industry, there is 
the potential for the number of affected vessels to increase in the 
future. However, current trends indicate no increase in growth in the 
salmon aquaculture industry. Therefore, we did not consider, in this 
analysis, an annual increase in the number of waivers that would be 
submitted to the Coast Guard.
Costs
    In this proposed rule, owners or operators of foreign-flagged 
vessels, which are issued waivers by DOT to conduct certain aquaculture 
support operations, must notify the Coast Guard that such waivers have 
been issued. The costs of this proposed rule include the costs to the 
industry to provide copies of the waivers and the costs to the 
Government to process the information. Waivers will be issued on an 
annual basis per DOT requirements. Owners or operators of the vessels 
are required to provide copies of these waivers to the Coast Guard 
annually. Waivers are issued individually for each vessel involved in 
aquaculture support operations, and therefore, costs are estimated on a 
per vessel basis.
Industry Costs
    The Coast Guard estimates it will take 0.5 hours for a legal 
secretary to copy and send each waiver to the Coast Guard, via postal 
mail and electronic mail. The wage rate for a legal assistant was 
obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), using 
Occupational Series 23-2011, Paralegals and Legal Assistants (May 
2013). BLS reports that the mean hourly rate for a legal assistant is 
$24.60.\2\ To account for employee benefits, we use the load factor of 
1.43, which we calculated from June 2014 BLS data.\3\ The loaded wage 
rate for a legal assistant is estimated at $35.18 per hour ($24.60 wage 
rate x 1.43 load factor). The expected cost to industry to provide 
copies of the waiver is $35.18 ($35.18 x 0.5 hours x 2 vessels). Table 
2 shows the total 10-year cost of two affected vessels to be $247.09 
and annualized cost of $35.18, both discounted at 7 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Mean wage, http://www.bls.gov/oes/2013/may/oes232011.htm.
    \3\ Employer Costs for Employee Compensation news release text 
provides information on the employer compensation, and can be found 
at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_09102014.htm.

                                     Table 2--Total 10 Year Cost to Industry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Discount rate
                                Year                                    Undiscounted   -------------------------
                                                                           costs             7%           3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................................................             $35.18       $32.88       $34.16
2..................................................................              35.18        30.73        33.16
3..................................................................              35.18        28.72        32.19
4..................................................................              35.18        26.84        31.26
5..................................................................              35.18        25.08        30.35
6..................................................................              35.18        23.44        29.46
7..................................................................              35.18        21.91        28.60
8..................................................................              35.18        20.48        27.77
9..................................................................              35.18        19.14        26.96
10.................................................................              35.18        17.88        26.18
    Total..........................................................             351.80       247.09       300.09
Annualized.........................................................  .................        35.18        35.18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total may not add due to rounding.

Government Costs
    The Coast Guard estimates it will take 0.5 hours per vessel for 
Coast Guard personnel at the GS-13 level to record the information from 
the waivers. The fully loaded wage rate for a GS-13 is $80, per 
Commandant Instruction 7310.1P.\4\ The total cost for the Coast Guard 
is $80 [(0.5 hours [sec] $80) x 2 vessels]. The total 10-year 
undiscounted Government cost of the proposed rule is $800. Table 3 
shows the total Government 10-year discounted cost at $561.89, and the 
annualized cost at $80, both discounted at 7 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See http://www.uscg.mil/directives/ci/7000-7999/CI_ 
7310_1P.pdf.

[[Page 45495]]



                                         Table 3--Total Government Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Discount rate
                                Year                                    Undiscounted   -------------------------
                                                                           costs             7%           3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................................................             $80.00       $74.77       $77.67
2..................................................................              80.00        69.88        75.41
3..................................................................              80.00        65.30        73.21
4..................................................................              80.00        61.03        71.08
5..................................................................              80.00        57.04        69.01
6..................................................................              80.00        53.31        67.00
7..................................................................              80.00        49.82        65.05
8..................................................................              80.00        46.56        63.15
9..................................................................              80.00        43.51        61.31
10.................................................................              80.00        40.67        59.53
    Total..........................................................             800.00       561.89       682.42
Annualized.........................................................  .................        80.00        80.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total may not add due to rounding.

    Table 4 displays the total costs on an undiscounted basis, and 
discounted at 7 percent and 3 percent interest rates, respectively. The 
total 10-year undiscounted cost of the proposed rule is $1,151.80. The 
total 10-year (industry and government) discounted cost of the proposed 
rule is $808.98 and the annualized cost is $115.18, both discounted at 
7 percent.

                Table 4--Total Costs of the Proposed Rule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total, discounted
             Year                Total undiscounted  -------------------
                                        costs            7%        3%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................               $115.18   $107.64   $111.83
2.............................                115.18    100.60    108.57
3.............................                115.18     94.02    105.41
4.............................                115.18     87.87    102.34
5.............................                115.18     82.12     99.36
6.............................                115.18     76.75     96.46
7.............................                115.18     71.73     93.65
8.............................                115.18     67.04     90.92
9.............................                115.18     62.65     88.28
10............................                115.18     58.55     85.70
    Total.....................              1,151.80    808.98    982.51
Annualized....................  ....................    115.18    115.18
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Total may not add due to rounding.

Benefits
    This proposed rule does not provide any quantitative benefits. 
However, it does have a qualitative benefit. It provides the Coast 
Guard with greater maritime domain awareness through the proposed 
requirement that an owner or operator of a vessel who has received a 
waiver from DOT must submit a copy of the waiver to the Coast Guard. 
The requirement to submit a copy of the waiver to the Coast Guard will 
ensure that appropriate Coast Guard officials are aware that foreign-
flagged vessels or vessels with only registry endorsements are 
conducting aquaculture support activities in U.S waters pursuant to a 
waiver issued by DOT under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1).

B. Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, we have 
considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small 
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations 
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their 
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 
50,000.
    There is one U.S. entity that operates two foreign-flagged vessels 
that would be affected by this rulemaking at this time. This entity is 
neither a not-for-profit nor a governmental organization. The North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this entity is 
424460, Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers. An entity with this 
NAICS code is considered a small entity if it has less than 100 
employees. Using the small entity definition for the NAICS code, we 
determined the entity is classified as a small entity, since this 
entity has 40 employees. Table 5 shows information on the U.S. entity 
classified as a small entity by NAICS code, and the small entity 
standard size established by the Small Business Administration.

[[Page 45496]]



                              Table 5--NAICS Code and Small Entities Size Standards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            NAICS Code                           Description                   Small business size standard
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
424460............................  Fish and Seafood Merchant             Less than 100 employees.
                                     Wholesalers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We reviewed business revenue data provided by a publicly available 
source \5\ and found that this entity has annual revenue estimated at 
$4,800,000. Therefore, the expected burden on the company from this 
rulemaking is estimated at less than 0.001 percent of total annual 
revenue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ MANTA (http:// www.manta.com/ ) is an online business 
service directory and search engine that provides business revenue 
and size data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that 
this proposed rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If you think 
that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction 
qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule would have a 
significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment to the 
Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. In your 
comment, explain why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree 
this proposed rule would economically affect it.

C. Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If you 
think that the proposed rule would affect your small business, 
organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions 
concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please consult 
with the Coast Guard personnel listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this proposed rule. The Coast Guard will not 
retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this 
proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal 
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory 
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and 
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR 
(1-888-734-3247).

D. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call for a new collection of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. This 
collection is explained below under ESTIMATE OF TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN. As 
defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(c), ``collection of information'' comprises 
reporting, recordkeeping, monitoring, posting, labeling, and other, 
similar actions. The title and description of the information 
collections, a description of those who must collect the information, 
and an estimate of the total annual burden follow. The estimate covers 
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing sources of 
data, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection.
    Under the provisions of the proposed rule, an owner or operator of 
a vessel who is issued a waiver to conduct certain aquaculture support 
operations would notify the Coast Guard that such a waiver has been 
issued.
    Title: Requirements for Vessels that Perform Certain Aquaculture 
Support Operations
    Summary of the Collection of Information: An owner or operator of a 
vessel who is issued a waiver to conduct certain aquaculture support 
operations would be required to notify the Coast Guard that such a 
waiver has been issued.
    Need for Information: This information is necessary to ensure that 
appropriate Coast Guard officials are aware that foreign-flagged 
vessels or documented vessels with only registry endorsements are 
conducting aquaculture support activities in U.S. waters pursuant to 
waivers issued by DOT under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1).
    Proposed Use of Information: The Coast Guard would use this 
information to ensure vessels operating in U.S. waters in support of 
aquaculture are compliant with DOT's requirement.
    Description of the Respondents: The respondents are owners or 
operators of vessels that are issued waivers to conduct certain 
aquaculture support operations.
    Number of Respondents: The number of respondents is one per year.
    Frequency of Response: Waivers are issued on an annual basis, so 
the frequency of response is one response per vessel, per year.
    Burden of Response: The estimated burden for each respondent is 0.5 
hours per vessel to copy waivers and send information to the Coast 
Guard.
    Estimate of Total Annual Burden: There is currently one entity 
operating two vessels that have been issued waivers. The total annual 
burden would be 1 hour (0.5 hours x 2 vessels). Assuming this task is 
performed by a legal assistant at a loaded hourly rate of $35.18, the 
annual cost burden for this requirement is $35.18 ($35.18 loaded wage 
rate x 1 total entity hours).
    We ask for public comment on the proposed collection of information 
to help us determine--
    (1) How useful the information is;
    (2) Whether it can help us perform our functions better;
    (3) Whether it is readily available elsewhere;
    (4) How accurate our estimate of the burden of collection is;
    (5) How valid our methods for determining burden are;
    (6) How we can improve the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the 
information; and
    (7) How we can minimize the burden of collection.
    If you submit comments on the collection of information, submit 
them to both OMB and to the Docket Management Facility where indicated 
under ADDRESSES, by the date under DATES.
    You are not required to respond to a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid control number from OMB. Before we 
could enforce the collection of information requirements in this 
proposed rule, OMB would need to approve our request to collect this 
information.

E. Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under E.O. 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. We have analyzed

[[Page 45497]]

this rule under that order and have determined that it is consistent 
with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements 
described in E.O. 13132. Our analysis is explained below.
    This proposed rule implements Section 901(c) of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2010. Section 901(c) amends Section 12102 of 
Chapter 121 of 46 U.S.C. by adding a waiver of certain Federal vessel 
documentation requirements for vessels performing aquaculture support 
operations. Neither Section 901 nor Chapter 121 contains authority for 
States to waive Federal vessel documentation requirements. 
Additionally, while Chapter 121 does not expressly prohibit States from 
having state titling systems, vessels that are required to be 
documented under Chapter 121 cannot be simultaneously titled by a State 
or numbered by a State pursuant to Chapter 123 (see 46 U.S.C. Section 
12106). Therefore, the rule is consistent with the principles of 
federalism and preemption requirements in E.O. 13132.
    While it is well settled that States may not regulate in categories 
in which Congress intended the Coast Guard to be the sole source of a 
vessel's obligations, the Coast Guard recognizes the key role that 
State and local governments may have in making regulatory 
determinations. Additionally, for rules with federalism implications 
and preemptive effect, E.O. 13132 specifically directs agencies to 
consult with State and local governments during the rulemaking process. 
If you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism under 
E.O. 13132, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble.

F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this 
proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.

G. Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

H. Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

I. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under E.O. 13045, Protection of 
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This 
proposed rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.

J. Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under E.O. 
13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, 
because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more 
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and 
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

K. Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under E.O. 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant 
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under E.O. 12866 and is not likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy.

L. Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, 15 U.S.C. 272 
note directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their 
regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through OMB, 
with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent 
with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus 
standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, 
performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; 
and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted 
by voluntary consensus standards bodies.
    This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

M. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland 
Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f, and have made a 
preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of 
actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment. A preliminary environmental analysis 
checklist supporting this determination is available in the docket 
where indicated under the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' section of this preamble. This proposed rule involves 
vessels that have received waivers from the DOT to perform certain 
aquaculture support operations in U.S. waters (or could receive such 
waivers in the future) and the Coast Guard's notification and 
documentation requirements for those vessels. The proposed rule entails 
administrative activities, which pertain to regulations concerning 
documentation of vessels, and collectively appear to fall under section 
2.B.2 and Figure 2-1, paragraphs (34)(a) and (d) of the Instruction. We 
seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a 
significant environmental impact resulting from this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 106

    Aquaculture operations, Coastwise, Fishing vessels, Registry 
endorsement, Waiver.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to add 46 CFR part 106 to read as follows:
    Title 46--Shipping

PART 106--REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-QUALIFIED VESSELS THAT PERFORM 
CERTAIN AQUACULTURE SUPPORT OPERATIONS

Sec.
106.100 Purpose.
106.105 Applicability.
106.110 Definitions.
106.115 Notification requirements.
106.120 Operational and geographic requirements.
106.125 Penalties.

    Authority: Sec. 901(c)(2), Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905, 
Title IX; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.


Sec.  106.100  Purpose.

    The regulations in this part implement 46 U.S.C. 12102(d).

[[Page 45498]]

Sec.  106.105  Applicability.

    The regulations in this part apply to a documented vessel with only 
a registry endorsement or a foreign-flagged vessel that has been issued 
a waiver by DOT under 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1), for the purpose of 
conducting aquaculture support operations.


Sec.  106.110  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part:
    Aquaculture support operations means activities that treat 
aquaculture fish for or protect aquaculture fish from disease, 
parasitic infestation, or other threats to their health.


Sec.  106.115  Notification requirements.

    (a) Prior to operating in U.S. waters, a vessel owner, operator, or 
charterer that has been issued a waiver by DOT to conduct aquaculture 
support operations must notify the Coast Guard in writing of its 
status. The notification must include the following information:
    (1) The vessel(s) name(s);
    (2) The vessel's official and/ or International Maritime 
Organization number;
    (3) The geographic location within the waters of the United States 
where the vessel(s) will conduct treatment operations;
    (4) The period of time during which the waiver for the vessel(s) is 
approved including:
    (i) The start date (MM/ DD/ YYYY); and
    (ii) The expiration date (MM/ DD/ YYYY); and
    (5) A copy of the DOT-approved aquaculture waiver.
    (b) Written notification must be made to the Commandant (CG-CVC), 
ATTN: Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 
7501, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-
7501, or by email to CG-CVC-3@ uscg.mil.


Sec.  106.120  Operational and geographic requirements.

    (a) Vessels with a DOT waiver, issued under 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1), 
for the purpose of performing aquaculture support operations are 
subject to the following restrictions:
    (1) Commercial operations other than operations that treat or 
protect aquaculture fish are prohibited;
    (2) While conducting aquaculture support operations, vessels will 
operate solely within the geographic location identified in the 
approved waiver issued by DOT; and
    (3) Vessels will not conduct aquaculture support operations beyond 
the period of time approved in the waiver issued by DOT.
    (b) Vessels conducting aquaculture support operations will, at all 
times, maintain a copy of the waiver issued by DOT on board the vessel 
as proof of its eligibility to conduct aquaculture support operations.


Sec.  106.125  Penalties.

    A vessel owner, operator, or charterer not operating a vessel as 
required in this part is subject to penalty under 46 U.S.C. 12151.

    Dated: July 23, 2015.
V.B. Gifford, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Inspections and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2015-18620 Filed 7-29-15; 8:45 am]
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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          45491

                                               monitored violation of the PM10 NAAQS                       • is not a significant regulatory action            Section 901(c) of the Coast Guard
                                               occurs. Finally, we are proposing to                     subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                Authorization Act of 2010 that grants
                                               approve the 2012 emissions inventory                     28355, May 22, 2001);                                  the Secretary of the U.S. Department of
                                               as meeting applicable requirements for                      • is not subject to requirements of                 Transportation (DOT) the authority to
                                               emissions inventories in Section 172 of                  Section 12(d) of the National                          issue a waiver allowing a documented
                                               the CAA.                                                 Technology Transfer and Advancement                    vessel with only a registry endorsement
                                                  Last, we propose that the                             Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because               or a foreign-flagged vessel to be used in
                                               Maintenance Plan’s motor vehicle                         application of those requirements would                certain aquaculture operations.
                                               emissions budgets meet applicable CAA                    be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;                Specifically, those operations include
                                               requirements for maintenance plans and                   and,                                                   the treatment and/or protection of
                                               transportation conformity requirements                      • does not provide EPA with the                     aquaculture fish from disease, parasitic
                                               under 40 CFR 93.118(e). With this                        discretionary authority to address                     infestation, or other threats to their
                                               action, we are starting the public                       disproportionate human health or                       health. The proposed part would
                                               comment period on the adequacy of                        environmental effects with practical,                  establish the requirement for an owner
                                               these proposed motor vehicle emissions                   appropriate, and legally permissible                   or operator of a vessel who is issued a
                                               budgets.                                                 methods under Executive Order 12898                    waiver by the Secretary of DOT to notify
                                                  We are soliciting comments on this                    (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                       the Coast Guard that the vessel owner or
                                                                                                           In addition, this proposed action does              operator has been issued a waiver that
                                               proposed action. We will accept
                                                                                                        not apply on any Indian reservation                    allows the vessel to conduct certain
                                               comments from the public on this
                                                                                                        land or in any other area where EPA or                 aquaculture support operations. The
                                               proposal for 30 days following
                                                                                                        an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a                proposed part would also establish
                                               publication of this proposal in the
                                                                                                        tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of              operational and geographic
                                               Federal Register. We will consider these
                                                                                                        Indian country, the rule does not have                 requirements for vessels that are issued
                                               comments before taking final action.
                                                                                                        tribal implications and will not impose                such a waiver.
                                               VII. Statutory and Executive Order                       substantial direct costs on tribal
                                                                                                        governments or preempt tribal law as                   DATES: Comments and related material
                                               Reviews
                                                                                                        specified by Executive Order 13175 (65                 must either be submitted to our online
                                                  Under the Clean Air Act, the                                                                                 docket via http://www.regulations.gov
                                                                                                        FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
                                               Administrator is required to approve a                                                                          on or before October 28, 2015 or reach
                                               SIP submission that complies with the                    List of Subjects                                       the Docket Management Facility by that
                                               provisions of the Act and applicable                                                                            date. Comments sent to the Office of
                                                                                                        40 CFR Part 52
                                               Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k);                                                                         Management and Budget (OMB) on the
                                               40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP                    Environmental protection, Air                        collection of information must reach
                                               submissions, EPA’s role is to approve                    pollution control, Incorporation by                    OMB on or before October 28, 2015.
                                               State choices, provided that they meet                   reference, Intergovernmental relations,
                                                                                                                                                               ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                               the criteria of the Clean Air Act.                       Particulate matter, Reporting and
                                                                                                        recordkeeping requirements.                            identified by docket number USCG–
                                               Accordingly, this proposed action                                                                               2015–0086 using any one of the
                                               merely proposes to approve State law as                  40 CFR Part 81                                         following methods:
                                               meeting Federal requirements and does                                                                              (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
                                                                                                          Environmental protection, Air
                                               not impose additional requirements                                                                              http://www.regulations.gov.
                                                                                                        pollution control, National parks,
                                               beyond those imposed by State law. For                                                                             (2) Fax: 202–493–2251.
                                                                                                        Wilderness areas.
                                               that reason, this proposed action:                                                                                 (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility
                                                  • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                                                                                                                               (M–30), U.S. Department of
                                               action’’ subject to review by the Office                   Dated: July 10, 2015.                                Transportation, West Building Ground
                                               of Management and Budget under                           Jared Blumenfeld,                                      Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
                                               Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,                      Regional Administrator, Region IX.                     Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–
                                               October 4, 1993);                                        [FR Doc. 2015–18531 Filed 7–29–15; 8:45 am]            0001.
                                                  • does not impose an information                      BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail
                                               collection burden under the provisions                                                                          address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
                                               of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                                                                              p.m., Monday through Friday, except
                                               U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                 Federal holidays. The telephone number
                                                  • is certified as not having a                        SECURITY                                               is 202–366–9329.
                                               significant economic impact on a                                                                                   To avoid duplication, please use only
                                               substantial number of small entities                     Coast Guard                                            one of these four methods. See the
                                               under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                                                                         ‘‘Public Participation and Request for
                                               U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                     46 CFR Part 106                                        Comments’’ portion of the
                                                  • does not contain any unfunded                                                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
                                                                                                        [Docket No. USCG–2015–0086]
                                               mandate or significantly or uniquely                                                                            below for instructions on submitting
                                               affect small governments, as described                   RIN 1625–AC23                                          comments.
                                               in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                                                                                Collection of Information Comments:
                                               of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                                 Requirements for Vessels With                          If you have comments on the collection
                                                  • does not have Federalism                            Registry Endorsements or Foreign-
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                                                                                                                                                               of information discussed in section
                                               implications as specified in Executive                   Flagged Vessels That Perform Certain                   VI.D. of this notice of proposed
                                               Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                     Aquaculture Support Operations                         rulemaking, you must also send
                                               1999);                                                   AGENCY:    Coast Guard, DHS.                           comments to the Office of Information
                                                  • is not an economically significant                  ACTION:    Notice of proposed rulemaking.              and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of
                                               regulatory action based on health or                                                                            Management and Budget. To ensure that
                                               safety risks subject to Executive Order                  SUMMARY:  The Coast Guard proposes to                  your comments to OIRA are received on
                                               13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                     amend its regulations to implement                     time, the preferred methods are by email


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                                               45492                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                               to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov                           delivery, but please use only one of                  II. Abbreviations
                                               (include the docket number and                           these means. We recommend that you                    BLS U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
                                               ‘‘Attention: Desk Officer for Coast                      include your name and a mailing                       CBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection
                                               Guard, DHS’’ in the subject line of the                  address, an email address, or a phone                 CFR Code of Federal Regulations
                                               email) or fax at 202–395–6566. An                        number in the body of your document                   CGAA Coast Guard Authorization Act of
                                               alternate, though slower, method is by                   so that we can contact you if we have                   2010
                                               the U.S. Postal Service to the Office of                 questions regarding your submission.                  COD Certificate of Documentation
                                               Information and Regulatory Affairs,                                                                            DHS U.S. Department of Homeland
                                                                                                           To submit your comment online, go to                 Security
                                               Office of Management and Budget, 725                     http://www.regulations.gov, and follow                DOT U.S. Department of Transportation
                                               17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503,                   the instructions on that Web site. If you             E.O. Executive Order
                                               ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.                    submit your comments by mail or hand                  FR Federal Register
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If                      delivery, submit them in an unbound                   NAICS North American Industry
                                               you have questions on this proposed                      format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches,               Classification System
                                               rule, call or email Mr. David Belliveau,                 suitable for copying and electronic                   NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                               Fishing Vessels Division (CG–CVC–3),                     filing. If you submit comments by mail                OIRA Office of Information and Regulatory
                                               U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202–372–                                                                             Affairs
                                                                                                        and would like to know that they
                                               1247, email David.J.Belliveau@uscg.mil.                                                                        OMB Office of Management and Budget
                                                                                                        reached the Facility, please enclose a                Pub. L. Public Law
                                               If you have questions on viewing or                      stamped, self-addressed postcard or                   RA Regulatory Analysis
                                               submitting material to the docket, call                  envelope.                                             U.S.C. United States Code
                                               Ms. Cheryl Collins, Program Manager,
                                                                                                           We will consider all comments and                  III. Basis and Purpose
                                               Docket Operations, telephone 202–366–
                                                                                                        material received during the comment
                                               9826.                                                                                                             Under Title 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1), the
                                                                                                        period and may change this proposed
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                               rule based on your comments.                          Secretary of the U.S. Department of
                                               Table of Contents for Preamble                                                                                 Transportation (DOT) may issue a
                                                                                                        B. Viewing Comments and Documents                     waiver to allow a documented vessel
                                               I. Public Participation and Request for                                                                        with only a registry endorsement or a
                                                     Comments                                             To view comments, as well as
                                                                                                                                                              foreign-flagged vessel to be used in
                                                  A. Submitting Comments                                documents mentioned in this preamble
                                                                                                                                                              operations that treat aquaculture fish for
                                                  B. Viewing Comments and Documents                     as being available in the docket, go to
                                                  C. Privacy Act                                                                                              or protect aquaculture fish from disease,
                                                                                                        http://www.regulations.gov and follow
                                                  D. Public Meeting                                                                                           parasitic infestation, or other threats to
                                                                                                        the instructions on that Web site. If you
                                               II. Abbreviations                                                                                              their health if the Secretary finds, after
                                                                                                        do not have access to the Internet, you
                                               III. Basis and Purpose                                                                                         publishing a notice in the Federal
                                               IV. Background
                                                                                                        may view the docket online by visiting
                                                                                                                                                              Register (FR), that a suitable vessel of
                                               V. Discussion of Proposed Rule                           the Docket Management Facility in
                                                                                                                                                              the United States is not available to
                                               VI. Regulatory Analyses                                  Room W12–140 on the ground floor of
                                                                                                                                                              perform those services.1
                                                  A. Regulatory Planning and Review                     the Department of Transportation West                    In this notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                  B. Small Entities                                     Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                 (NPRM), the Coast Guard proposes to
                                                  C. Assistance for Small Entities                      Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
                                                  D. Collection of Information                                                                                amend 46 CFR subchapter I—Cargo and
                                                                                                        and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,                    Miscellaneous Vessels, by adding a new
                                                  E. Federalism                                         except Federal holidays. We have an
                                                  F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                                                                             part 106 that would establish the
                                                  G. Taking of Private Property
                                                                                                        agreement with the Department of                      requirement for an owner or operator of
                                                  H. Civil Justice Reform                               Transportation to use the Docket                      a vessel who is issued a waiver by the
                                                  I. Protection of Children                             Management Facility.                                  Secretary of DOT, for the purpose of
                                                  J. Indian Tribal Governments                          C. Privacy Act                                        conducting certain aquaculture support
                                                  K. Energy Effects
                                                                                                                                                              operations, to notify the Coast Guard
                                                  L. Technical Standards                                  You can search the electronic form of
                                                  M. Environment                                                                                              that such a waiver has been issued. The
                                                                                                        comments received into any of our                     proposed part would also establish
                                               I. Public Participation and Request for                  dockets by searching for the name of the              operational and geographic
                                               Comments                                                 individual who submitted the comment                  requirements for a vessel that is issued
                                                  We encourage you to participate in                    (or who signed the comment, if the                    such a waiver.
                                               this rulemaking by submitting                            comment was submitted on behalf of an
                                                                                                        association, business, labor union, etc.).            IV. Background
                                               comments and related materials. All
                                               comments received will be posted                         You may review a Privacy Act notice                     Section 901 of the Coast Guard
                                               without change to http://                                regarding our public dockets in the                   Authorization Act of 2010 (CGAA) (Pub.
                                               www.regulations.gov, and will include                    January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal                L. 111–281) amended 46 U.S.C. 12102
                                               any personal information you have                        Register (73 FR 3316).                                by adding subsection (d). Pursuant to 46
                                               provided.                                                D. Public Meeting                                     U.S.C. 12102(d)(1), the Secretary of DOT
                                                                                                                                                              may issue a waiver allowing a
                                               A. Submitting Comments                                      We do not plan to hold a public                    documented vessel with only a registry
                                                 If you submit a comment, please                        meeting, but you may submit a request
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                                                                                                                                                                 1 These services are generally performed by
                                               include the docket number for this                       for one to the docket using one of the
                                                                                                                                                              ‘‘wellboats’’ (commonly understood as fishing and
                                               rulemaking (USCG–2015–0086),                             methods specified under ADDRESSES. In                 housing facility vessels) that pump fish out of their
                                               indicate the specific section of this                    your request, explain why you believe a               pens and into the vessel’s fish hold. The fish hold
                                               document to which each comment                           public meeting would be beneficial. If                is full of sea water and while the fish are inside the
                                               applies, and provide a reason for each                   we determine that a public meeting                    fish hold, a metered dose of de-lousing chemical is
                                                                                                                                                              added to the fish holds. The water is then circulated
                                               suggestion or recommendation. You                        would aid this rulemaking, we will hold               vigorously to ensure complete mixing of the de-
                                               may submit your comments and                             one at a time and place announced in                  lousing agent. Upon completion of the treatment
                                               material online or by fax, mail, or hand                 a later notice in the Federal Register.               cycle, the fish are returned to their pens.



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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           45493

                                               endorsement or a foreign-flagged vessel                         operations to notify the Coast Guard that               (i) The start date (MM/DD/YYYY);
                                               to be used in operations that treat or                          such a waiver has been issued. In                     and
                                               protect aquaculture fish from disease,                          developing this proposed notification                   (ii) The expiration date (MM/DD/
                                               parasitic infestation, or other threats to                      requirement, we considered the                        YYYY); and
                                               their health if the Secretary finds, after                      possibility of DOT notifying the Coast
                                               publishing a notice in the Federal                              Guard that a waiver has been issued                     (5) A copy of the DOT-approved
                                               Register, that a suitable vessel of the                         rather than imposing this notification                aquaculture waiver.
                                               United States is not available that could                       burden on the owner/operator.                         VI. Regulatory Analyses
                                               perform those services.                                         However, we decided that an owner/
                                                 This NPRM proposes regulations                                operator may be better served if the                    We developed this proposed rule after
                                               necessary to implement the Coast                                owner/operator retains the                            considering numerous statutes and
                                               Guard’s rulemaking responsibility as                            responsibility of notifying the Coast                 executive orders (E.O.s) related to
                                               prescribed by 901(c)(2) of the CGAA. In                         Guard rather than rely on the issuing                 rulemaking. Below we summarize our
                                               that subsection, Congress directed the                          agency because doing so gives the                     analyses based on these statutes or
                                               Secretary of the U.S. Department of                             owner/operator full and complete                      E.O.s.
                                               Homeland Security (DHS), the                                    control regarding the timing of the
                                               department under which the Coast                                notification. For more information on                 A. Regulatory Planning and Review
                                               Guard operates, to promulgate                                   this proposed notification requirement,
                                               regulations that are necessary and                              including the mailing and email                          Executive Orders 12866, Regulatory
                                               appropriate for permitting nonqualified                         addresses that notifications are to be                Planning and Review, and 13563,
                                               vessels to perform certain aquaculture                          sent, refer to § 106.115. We are                      Improving Regulation and Regulatory
                                               support operations. It also authorizes                          interested in hearing public comment                  Review, direct agencies to assess the
                                               the Secretary of DHS to ‘‘grant interim                         on this proposed notification                         costs and benefits of available regulatory
                                               permits pending the issuance of such                            requirement (and the possibility of                   alternatives and, if regulation is
                                               regulations upon receipt of applications                        having DOT provide waiver                             necessary, to select regulatory
                                               containing the required information.’’                          notifications instead of an owner/                    approaches that maximize net benefits
                                               Through this rule, we propose to                                operator) as we do with all of the                    (including potential economic,
                                               establish the requirement that an owner                         requirements proposed in this rule. The               environmental, public health and safety
                                               or operator of a vessel who is issued a                         proposed part would also establish                    effects, distributive impacts, and
                                               waiver by the Secretary of DOT for the                          operational and geographic                            equity). Executive Order 13563
                                               purpose of conducting certain                                   requirements for vessels that are issued              emphasizes the importance of
                                               aquaculture support operations notify                           such a waiver. Based on submissions of                quantifying both costs and benefits, of
                                               the Coast Guard that such a waiver has                          applications for interim permits, we                  reducing costs, of harmonizing rules,
                                               been issued. This proposed rule would                           propose to require an owner or operator               and of promoting flexibility.
                                               also establish operational and                                  of a vessel who is issued a waiver by the                This NPRM is not a significant
                                               geographic requirements for vessels that                        Secretary of DOT, to submit to the Coast              regulatory action under section 3(f) of
                                               are issued such waivers.                                        Guard:                                                E.O. 12866 as supplemented by E.O.
                                                                                                                  (1) The vessel(s) name(s);                         13563. Accordingly, the Office of
                                               V. Discussion of Proposed Rule                                     (2) The vessel’s official and/or                   Management and Budget (OMB) has not
                                                  Through this rulemaking, the Coast                           International Maritime Organization
                                               Guard proposes to add 46 CFR part 106,                                                                                reviewed it under that Order. A
                                                                                                               number;
                                               ‘‘Requirements for Nonqualified Vessels                                                                               combined preliminary Regulatory
                                                                                                                  (3) The geographic location within the
                                               that Perform Certain Aquaculture                                waters of the United States where the                 Analysis (RA) follows.
                                               Support Operations.’’ This proposed                             vessel(s) will conduct aquaculture                       This RA provides an evaluation of the
                                               part would establish the requirement for                        treatment operations;                                 economic impacts associated with this
                                               owners or operators of vessels who are                             (4) The period of time during which                proposed rule. The table that follows
                                               issued a waiver by the Secretary of DOT                         the waiver for the vessel(s) is approved              provides a summary of the proposed
                                               to conduct certain aquaculture support                          including:                                            rule’s costs and benefits.

                                                                                                     TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED RULE’S IMPACTS
                                                                  Category                                                                                Summary

                                               Applicability .....................................   Owners or operators of vessels that are issued a waiver allowing a documented vessel with only a registry
                                                                                                        endorsement or a foreign-flagged vessel to be used in operations that treat aquaculture fish.
                                               Affected Population .........................         2 vessels.
                                               Costs to Industry and Government                      10-year: $808.98.
                                               ($, 7% discount rate) ......................          Annualized: $115.18.
                                               Unquantified Benefits ......................          Allows the Coast Guard to readily identify vessels with waivers to perform certain aquaculture support op-
                                                                                                        erations.
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                                                  On May 27, 2010, the U.S. Customs                            endorsed pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 12113                    Wellboats (or live fish carriers) were
                                               and Border Protection (CBP) ruled that                          (See CBP ruling HQ H105735). Title 46                 especially affected by this CBP ruling.
                                               aquaculture activities constitute                               U.S.C. 12113 limits employment in the                 Wellboats are highly specialized vessels
                                               ‘‘engag[ing] in the fisheries,’’ and is thus                    fisheries to a vessel issued a COD with               that are used to treat farmed salmon.
                                               within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. 108, for                        a fishery endorsement. This effectively               The wellboats are designed to service
                                               which a vessel must possess a                                   disqualifies any foreign-flagged vessel               large inventories of farmed salmon
                                               Certificate of Documentation (COD)                              from carrying out these activities.                   during the salt-water grow-out phase



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                                               45494                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                               and are specially equipped to protect                                         information on these requirements, refer                                      costs to the industry to provide copies
                                               the fish onboard the vessel. Direct                                           to § 106.120 Operational and                                                  of the waivers and the costs to the
                                               treatment aboard a wellboat is currently                                      Geographic Requirements.                                                      Government to process the information.
                                               the most efficient and effective method                                                                                                                     Waivers will be issued on an annual
                                                                                                                             Affected Population
                                               to treat salmon. If left untreated, salmon                                                                                                                  basis per DOT requirements. Owners or
                                               inventories can be destroyed and the                                             The Coast Guard determined the                                             operators of the vessels are required to
                                               industry can lose revenue. Currently, no                                      affected population based on the                                              provide copies of these waivers to the
                                               U.S.-flagged wellboats exist. The only                                        number of waiver requests from vessel                                         Coast Guard annually. Waivers are
                                               wellboats available to the U.S. salmon                                        owners and operators. Since the 2010                                          issued individually for each vessel
                                               aquaculture industry are foreign-flagged                                      CBP ruling, only one entity has applied                                       involved in aquaculture support
                                               vessels, which make the industry highly                                       for waivers for foreign-flagged wellboats                                     operations, and therefore, costs are
                                               dependent on foreign-flagged wellboats.                                       to treat salmon. This U.S. entity                                             estimated on a per vessel basis.
                                                  Through this rulemaking, the Coast                                         operates two foreign-flagged wellboats,
                                               Guard proposes to amend its regulations                                                                                                                     Industry Costs
                                                                                                                             and we anticipate that this entity will
                                               to implement Section 901(c) of the                                            continue to apply for waivers in the                                             The Coast Guard estimates it will take
                                               CGAA. Under that provision, the                                               future. Therefore, this proposed rule is                                      0.5 hours for a legal secretary to copy
                                               Secretary of DOT has the authority to                                         projected to affect one U.S. entity that                                      and send each waiver to the Coast
                                               issue a waiver allowing a documented                                          operates two vessels. Depending on the                                        Guard, via postal mail and electronic
                                               vessel with only a registry endorsement                                       growth of the salmon aquaculture                                              mail. The wage rate for a legal assistant
                                               or a foreign-flagged vessel to be used in                                     industry, there is the potential for the                                      was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of
                                               certain aquaculture support operations                                        number of affected vessels to increase in                                     Labor Statistics (BLS), using
                                               that treat or protect aquaculture fish                                        the future. However, current trends                                           Occupational Series 23–2011, Paralegals
                                               from disease, parasitic infestation, or                                       indicate no increase in growth in the                                         and Legal Assistants (May 2013). BLS
                                               other threats to their health if no                                           salmon aquaculture industry. Therefore,                                       reports that the mean hourly rate for a
                                               suitable U.S.-flagged vessel is available                                     we did not consider, in this analysis, an                                     legal assistant is $24.60.2 To account for
                                               to perform those services. Under this                                         annual increase in the number of                                              employee benefits, we use the load
                                               proposed rule, a vessel owner or                                              waivers that would be submitted to the                                        factor of 1.43, which we calculated from
                                               operator of a vessel who has been issued                                      Coast Guard.                                                                  June 2014 BLS data.3 The loaded wage
                                               a waiver by DOT to perform aquaculture                                                                                                                      rate for a legal assistant is estimated at
                                                                                                                             Costs
                                               support operations will be required to                                                                                                                      $35.18 per hour ($24.60 wage rate × 1.43
                                               notify and provide a copy of the waiver                                         In this proposed rule, owners or                                            load factor). The expected cost to
                                               to the Coast Guard. Through this                                              operators of foreign-flagged vessels,                                         industry to provide copies of the waiver
                                               rulemaking, we also propose to establish                                      which are issued waivers by DOT to                                            is $35.18 ($35.18 × 0.5 hours × 2
                                               operational and geographic                                                    conduct certain aquaculture support                                           vessels). Table 2 shows the total 10-year
                                               requirements for a vessel that is issued                                      operations, must notify the Coast Guard                                       cost of two affected vessels to be
                                               a waiver by DOT to perform aquaculture                                        that such waivers have been issued. The                                       $247.09 and annualized cost of $35.18,
                                               support operations. For more                                                  costs of this proposed rule include the                                       both discounted at 7 percent.

                                                                                                                      TABLE 2—TOTAL 10 YEAR COST TO INDUSTRY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Discount rate
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Undiscounted
                                                                                                                      Year                                                                                     costs                      7%           3%

                                               1 .....................................................................................................................................................                      $35.18        $32.88           $34.16
                                               2 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        30.73            33.16
                                               3 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        28.72            32.19
                                               4 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        26.84            31.26
                                               5 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        25.08            30.35
                                               6 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        23.44            29.46
                                               7 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        21.91            28.60
                                               8 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        20.48            27.77
                                               9 .....................................................................................................................................................                        35.18        19.14            26.96
                                               10 ...................................................................................................................................................                         35.18        17.88            26.18
                                                    Total ........................................................................................................................................                          351.80        247.09           300.09
                                               Annualized .....................................................................................................................................          ..............................    35.18            35.18
                                                  Note: Total may not add due to rounding.


                                               Government Costs                                                              fully loaded wage rate for a GS–13 is                                         Government cost of the proposed rule is
                                                 The Coast Guard estimates it will take                                      $80, per Commandant Instruction                                               $800. Table 3 shows the total
                                               0.5 hours per vessel for Coast Guard                                          7310.1P.4 The total cost for the Coast                                        Government 10-year discounted cost at
                                                                                                                             Guard is $80 [(0.5 hours ″ $80) × 2
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                                               personnel at the GS–13 level to record                                                                                                                      $561.89, and the annualized cost at $80,
                                               the information from the waivers. The                                         vessels]. The total 10-year undiscounted                                      both discounted at 7 percent.


                                                 2 Mean wage, http://www.bls.gov/oes/2013/may/                               employer compensation, and can be found at http://                              4 See http://www.uscg.mil/directives/ci/7000-

                                               oes232011.htm.                                                                www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/                                            7999/CI_ 7310_1P.pdf.
                                                 3 Employer Costs for Employee Compensation
                                                                                                                             ecec_09102014.htm.
                                               news release text provides information on the



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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                                                                    45495

                                                                                                                              TABLE 3—TOTAL GOVERNMENT COST
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Discount rate
                                                                                                                                                                                                               Undiscounted
                                                                                                                      Year                                                                                        costs                             7%               3%

                                               1 .....................................................................................................................................................                      $80.00                      $74.77          $77.67
                                               2 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      69.88           75.41
                                               3 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      65.30           73.21
                                               4 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      61.03           71.08
                                               5 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      57.04           69.01
                                               6 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      53.31           67.00
                                               7 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      49.82           65.05
                                               8 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      46.56           63.15
                                               9 .....................................................................................................................................................                        80.00                      43.51           61.31
                                               10 ...................................................................................................................................................                         80.00                      40.67           59.53
                                                    Total ........................................................................................................................................                          800.00                      561.89          682.42
                                               Annualized .....................................................................................................................................          ..............................                  80.00           80.00
                                                  Note: Total may not add due to rounding.


                                                 Table 4 displays the total costs on an                                      undiscounted cost of the proposed rule                                            annualized cost is $115.18, both
                                               undiscounted basis, and discounted at 7                                       is $1,151.80. The total 10-year (industry                                         discounted at 7 percent.
                                               percent and 3 percent interest rates,                                         and government) discounted cost of the
                                               respectively. The total 10-year                                               proposed rule is $808.98 and the

                                                                                                                   TABLE 4—TOTAL COSTS OF THE PROPOSED RULE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Total, discounted
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Total undiscounted
                                                                                                                         Year                                                                                             costs                            7%           3%

                                               1 ...........................................................................................................................................................                            $115.18           $107.64   $111.83
                                               2 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18           100.60    108.57
                                               3 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18            94.02    105.41
                                               4 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18            87.87    102.34
                                               5 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18            82.12     99.36
                                               6 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18            76.75     96.46
                                               7 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18            71.73     93.65
                                               8 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18            67.04     90.92
                                               9 ...........................................................................................................................................................                              115.18            62.65     88.28
                                               10 .........................................................................................................................................................                               115.18            58.55     85.70
                                                    Total ..............................................................................................................................................                               1,151.80            808.98    982.51
                                               Annualized ...........................................................................................................................................            ....................................      115.18    115.18
                                                  Note: Total may not add due to rounding.


                                               Benefits                                                                      waiver issued by DOT under the                                                    be affected by this rulemaking at this
                                                                                                                             authority of 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1).                                               time. This entity is neither a not-for-
                                                 This proposed rule does not provide                                                                                                                           profit nor a governmental organization.
                                               any quantitative benefits. However, it                                        B. Small Entities
                                                                                                                                                                                                               The North American Industry
                                               does have a qualitative benefit. It                                              Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act,                                          Classification System (NAICS) for this
                                               provides the Coast Guard with greater                                         5 U.S.C. 601–612, we have considered                                              entity is 424460, Fish and Seafood
                                               maritime domain awareness through the                                         whether this proposed rule would have                                             Merchant Wholesalers. An entity with
                                               proposed requirement that an owner or                                         a significant economic impact on a                                                this NAICS code is considered a small
                                               operator of a vessel who has received a                                       substantial number of small entities.                                             entity if it has less than 100 employees.
                                               waiver from DOT must submit a copy of                                         The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises                                             Using the small entity definition for the
                                               the waiver to the Coast Guard. The                                            small businesses, not-for-profit                                                  NAICS code, we determined the entity
                                               requirement to submit a copy of the                                           organizations that are independently                                              is classified as a small entity, since this
                                               waiver to the Coast Guard will ensure                                         owned and operated and are not                                                    entity has 40 employees. Table 5 shows
                                               that appropriate Coast Guard officials                                        dominant in their fields, and                                                     information on the U.S. entity classified
                                               are aware that foreign-flagged vessels or                                     governmental jurisdictions with                                                   as a small entity by NAICS code, and
                                               vessels with only registry endorsements                                       populations of less than 50,000.                                                  the small entity standard size
                                               are conducting aquaculture support                                               There is one U.S. entity that operates                                         established by the Small Business
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                                               activities in U.S waters pursuant to a                                        two foreign-flagged vessels that would                                            Administration.




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                                               45496                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                                                              TABLE 5—NAICS CODE AND SMALL ENTITIES SIZE STANDARDS
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Small business size stand-
                                                          NAICS Code                                                                   Description                                                                ard

                                               424460 .................................   Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers ....................................................................   Less than 100 employees.



                                                  We reviewed business revenue data                             wish to comment on actions by                                     Number of Respondents: The number
                                               provided by a publicly available                                 employees of the Coast Guard, call 1–                          of respondents is one per year.
                                               source 5 and found that this entity has                          888–REG–FAIR (1–888–734–3247).                                    Frequency of Response: Waivers are
                                               annual revenue estimated at $4,800,000.                                                                                         issued on an annual basis, so the
                                                                                                                D. Collection of Information
                                               Therefore, the expected burden on the                                                                                           frequency of response is one response
                                               company from this rulemaking is                                     This proposed rule would call for a                         per vessel, per year.
                                               estimated at less than 0.001 percent of                          new collection of information under the                           Burden of Response: The estimated
                                               total annual revenue.                                            Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44                            burden for each respondent is 0.5 hours
                                                  Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies                          U.S.C. 3501–3520. This collection is                           per vessel to copy waivers and send
                                               under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed                         explained below under ESTIMATE OF                              information to the Coast Guard.
                                               rule, if promulgated, will not have a                            TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN. As defined                                   Estimate of Total Annual Burden:
                                               significant economic impact on a                                 in 5 CFR 1320.3(c), ‘‘collection of                            There is currently one entity operating
                                               substantial number of small entities. If                         information’’ comprises reporting,                             two vessels that have been issued
                                               you think that your business,                                    recordkeeping, monitoring, posting,                            waivers. The total annual burden would
                                               organization, or governmental                                    labeling, and other, similar actions. The                      be 1 hour (0.5 hours × 2 vessels).
                                               jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity                         title and description of the information                       Assuming this task is performed by a
                                               and that this proposed rule would have                           collections, a description of those who                        legal assistant at a loaded hourly rate of
                                               a significant economic impact on it,                             must collect the information, and an                           $35.18, the annual cost burden for this
                                               please submit a comment to the Docket                            estimate of the total annual burden                            requirement is $35.18 ($35.18 loaded
                                               Management Facility at the address                               follow. The estimate covers the time for                       wage rate × 1 total entity hours).
                                               under ADDRESSES. In your comment,                                reviewing instructions, searching                                 We ask for public comment on the
                                               explain why you think it qualifies and                           existing sources of data, gathering and                        proposed collection of information to
                                               how and to what degree this proposed                             maintaining the data needed, and                               help us determine—
                                               rule would economically affect it.                               completing and reviewing the                                      (1) How useful the information is;
                                                                                                                collection.                                                       (2) Whether it can help us perform
                                               C. Assistance for Small Entities                                    Under the provisions of the proposed                        our functions better;
                                                  Under section 213(a) of the Small                             rule, an owner or operator of a vessel                            (3) Whether it is readily available
                                               Business Regulatory Enforcement                                  who is issued a waiver to conduct                              elsewhere;
                                               Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104–                            certain aquaculture support operations                            (4) How accurate our estimate of the
                                               121, we want to assist small entities in                         would notify the Coast Guard that such                         burden of collection is;
                                               understanding this proposed rule so that                         a waiver has been issued.                                         (5) How valid our methods for
                                               they can better evaluate its effects on                             Title: Requirements for Vessels that                        determining burden are;
                                               them and participate in the rulemaking.                          Perform Certain Aquaculture Support                               (6) How we can improve the quality,
                                               If you think that the proposed rule                              Operations                                                     usefulness, and clarity of the
                                               would affect your small business,                                   Summary of the Collection of                                information; and
                                               organization, or governmental                                    Information: An owner or operator of a                            (7) How we can minimize the burden
                                               jurisdiction and you have questions                              vessel who is issued a waiver to conduct                       of collection.
                                               concerning its provisions or options for                         certain aquaculture support operations                            If you submit comments on the
                                               compliance, please consult with the                              would be required to notify the Coast                          collection of information, submit them
                                               Coast Guard personnel listed under the                           Guard that such a waiver has been                              to both OMB and to the Docket
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT                                  issued.                                                        Management Facility where indicated
                                               section of this proposed rule. The Coast                            Need for Information: This                                  under ADDRESSES, by the date under
                                               Guard will not retaliate against small                           information is necessary to ensure that                        DATES.
                                               entities that question or complain about                         appropriate Coast Guard officials are                             You are not required to respond to a
                                               this proposed rule or any policy or                              aware that foreign-flagged vessels or                          collection of information unless it
                                               action of the Coast Guard.                                       documented vessels with only registry                          displays a currently valid control
                                                 Small businesses may send comments                             endorsements are conducting                                    number from OMB. Before we could
                                               on the actions of Federal employees                              aquaculture support activities in U.S.                         enforce the collection of information
                                               who enforce, or otherwise determine                              waters pursuant to waivers issued by                           requirements in this proposed rule,
                                               compliance with, Federal regulations to                          DOT under the authority of 46 U.S.C.                           OMB would need to approve our
                                               the Small Business and Agriculture                               12102(d)(1).                                                   request to collect this information.
                                               Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman                                    Proposed Use of Information: The
                                                                                                                Coast Guard would use this information                         E. Federalism
                                               and the Regional Small Business
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                                               Regulatory Fairness Boards. The                                  to ensure vessels operating in U.S.                               A rule has implications for federalism
                                               Ombudsman evaluates these actions                                waters in support of aquaculture are                           under E.O. 13132, Federalism, if it has
                                               annually and rates each agency’s                                 compliant with DOT’s requirement.                              a substantial direct effect on the States,
                                                                                                                   Description of the Respondents: The                         on the relationship between the national
                                               responsiveness to small business. If you
                                                                                                                respondents are owners or operators of                         government and the States, or on the
                                                 5 MANTA (http:// www.manta.com/ ) is an online                 vessels that are issued waivers to                             distribution of power and
                                               business service directory and search engine that                conduct certain aquaculture support                            responsibilities among the various
                                               provides business revenue and size data.                         operations.                                                    levels of government. We have analyzed


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                             45497

                                               this rule under that order and have                      Interference with Constitutionally                    M. Environment
                                               determined that it is consistent with the                Protected Property Rights.
                                               fundamental federalism principles and                                                                            We have analyzed this proposed rule
                                                                                                        H. Civil Justice Reform                               under Department of Homeland
                                               preemption requirements described in
                                               E.O. 13132. Our analysis is explained                      This proposed rule meets applicable                 Security Management Directive 023–01
                                               below.                                                   standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of             and Commandant Instruction
                                                  This proposed rule implements                         E.O. 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to                  M16475.lD, which guide the Coast
                                               Section 901(c) of the Coast Guard                        minimize litigation, eliminate                        Guard in complying with the National
                                               Authorization Act of 2010. Section                       ambiguity, and reduce burden.                         Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
                                               901(c) amends Section 12102 of Chapter                                                                         U.S.C. 4321–4370f, and have made a
                                                                                                        I. Protection of Children                             preliminary determination that this
                                               121 of 46 U.S.C. by adding a waiver of
                                               certain Federal vessel documentation                        We have analyzed this proposed rule                action is one of a category of actions that
                                               requirements for vessels performing                      under E.O. 13045, Protection of                       do not individually or cumulatively
                                               aquaculture support operations. Neither                  Children from Environmental Health                    have a significant effect on the human
                                               Section 901 nor Chapter 121 contains                     Risks and Safety Risks. This proposed                 environment. A preliminary
                                               authority for States to waive Federal                    rule is not an economically significant               environmental analysis checklist
                                               vessel documentation requirements.                       rule and would not create an                          supporting this determination is
                                               Additionally, while Chapter 121 does                     environmental risk to health or risk to               available in the docket where indicated
                                               not expressly prohibit States from                       safety that might disproportionately                  under the ‘‘Public Participation and
                                               having state titling systems, vessels that               affect children.                                      Request for Comments’’ section of this
                                               are required to be documented under                                                                            preamble. This proposed rule involves
                                                                                                        J. Indian Tribal Governments
                                               Chapter 121 cannot be simultaneously                                                                           vessels that have received waivers from
                                                                                                           This proposed rule does not have                   the DOT to perform certain aquaculture
                                               titled by a State or numbered by a State
                                                                                                        tribal implications under E.O. 13175,                 support operations in U.S. waters (or
                                               pursuant to Chapter 123 (see 46 U.S.C.
                                                                                                        Consultation and Coordination with                    could receive such waivers in the
                                               Section 12106). Therefore, the rule is
                                                                                                        Indian Tribal Governments, because it                 future) and the Coast Guard’s
                                               consistent with the principles of
                                                                                                        would not have a substantial direct                   notification and documentation
                                               federalism and preemption
                                                                                                        effect on one or more Indian tribes, on               requirements for those vessels. The
                                               requirements in E.O. 13132.
                                                                                                        the relationship between the Federal                  proposed rule entails administrative
                                                  While it is well settled that States may              Government and Indian tribes, or on the               activities, which pertain to regulations
                                               not regulate in categories in which                      distribution of power and                             concerning documentation of vessels,
                                               Congress intended the Coast Guard to be                  responsibilities between the Federal                  and collectively appear to fall under
                                               the sole source of a vessel’s obligations,               Government and Indian tribes.                         section 2.B.2 and Figure 2–1, paragraphs
                                               the Coast Guard recognizes the key role
                                                                                                        K. Energy Effects                                     (34)(a) and (d) of the Instruction. We
                                               that State and local governments may
                                                                                                                                                              seek any comments or information that
                                               have in making regulatory                                   We have analyzed this proposed rule                may lead to the discovery of a
                                               determinations. Additionally, for rules                  under E.O. 13211, Actions Concerning                  significant environmental impact
                                               with federalism implications and                         Regulations That Significantly Affect                 resulting from this proposed rule.
                                               preemptive effect, E.O. 13132                            Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We
                                               specifically directs agencies to consult                 have determined that it is not a                      List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 106
                                               with State and local governments during                  ‘‘significant energy action’’ under that
                                               the rulemaking process. If you believe                   order because it is not a ‘‘significant                 Aquaculture operations, Coastwise,
                                               this proposed rule has implications for                  regulatory action’’ under E.O. 12866 and              Fishing vessels, Registry endorsement,
                                               federalism under E.O. 13132, please                      is not likely to have a significant                   Waiver.
                                               contact the person listed in the FOR                     adverse effect on the supply,                           For the reasons discussed in the
                                               FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of                   distribution, or use of energy.                       preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to
                                               this preamble.                                                                                                 add 46 CFR part 106 to read as follows:
                                                                                                        L. Technical Standards
                                               F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                                                                                  Title 46—Shipping
                                                                                                           The National Technology Transfer
                                                  The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                      and Advancement Act, 15 U.S.C. 272                    PART 106—REQUIREMENTS FOR
                                               of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, requires                    note directs agencies to use voluntary                NON-QUALIFIED VESSELS THAT
                                               Federal agencies to assess the effects of                consensus standards in their regulatory               PERFORM CERTAIN AQUACULTURE
                                               their discretionary regulatory actions. In               activities unless the agency provides                 SUPPORT OPERATIONS
                                               particular, the Act addresses actions                    Congress, through OMB, with an
                                               that may result in the expenditure by a                  explanation of why using these                        Sec.
                                               State, local, or tribal government, in the               standards would be inconsistent with                  106.100 Purpose.
                                               aggregate, or by the private sector of                   applicable law or otherwise impractical.              106.105 Applicability.
                                               $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or                 Voluntary consensus standards are                     106.110 Definitions.
                                               more in any one year. Though this                        technical standards (e.g., specifications             106.115 Notification requirements.
                                               proposed rule would not result in such                   of materials, performance, design, or                 106.120 Operational and geographic
                                               an expenditure, we do discuss the                        operation; test methods; sampling                          requirements.
                                                                                                                                                              106.125 Penalties.
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                                               effects of this proposed rule elsewhere                  procedures; and related management
                                               in this preamble.                                        systems practices) that are developed or                Authority: Sec. 901(c)(2), Pub. L. 111–281,
                                                                                                        adopted by voluntary consensus                        124 Stat. 2905, Title IX; Department of
                                               G. Taking of Private Property                                                                                  Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
                                                                                                        standards bodies.
                                                 This proposed rule would not cause a                      This proposed rule does not use
                                                                                                                                                              § 106.100    Purpose.
                                               taking of private property or otherwise                  technical standards. Therefore, we did
                                               have taking implications under E.O.                      not consider the use of voluntary                       The regulations in this part
                                               12630, Governmental Actions and                          consensus standards.                                  implement 46 U.S.C. 12102(d).


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                                               45498                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                               § 106.105   Applicability.                               the period of time approved in the                    Case 2015–G508’’ on your attached
                                                  The regulations in this part apply to                 waiver issued by DOT.                                 document.
                                               a documented vessel with only a                             (b) Vessels conducting aquaculture                   • Mail: General Services
                                               registry endorsement or a foreign-                       support operations will, at all times,                Administration, Regulatory Secretariat
                                               flagged vessel that has been issued a                    maintain a copy of the waiver issued by               (MVCB), ATTN: Ms. Flowers, 1800 F
                                               waiver by DOT under 46 U.S.C.                            DOT on board the vessel as proof of its               Street NW., 2nd Floor, Washington, DC
                                               12102(d)(1), for the purpose of                          eligibility to conduct aquaculture                    20405.
                                               conducting aquaculture support                           support operations.                                      Instructions: Please submit comments
                                               operations.                                                                                                    only and cite GSAR Case 2015–G508, in
                                                                                                        § 106.125    Penalties.                               all correspondence related to this case.
                                               § 106.110   Definitions.                                   A vessel owner, operator, or charterer              All comments received will be posted
                                                  For the purpose of this part:                         not operating a vessel as required in this            without change to http://
                                                  Aquaculture support operations                        part is subject to penalty under 46                   www.regulations.gov, including any
                                               means activities that treat aquaculture                  U.S.C. 12151.                                         personal and/or business confidential
                                               fish for or protect aquaculture fish from                  Dated: July 23, 2015.                               information provided.
                                               disease, parasitic infestation, or other                 V.B. Gifford, Jr.,                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
                                               threats to their health.                                                                                       Christina Mullins, Program Analyst, at
                                                                                                        Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of
                                                                                                        Inspections and Compliance.                           202–969–4066 or email at
                                               § 106.115   Notification requirements.                                                                         Christina.Mullins@gsa.gov, for
                                                 (a) Prior to operating in U.S. waters,                 [FR Doc. 2015–18620 Filed 7–29–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                              clarification of content. For information
                                               a vessel owner, operator, or charterer                   BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
                                                                                                                                                              pertaining to status or publication
                                               that has been issued a waiver by DOT                                                                           schedules, contact the Regulatory
                                               to conduct aquaculture support                                                                                 Secretariat Division at 202–501–4755.
                                               operations must notify the Coast Guard                   GENERAL SERVICES                                      Please cite GSAR Case 2015–G508.
                                               in writing of its status. The notification               ADMINISTRATION                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               must include the following information:
                                                 (1) The vessel(s) name(s);                             48 CFR Parts 536 and 552                              I. Background
                                                 (2) The vessel’s official and/ or                      [GSAR Case 2015–G508; Docket No. 2005–                   GSA is proposing to amend the GSAR
                                               International Maritime Organization                      0013; Sequence No. 1]                                 to revise sections of GSAR part 536,
                                               number;                                                                                                        Construction and Architect-Engineer
                                                 (3) The geographic location within the                 RIN 3090–AJ57                                         Contracts, and part 552, Solicitation
                                               waters of the United States where the                                                                          Provisions and Contract Clauses, to
                                                                                                        General Services Administration
                                               vessel(s) will conduct treatment                                                                               remove unnecessary construction
                                                                                                        Acquisition Regulation (GSAR);
                                               operations;                                                                                                    clauses.
                                                                                                        Removal of Unnecessary Construction
                                                 (4) The period of time during which                                                                             The proposed rule includes the
                                                                                                        Clauses and Editorial Changes
                                               the waiver for the vessel(s) is approved                                                                       removal of one section and seven GSAR
                                               including:                                               AGENCY:  Office of Acquisition Policy,                subpart 536.5 supplemental provisions
                                                 (i) The start date (MM/ DD/ YYYY);                     General Services Administration (GSA).                and clauses that are now covered in the
                                               and                                                      ACTION: Proposed rule.                                Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or
                                                 (ii) The expiration date (MM/ DD/                                                                            are otherwise no longer necessary for
                                               YYYY); and                                               SUMMARY:   The General Services                       the agency.
                                                 (5) A copy of the DOT-approved                         Administration (GSA) is issuing a                        A GSA Acquisition Manual (GSAM)
                                               aquaculture waiver.                                      proposed rule amending the General                    rewrite initiative was undertaken by
                                                 (b) Written notification must be made                  Services Administration Acquisition                   GSA to revise the GSAM starting in
                                               to the Commandant (CG–CVC), ATTN:                        Regulation (GSAR) coverage on                         2008. A proposed rule to update GSAR
                                               Office of Commercial Vessel                              Construction and Architect-Engineer                   part 536, Construction and Architect-
                                               Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard Stop                        Contracts, including provisions and                   Engineer Contracts was initially
                                               7501, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.                        clauses for solicitations and resultant               published as GSAR Case 2008–G509 in
                                               Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593–                        contracts, to remove unnecessary                      the Federal Register at 73 FR 73199,
                                               7501, or by email to CG–CVC–3@                           regulations.                                          December 2, 2008. Due to the variety of
                                               uscg.mil.                                                                                                      issues addressed in the GSAR 536
                                                                                                        DATES:  Interested parties should submit
                                                                                                                                                              rewrite, and strong internal stakeholder
                                               § 106.120 Operational and geographic                     written comments to the Regulatory
                                                                                                                                                              interest, the agency re-evaluated the
                                               requirements.                                            Secretariat at one of the addressees
                                                                                                                                                              implementation plan for the GSAR 536
                                                 (a) Vessels with a DOT waiver, issued                  shown below on or before September
                                                                                                                                                              rewrite and withdrew this initial
                                               under 46 U.S.C. 12102(d)(1), for the                     28, 2015 to be considered in the
                                                                                                                                                              proposed rule. The initial proposed rule
                                               purpose of performing aquaculture                        formation of the final rule.
                                                                                                                                                              withdrawal was published in the
                                               support operations are subject to the                    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in                         Federal Register at 80 FR 6944,
                                               following restrictions:                                  response to GSAR Case 2015–G508 by                    February 9, 2015. GSAR Case 2015–
                                                 (1) Commercial operations other than                   any of the following methods:                         G508 is the first of several new GSAR
                                               operations that treat or protect                           • Regulations.gov: http://                          cases to separately address the issues
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                                               aquaculture fish are prohibited;                         www.regulations.gov. Submit comments                  and update the GSAR 536 text.
                                                 (2) While conducting aquaculture                       by searching for ‘‘GSAR Case 2015–
                                               support operations, vessels will operate                 G508’’. Select the link ‘‘Comment Now’’               II. Discussion and Analysis
                                               solely within the geographic location                    that corresponds with ‘‘GSAR Case                        The changes to the GSAM included in
                                               identified in the approved waiver issued                 2015–G508.’’ Follow the instructions                  the proposed rule are summarized
                                               by DOT; and                                              provided at the ‘‘Comment Now’’                       below:
                                                 (3) Vessels will not conduct                           screen. Please include your name,                        • GSAR subpart 536.1, General:
                                               aquaculture support operations beyond                    company name (if any), and ‘‘GSAR                     Revised to add language at GSAR


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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:30:06
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:30:06
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesComments and related material must either be submitted to our online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before October 28, 2015 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date. Comments sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on the collection of information must reach OMB on or before October 28, 2015.
ContactIf you have questions on this proposed rule, call or email Mr. David Belliveau, Fishing Vessels Division (CG- CVC-3), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1247, email [email protected]cg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
FR Citation80 FR 45491 
RIN Number1625-AC23
CFR AssociatedAquaculture Operations; Coastwise; Fishing Vessels; Registry Endorsement and Waiver

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