81_FR_23723 81 FR 23645 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Fixed-Gear Commercial Halibut and Sablefish Fisheries; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program; Cost Recovery Authorized Payment Methods

81 FR 23645 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Fixed-Gear Commercial Halibut and Sablefish Fisheries; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program; Cost Recovery Authorized Payment Methods

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 78 (April 22, 2016)

Page Range23645-23649
FR Document2016-09308

NMFS issues regulations to revise the authorized methods for payment of cost recovery fees for the Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Program and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program. These regulations are necessary to improve data security procedures and to reduce administrative costs of processing cost recovery fee payments. This final rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs, and other applicable laws.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 78 (Friday, April 22, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 78 (Friday, April 22, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23645-23649]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09308]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 679 and 680

[Docket No. 150904826-6336-02]
RIN 0648-BF35


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Fixed-Gear 
Commercial Halibut and Sablefish Fisheries; Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Crab Rationalization Program; Cost Recovery Authorized Payment 
Methods

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS issues regulations to revise the authorized methods for 
payment of cost recovery fees for the Halibut and Sablefish Individual 
Fishing Quota Program and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab 
Rationalization Program. These regulations are necessary to improve 
data security procedures and to reduce administrative costs of 
processing cost recovery fee payments. This final rule is intended to 
promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 
1982, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Management Area, the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, the Fishery Management Plan for 
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs, and other applicable 
laws.

DATES: Effective May 23, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the following documents are available 
from http://www.regulations.gov or from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site 
at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov:
     The Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (RIR/IRFA), the final Regulatory Impact Review 
(RIR), and the Categorical Exclusion prepared for this action.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this 
rule may be submitted by mail to NMFS Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Ellen Sebastian, Records Officer; in 
person at NMFS Alaska Region, 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, 
AK; by email to [email protected]; or by fax to 202-395-5806.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keeley Kent, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    NMFS published a proposed rule to revise the authorized methods for 
payment of cost recovery fees for the Halibut and Sablefish Individual 
Fishing Quota Program (IFQ Program) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) on December 31, 2015 
(80 FR 81798). The comment period on the proposed rule ended on 
February 1, 2016.

Background

    The following is a brief description of the IFQ Program and CR 
Program cost recovery and the authorized payment methods. For a more 
detailed description, please see Section 1.2 of the RIR (see ADDRESSES) 
and the preamble of the proposed rule (80 FR 81798, December 31, 2015) 
for this action.

[[Page 23646]]

Cost Recovery--General

    Section 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) specifies that the Secretary of 
Commerce is authorized, and shall collect a fee, to recover the actual 
costs directly related to the management, data collection, and 
enforcement of any limited access privilege program (LAPP) and 
community development quota program (CDQ) that allocates a percentage 
of the total allowable catch of a fishery to such program. Section 
304(d) also specifies that such fee shall not exceed three percent of 
the ex-vessel value of fish harvested under any such program.
    The IFQ Program is a LAPP as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 
NMFS implemented cost recovery for the IFQ Program in 2000 (65 FR 
14919, March 20, 2000). Regulations implementing IFQ Program cost 
recovery are located at Sec.  679.45. The CR Program is also a LAPP as 
defined in section 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Section 313(j) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides supplementary authority to section 
304(d) and additional detail for cost recovery provisions specific to 
the CR Program. NMFS implemented cost recovery with the final rule to 
implement the CR Program in 2005 (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005). 
Regulations implementing CR Program cost recovery are located at Sec.  
680.44.
    NMFS recovers the incremental costs of managing and enforcing the 
IFQ Program and CR Program annually through a fee paid by persons who 
hold a permit granting an exclusive access privilege to a portion of 
the total allowable catches in IFQ Program and CR Program fisheries. 
NMFS calculates cost recovery fees for fish (including crab) that are 
landed and deducted from the total allowable catch in the fisheries 
subject to cost recovery. NMFS annually calculates the cost recovery 
fee percentage for the halibut and sablefish IFQ Program and for the CR 
Program by dividing the total program costs for each program by the 
total ex-vessel value of the catch subject to the cost recovery fee for 
the current year. Section 1.2 of the RIR and the preamble of the 
proposed rule (80 FR 81798, December 31, 2015) for this action describe 
these processes in greater detail.

Cost Recovery for the IFQ Program

    The method used by NMFS to calculate the IFQ cost recovery fee 
percentage is described at Sec.  679.45(d)(2)(ii). The IFQ permit 
holder is responsible for submitting their cost recovery payment to 
NMFS on or before the due date of January 31 following the year in 
which the IFQ halibut and sablefish landings were made. Additional 
information on the administration of IFQ Program cost recovery is 
provided in Section 3.5.1.1 of the RIR.

Cost Recovery for the CR Program

    The method used by NMFS to calculate the CR Program cost recovery 
fee percentage is described at Sec.  680.44(c)(2). The Registered Crab 
Receiver (RCR) is responsible for submitting payment to NMFS on or 
before the due date of July 31, following the crab fishing year in 
which payment for the crab is made. Additional information on the 
administration of CR Program cost recovery is provided in Section 
3.5.2.2 of the RIR.

This Final Rule

    This final rule revises the authorized cost recovery fee payment 
methods for the IFQ and CR Programs by revising regulations at Sec.  
679.45(a)(4)(ii) through (iv), Sec.  680.5(g)(3)(iii), and Sec.  
680.44(a)(4)(iii) and (iv), and eliminates the option for IFQ permit 
holders and CR Program RCRs to submit credit card payment information 
by mail or facsimile upon the effective date of this final rule. Prior 
to this final rule, cost recovery regulations for the IFQ Program and 
CR Program (Sec.  679.45(a)(4)(iv) and Sec.  680.44(a)(4)(iv), 
respectively) allowed permit holders to pay their fee electronically or 
non-electronically in U.S. dollars by personal check drawn on a U.S. 
bank account, money order, bank-certified check, or credit card. 
Electronic payments could be made using credit card or electronic check 
via the pay.gov web-based system, or by wiring payment directly from 
the permit holder's financial institution via the Fedwire Funds Service 
(Fedwire) funds transfer system. Non-electronic payments could be made 
by submitting a paper form to NMFS with credit card information via 
mail or facsimile, or by submitting a paper check or money order via 
mail.
    Non-electronic submission of payment information to NMFS via mail 
or facsimile is less secure and results in higher administrative costs 
than electronic payments because it results in transmission of permit 
holders' financial information over the NMFS information network and 
requires NMFS to manually process payments. Before this final rule, 
permit holders could pay a cost recovery fee with a credit card by 
submitting a form via mail or facsimile with their credit card 
information to NMFS. Manual credit card processing results in the 
possession and transmission of IFQ Program and CR Program permit 
holders' credit card information over the NMFS information network. 
Manual credit card processing is a less secure method of payment than 
the permit holder directly entering their credit card information into 
pay.gov, and results in higher administrative costs for NMFS. 
Administrative costs to collect fees are subject to cost recovery. 
Therefore, the higher administrative costs to process credit cards 
manually results in an increased fee liability for the IFQ and CR 
Programs relative to electronic payments.
    This final rule also eliminates paper checks, money orders, and 
bank-certified checks as authorized payment methods beginning with the 
2020 cost recovery fee payment billing cycle. Payment with a paper 
check, money order, or bank-certified check can also increase 
administrative costs. Payment with paper check, money order, or bank 
certified check requires NMFS to manually update the internal cost 
recovery payment tracking system to reflect the payment. Discrepancies 
or errors between the cost recovery amount owed and the amount paid by 
check must be addressed by NMFS. Payment with paper check, money order, 
or bank-certified check results in higher administrative costs for 
NMFS, and those additional costs increase the fee liability for the IFQ 
and CR Programs relative to electronic payments.
    This final rule requires all permit holders to submit payments 
through pay.gov or Fedwire beginning with the IFQ Program cost recovery 
fee payment due by January 31, 2020, and beginning with the CR Program 
cost recovery fee payment due by July 31, 2020. All cost recovery fee 
payments must be made electronically for any payment made on or after 
the first day of the billing cycle for IFQ Program and CR Program cost 
recovery fee payments that will be due in 2020. NMFS will allow non-
electronic payments via paper check or money order until the 2020 cost 
recovery fee billing cycle to provide a transition period for permit 
holders to become familiar with, and begin transitioning to, electronic 
payment methods.
    Electronic payments via the pay.gov system and the Fedwire system 
are the most secure methods of transmitting financial information and 
result in the lowest administrative costs for NMFS. IFQ Program and CR 
Program permit holders can access pay.gov through the NMFS Alaska 
Region online system called eFISH. Pay.gov is operated by the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and offers the highest level of

[[Page 23647]]

security for the personal and financial information submitted to pay 
fees to NMFS. Pay.gov uses the latest industry-standard methods and 
encryption to safely collect, store, and transmit information that is 
submitted.
    Through pay.gov, permit holders can make cost recovery payments 
using a credit card, debit card, or direct debit (electronic check). 
Due to the transaction fee incurred by the Treasury, there is a payment 
limit of $24,999.99 on credit card transactions through pay.gov (see 
notice online at: http://tfm.fiscal.treasury.gov/v1/announc/a-14-04.html). There is currently no payment limit on debit card or direct 
debit payments. Payments made through pay.gov automatically update the 
NMFS internal cost recovery payment tracking system to reflect the 
payment.
    Permit holders may also make cost recovery fee payments through 
Fedwire. Fedwire is a real-time transfer system that allows financial 
institutions to electronically transfer funds. Fedwire allows wire 
transfers of fee payments from any bank or wire transfer service to 
NMFS to fulfill cost recovery fee obligations. Payments are processed 
individually through Fedwire, which uses a highly secure electronic 
network.
    Table 1 contains the implementation schedule for this final rule to 
revise authorized cost recovery fee payment methods.

          Table 1--Implementation Schedule for Changes to Authorized Cost Recovery Fee Payment Methods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 2016-2019 fee  payment    2020 and future year
             Payment type                 Current authorized        cycle authorized        fee-payment cycle
                                               options                  options             authorized options
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-electronic.......................  Credit card form.......
                                       Paper check............  Paper check............
                                       Money order............  Money order............
Electronic...........................  Pay.gov................  Pay.gov................  Pay.gov.
                                       Fedwire................  Fedwire................  Fedwire.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received no public comments on the proposed rule for this 
action.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    This final rule includes a change to the regulatory text and 
amendatory instructions published in the proposed rule. This final rule 
modifies amendatory instructions and removes Sec.  680.5(g)(3)(iii), 
which describes the requirement for RCRs to submit the fee submission 
form, includes a description of the authorized payment methods for 
RCRs, and includes a reference to payment methods that are modified by 
this final rule in Sec.  680.44(a)(4)(iv). Although the proposed rule 
did not include the removal of Sec.  680.5(g)(3)(iii), NMFS has 
determined that it would be inconsistent with the objectives of this 
action to include duplicative descriptions of the authorized payment 
methods for CR Program cost recovery within the regulations.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS 
Assistant Administrator has determined this final rule is consistent 
with the fishery management plans, other provisions of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a final regulatory flexibility 
analysis, the agency shall publish one or more guides to assist small 
entities in complying with the rule, and shall designate such 
publications as ``small entity compliance guides.'' The agency shall 
explain the actions a small entity is required to take to comply with a 
rule or group of rules. NMFS has posted a small entity compliance guide 
on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov) as 
a plain language guide to assist small entities in complying with this 
rule. Contact NMFS to request a hard copy of the guide (see ADDRESSES).

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA)

    Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires an agency to 
prepare a FRFA after being required by that section or any other law to 
publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking and when an agency 
promulgates a final rule under section 553 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code. 
The following paragraphs constitute the FRFA for this action. Section 
604 describes the required contents of a FRFA: (1) A statement of the 
need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) a statement of the 
significant issues raised by the public comments in response to the 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis, a statement of the assessment 
of the agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes made in 
the proposed rule as a result of such comments; (3) the response of the 
agency to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration in response to the proposed rule, and a 
detailed statement of any change made to the proposed rule in the final 
rule as a result of the comments; (4) a description of and an estimate 
of the number of small entities to which the rule will apply or an 
explanation of why no such estimate is available; (5) a description of 
the projected reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance 
requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the classes of small 
entities which will be subject to the requirement and the type of 
professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record; 
and (6) a description of the steps the agency has taken to minimize the 
significant economic impact on small entities consistent with the 
stated objectives of applicable statutes, including a statement of the 
factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the alternative 
adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other significant 
alternatives to the rule considered by the agency which affect the 
impact on small entities was rejected.

Need for and Objectives of the Rule

    The purpose of this rule is to improve security procedures for 
protecting financial information and to reduce costs associated with 
administering cost recovery. The current regulations for IFQ Program 
and the CR Program cost recovery allow permit holders to submit credit 
card information for manual credit card processing by NMFS. This 
results in the possession and electronic transmission of financial 
information on the NMFS information network, which

[[Page 23648]]

is a security vulnerability and an administrative cost to both the 
permit holder and to NMFS.
    This rule also reduces administrative costs for the IFQ Program and 
CR Program by eliminating other non-electronic payment methods that 
require manual processing. Manual processing of cost recovery fee 
payments made by check and money order generates significant costs for 
the administration of these programs. Eliminating these non-electronic 
payment methods from authorized payment method options reduces the 
staffing burden for processing cost recovery fee payments and further 
reduces the costs of administering cost recovery. Reduced 
administrative costs will result in lower overall fee liabilities for 
the IFQ and CR Programs.

Summary of Significant Issues Raised During Public Comment

    NMFS published a proposed rule to revise the authorized methods for 
payment of cost recovery fees for the IFQ Program and the CR Program on 
December 31, 2015 (80 FR 81798). The comment period on the proposed 
rule ended on February 1, 2016. An IRFA was prepared and summarized in 
the Classification section of the preamble to the proposed rule. NMFS 
received no comments on this proposed rule, the IRFA, or the economic 
impacts of this action generally. The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration did not file any comments on the proposed 
rule.

Number and Description of Small Entities Directly Regulated by the Rule

    The entities directly regulated by this rule are permit holders who 
make halibut and sablefish landings in the IFQ Program fisheries and 
RCRs who receive landings of crab in the CR Program fisheries. The 
universe of entities was defined based on who is directly billed by 
NMFS for cost recovery fees, and therefore who will be directly 
impacted by a change in the authorized payment methods.
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small commercial 
finfish fishing entity as one that has annual gross receipts, from all 
activities of all affiliates, of less than $20.5 million (79 FR 33647, 
June 12, 2014). All of the IFQ permit holders are considered to be 
commercial finfish fishing entities. Based upon available data, and 
more general information concerning the probable economic activity of 
vessels in the IFQ Program fisheries, no entity could have landed more 
than $20.5 million in combined gross receipts in 2014. Therefore, all 
2,038 IFQ permit holders are classified as small entities.
    For the CR Program, 18 RCRs were directly billed for cost recovery 
fee liabilities in the crab fishing year 2014/2015. These 18 RCRs 
include persons who operate as non-profit entities, seafood dealers 
that receive but do not process crab, shellfish harvesters, and seafood 
processors. Section 4.6 of the RIR/IRFA prepared for this rule 
describes how RCRs operating in these different categories were 
assessed under the SBA business size criteria (see ADDRESSES). The one 
RCR operating as a non-profit entity and the seven RCRs operating as 
seafood dealers were estimated to be small entities under the 
applicable SBA standard. One RCR operates as a catcher/processor and 
was evaluated under the shellfish harvesting size criteria. This RCR 
exceeds the entity size criterion of $5.5 million in combined annual 
gross receipts and does not qualify as a small business. Nine of the 18 
RCRs are shoreside processing entities and were evaluated under the 
seafood processor size criteria.
    At the time that NMFS conducted the analysis for the IRFA, the SBA 
defined a seafood processor as a small entity if that entity was 
independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field of 
operation, and had a combined annual employment of fewer than 500 
employees. On January 26, 2016, the SBA issued a final rule revising 
the small business size standards for several industries, effective 
February 26, 2016 (81 FR 4469). SBA's final rule modified the size 
standard for ``seafood product preparation and packaging'' (NAICS code 
311710) that applies to seafood processors. SBA's final rule modified 
the definition of a small entity operating as a seafood processor to 
include all entities that are independently owned and operated, not 
dominant in their field of operation, and have a combined annual 
employment of fewer than 750 employees. In this FRFA, NMFS has analyzed 
the nine RCRs operating as seafood processors using the revised 
definition of a small entity. The new definition of a small entity did 
not change the number of seafood processors classified as small. NMFS 
estimates that three of the nine RCRs classified as seafood processors 
are small entities. Cumulatively, NMFS estimates that 11 of the 18 RCRs 
operating across all of the business size categories are small 
entities.

Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements

    This rule requires modifications to the current recordkeeping and 
reporting requirements for IFQ Program and CR Program cost recovery in 
the Alaska Cost Recovery and Observer Fee collection (OMB Control 
Number 0648-0727). Specifically, this rule eliminates the option for 
payment by credit card using the paper fee submission form submitted to 
NMFS by mail or facsimile. Beginning with the 2020 cost recovery fee 
billing cycle, the paper fee submission form will be eliminated 
completely for the CR Program as permit holders will be required to 
submit all cost recovery fee payments electronically through the 
pay.gov or Fedwire systems. For the IFQ Program, beginning in 2020, the 
paper fee submission form will be revised to specify that all fee 
payments must be made electronically through pay.gov or the Fedwire 
systems.

Description of Significant Alternatives to This Rule That Minimize 
Economic Impacts on Small Entities

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that participants in LAPP and CDQ 
programs pay up to three percent of the ex-vessel value of the fish 
they are allocated to cover specific costs that are incurred by the 
management agencies as a direct result of implementing the programs. 
NMFS has identified this rule as necessary to improve data security 
procedures for permit holders' financial information and to reduce 
administrative costs of processing cost recovery payments. There are no 
alternatives that, consistent with applicable law, will accomplish the 
objectives of this rule and result in lower adverse economic impacts on 
directly regulated small entities.
    NMFS considered eliminating the submission of credit card payment 
information by phone, in person, facsimile, and mail and retaining the 
use of paper checks and money orders as authorized payment methods 
under Alternative 2 in the RIR. However, Alternative 2 failed to meet 
the objective of reducing administrative costs associated with 
administering cost recovery because processing these payments results 
in a greater staff burden than processing payments made by the pay.gov 
or Fedwire systems (see Section 3.7 of the RIR). NMFS also considered 
Alternative 3, which would have simultaneously implemented both the 
elimination of credit card payment by phone, in person, facsimile, and 
mail, and the elimination of paper check and money order payment (see 
Section 3.8 of the RIR). However, NMFS rejected Alternative 3 in favor 
of Alternative 3 Option 1, which provided accommodation for the 
transition costs to permit holders in complying with the

[[Page 23649]]

rule by delaying full implementation of the changes until the 
applicable cost recovery fee payment due date in 2020. NMFS determined 
that Alternative 3 Option 1 provides an opportunity for the permit 
holders to become familiar with either pay.gov or Fedwire and change to 
a new payment method. Additionally, Alternative 3 Option 1 spreads out 
any transition costs for NMFS staff in providing customer service to 
help permit holders affected by the change (see Section 3.8.1 of the 
RIR).

Collection-of-Information Requirements

    This final rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and which have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control 
number 0648-0727. Public reporting burden per response is estimated to 
average one minute for electronic fee submission and 30 minutes for 
non-electronic fee submission. Estimates for public reporting burden 
include the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection of information.
    Send comments regarding these burden estimates or any other aspect 
of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, 
to NMFS (see ADDRESSES), and by email to [email protected] or 
fax to 202-395-5806. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no 
person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject 
to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. All currently approved 
NOAA collections of information may be viewed at: http://www.cio.noaa.gov/services_programs/prasubs.html.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 679 and 680

    Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: April 15, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR parts 
679 and 680 as follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

0
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 679 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et seq.; 3631 et seq.; 
Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 111-281.


0
2. In Sec.  679.45, revise paragraphs (a)(4)(ii) through (iv) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  679.45  IFQ cost recovery program.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (ii) Payment recipient. Make payment payable to NMFS.
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments may be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the IFQ permit holder.
    (iv) Payment method--(A) Prior to December 1, 2019, payment must be 
made in U.S. dollars by personal check drawn on a U.S. bank account, 
money order, bank-certified check, or electronically by credit card.
    (B) On or after December 1, 2019, payment must be made 
electronically in U.S. dollars by automated clearing house, credit 
card, or electronic check drawn on a U.S. bank account.
* * * * *

PART 680--SHELLFISH FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF 
ALASKA

0
3. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 680 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 109-479.


Sec.  680.5  [Amended]

0
4. In Sec.  680.5, remove paragraph (g)(3)(iii).

0
5. In Sec.  680.44, revise paragraphs (a)(4)(iii) and (iv) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  680.44  Cost recovery.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as 
instructed on the fee submission form. Payments may be made 
electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be 
made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary 
letter mailed to the RCR permit holder.
    (iv) Payment method--(A) Prior to June 1, 2020, payment must be 
made in U.S. dollars by personal check drawn on a U.S. bank account, 
money order, bank-certified check, or electronically by credit card.
    (B) On or after June 1, 2020, payment must be made electronically 
in U.S. dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic 
check drawn on a U.S. bank account.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-09308 Filed 4-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                        23645

                                                  K. Congressional Review Act                             § 80.1616    Credit use and transfer.                 payment of cost recovery fees for the
                                                                                                            (a) * * *                                           Halibut and Sablefish Individual
                                                    This action is subject to the CRA, and                  (4) [Reserved]                                      Fishing Quota Program and the Bering
                                                  EPA will submit a rule report to each
                                                                                                          *      *    *     *      *                            Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab
                                                  House of the Congress and to the
                                                                                                            (b) * * *                                           Rationalization Program. These
                                                  Comptroller General of the United
                                                                                                            (2) Credits generated under                         regulations are necessary to improve
                                                  States. This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’
                                                                                                          § 80.1615(b) through (d) are valid for use            data security procedures and to reduce
                                                  as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                                                                          for five years after the year in which                administrative costs of processing cost
                                                  List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 80                      they are generated, except that any CRa               recovery fee payments. This final rule is
                                                                                                          credits generated in 2015 and 2016 and                intended to promote the goals and
                                                    Environmental protection,                             any remaining CRT2 credits will expire                objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens
                                                  Administrative practice and procedure,                  and become invalid after December 31,                 Fishery Conservation and Management
                                                  Air pollution control, Confidential                     2019 (with the 2019 annual compliance                 Act, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of
                                                  business information, Diesel fuel, Fuel                 report, due March 31, 2020).                          1982, the Fishery Management Plan for
                                                  additives, Gasoline, Imports, Penalties,                                                                      Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
                                                  Petroleum, Reporting and recordkeeping                  *      *    *     *      *
                                                                                                          ■ 4. Section 80.1621 is amended by
                                                                                                                                                                Aleutian Islands Management Area, the
                                                  requirements.                                                                                                 Fishery Management Plan for
                                                                                                          adding and reserving paragraph (c) and
                                                    Dated: April 12, 2016.                                                                                      Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, the
                                                                                                          adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:
                                                  Gina McCarthy,                                                                                                Fishery Management Plan for Bering
                                                  Administrator.                                          § 80.1621    Small volume refinery definition.        Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner
                                                                                                          *     *      *    *     *                             Crabs, and other applicable laws.
                                                    For the reasons set forth in the
                                                  preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR part 80                       (c) [Reserved]                                      DATES: Effective May 23, 2016.
                                                                                                            (d)(1) A refinery approved as a small               ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the
                                                  as follows:
                                                                                                          volume refinery under § 80.1622 that                  following documents are available from
                                                  PART 80—REGULATION OF FUELS                             subsequently ceases production of                     http://www.regulations.gov or from the
                                                  AND FUEL ADDITIVES                                      gasoline from processing crude oil                    NMFS Alaska Region Web site at
                                                                                                          through refinery processing units or                  http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov:
                                                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 80                 exceeds the 75,000 barrel average                       • The Regulatory Impact Review/
                                                  continues to read as follows:                           aggregate daily crude oil throughput                  Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                          limit is disqualified as a small volume               (RIR/IRFA), the final Regulatory Impact
                                                    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7414, 7521, 7542,
                                                  7545, and 7601(a).
                                                                                                          refinery. If such disqualification occurs,            Review (RIR), and the Categorical
                                                                                                          the refinery shall notify EPA in writing              Exclusion prepared for this action.
                                                  Subpart M—Renewable Fuel Standard                       no later than 20 days following the                     Written comments regarding the
                                                                                                          disqualifying event.                                  burden-hour estimates or other aspects
                                                  ■ 2. Section 80.1453 is amended by                        (2) Any refinery whose status changes               of the collection-of-information
                                                  revising paragraphs (a) introductory text               under this paragraph (d) shall meet the               requirements contained in this rule may
                                                  and (a)(12) introductory text to read as                applicable standards of § 80.1603 within              be submitted by mail to NMFS Alaska
                                                  follows:                                                a period of up to 30 months from the                  Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
                                                                                                          disqualifying event.                                  99802–1668, Attn: Ellen Sebastian,
                                                  § 80.1453 What are the product transfer                 [FR Doc. 2016–08912 Filed 4–21–16; 8:45 am]           Records Officer; in person at NMFS
                                                  document (PTD) requirements for the RFS
                                                                                                          BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                Alaska Region, 709 West 9th Street,
                                                  program?
                                                                                                                                                                Room 420A, Juneau, AK; by email to
                                                     (a) On each occasion when any party                                                                        OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov; or by
                                                  transfers ownership of neat and/or                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                fax to 202–395–5806.
                                                  blended renewable fuels, except when                                                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  such fuel is dispensed into motor                       National Oceanic and Atmospheric                      Keeley Kent, 907–586–7228.
                                                  vehicles or nonroad vehicles, engines,                  Administration                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  or equipment, or separated RINs subject                                                                         NMFS published a proposed rule to
                                                  to this subpart, the transferor must                    50 CFR Parts 679 and 680                              revise the authorized methods for
                                                  provide to the transferee documents that                                                                      payment of cost recovery fees for the
                                                  include all of the following information,               [Docket No. 150904826–6336–02]
                                                                                                                                                                Halibut and Sablefish Individual
                                                  as applicable:                                          RIN 0648–BF35                                         Fishing Quota Program (IFQ Program)
                                                  *      *     *     *    *                                                                                     and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
                                                     (12) For the transfer of renewable fuel              Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
                                                                                                                                                                Crab Rationalization Program (CR
                                                  for which RINs were generated, an                       Zone Off Alaska; Fixed-Gear
                                                                                                                                                                Program) on December 31, 2015 (80 FR
                                                  accurate and clear statement on the                     Commercial Halibut and Sablefish
                                                                                                                                                                81798). The comment period on the
                                                  product transfer document of the fuel                   Fisheries; Bering Sea and Aleutian
                                                                                                                                                                proposed rule ended on February 1,
                                                  type from Table 1 to § 80.1426, and                     Islands Crab Rationalization Program;
                                                                                                                                                                2016.
                                                  designation of the fuel use(s) intended                 Cost Recovery Authorized Payment
                                                  by the transferor, as follows:                          Methods                                               Background
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  *      *     *     *    *                               AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                      The following is a brief description of
                                                                                                          Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                  the IFQ Program and CR Program cost
                                                  Subpart O—Gasoline Sulfur                               Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                    recovery and the authorized payment
                                                                                                          Commerce.                                             methods. For a more detailed
                                                  ■ 3. Section 80.1616 is amended by                      ACTION: Final rule.                                   description, please see Section 1.2 of the
                                                  adding and reserving paragraph (a)(4)                                                                         RIR (see ADDRESSES) and the preamble
                                                  and revising paragraph (b)(2) to read as                SUMMARY:   NMFS issues regulations to                 of the proposed rule (80 FR 81798,
                                                  follows:                                                revise the authorized methods for                     December 31, 2015) for this action.


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                                                  23646                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  Cost Recovery—General                                   the due date of January 31 following the              card processing results in the possession
                                                     Section 304(d) of the Magnuson-                      year in which the IFQ halibut and                     and transmission of IFQ Program and
                                                  Stevens Fishery Conservation and                        sablefish landings were made.                         CR Program permit holders’ credit card
                                                  Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens                        Additional information on the                         information over the NMFS information
                                                  Act) specifies that the Secretary of                    administration of IFQ Program cost                    network. Manual credit card processing
                                                  Commerce is authorized, and shall                       recovery is provided in Section 3.5.1.1               is a less secure method of payment than
                                                  collect a fee, to recover the actual costs              of the RIR.                                           the permit holder directly entering their
                                                  directly related to the management, data                                                                      credit card information into pay.gov,
                                                                                                          Cost Recovery for the CR Program
                                                                                                                                                                and results in higher administrative
                                                  collection, and enforcement of any                        The method used by NMFS to                          costs for NMFS. Administrative costs to
                                                  limited access privilege program (LAPP)                 calculate the CR Program cost recovery                collect fees are subject to cost recovery.
                                                  and community development quota                         fee percentage is described at                        Therefore, the higher administrative
                                                  program (CDQ) that allocates a                          § 680.44(c)(2). The Registered Crab                   costs to process credit cards manually
                                                  percentage of the total allowable catch                 Receiver (RCR) is responsible for                     results in an increased fee liability for
                                                  of a fishery to such program. Section                   submitting payment to NMFS on or                      the IFQ and CR Programs relative to
                                                  304(d) also specifies that such fee shall               before the due date of July 31, following             electronic payments.
                                                  not exceed three percent of the ex-vessel               the crab fishing year in which payment                   This final rule also eliminates paper
                                                  value of fish harvested under any such                  for the crab is made. Additional                      checks, money orders, and bank-
                                                  program.                                                information on the administration of CR               certified checks as authorized payment
                                                     The IFQ Program is a LAPP as defined                 Program cost recovery is provided in                  methods beginning with the 2020 cost
                                                  in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. NMFS                       Section 3.5.2.2 of the RIR.                           recovery fee payment billing cycle.
                                                  implemented cost recovery for the IFQ                                                                         Payment with a paper check, money
                                                  Program in 2000 (65 FR 14919, March                     This Final Rule
                                                                                                                                                                order, or bank-certified check can also
                                                  20, 2000). Regulations implementing                        This final rule revises the authorized             increase administrative costs. Payment
                                                  IFQ Program cost recovery are located at                cost recovery fee payment methods for                 with paper check, money order, or bank
                                                  § 679.45. The CR Program is also a LAPP                 the IFQ and CR Programs by revising                   certified check requires NMFS to
                                                  as defined in section 304(d) of the                     regulations at § 679.45(a)(4)(ii) through             manually update the internal cost
                                                  Magnuson-Stevens Act. Section 313(j) of                 (iv), § 680.5(g)(3)(iii), and                         recovery payment tracking system to
                                                  the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides                       § 680.44(a)(4)(iii) and (iv), and                     reflect the payment. Discrepancies or
                                                  supplementary authority to section                      eliminates the option for IFQ permit                  errors between the cost recovery amount
                                                  304(d) and additional detail for cost                   holders and CR Program RCRs to submit                 owed and the amount paid by check
                                                  recovery provisions specific to the CR                  credit card payment information by mail               must be addressed by NMFS. Payment
                                                  Program. NMFS implemented cost                          or facsimile upon the effective date of               with paper check, money order, or bank-
                                                  recovery with the final rule to                         this final rule. Prior to this final rule,            certified check results in higher
                                                  implement the CR Program in 2005 (70                    cost recovery regulations for the IFQ                 administrative costs for NMFS, and
                                                  FR 10174, March 2, 2005). Regulations                   Program and CR Program                                those additional costs increase the fee
                                                  implementing CR Program cost recovery                   (§ 679.45(a)(4)(iv) and § 680.44(a)(4)(iv),           liability for the IFQ and CR Programs
                                                  are located at § 680.44.                                respectively) allowed permit holders to               relative to electronic payments.
                                                     NMFS recovers the incremental costs                  pay their fee electronically or non-                     This final rule requires all permit
                                                  of managing and enforcing the IFQ                       electronically in U.S. dollars by                     holders to submit payments through
                                                  Program and CR Program annually                         personal check drawn on a U.S. bank                   pay.gov or Fedwire beginning with the
                                                  through a fee paid by persons who hold                  account, money order, bank-certified                  IFQ Program cost recovery fee payment
                                                  a permit granting an exclusive access                   check, or credit card. Electronic                     due by January 31, 2020, and beginning
                                                  privilege to a portion of the total                     payments could be made using credit                   with the CR Program cost recovery fee
                                                  allowable catches in IFQ Program and                    card or electronic check via the pay.gov              payment due by July 31, 2020. All cost
                                                  CR Program fisheries. NMFS calculates                   web-based system, or by wiring                        recovery fee payments must be made
                                                  cost recovery fees for fish (including                  payment directly from the permit                      electronically for any payment made on
                                                  crab) that are landed and deducted from                 holder’s financial institution via the                or after the first day of the billing cycle
                                                  the total allowable catch in the fisheries              Fedwire Funds Service (Fedwire) funds                 for IFQ Program and CR Program cost
                                                  subject to cost recovery. NMFS annually                 transfer system. Non-electronic                       recovery fee payments that will be due
                                                  calculates the cost recovery fee                        payments could be made by submitting                  in 2020. NMFS will allow non-
                                                  percentage for the halibut and sablefish                a paper form to NMFS with credit card                 electronic payments via paper check or
                                                  IFQ Program and for the CR Program by                   information via mail or facsimile, or by              money order until the 2020 cost
                                                  dividing the total program costs for each               submitting a paper check or money                     recovery fee billing cycle to provide a
                                                  program by the total ex-vessel value of                 order via mail.                                       transition period for permit holders to
                                                  the catch subject to the cost recovery fee                 Non-electronic submission of                       become familiar with, and begin
                                                  for the current year. Section 1.2 of the                payment information to NMFS via mail                  transitioning to, electronic payment
                                                  RIR and the preamble of the proposed                    or facsimile is less secure and results in            methods.
                                                  rule (80 FR 81798, December 31, 2015)                   higher administrative costs than                         Electronic payments via the pay.gov
                                                  for this action describe these processes                electronic payments because it results in             system and the Fedwire system are the
                                                  in greater detail.                                      transmission of permit holders’                       most secure methods of transmitting
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                          financial information over the NMFS                   financial information and result in the
                                                  Cost Recovery for the IFQ Program                       information network and requires                      lowest administrative costs for NMFS.
                                                     The method used by NMFS to                           NMFS to manually process payments.                    IFQ Program and CR Program permit
                                                  calculate the IFQ cost recovery fee                     Before this final rule, permit holders                holders can access pay.gov through the
                                                  percentage is described at                              could pay a cost recovery fee with a                  NMFS Alaska Region online system
                                                  § 679.45(d)(2)(ii). The IFQ permit holder               credit card by submitting a form via                  called eFISH. Pay.gov is operated by the
                                                  is responsible for submitting their cost                mail or facsimile with their credit card              U.S. Department of the Treasury
                                                  recovery payment to NMFS on or before                   information to NMFS. Manual credit                    (Treasury) and offers the highest level of


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                                           23647

                                                  security for the personal and financial                                  pay.gov (see notice online at: http://                               electronically transfer funds. Fedwire
                                                  information submitted to pay fees to                                     tfm.fiscal.treasury.gov/v1/announc/a-                                allows wire transfers of fee payments
                                                  NMFS. Pay.gov uses the latest industry-                                  14-04.html). There is currently no                                   from any bank or wire transfer service
                                                  standard methods and encryption to                                       payment limit on debit card or direct                                to NMFS to fulfill cost recovery fee
                                                  safely collect, store, and transmit                                      debit payments. Payments made                                        obligations. Payments are processed
                                                  information that is submitted.                                           through pay.gov automatically update                                 individually through Fedwire, which
                                                     Through pay.gov, permit holders can                                   the NMFS internal cost recovery                                      uses a highly secure electronic network.
                                                  make cost recovery payments using a                                      payment tracking system to reflect the
                                                  credit card, debit card, or direct debit                                 payment.                                                                Table 1 contains the implementation
                                                  (electronic check). Due to the                                             Permit holders may also make cost                                  schedule for this final rule to revise
                                                  transaction fee incurred by the Treasury,                                recovery fee payments through Fedwire.                               authorized cost recovery fee payment
                                                  there is a payment limit of $24,999.99                                   Fedwire is a real-time transfer system                               methods.
                                                  on credit card transactions through                                      that allows financial institutions to

                                                         TABLE 1—IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR CHANGES TO AUTHORIZED COST RECOVERY FEE PAYMENT METHODS
                                                                                                                                                                                         2016–2019 fee                        2020 and future year
                                                                                 Payment type                                            Current authorized options                       payment cycle                        fee–payment cycle
                                                                                                                                                                                        authorized options                     authorized options

                                                  Non-electronic ..................................................................      Credit card form.
                                                                                                                                         Paper check ......................       Paper check.
                                                                                                                                         Money order ......................       Money order.
                                                  Electronic .........................................................................   Pay.gov ..............................   Pay.gov ..............................   Pay.gov.
                                                                                                                                         Fedwire ..............................   Fedwire ..............................   Fedwire.



                                                  Comments and Responses                                                   required to prepare a final regulatory                               Business Administration in response to
                                                    NMFS received no public comments                                       flexibility analysis, the agency shall                               the proposed rule, and a detailed
                                                  on the proposed rule for this action.                                    publish one or more guides to assist                                 statement of any change made to the
                                                                                                                           small entities in complying with the                                 proposed rule in the final rule as a
                                                  Changes From the Proposed Rule                                           rule, and shall designate such                                       result of the comments; (4) a description
                                                    This final rule includes a change to                                   publications as ‘‘small entity                                       of and an estimate of the number of
                                                  the regulatory text and amendatory                                       compliance guides.’’ The agency shall                                small entities to which the rule will
                                                  instructions published in the proposed                                   explain the actions a small entity is                                apply or an explanation of why no such
                                                  rule. This final rule modifies                                           required to take to comply with a rule                               estimate is available; (5) a description of
                                                  amendatory instructions and removes                                      or group of rules. NMFS has posted a                                 the projected reporting, recordkeeping
                                                  § 680.5(g)(3)(iii), which describes the                                  small entity compliance guide on the                                 and other compliance requirements of
                                                  requirement for RCRs to submit the fee                                   NMFS Alaska Region Web site (http://                                 the rule, including an estimate of the
                                                  submission form, includes a description                                  alaskafisheries.noaa.gov) as a plain                                 classes of small entities which will be
                                                  of the authorized payment methods for                                    language guide to assist small entities in                           subject to the requirement and the type
                                                  RCRs, and includes a reference to                                        complying with this rule. Contact NMFS                               of professional skills necessary for
                                                  payment methods that are modified by                                     to request a hard copy of the guide (see                             preparation of the report or record; and
                                                  this final rule in § 680.44(a)(4)(iv).                                   ADDRESSES).                                                          (6) a description of the steps the agency
                                                  Although the proposed rule did not                                                                                                            has taken to minimize the significant
                                                  include the removal of § 680.5(g)(3)(iii),                               Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                                economic impact on small entities
                                                  NMFS has determined that it would be                                     (FRFA)                                                               consistent with the stated objectives of
                                                  inconsistent with the objectives of this                                    Section 604 of the Regulatory                                     applicable statutes, including a
                                                  action to include duplicative                                            Flexibility Act requires an agency to                                statement of the factual, policy, and
                                                  descriptions of the authorized payment                                   prepare a FRFA after being required by                               legal reasons for selecting the alternative
                                                  methods for CR Program cost recovery                                     that section or any other law to publish                             adopted in the final rule and why each
                                                  within the regulations.                                                                                                                       one of the other significant alternatives
                                                                                                                           a general notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                  Classification                                                           and when an agency promulgates a final                               to the rule considered by the agency
                                                                                                                           rule under section 553 of Title 5 of the                             which affect the impact on small
                                                     Pursuant to section 305(d) of the                                                                                                          entities was rejected.
                                                  Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS                                           U.S. Code. The following paragraphs
                                                  Assistant Administrator has determined                                   constitute the FRFA for this action.                                 Need for and Objectives of the Rule
                                                  this final rule is consistent with the                                   Section 604 describes the required
                                                  fishery management plans, other                                          contents of a FRFA: (1) A statement of                                  The purpose of this rule is to improve
                                                  provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens                                       the need for, and objectives of, the rule;                           security procedures for protecting
                                                  Act, and other applicable law.                                           (2) a statement of the significant issues                            financial information and to reduce
                                                     This final rule has been determined to                                raised by the public comments in                                     costs associated with administering cost
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  be not significant for purposes of                                       response to the initial regulatory                                   recovery. The current regulations for
                                                  Executive Order 12866.                                                   flexibility analysis, a statement of the                             IFQ Program and the CR Program cost
                                                                                                                           assessment of the agency of such issues,                             recovery allow permit holders to submit
                                                  Small Entity Compliance Guide                                            and a statement of any changes made in                               credit card information for manual
                                                    Section 212 of the Small Business                                      the proposed rule as a result of such                                credit card processing by NMFS. This
                                                  Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of                                   comments; (3) the response of the                                    results in the possession and electronic
                                                  1996 states that, for each rule or group                                 agency to any comments filed by the                                  transmission of financial information on
                                                  of related rules for which an agency is                                  Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small                              the NMFS information network, which


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                                                  23648                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  is a security vulnerability and an                      2,038 IFQ permit holders are classified               requirements for IFQ Program and CR
                                                  administrative cost to both the permit                  as small entities.                                    Program cost recovery in the Alaska
                                                  holder and to NMFS.                                        For the CR Program, 18 RCRs were                   Cost Recovery and Observer Fee
                                                     This rule also reduces administrative                directly billed for cost recovery fee                 collection (OMB Control Number 0648–
                                                  costs for the IFQ Program and CR                        liabilities in the crab fishing year 2014/            0727). Specifically, this rule eliminates
                                                  Program by eliminating other non-                       2015. These 18 RCRs include persons                   the option for payment by credit card
                                                  electronic payment methods that require                 who operate as non-profit entities,                   using the paper fee submission form
                                                  manual processing. Manual processing                    seafood dealers that receive but do not               submitted to NMFS by mail or facsimile.
                                                  of cost recovery fee payments made by                   process crab, shellfish harvesters, and               Beginning with the 2020 cost recovery
                                                  check and money order generates                         seafood processors. Section 4.6 of the                fee billing cycle, the paper fee
                                                  significant costs for the administration                RIR/IRFA prepared for this rule                       submission form will be eliminated
                                                  of these programs. Eliminating these                    describes how RCRs operating in these                 completely for the CR Program as permit
                                                  non-electronic payment methods from                     different categories were assessed under              holders will be required to submit all
                                                  authorized payment method options                       the SBA business size criteria (see                   cost recovery fee payments
                                                  reduces the staffing burden for                         ADDRESSES). The one RCR operating as                  electronically through the pay.gov or
                                                  processing cost recovery fee payments                   a non-profit entity and the seven RCRs                Fedwire systems. For the IFQ Program,
                                                  and further reduces the costs of                        operating as seafood dealers were                     beginning in 2020, the paper fee
                                                  administering cost recovery. Reduced                    estimated to be small entities under the              submission form will be revised to
                                                  administrative costs will result in lower               applicable SBA standard. One RCR                      specify that all fee payments must be
                                                  overall fee liabilities for the IFQ and CR              operates as a catcher/processor and was               made electronically through pay.gov or
                                                  Programs.                                               evaluated under the shellfish harvesting              the Fedwire systems.
                                                                                                          size criteria. This RCR exceeds the
                                                  Summary of Significant Issues Raised                                                                          Description of Significant Alternatives
                                                                                                          entity size criterion of $5.5 million in
                                                  During Public Comment                                                                                         to This Rule That Minimize Economic
                                                                                                          combined annual gross receipts and
                                                    NMFS published a proposed rule to                     does not qualify as a small business.                 Impacts on Small Entities
                                                  revise the authorized methods for                       Nine of the 18 RCRs are shoreside                        The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires
                                                  payment of cost recovery fees for the                   processing entities and were evaluated                that participants in LAPP and CDQ
                                                  IFQ Program and the CR Program on                       under the seafood processor size                      programs pay up to three percent of the
                                                  December 31, 2015 (80 FR 81798). The                    criteria.                                             ex-vessel value of the fish they are
                                                  comment period on the proposed rule                        At the time that NMFS conducted the                allocated to cover specific costs that are
                                                  ended on February 1, 2016. An IRFA                      analysis for the IRFA, the SBA defined                incurred by the management agencies as
                                                  was prepared and summarized in the                      a seafood processor as a small entity if              a direct result of implementing the
                                                  Classification section of the preamble to               that entity was independently owned                   programs. NMFS has identified this rule
                                                  the proposed rule. NMFS received no                     and operated, not dominant in its field               as necessary to improve data security
                                                  comments on this proposed rule, the                     of operation, and had a combined                      procedures for permit holders’ financial
                                                  IRFA, or the economic impacts of this                   annual employment of fewer than 500                   information and to reduce
                                                  action generally. The Chief Counsel for                 employees. On January 26, 2016, the                   administrative costs of processing cost
                                                  Advocacy of the Small Business                          SBA issued a final rule revising the                  recovery payments. There are no
                                                  Administration did not file any                         small business size standards for several             alternatives that, consistent with
                                                  comments on the proposed rule.                          industries, effective February 26, 2016               applicable law, will accomplish the
                                                                                                          (81 FR 4469). SBA’s final rule modified               objectives of this rule and result in
                                                  Number and Description of Small
                                                                                                          the size standard for ‘‘seafood product               lower adverse economic impacts on
                                                  Entities Directly Regulated by the Rule                                                                       directly regulated small entities.
                                                                                                          preparation and packaging’’ (NAICS
                                                     The entities directly regulated by this              code 311710) that applies to seafood                     NMFS considered eliminating the
                                                  rule are permit holders who make                        processors. SBA’s final rule modified                 submission of credit card payment
                                                  halibut and sablefish landings in the                   the definition of a small entity operating            information by phone, in person,
                                                  IFQ Program fisheries and RCRs who                      as a seafood processor to include all                 facsimile, and mail and retaining the
                                                  receive landings of crab in the CR                      entities that are independently owned                 use of paper checks and money orders
                                                  Program fisheries. The universe of                      and operated, not dominant in their                   as authorized payment methods under
                                                  entities was defined based on who is                    field of operation, and have a combined               Alternative 2 in the RIR. However,
                                                  directly billed by NMFS for cost                        annual employment of fewer than 750                   Alternative 2 failed to meet the objective
                                                  recovery fees, and therefore who will be                employees. In this FRFA, NMFS has                     of reducing administrative costs
                                                  directly impacted by a change in the                    analyzed the nine RCRs operating as                   associated with administering cost
                                                  authorized payment methods.                             seafood processors using the revised                  recovery because processing these
                                                     The Small Business Administration                    definition of a small entity. The new                 payments results in a greater staff
                                                  (SBA) defines a small commercial                        definition of a small entity did not                  burden than processing payments made
                                                  finfish fishing entity as one that has                  change the number of seafood                          by the pay.gov or Fedwire systems (see
                                                  annual gross receipts, from all activities              processors classified as small. NMFS                  Section 3.7 of the RIR). NMFS also
                                                  of all affiliates, of less than $20.5                   estimates that three of the nine RCRs                 considered Alternative 3, which would
                                                  million (79 FR 33647, June 12, 2014).                   classified as seafood processors are                  have simultaneously implemented both
                                                  All of the IFQ permit holders are                       small entities. Cumulatively, NMFS                    the elimination of credit card payment
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  considered to be commercial finfish                     estimates that 11 of the 18 RCRs                      by phone, in person, facsimile, and
                                                  fishing entities. Based upon available                  operating across all of the business size             mail, and the elimination of paper check
                                                  data, and more general information                      categories are small entities.                        and money order payment (see Section
                                                  concerning the probable economic                                                                              3.8 of the RIR). However, NMFS rejected
                                                  activity of vessels in the IFQ Program                  Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other                    Alternative 3 in favor of Alternative 3
                                                  fisheries, no entity could have landed                  Compliance Requirements                               Option 1, which provided
                                                  more than $20.5 million in combined                       This rule requires modifications to the             accommodation for the transition costs
                                                  gross receipts in 2014. Therefore, all                  current recordkeeping and reporting                   to permit holders in complying with the


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                              23649

                                                  rule by delaying full implementation of                 information may be viewed at: http://                   (B) On or after December 1, 2019,
                                                  the changes until the applicable cost                   www.cio.noaa.gov/services_programs/                   payment must be made electronically in
                                                  recovery fee payment due date in 2020.                  prasubs.html.                                         U.S. dollars by automated clearing
                                                  NMFS determined that Alternative 3                                                                            house, credit card, or electronic check
                                                                                                          List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 679 and
                                                  Option 1 provides an opportunity for                                                                          drawn on a U.S. bank account.
                                                                                                          680
                                                  the permit holders to become familiar                                                                         *     *    *     *     *
                                                  with either pay.gov or Fedwire and                        Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and
                                                  change to a new payment method.                         recordkeeping requirements.                           PART 680—SHELLFISH FISHERIES OF
                                                  Additionally, Alternative 3 Option 1                      Dated: April 15, 2016.                              THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE
                                                  spreads out any transition costs for                    Samuel D. Rauch III,                                  OFF ALASKA
                                                  NMFS staff in providing customer                        Deputy Assistant Administrator for
                                                  service to help permit holders affected                 Regulatory Programs, National Marine                  ■ 3. The authority citation for 50 CFR
                                                  by the change (see Section 3.8.1 of the                 Fisheries Service.                                    part 680 continues to read as follows:
                                                  RIR).                                                     For the reasons set out in the                        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub. L. 109–
                                                                                                          preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR parts                    241; Pub. L. 109–479.
                                                  Collection-of-Information Requirements
                                                                                                          679 and 680 as follows:
                                                                                                                                                                § 680.5    [Amended]
                                                    This final rule contains collection-of-
                                                  information requirements subject to the                 PART 679—FISHERIES OF THE                             ■ 4. In § 680.5, remove paragraph
                                                  Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and                       EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF                           (g)(3)(iii).
                                                  which have been approved by the Office                  ALASKA
                                                                                                                                                                ■ 5. In § 680.44, revise paragraphs
                                                  of Management and Budget (OMB)                          ■ 1. The authority citation for 50 CFR                (a)(4)(iii) and (iv) to read as follows:
                                                  under control number 0648–0727.                         part 679 continues to read as follows:
                                                  Public reporting burden per response is                                                                       § 680.44    Cost recovery.
                                                  estimated to average one minute for                       Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et              (a) * * *
                                                                                                          seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108–447; Pub. L.             (4) * * *
                                                  electronic fee submission and 30
                                                                                                          111–281.
                                                  minutes for non-electronic fee                                                                                   (iii) Payment address. Submit
                                                  submission. Estimates for public                        ■ 2. In § 679.45, revise paragraphs                   payment and related documents as
                                                  reporting burden include the time for                   (a)(4)(ii) through (iv) to read as follows:           instructed on the fee submission form.
                                                  reviewing instructions, searching                       § 679.45    IFQ cost recovery program.
                                                                                                                                                                Payments may be made electronically
                                                  existing data sources, gathering and                                                                          through the NMFS Alaska Region Web
                                                                                                             (a) * * *
                                                  maintaining the data needed, and                           (4) * * *                                          site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
                                                  completing and reviewing the collection                    (ii) Payment recipient. Make payment               Instructions for electronic payment will
                                                  of information.                                         payable to NMFS.                                      be made available on both the payment
                                                    Send comments regarding these                            (iii) Payment address. Submit                      Web site and a fee liability summary
                                                  burden estimates or any other aspect of                 payment and related documents as                      letter mailed to the RCR permit holder.
                                                  this data collection, including                         instructed on the fee submission form.                   (iv) Payment method—(A) Prior to
                                                  suggestions for reducing the burden, to                 Payments may be made electronically                   June 1, 2020, payment must be made in
                                                  NMFS (see ADDRESSES), and by email to                   through the NMFS Alaska Region Web                    U.S. dollars by personal check drawn on
                                                  OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax                      site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.              a U.S. bank account, money order, bank-
                                                  to 202–395–5806. Notwithstanding any                    Instructions for electronic payment will              certified check, or electronically by
                                                  other provision of the law, no person is                be made available on both the payment                 credit card.
                                                  required to respond to, nor shall any                   Web site and a fee liability summary                     (B) On or after June 1, 2020, payment
                                                  person be subject to a penalty for failure              letter mailed to the IFQ permit holder.               must be made electronically in U.S.
                                                  to comply with, a collection of                            (iv) Payment method—(A) Prior to                   dollars by automated clearing house,
                                                  information subject to the requirements                 December 1, 2019, payment must be                     credit card, or electronic check drawn
                                                  of the PRA, unless that collection of                   made in U.S. dollars by personal check                on a U.S. bank account.
                                                  information displays a currently valid                  drawn on a U.S. bank account, money                   *       *    *     *    *
                                                  OMB control number. All currently                       order, bank-certified check, or                       [FR Doc. 2016–09308 Filed 4–21–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  approved NOAA collections of                            electronically by credit card.                        BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




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Document Created: 2017-08-22 23:37:55
Document Modified: 2017-08-22 23:37:55
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective May 23, 2016.
ContactKeeley Kent, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation81 FR 23645 
RIN Number0648-BF35
CFR Citation50 CFR 679
50 CFR 680
CFR AssociatedAlaska; Fisheries and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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