82_FR_49185 82 FR 48982 - 2017 Fee Schedule for National Travel and Tourism Office for the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS)/I-92 Program, I-94 International Arrivals Program, and Survey of International Air Travelers Program

82 FR 48982 - 2017 Fee Schedule for National Travel and Tourism Office for the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS)/I-92 Program, I-94 International Arrivals Program, and Survey of International Air Travelers Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 203 (October 23, 2017)

Page Range48982-48985
FR Document2017-22953

The International Trade Administration (ITA) solicited public feedback on its proposal to adjust the National Travel & Tourism Office (NTTO) 2017 I-94/APIS & SIAT data user fees for three programs after considering an independent cost study which concluded that ITA is not fully covering its costs for providing services under the current fee structure. Federal agencies are directed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25 to ensure they recoup their costs when providing certain services. The NTTO provides key market intelligence to the government and travel industry to help U.S. businesses expand travel exports. ITA, through the NTTO, will continue to provide information and services that benefit the general public without charge. No changes were made to the proposed user fees in response to public feedback, although the NTTO did expand the number of surveys for the 2017 Survey of International Air Travelers from 77,000 to 80,000. As part of this announcement, ITA announces the final user fees schedule for its 2017 data.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48982-48985]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22953]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: 170413395-7395-02]
RIN 0625-XCO3


2017 Fee Schedule for National Travel and Tourism Office for the 
Advance Passenger Information System (APIS)/I-92 Program, I-94 
International Arrivals Program, and Survey of International Air 
Travelers Program

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Final notice of implementation of user fees.

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

SUMMARY: The International Trade Administration (ITA) solicited public 
feedback on its proposal to adjust the National Travel & Tourism Office 
(NTTO) 2017 I-94/APIS & SIAT data user fees for three programs after 
considering an independent cost study which concluded that ITA is not 
fully covering its costs for providing services under the current fee 
structure. Federal agencies are directed by Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Circular A-25 to ensure they recoup their costs when 
providing certain services. The NTTO provides key market intelligence 
to the government and travel industry to help U.S. businesses expand 
travel exports. ITA, through the NTTO, will continue to

[[Page 48983]]

provide information and services that benefit the general public 
without charge. No changes were made to the proposed user fees in 
response to public feedback, although the NTTO did expand the number of 
surveys for the 2017 Survey of International Air Travelers from 77,000 
to 80,000. As part of this announcement, ITA announces the final user 
fees schedule for its 2017 data.

DATES: The user fees schedule will be applicable November 22, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Champley at (202) 482-4753 or 
[email protected]; or Claudia Wolfe at (202) 482-4555 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    There are three main research programs through which the public may 
obtain data on international travelers to and from the United States 
additional to the free information already posted to the NTTO Web site. 
The proposed 2017 data fees are for (1) the monthly, quarterly and 
annual data from the APIS/I-92 Program, (2) the I-94 International 
Arrivals Program, and (3) the annual custom reports, data tables and 
files from the Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT) Program.
    Consistent with the guidelines in OMB Circular A-25 federal 
agencies are responsible for conducting a biennial review of all 
programs to determine the types of activities subject to user fees and 
the basis upon which user fees are to be set.
    In addition to OMB Circular A-25, the NTTO also follows OMB 
Circular A-130, which mandates federal agencies to develop and to 
maintain a comprehensive set of information management policies for use 
across the government, and to promote the application of information 
technology to improve the use and dissemination of information in the 
operation of Federal programs. The role of NTTO is to enhance the 
international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry 
and to increase its exports, thereby creating U.S. employment and 
economic growth. The primary functions of the NTTO are: (1) Management 
of the travel and tourism statistical system for assessing the economic 
contribution of the industry and providing the sole source for 
characteristic statistics on international travel to and from the 
United States; (2) design and administration of export expansion 
activities; (3) development and management of tourism policy, strategy 
and advocacy; and (4) technical assistance for expanding this key 
export (international tourism) and assisting in domestic economic 
development.
    The NTTO has provided the I-94/APIS & SIAT data for many years and 
has developed a subscriber base for each of these programs. The fees 
collected for these reports pay for ITA costs to develop the reports 
and support research for the continuation and expansion of improvements 
to the data provided by NTTO. In 2016, the NTTO issued Fee Schedule 
increases for the APIS/I-92 program, the I-94 International Arrivals 
Program and the SIAT Program. The contractor prices are six percent 
greater than the 2016 contract prices for the SIAT base program and 27 
percent greater for the I-94 program. This increase is due in part to 
increased quality management checks associated with this program. 
Additionally, there is a nearly 30 percent increase in the cost for 
custom reports for both programs. Custom reports costs increased 
because of the necessity to combine multiple years of sample, as well 
as incorporate additional data in Table 1A and Table 1. Fees for the 
APIS/I-92 program are being increased to help offset an ITA budget cut 
and the much larger increases in costs to the I-94 and SIAT program, 
because all three programs are interdependent upon one another and used 
to provide the SIAT data.
    Additionally, for 2017 data, to ameliorate the increased costs 
while keeping the program fees as low as possible, ITA proposed to cut 
the SIAT sample from 96,000 surveys in 2016 to 77,000 surveys in 2017, 
but because of the overwhelming response to the Federal Register 
Notice, the NTTO has decided the sample will be set at 80,000, up from 
77,000. NTTO anticipates that the 2018 sample level will also be 80,000 
depending upon the FY2018 budget. The increased fees for 2017 data are 
necessary to avoid additional cuts. The NTTO had asked about the 
industry's preference on a cut in sample as a method to keep the fee 
increases lower. The response was overwhelmingly against cutting the 
sample.

Amendments to Original User Fee Proposal in Response to Public Comments

    ITA solicited public comment on the proposed revisions to the user 
fees during a 30-day period from June 26, 2017 to July 26, 2017 (82 FR 
28820, June 26, 2017). Over 40 comments were received in response to 
the proposal. The individual comments can be viewed on the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal: www.Regulations.gov. The identification number is 
ITA-2017-0005. All comments received during this time were reviewed and 
considered with respect to the final user fee schedule. A summary of 
the comments is provided below:
    Comment: The overwhelming response to the Federal Register Notice 
was related to the proposed cut in the 2017 sample from 96,000 to 
77,000. Nearly 95 percent of the respondents registered their complaint 
about the sample size reductions.
    Response: The last two years for the SIAT were the largest sample 
ever for this program. In 2015 it was nearly 97,000, and in 2016 it was 
over 96,000. Prior to those two years, the NTTO SIAT sample had been 
between 73,500 to 80,000 from 2007 to 2013 and lower in previous years. 
As stated previously, sharply increasing costs in 2017 and budget 
uncertainty for future fiscal years required a sample size cut. The 
NTTO takes this opportunity to remind users that most clients combine 
samples for their custom reports and with the two highest sample years 
prior to 2017, clients will benefit from those years. In response to 
overwhelming comments for a larger sample, the NTTO has issued a task 
order to set the 2017 sample to 80,000, up from the initial 77,000 
surveys.
    Comment: Nearly 50 percent of the respondents expressed concern 
over the reliability or related terms of the sample due to the 
reductions.
    Response: The SIAT sample is not the only item used to provide the 
visitation, spending, and traveler characteristics data from the SIAT. 
The data is weighted to the I-94 count of overseas and Mexican air 
travelers to the USA and to the ports of entry data. The weights for 
each respondent are assigned to all responses so when the SIAT 
estimates for country of residency and port of entry are compared to 
the I-94 population counts, the variance is 0.0 percent, showing the 
weighting aligns the sample with the travel population. This weighting 
coupled with two years of robust sample sizes in 2015 and 2016 ensures 
the reliability of the data.
    Comment: 40 percent of the respondents supported the fee increase 
to mitigate the cut in sample, while only 14% objected to the fee 
increase.
    Response: The NTTO will implement the proposed fee increase for the 
2017 data given the majority of customers requested a greater sample 
size and 40 percent of the respondents are willing to accept the 15 
percent fee increase.
    Comment: 40 percent of the respondents noted that the decline in 
the sample for 2017 would have a larger

[[Page 48984]]

impact on small and medium size destinations.
    Response: Unfortunately, in a representative sample of the 
international travel market to and from the U.S., the top destinations 
will obtain a larger sample. It should be noted that the NTTO reviews 
the sample collections yearly and tries to adjust it to keep the sample 
representative of both the inbound and outbound travel population. ITA 
is considering encouraging additional destinations/ports to cooperate 
in our Supplemental Airport Survey Program to increase the data 
supplied from small and medium size destinations.
    Comment: 14 percent of the respondents opposed the fee increase 
stating it would hurt smaller destinations more than larger ones.
    Response: 40 percent of respondents supported the increase, many of 
which are small businesses or destinations. As noted above, the demand 
for a larger sample, the increasing costs of operating the program and 
declining budget require ITA to raise fees.
    Comment: 10 percent of the respondents commented that these 
programs should continue to be adequately funded and sustained because 
the research and data is important to the industry.
    Response: Congress has mandated, through the Travel Promotion Act, 
that the Department of Commerce continue and expand its research 
programs. ITA will continue to provide this program if it is supported 
by the Department of Commerce and Congress.
    Comment: 10 percent of the respondents commented about the 
continued delays and lack of timeliness in delivery of the data, 
especially given the fee increase.
    Response: The NTTO and its contractors work very hard to provide 
quality and timely data. However, I-94 automation issues and APIS/I-92 
data delays have negatively impacted timely delivery due to additional 
time required to review and revise the data when necessary. Delays 
related to the I-94 and APIS/I-92 programs cause corresponding delays 
in release of the SIAT data because the SIAT data is weighted to the I-
94 and APIS/I-92 program data.
    Comment: There were a few comments in which industry clients tried 
to calculate the SIAT's share of the travel population based on total 
arrivals to the U.S.
    Response: The NTTO wants to remind the industry that the travel 
population for this program is both inbound and outbound travelers and 
that it only includes all overseas (all countries except Canada & 
Mexico) and Mexican air travelers. The NTTO has travel population 
totals from the I-94 (for the inbound markets) and APIS/I-92 for the 
U.S. outbound market. The share of the inbound travel population is 
around 0.3 percent. This is much smaller than the 1 percent sample 
mandated by the Travel Promotion Act (TPA) and Congress has not 
provided dedicated funding. The NTTO has conducted several tests to 
reduce program costs and improve the quality of the data. To date, the 
current survey method delivers more complete results than any of the 
tests. The program is competitively bid.
    Comment: A few comments included a request to reduce the sample of 
U.S. residents and to equivalently increase the non-resident side.
    Response: The non-resident sample has traditionally been higher 
than the U.S. resident sample; decreasing the sample from one part of 
the program to benefit another would drive up costs and not allow the 
NTTO to fulfill its mandate to federal agencies that depend upon the 
U.S. outbound SIAT data.
    Comment: There was a comment on preventing future significant cost 
increases.
    Response: To control costs this contract is competitively bid every 
three years. The low-cost contractor wins the bid.
    The NTTO wants to thank everyone who responded to this notice and 
greatly appreciates the feedback and concerns. The NTTO is in the 
process of preparing a request for information to solicit ideas from 
the industry to improve the SIAT program.

User Fee Schedule

    Fee Schedule increases for the APIS/I-92 program, the I-94 
International Arrivals Program and the Survey of International Air 
Travelers (SIAT) Program are shown in the tables below. All fees shown 
are 15 percent greater in 2017 than in 2016, except for certain SIAT 
reports as explained above. For the I-94 program, ITA has eliminated 
the print files and will only provide a PDF and Excel file to save 
costs. The custom reports, data tables, and files will also see a 15 
percent fee increase in 2017.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             2017 Fee        2016 Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APIS/I-92 Program:
    Monthly Reports printed.............          $2,295          $1,995
    Monthly Reports (PDF and Excel).....           3,435           2,985
    Quarterly Reports printed...........           2,070           1,800
    Quarterly Reports (PDF and Excel)...           3,095           2,690
    Annual Report printed...............           1,610           1,400
    Annual Report (PDF and Excel).......           2,405           2,090
    Data Files, for internal use only...          27,310          23,745
I-94 International arrivals program:
    Monthly Subscription (PDF and Excel)           2,450           2,130
    Quarterly Subscription (PDF & Excel)           2,155           1,870
    Annual Issue (PDF and Excel)........           1,485           1,290
    Annual, data file (CD-ROM)..........          16,770          14,580
    Quarterly, data file (CD-ROM).......          18,820          16,365
Combined 2015 and 2016 International I-
 94 arrivals data:
    Monthly Subscription (PDF & Excel)..           3,730           3,240
    Quarterly Subscription (PDF & Excel)           3,170           2,755
    Annual Issue (PDF and Excel)........           2,000           1,740
Survey of International Air Travelers
 program:
    CUSTOM TABLE--1st table, in Excel...           2,720           2,365
    CUSTOM TABLE--all other tables in              1,645           1,430
     Excel..............................
    Custom Reports with Excel and PDF             10,210           8,875
     (First banner).....................
    Custom Reports with Excel and PDF              9,185           7,985
     (Second banner)....................
    Custom Reports with Excel and PDF              8,220           7,145
     (Third + banners)..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 48985]]

Determining the Cost of Performing Each Service

    Please refer to the Federal Register Notice published on June 26, 
2017 (82 FR 28820) for information on how ITA determines the costs of 
performing each service.

Conclusion

    For the reasons provided above, ITA believes its revised fees are 
consistent with the objective of OMB Circular A-25 to ``promote 
efficient allocation of the Nation's resources by establishing charges 
for special benefits provided to the recipient that are at least as 
great as costs to the Government of providing the special benefits.'' 
OMB Circular A-25(5) (b). For 2017 data, the fees will be increased as 
proposed. ITA will continue to reassess the fee schedule, in accordance 
with OMB Circular A-25, at least every two years thereafter.

    Dated: October 18, 2017.
Isabel Hill,
Director, National Travel & Tourism Office, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 2017-22953 Filed 10-18-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P



                                               48982                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices

                                               subheadings are provided for convenience                towers from the PRC.3 On May 31, 2017,                Notification Regarding Administrative
                                               and customs purposes, the written                       the petitioner timely withdrew its                    Protective Orders
                                               description of the merchandise covered by               request for an administrative review of
                                               these investigations is dispositive.                                                                            This notice also serves as a reminder
                                                                                                       all 56 companies for which it had                     to parties subject to administrative
                                               [FR Doc. 2017–22931 Filed 10–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       requested a review.4                                  protective orders (APO) of their
                                               BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
                                                                                                       Rescission of Review                                  responsibility concerning the return or
                                                                                                                                                             destruction of proprietary information
                                               DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                     Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the              disclosed under APO in accordance
                                                                                                       Department will rescind an                            with 19 CFR 351.305, which continues
                                               International Trade Administration                      administrative review, in whole or in                 to govern business proprietary
                                                                                                       part, if the party that requested a review            information in this segment of the
                                               [A–570–981]                                             withdraws the request within 90 days of               proceeding. Timely written notification
                                                                                                       the publication date of the notice of                 of the return/destruction of APO
                                               Utility Scale Wind Towers From the                      initiation of the requested review. As                materials or conversion to judicial
                                               People’s Republic of China: Notice of                   noted above, the petitioner withdrew its              protective order is hereby requested.
                                               Rescission of Antidumping Duty                          request for review within 90 days of the              Failure to comply with the regulations
                                               Administrative Review; 2016–2017                                                                              and terms of an APO is a violation
                                                                                                       publication date of the Initiation Notice.
                                                                                                                                                             which is subject to sanction.
                                               AGENCY:  Enforcement and Compliance,                    No other parties requested an                           This notice is published in
                                               International Trade Administration,                     administrative review of the order.                   accordance with section 777(i)(1) of the
                                               Department of Commerce.                                 Therefore, in accordance with 19 CFR                  Act, and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4).
                                                                                                       351.213(d)(1), we are rescinding this
                                               SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce                                                                             Dated: October 17, 2017.
                                                                                                       review on wind towers from the PRC in
                                               (the Department) is rescinding its                                                                            James Maeder,
                                                                                                       its entirety.
                                               administrative review of utility scale                                                                        Senior Director performing the duties of
                                               wind towers (wind towers) from the                      Assessment                                            Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping
                                               People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the                                                                      and Countervailing Duty Operations.
                                               period or review (POR) February 1,                        The Department will instruct U.S.                   [FR Doc. 2017–22932 Filed 10–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                               2016, through January 31, 2017, based                   Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to                BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
                                               on the withdrawal of request for review.                assess antidumping duties on all
                                               DATES: Applicable October 23, 2017.                     appropriate entries of wind towers from
                                                                                                       the PRC. Antidumping duties shall be                  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                       assessed at rates equal to the cash
                                               Trisha Tran, AD/CVD Operations, Office                                                                        International Trade Administration
                                                                                                       deposit of estimated antidumping duties
                                               IV, Enforcement and Compliance,
                                               International Trade Administration,                     required at the time of entry, or                     [Docket No.: 170413395–7395–02]
                                               U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401                       withdrawal from warehouse, for                        RIN 0625–XCO3
                                               Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,                    consumption in accordance with 19
                                               DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–4852.                    CFR 351.212(c)(1)(i). The Department                  2017 Fee Schedule for National Travel
                                                                                                       intends to issue appropriate assessment               and Tourism Office for the Advance
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                       instructions to CBP 15 days after the                 Passenger Information System (APIS)/
                                               Background                                              date of publication of this notice of                 I–92 Program, I–94 International
                                                  On February 8, 2017, the Department                  rescission of administrative review in                Arrivals Program, and Survey of
                                               published the notice of opportunity to                  the Federal Register.                                 International Air Travelers Program
                                               request an administrative review of the                 Notification to Importers                             AGENCY:   International Trade
                                               antidumping duty order on wind towers                                                                         Administration, Department of
                                               from the PRC for the above POR.1 On                       This notice also serves as a final                  Commerce.
                                               February 28, 2017, in accordance with                   reminder to importers for whom this                   ACTION: Final notice of implementation
                                               section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930,               review is being rescinded of their                    of user fees.
                                               as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR                        responsibility under 19 CFR
                                               351.213(b), the Department received a                   351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate                   SUMMARY:   The International Trade
                                               timely request from the Wind Tower                      regarding the reimbursement of                        Administration (ITA) solicited public
                                               Coalition (the petitioner) to conduct an                antidumping duties prior to liquidation               feedback on its proposal to adjust the
                                               administrative review of this                           of the relevant entries during this                   National Travel & Tourism Office
                                               antidumping duty order.2                                review period. Failure to comply with                 (NTTO) 2017 I–94/APIS & SIAT data
                                                  Pursuant to this request, and in                     this requirement could result in the                  user fees for three programs after
                                               accordance with 19 CFR                                                                                        considering an independent cost study
                                                                                                       Secretary’s presumption that
                                               351.225(c)(1)(i), on April 10, 2017, the                                                                      which concluded that ITA is not fully
                                                                                                       reimbursement of the antidumping
                                               Department published a notice of                                                                              covering its costs for providing services
                                                                                                       duties occurred and the subsequent                    under the current fee structure. Federal
                                               initiation of an administrative review of               assessment of double antidumping
                                               the antidumping duty order on wind                                                                            agencies are directed by Office of
                                                                                                       duties.                                               Management and Budget (OMB)
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                 1 See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty, Order,                                                            Circular A–25 to ensure they recoup
                                                                                                         3 See Initiation of Antidumping and
                                               Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity                                                              their costs when providing certain
                                                                                                       Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 82 FR
                                               to Request Administrative Review, 82 FR 9709                                                                  services. The NTTO provides key
                                               (February 8, 2017).                                     17188 (April 10, 2017).
                                                 2 See Letter from the petitioner, ‘‘Utility Scale       4 See Letter from the petitioner, ‘‘Utility Scale
                                                                                                                                                             market intelligence to the government
                                               Wind Towers from the People’s Republic of China:        Wind Towers from the People’s Republic of China:      and travel industry to help U.S.
                                               Request for Administrative Review,’’ dated              Withdrawal of Request for Administrative Review,’’    businesses expand travel exports. ITA,
                                               February 28, 2017.                                      dated May 31, 2017.                                   through the NTTO, will continue to


                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:08 Oct 20, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00012   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM   23OCN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices                                           48983

                                               provide information and services that                   strategy and advocacy; and (4) technical              Portal: www.Regulations.gov. The
                                               benefit the general public without                      assistance for expanding this key export              identification number is ITA–2017–
                                               charge. No changes were made to the                     (international tourism) and assisting in              0005. All comments received during
                                               proposed user fees in response to public                domestic economic development.                        this time were reviewed and considered
                                               feedback, although the NTTO did                            The NTTO has provided the I–94/                    with respect to the final user fee
                                               expand the number of surveys for the                    APIS & SIAT data for many years and                   schedule. A summary of the comments
                                               2017 Survey of International Air                        has developed a subscriber base for each              is provided below:
                                               Travelers from 77,000 to 80,000. As part                of these programs. The fees collected for                Comment: The overwhelming
                                               of this announcement, ITA announces                     these reports pay for ITA costs to                    response to the Federal Register Notice
                                               the final user fees schedule for its 2017               develop the reports and support                       was related to the proposed cut in the
                                               data.                                                   research for the continuation and                     2017 sample from 96,000 to 77,000.
                                               DATES: The user fees schedule will be                   expansion of improvements to the data                 Nearly 95 percent of the respondents
                                               applicable November 22, 2017.                           provided by NTTO. In 2016, the NTTO                   registered their complaint about the
                                                                                                       issued Fee Schedule increases for the                 sample size reductions.
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                       APIS/I–92 program, the I–94                              Response: The last two years for the
                                               Richard Champley at (202) 482–4753 or                                                                         SIAT were the largest sample ever for
                                                                                                       International Arrivals Program and the
                                               Richard.Champley@trade.gov; or                                                                                this program. In 2015 it was nearly
                                                                                                       SIAT Program. The contractor prices are
                                               Claudia Wolfe at (202) 482–4555 or                                                                            97,000, and in 2016 it was over 96,000.
                                                                                                       six percent greater than the 2016
                                               Claudia.Wolfe@trade.gov.                                contract prices for the SIAT base                     Prior to those two years, the NTTO SIAT
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              program and 27 percent greater for the                sample had been between 73,500 to
                                               Background                                              I–94 program. This increase is due in                 80,000 from 2007 to 2013 and lower in
                                                                                                       part to increased quality management                  previous years. As stated previously,
                                                  There are three main research                        checks associated with this program.                  sharply increasing costs in 2017 and
                                               programs through which the public may                   Additionally, there is a nearly 30                    budget uncertainty for future fiscal years
                                               obtain data on international travelers to               percent increase in the cost for custom               required a sample size cut. The NTTO
                                               and from the United States additional to                reports for both programs. Custom                     takes this opportunity to remind users
                                               the free information already posted to                  reports costs increased because of the                that most clients combine samples for
                                               the NTTO Web site. The proposed 2017                    necessity to combine multiple years of                their custom reports and with the two
                                               data fees are for (1) the monthly,                      sample, as well as incorporate                        highest sample years prior to 2017,
                                               quarterly and annual data from the                      additional data in Table 1A and Table                 clients will benefit from those years. In
                                               APIS/I–92 Program, (2) the I–94                         1. Fees for the APIS/I–92 program are                 response to overwhelming comments for
                                               International Arrivals Program, and (3)                 being increased to help offset an ITA                 a larger sample, the NTTO has issued a
                                               the annual custom reports, data tables                  budget cut and the much larger                        task order to set the 2017 sample to
                                               and files from the Survey of                            increases in costs to the I–94 and SIAT               80,000, up from the initial 77,000
                                               International Air Travelers (SIAT)                      program, because all three programs are               surveys.
                                               Program.                                                interdependent upon one another and                      Comment: Nearly 50 percent of the
                                                  Consistent with the guidelines in                    used to provide the SIAT data.                        respondents expressed concern over the
                                               OMB Circular A–25 federal agencies are                     Additionally, for 2017 data, to                    reliability or related terms of the sample
                                               responsible for conducting a biennial                   ameliorate the increased costs while                  due to the reductions.
                                               review of all programs to determine the                 keeping the program fees as low as                       Response: The SIAT sample is not the
                                               types of activities subject to user fees                possible, ITA proposed to cut the SIAT                only item used to provide the visitation,
                                               and the basis upon which user fees are                  sample from 96,000 surveys in 2016 to                 spending, and traveler characteristics
                                               to be set.                                              77,000 surveys in 2017, but because of                data from the SIAT. The data is
                                                  In addition to OMB Circular A–25, the                the overwhelming response to the                      weighted to the I–94 count of overseas
                                               NTTO also follows OMB Circular                          Federal Register Notice, the NTTO has                 and Mexican air travelers to the USA
                                               A–130, which mandates federal                           decided the sample will be set at 80,000,             and to the ports of entry data. The
                                               agencies to develop and to maintain a                   up from 77,000. NTTO anticipates that                 weights for each respondent are
                                               comprehensive set of information                        the 2018 sample level will also be                    assigned to all responses so when the
                                               management policies for use across the                  80,000 depending upon the FY2018                      SIAT estimates for country of residency
                                               government, and to promote the                          budget. The increased fees for 2017 data              and port of entry are compared to the I–
                                               application of information technology to                are necessary to avoid additional cuts.               94 population counts, the variance is 0.0
                                               improve the use and dissemination of                    The NTTO had asked about the                          percent, showing the weighting aligns
                                               information in the operation of Federal                 industry’s preference on a cut in sample              the sample with the travel population.
                                               programs. The role of NTTO is to                        as a method to keep the fee increases                 This weighting coupled with two years
                                               enhance the international                               lower. The response was                               of robust sample sizes in 2015 and 2016
                                               competitiveness of the U.S. travel and                  overwhelmingly against cutting the                    ensures the reliability of the data.
                                               tourism industry and to increase its                    sample.                                                  Comment: 40 percent of the
                                               exports, thereby creating U.S.                                                                                respondents supported the fee increase
                                               employment and economic growth. The                     Amendments to Original User Fee
                                                                                                                                                             to mitigate the cut in sample, while only
                                               primary functions of the NTTO are: (1)                  Proposal in Response to Public
                                                                                                                                                             14% objected to the fee increase.
                                               Management of the travel and tourism                    Comments                                                 Response: The NTTO will implement
                                               statistical system for assessing the                      ITA solicited public comment on the                 the proposed fee increase for the 2017
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                                               economic contribution of the industry                   proposed revisions to the user fees                   data given the majority of customers
                                               and providing the sole source for                       during a 30-day period from June 26,                  requested a greater sample size and 40
                                               characteristic statistics on international              2017 to July 26, 2017 (82 FR 28820, June              percent of the respondents are willing to
                                               travel to and from the United States; (2)               26, 2017). Over 40 comments were                      accept the 15 percent fee increase.
                                               design and administration of export                     received in response to the proposal.                    Comment: 40 percent of the
                                               expansion activities; (3) development                   The individual comments can be                        respondents noted that the decline in
                                               and management of tourism policy,                       viewed on the Federal eRulemaking                     the sample for 2017 would have a larger


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                                               48984                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices

                                               impact on small and medium size                                        continued delays and lack of timeliness                                   Comment: A few comments included
                                               destinations.                                                          in delivery of the data, especially given                              a request to reduce the sample of U.S.
                                                  Response: Unfortunately, in a                                       the fee increase.                                                      residents and to equivalently increase
                                               representative sample of the                                              Response: The NTTO and its                                          the non-resident side.
                                               international travel market to and from                                contractors work very hard to provide                                     Response: The non-resident sample
                                               the U.S., the top destinations will obtain                             quality and timely data. However, I–94                                 has traditionally been higher than the
                                               a larger sample. It should be noted that                               automation issues and APIS/I–92 data                                   U.S. resident sample; decreasing the
                                               the NTTO reviews the sample                                            delays have negatively impacted timely                                 sample from one part of the program to
                                               collections yearly and tries to adjust it                              delivery due to additional time required                               benefit another would drive up costs
                                               to keep the sample representative of                                   to review and revise the data when                                     and not allow the NTTO to fulfill its
                                               both the inbound and outbound travel                                   necessary. Delays related to the I–94 and                              mandate to federal agencies that depend
                                               population. ITA is considering                                         APIS/I–92 programs cause                                               upon the U.S. outbound SIAT data.
                                               encouraging additional destinations/                                   corresponding delays in release of the                                    Comment: There was a comment on
                                               ports to cooperate in our Supplemental                                 SIAT data because the SIAT data is                                     preventing future significant cost
                                               Airport Survey Program to increase the                                 weighted to the I–94 and APIS/I–92                                     increases.
                                               data supplied from small and medium                                    program data.                                                             Response: To control costs this
                                               size destinations.                                                        Comment: There were a few
                                                  Comment: 14 percent of the                                                                                                                 contract is competitively bid every three
                                                                                                                      comments in which industry clients                                     years. The low-cost contractor wins the
                                               respondents opposed the fee increase
                                                                                                                      tried to calculate the SIAT’s share of the                             bid.
                                               stating it would hurt smaller
                                               destinations more than larger ones.                                    travel population based on total arrivals                                 The NTTO wants to thank everyone
                                                  Response: 40 percent of respondents                                 to the U.S.                                                            who responded to this notice and
                                               supported the increase, many of which                                     Response: The NTTO wants to remind                                  greatly appreciates the feedback and
                                               are small businesses or destinations. As                               the industry that the travel population                                concerns. The NTTO is in the process of
                                               noted above, the demand for a larger                                   for this program is both inbound and                                   preparing a request for information to
                                               sample, the increasing costs of operating                              outbound travelers and that it only                                    solicit ideas from the industry to
                                               the program and declining budget                                       includes all overseas (all countries                                   improve the SIAT program.
                                               require ITA to raise fees.                                             except Canada & Mexico) and Mexican
                                                                                                                                                                                             User Fee Schedule
                                                  Comment: 10 percent of the                                          air travelers. The NTTO has travel
                                               respondents commented that these                                       population totals from the I–94 (for the                                 Fee Schedule increases for the APIS/
                                               programs should continue to be                                         inbound markets) and APIS/I–92 for the                                 I–92 program, the I–94 International
                                               adequately funded and sustained                                        U.S. outbound market. The share of the                                 Arrivals Program and the Survey of
                                               because the research and data is                                       inbound travel population is around 0.3                                International Air Travelers (SIAT)
                                               important to the industry.                                             percent. This is much smaller than the                                 Program are shown in the tables below.
                                                  Response: Congress has mandated,                                    1 percent sample mandated by the                                       All fees shown are 15 percent greater in
                                               through the Travel Promotion Act, that                                 Travel Promotion Act (TPA) and                                         2017 than in 2016, except for certain
                                               the Department of Commerce continue                                    Congress has not provided dedicated                                    SIAT reports as explained above. For
                                               and expand its research programs. ITA                                  funding. The NTTO has conducted                                        the I–94 program, ITA has eliminated
                                               will continue to provide this program if                               several tests to reduce program costs                                  the print files and will only provide a
                                               it is supported by the Department of                                   and improve the quality of the data. To                                PDF and Excel file to save costs. The
                                               Commerce and Congress.                                                 date, the current survey method delivers                               custom reports, data tables, and files
                                                  Comment: 10 percent of the                                          more complete results than any of the                                  will also see a 15 percent fee increase
                                               respondents commented about the                                        tests. The program is competitively bid.                               in 2017.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2017 Fee     2016 Fee

                                               APIS/I–92 Program:
                                                   Monthly Reports printed ...................................................................................................................................        $2,295       $1,995
                                                   Monthly Reports (PDF and Excel) ...................................................................................................................                 3,435        2,985
                                                   Quarterly Reports printed .................................................................................................................................         2,070        1,800
                                                   Quarterly Reports (PDF and Excel) .................................................................................................................                 3,095        2,690
                                                   Annual Report printed ......................................................................................................................................        1,610        1,400
                                                   Annual Report (PDF and Excel) .......................................................................................................................               2,405        2,090
                                                   Data Files, for internal use only .......................................................................................................................          27,310       23,745
                                               I–94 International arrivals program:
                                                   Monthly Subscription (PDF and Excel) ............................................................................................................                   2,450        2,130
                                                   Quarterly Subscription (PDF & Excel) ..............................................................................................................                 2,155        1,870
                                                   Annual Issue (PDF and Excel) .........................................................................................................................              1,485        1,290
                                                   Annual, data file (CD–ROM) ............................................................................................................................            16,770       14,580
                                                   Quarterly, data file (CD–ROM) .........................................................................................................................            18,820       16,365
                                               Combined 2015 and 2016 International I–94 arrivals data:
                                                   Monthly Subscription (PDF & Excel) ................................................................................................................                 3,730        3,240
                                                   Quarterly Subscription (PDF & Excel) ..............................................................................................................                 3,170        2,755
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                                                   Annual Issue (PDF and Excel) .........................................................................................................................              2,000        1,740
                                               Survey of International Air Travelers program:
                                                   CUSTOM TABLE—1st table, in Excel .............................................................................................................                      2,720        2,365
                                                   CUSTOM TABLE—all other tables in Excel ....................................................................................................                         1,645        1,430
                                                   Custom Reports with Excel and PDF (First banner) .......................................................................................                           10,210        8,875
                                                   Custom Reports with Excel and PDF (Second banner) ..................................................................................                                9,185        7,985
                                                   Custom Reports with Excel and PDF (Third + banners) .................................................................................                               8,220        7,145



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices                                                 48985

                                               Determining the Cost of Performing                           Dated: October 18, 2017.                              ADDRESSES:  The permits and related
                                               Each Service                                               Isabel Hill,                                            documents are available for review
                                                                                                          Director, National Travel & Tourism Office,             upon written request or by appointment
                                                 Please refer to the Federal Register                     International Trade Administration, U.S.                in the Permits and Conservation
                                               Notice published on June 26, 2017 (82                      Department of Commerce.                                 Division, Office of Protected Resources,
                                               FR 28820) for information on how ITA                       [FR Doc. 2017–22953 Filed 10–18–17; 4:15 pm]            NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
                                               determines the costs of performing each                    BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P                                  13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
                                               service.                                                                                                           (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
                                               Conclusion                                                 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:    Erin
                                                                                                                                                                  Markin (File No. 17304–03); Courtney
                                                 For the reasons provided above, ITA                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        Smith (File No. 21143), Lisa Lierheimer
                                               believes its revised fees are consistent                   Administration                                          (File No. 21486), Sara Young (File Nos.
                                               with the objective of OMB Circular A–
                                                                                                                                                                  20466, 21006, 21018, 21158), and Shasta
                                               25 to ‘‘promote efficient allocation of                    Marine Mammals and Endangered                           McClenahan (File Nos. 16609–01,
                                               the Nation’s resources by establishing                     Species                                                 17115–05 and 20951) at (301) 427–8401.
                                               charges for special benefits provided to
                                                                                                          AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:     Notices
                                               the recipient that are at least as great as                Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                               costs to the Government of providing                                                                               were published in the Federal Register
                                                                                                          Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                               the special benefits.’’ OMB Circular A–                                                                            on the dates listed below that requests
                                                                                                          Commerce.
                                               25(5) (b). For 2017 data, the fees will be                                                                         for a permit or permit amendment had
                                                                                                          ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits and
                                               increased as proposed. ITA will                                                                                    been submitted by the below-named
                                                                                                          permit amendments or modifications.
                                               continue to reassess the fee schedule, in                                                                          applicants. To locate the Federal
                                               accordance with OMB Circular A–25, at                      SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that                   Register notice that announced our
                                               least every two years thereafter.                          permits or permit amendments have                       receipt of the application and a
                                                                                                          been issued to the following entities                   complete description of the research, go
                                                                                                          under the Marine Mammal Protection                      to www.regulations.gov and search on
                                                                                                          Act (MMPA) and the Endangered                           the permit number provided in the table
                                                                                                          Species Act (ESA), as applicable.                       below.

                                                                                                                                                                                             Permit or amendment
                                                  File No.                RIN                                   Applicant                           Previous Federal Register Notice            issuance date

                                               16609–01 .....       0648–XF213          Zoological Society of San Diego (Douglas Myers,             82 FR 37426; August 10, 2017 .....       September 20, 2017.
                                                                                          Responsible Party), P.O. Box 120551, San
                                                                                          Diego, CA 92112.
                                               17115–05 .....       0648–XC100          James Lloyd-Smith, University of California, Los            77 FR 41171; July 12, 2012 ..........    September 12, 2017.
                                                                                          Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Box
                                                                                          723905, Los Angeles, California 90095.
                                               17304–03 .....       0648–XC667          Kristen Hart, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey, 3205           82 FR 12806; March 7, 2017 ........      September 5, 2017.
                                                                                          College Ave., Davie, Florida 33314.
                                               20466 ...........    0648–XF272          Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G),                 82 FR 16995; April 7, 2017 ...........   September 20, 2017.
                                                                                          Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK.
                                               20951 ...........    0648–XF367          Ann Zoidis, Ph.D., Cetos Research Organization,             82 FR 22517; May 16, 2017 ..........     September 5, 2017.
                                                                                          11 Des Isle Avenue, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
                                               21006 ...........    0648–XF530          Linnea Pearson, California Polytechnic State Uni-           82 FR 32344; July 13, 2017 ..........    September 15, 2017.
                                                                                          versity, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA
                                                                                          93407.
                                               21018 ...........    0648–XF536          Brent Stewart, Ph.D., Hubbs-SeaWorld Research               82 FR 32789; July 18, 2017 ..........    September 27, 2017.
                                                                                          Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA
                                                                                          92109.
                                               21143 ...........    0648–XF500          Jeremy Kiszka, Ph.D., Florida International Uni-            82 FR 31950; July 11, 2017 ..........    September 1, 2017.
                                                                                          versity, 3000 NE 151st Street, Marine Science
                                                                                          Building, Room 250D, North Miami, Florida,
                                                                                          33181.
                                               21158 ...........    0648–XF592          Robert Garrott, Ph.D., Montana State University,            82 FR 37574; August 11, 2017 .....       September 25, 2017.
                                                                                          310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.
                                               21486 ...........    0648–XF620          British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Worldwide            82 FR 40144; September 24, 2017          September 27, 2017.
                                                                                          Americas, Inc., on behalf of BBC Natural His-
                                                                                          tory Unit, 28 Whiteladies Rd., Bristol, UK, BS8
                                                                                          2LR.



                                                 In compliance with the National                             As required by the ESA, as applicable,               policies set forth in Section 2 of the
                                               Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42                       issuance of these permit was based on                   ESA.
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                                               U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final                              a finding that such permits: (1) were                     Authority: The requested permits have
                                               determination has been made that the                       applied for in good faith; (2) will not                 been issued under the Marine Mammal
                                               activities proposed are categorically                      operate to the disadvantage of such                     Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
                                               excluded from the requirement to                           endangered species; and (3) are                         U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations
                                               prepare an environmental assessment or                     consistent with the purposes and                        governing the taking and importing of marine
                                                                                                                                                                  mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered
                                               environmental impact statement.                                                                                    Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16



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Document Created: 2017-10-21 02:35:58
Document Modified: 2017-10-21 02:35:58
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionFinal notice of implementation of user fees.
DatesThe user fees schedule will be applicable November 22, 2017.
ContactRichard Champley at (202) 482-4753 or [email protected]; or Claudia Wolfe at (202) 482-4555 or [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 48982 
RIN Number0625-XCO3

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