[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 64967] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-31332] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Solicitation of Public Comment on Proposed Collection of Fees at United States Ports Designated To Conduct Rodent Infestation Inspections and Issue Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates
Agency
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Action
Notice for public comment.
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Summary
The CDC is soliciting comments on a process to begin charging fees for conducting rodent infestation inspection of ships, and issuing Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates. While the United States does not require these certificates for ships to enter its seaports, Article 17 of the International Health Regulations requires that the U.S. provide these services and 42 CFR 71.46 authorizes their performance by CDC through the Public Health Service (PHS).
Dates
Written comments must be received on or before December 24, 1998.
For Further Information Contact
James E. Barrow, Chief, Program Operations Branch, Division of Quarantine, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E03, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, telephone (404) 639-8107, FAX (404) 639-2599, E-mail jeb1@cdc.gov.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 264-271, 42 CFR 71.46, IHR Articles 17 and 53.
Supplementary Information
Purpose and Background
The purpose of this announcement is to solicit comments on charging fees for rodent infestation inspections of ships, and issuance of Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates, where these services are provided directly by employees or vendors of the CDC. CDC provides rodent infestation inspections for ships at eleven major ports upon request, and issues Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates. These ports include: Baltimore, MD; Honolulu, HI; Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Savannah, GA; and Seattle, WA. Article 17 of the International Health Regulations, published by the World Health Organization, Geneva, requires that each Health Administration provide these services, and Article 82 outlines the criteria for charging fees. 42 CFR 71.46 authorizes the performance of these services by PHS as carried out by CDC. While CDC has for many years provided these services at no cost to the owners or agents of ships requesting them, foreign countries generally pass these costs on to those who directly benefit from them. While the United States does not require these certificates for ships to enter its seaports, and in view of the ongoing fiscal constraints and efforts to contain the national deficit, the cost of providing these services will be passed along as a charge to those receiving the inspections and certificates.
Applicability
The fees will be applicable to all rodent infestation inspections conducted, and Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates issued by CDC or its vendors.
Proposed Fees
For ships receiving rodent infestation inspections and issued Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates, the costs are determined by taking into consideration salaries, benefits, vendor services, printing, supplies, and agency overhead. The charge for the first full year during which fees for rodent infestation inspections and issuance of Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates are assessed is expected to be $150. Shipping companies will be provided by mail the fee amount and instructions for submitting fees. The fees will be due at the address specified in the bill, not later than 30 days following the inspection.
Dated: November 18, 1998. Joseph R. Carter, Acting Associate Director for Management and Operation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [FR Doc. 98-31332 Filed 11-23-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-18-P