Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fishing Capacity Reduction Program; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; California, Washington, and Oregon Fisheries for Coastal Dungeness Crab and Pink Shrimp, 45695-45700 [05-15643]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
(i.e., USS AR 400, USS AR 500); (5)
products made to ASTM A202, A225,
A514 grade S, A517 grade S, or their
proprietary equivalents; (6) ball bearing
steels; (7) tool steels; and (8) silicon
manganese steel or silicon electric steel.
The merchandise subject to the order is
currently classifiable in the HTSUS
under subheadings: 7208.40.3030,
7208.40.3060, 7208.51.0030,
7208.51.0045, 7208.51.0060,
7208.52.0000, 7208.53.0000,
7208.90.0000, 7210.70.3000,
7210.90.9000, 7211.13.0000,
7211.14.0030, 7211.14.0045,
7211.90.0000, 7212.40.1000,
7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000,
7225.40.3050, 7225.40.7000,
7225.50.6000, 7225.99.0090,
7226.91.5000, 7226.91.7000,
7226.91.8000, 7226.99.0000. Although
the HTSUS subheadings are provided
for convenience and customs purposes,
the written description of the
merchandise subject to this order.
of their responsibility concerning the
return or destruction of proprietary
information disclosed under APO in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.305.
Timely notification of return/
destruction of APO materials or
conversion to judicial protective order is
hereby requested. Failure to comply
with the regulations and the terms of an
APO is a sanctionable violation. We are
issuing and publishing the results and
notice in accordance with sections
751(c), 752, and 777(i)(1) of the Act.
Analysis of Comments Received
All issues raised in this review are
addressed in the Issues and Decision
Memorandum (‘‘Decision
Memorandum’’) from Barbara E.
Tillman, Acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Import Administration, to
Joseph A. Spetrini, Acting Assistant
Secretary for Import Administration,
dated August 1, 2005, which is hereby
adopted by this notice. Parties can find
a complete discussion of all issues
raised in this review and the
corresponding recommendation in this
public memorandum which is on file in
the Central Records Unit, room B–099 of
the main Commerce building. In
addition, a complete version of the
Decision Memorandum can be accessed
directly on the Web at https://
ia.ita.doc.gov/frn. The paper copy and
electronic version of the Decision
Memorandum are identical in content.
[Docket No. 041029298–5209–04; I.D.
052004A]
Dated: August 1, 2005.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E5–4259 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–AS38
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;
California, Washington, and Oregon
Fisheries for Coastal Dungeness Crab
and Pink Shrimp
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of fee effective date.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this establishing
the effective date of fees for repaying the
$35,662,471 reduction loan financing
the Pacific Coast groundfish fishing
capacity reduction program.
DATES: The groundfish program fee
payment collection will begin on
Final Results of Review
September 8, 2005.
The Department determines that
ADDRESSES: Send questions about this
revocation of the CVD order would be
notice to Michael L. Grable, Chief,
likely to lead to continuation or
Financial Services Division, National
recurrence of a countervailable subsidy
Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 Eastat the rates listed below:
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910–3282.
Net Countervailable
Producers/Exporters
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Subsidy (percent)
Michael L. Grable, (301) 713–2390.
ILVA S.p.A. ...................
2.38 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Palini & Bertoli ..............
All Others ......................
De minimis
2.38
Notification Regarding Administrative
Protective Order
This notice serves as the only
reminder to parties subject to
administrative protective order (‘‘APO’’)
VerDate jul<14>2003
20:13 Aug 05, 2005
Jkt 205001
I. Background
Sections 312(b)-(e) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a(b)
through (e)) is the general authority for
fishing capacity reduction programs. In
particular, section 312(d) authorizes
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
45695
industry fee systems for repaying
reduction loans which finance
reduction program costs.
Subpart L of 50 CFR part 600 is the
framework rule generally implementing
section 312(b)-(e).
Sections 1111 and 1112 of the
Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App.
U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g) generally
authorizes loans financing reduction
programs.
Enacted on February 20, 2003, section
212 of Division B, Title II, of Public Law
108–7 (section 212) specifically
authorizes a fishing capacity reduction
program for that portion of the limited
entry trawl fishery under the Pacific
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management
Plan whose permits, excluding those
registered to whiting catcher-processors
are endorsed for trawl gear operation.
This is the program’s reduction fishery.
The groundfish reduction program’s
objective was to reduce the number of
vessels and permits endorsed for the
operation of groundfish trawl gear. The
program also involved corollary fishing
capacity reduction in the California,
Oregon, and Washington fisheries for
Dungeness crab and pink shrimp. These
are the program’s fee-share fisheries.
All post-reduction fish landings from
the reduction fishery and the six feeshare fisheries are subject to the
groundfish program’s fee. The object of
this notice is to establish the effective
date of the fee which fish sellers must
pay and fish buyers must collect on all
fee fish landed from these seven
fisheries.
NMFS implemented the groundfish
program by Federal Register
notification (rather than by the more
usual regulatory method). NMFS
proposed the implementing notice on
May 28, 2003 (68 FR 31653) and
published the final notice on July 18,
2003 (68 FR 42613). Please refer to the
final notice for groundfish program
details.
NMFS allocated the $35,662,471
reduction loan to the reduction fishery
and to each of the six fee-share fisheries
as follows:
1. Reduction fishery, $28,428,719; and
2. Fee-share fisheries:
a. California coastal Dungeness crab
fishery, $2,334,334,
b. California pink shrimp fishery,
$674,202,
c. Oregon coastal Dungeness crab
fishery, $1,367,545,
d. Oregon pink shrimp fishery,
$2,228,845,
e. Washington coastal Dungeness crab
fishery, $369,426, and
f. Washington pink shrimp fishery,
$259,400.
Each of these allocations became a
reduction loan subamount repayable by
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
45696
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
fees from the fishery to which the
subamount relates.
On November 4, 2003, NMFS
published another Federal Register
document (68 FR 62435) advising the
public that NMFS would, in one month,
tender the groundfish program’s
reduction payments to the 91 accepted
bidders. On December 4, 2003, NMFS
required all accepted bidders to
permanently stop all further fishing
with the fishing vessels and permits
whose fishing privileges they had
relinquished in return for reduction
payments. Subsequently, NMFS:
1. Disbursed $45,662,471 in reduction
payments to 91 accepted bidders;
2. Revoked the relinquished Federal
permits;
3. Advised California, Oregon, and
Washington about the relinquished state
permits or licenses;
4. Arranged with the National Vessel
Documentation Center for permanent
revocation of the reduction vessels’
fishery trade endorsements; and
5. Notified the U.S. Maritime
Administration to prohibit placement of
the reduction vessels under foreign
registry or the operational authority of
foreign countries.
On November 16, 2004, NMFS
published a Federal Register document
(69 FR 67100) proposing regulations to
implement the groundfish program’s
industry fee system.
In response to public comment about
this proposed rule, NMFS modified it
and published a second proposed rule
in the Federal Register on April 8, 2005
(70 FR 17949).
NMFS published in the Federal
Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR 40225),
the final rule to implement the industry
fee system for repaying the groundfish
program’s reduction loan. The
regulations implementing the program
are located at § 600.1012 of 50 CFR part
600’s subpart M.
II. Purpose
This document’s purpose is to
establish, in accordance with the
framework rule’s § 600.1013(d), the date
from and after which the fee is effective.
III. Notice
Groundfish program fee payment and
collection will begin on September 8,
2005.
From and after this date, all
groundfish program fish sellers must
pay the groundfish program fee in
accordance with the applicable
regulations.
From and after this date, all
groundfish program fish buyers must
collect the groundfish program fee in
accordance with the applicable
regulations.
From and after this date, all
groundfish program fish buyers must
deposit, disburse, record, and report
groundfish program fee matters in
accordance with the applicable
regulations.
The initial fee applicable to the
groundfish program’s reduction fishery
and to each of its six fee-share fishery
is as follows:
Reduction fishery
California coastal Dungeness crab
California pink shrimp
Oregon coastal Dungeness crab
Oregon pink shrimp
Washington coastal Dungeness
crab
Washington pink shrimp
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Subpart
Section
Reduction Framework Rule
L
600.1012
through
600.1016
Groundfish Program Fee Rule
M
600.1102
The applicable framework rule
sections involve the following reduction
loan and fee matters which are common
1.50%
to all reduction programs:
Loan obligation, principal amount, interest rate, payment term, and penalties for non-payment and non-collection..
Fee amount, fee rate, how fish sellers pay the fee, and how fish buyers collect the fee..
How fish buyers deposit collected fees, disburse collected fees to NMFS, keep fee records, and make fee reports..
Late charges for fee payment, collection, deposit, and/or disbursement..
NMFS enforcement of all fee provisions..
The groundfish program fee rule has
only one section (600.1102), but all of
the section’s paragraphs specifically
involve or affect the groundfish
program’s reduction loan or the fees
which will repay the loan. The
groundfish program fee rule involves
the following reduction loan and fee
Section
VerDate jul<14>2003
5.00%
1.24%
5.00%
0.55%
3.75%
0.16%
Description
Matter
600.1012
600.1013
600.1014
600.1015
600.1016
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
Fee
Rate
Fishery
Fish sellers and fish buyers must pay
and collect the groundfish program’s fee
in the framework rule manner common
to all fishing capacity reduction
programs. Consequently, groundfish
program fish sellers and fish buyers
should read the framework rule’s
§ 600.1013 to understand how fish
sellers must pay, and fish buyers must
collect, the groundfish program fee.
Generally, fish buyers must deposit
and disburse, and keep records and
report about, the groundfish program fee
in the framework rule manner common
to all buybacks. Nevertheless, the
groundfish program rule makes specific
changes in the framework rule deposit,
disbursement, records, and reports
requirements. Consequently, groundfish
program fish buyers should read both
the framework rule’s § 600.1014 and the
groundfish program rule’s paragraph (i)
to understand the full deposit,
disbursement, records, and reports
provisions to which the groundfish
program’s collected fees are subject.
The following table identifies the
various 50 CFR Part 600 rules involved
in or affecting the groundfish program
fee:
matters specific to the groundfish
program fee:
Matter
The rule’s purpose..
Definition of terms which the rule uses..
Reduction loan amount..
Reduction loan sub-amounts for the reduction fishery and each of the six fee-share fisheries..
Interest accrual inception..
Interest rate..
Repayment term..
20:13 Aug 05, 2005
Jkt 205001
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
Section
(h)
(i)
Matter
Subjection of the groundfish program reduction loan to § 600.1012 of the framework rule and subjection of groundfish
program fee payment and collection to § 600.1013 of the framework rule..
Subjection of groundfish program fee collection, deposit, disbursement, records, and reports to § 600.1014 of the framework
rule, except for a specified departures from the § 600.1014 requirements..
Although fish sellers and,
particularly, all fish buyers should
carefully read the applicable regulations
for full fee payment, collection, deposit,
disbursement, recording, and reporting
requirements, the following is a brief
and informal synopsis:
The first ex-vessel fish buyers of fee
fish must withhold the fee from the trip
proceeds which the fish buyers would
otherwise have paid to the fish sellers
who harvested and first sold the fee fish
to the fish buyers. Fish buyers collect
the fee when they withhold it from trip
proceeds, and fish sellers automatically
pay the fee when the fish buyers
withhold it before paying the net trip
proceeds to the fish sellers. Fish buyers
must calculate the fee to be collected by
multiplying the applicable fee rate
(depending on whether the fee fish is
from the reduction fishery or from one
or more of the six fee-share fisheries)
times the fee fish’s full delivery value.
Delivery value is the fee fish’s full fair
market value, including all in-kind
compensation or other goods or services
exchanged in lieu of cash.
Fish buyers must deposit collected
fees not less frequently than at the end
of each month. The deposit account
must be at a Federally insured
institution. The deposit account may
also include the fish buyers general
operating funds, but only if it separately
accounts for all collected fees (both in
the aggregate and for each of the seven
fee paying fisheries). Fish buyers may
neither pledge nor assign collected fee
deposits. Fish buyers may not use
collected fee deposits for any purpose
whatsoever other than aggregating them
for disbursement to NMFS.
Fish buyers must disburse to NMFS
all collected fee deposits not less
frequently than necessary for NMFS to
have received the disbursement by the
14th calendar day after the last calendar
day of each month if the collected fee
deposits then total $100 or more. If
collected fees do not total $100 or more
at the time fish buyers must disburse
them, fish buyers may delay
disbursement until either the next
month in which collected fee deposits
exceed $100 or the end of the calendar
year of deposit (regardless of amount),
whichever comes first.
Fish buyers must accompany each
disbursement with a fee collection
report on NMFS’s report form and
VerDate jul<14>2003
45697
20:13 Aug 05, 2005
Jkt 205001
completed in the manner NMFS
specifies.
All fish buyers must maintain for at
least three years detailed records of fee
collection, deposit, and disbursement.
along with the landing records required
to audit fee payment and collection.
Paragraph (i)(4) of the groundfish
program’s fee rule (50 CFR 600.1102)
specify the fee payment and collection
records which fish buyers must
maintain.
Fee payment and fee collection are
mandatory, and there are substantial
penalties for failing to pay and collect
fees in accordance with the applicable
regulations. In addition to applying
these penalties, NMFS will also enforce
the collection of all fee payment and
collection by adding late charges and
bring legal actions for collection
enforcement against any fish seller or
fish buyer who fails to pay, collect,
deposit, and/or disburse the fee in
accordance with the regulations. NMFS
will audit ex-vessel landing records and
fish buyer records for the purpose of
determining and enforcing compliance.
To provide more accessible services,
streamline collections, and save
taxpayer dollars, fish buyers may
disburse collected fee deposits to NMFS
by using a secure Federal system on the
Internet known as Pay.gov. Pay.gov
enables fish buyers to use either their
checking accounts or their credit cards
to electronically disburse their collected
fee deposits to NMFS. Fish buyers who
have access to the Internet should
consider using this quick and easy
collected fee disbursement method. Fish
buyers may access Pay.gov by going
directly to Pay.gov’s Federal website at:
https://www.pay.gov/paygov/.
Fish buyers who do not have access
to the Internet or who simply do not
wish to use the Pay.gov electronic
system, must disburse their collected fee
deposits to us by sending their checks
to our lockbox. Our lockbox’s address is:
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Coast Groundfish
Buyback
P. O. Box 979059
St. Louis, MO 63197–9000
Fish buyers’ must not forget to
include with their disbursements the fee
collection report applicable to each
disbursement. The fee collection report
tells NMFS how much of the
disbursement it must apply to each of
the seven reduction loan subamounts.
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Fish buyers using Pay.gov will find an
electronic fee collection report form to
receive information and accompany
electronic disbursements. Fish buyers
who do not use Pay.gov must include a
hard copy fee collection report with
each of their disbursements. See the
attachment to this notice. Fish buyers
not using Pay.gov may also access the
NMFS website for an Excel spreadsheet
version of the fee collection report at:
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mb/
financiallservices/.
NMFS will, before the fee’s effective
date, separately mail a copy of this
notice, along with detailed fee payment,
collection, deposit, disbursement,
recording, and reporting information
and guidance, to each fish seller and
fish buyer of whom NMFS has notice.
The fact that any fish seller or fish buyer
might not, however, receive from NMFS
a copy of the notice or of the
information and guidance does not
relieve the fish seller or fish buyer from
his fee obligations under the applicable
regulations.
This action has been determined to be
not significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS, finds that good cause exists for
this notification to be issued without
affording prior notice and opportunity
for public comment under 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B) because such notification
would be unnecessary. Actual notice of
the regulatory action was provided to,
and comments were received from the
public during the rulemaking process.
This action merely establishes the start
date of the groundfish program’s
industry fee system which was made
effective in a previous final rule in
accordance with the framework rule’s
§ 600.1013(d). No new requirements are
implemented by this action.
Because notice and comment are not
required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any
other law, the analytical requirements of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C.
601 et seq., are not applicable.
This action contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved these information collections
under OMB control number 0648–0376.
NMFS estimates that the public
reporting burden for these requirements
will average:
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
45698
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
Two hours for submitting a monthly
fish buyer fee collection report; and
Two hours for making a fish buyer/
fish seller report when one party fails to
either pay or collect the fee.
These response estimates include the
time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data
VerDate jul<14>2003
20:13 Aug 05, 2005
Jkt 205001
needed, and completing and reviewing
the information collection.
Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, no person is required to respond
to, and no person is subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, an
information collection subject to the
requirements of the PRA unless that
information collection displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Authority: Pub. L. 107–206, Pub. L. 108–
7, 16 U.S.C. 1861a (b-e), and 50 CFR
600.1000 et seq.
Dated: August 3, 2005.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
VerDate jul<14>2003
20:13 Aug 05, 2005
Jkt 205001
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
45699
EN08AU05.093
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
45700
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
[FR Doc. 05–15643 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
Special Accommodations
BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
The meetings are open to the public
and physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Dawn Aring at the
Council office (see ADDRESSES) by
August 12, 2005.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 080105C]
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council; Public Meetings
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council (Council) will
convene a meeting of its Ecosystem
Scientific and Statistical Committee
(SSC) in New Orleans, LA.
DATES: The meeting will be held Friday,
August 19, 2005, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Ramada Inn & Suites, New Orleans
Airport, 110 James Drive East, Saint
Rose, LA 70087.
Council address: Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council, 2203
North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa,
FL 33607.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Atran, Population Dynamics
Statistician, Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council; telephone: (813)
348–1630.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Council will convene its Ecosystem SSC
in New Orleans, LA on August 19, 2005.
The SSC will: (1) review the results of
a series of facilitated workshops to
solicit public input on ecosystem based
fisheries management, (2) review the
National Marine Fisheries Service’s
positions on approaches to ecosystem
based fisheries management, and (3)
establish preliminary tasks toward
producing a fisheries ecosystem plan.
Copies of the agenda and other related
materials can be obtained by calling
(813) 348–1630. Although other nonemergency issues not on the agendas
may come before the SSC for discussion,
in accordance with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (M-SFCMA), those
issues may not be the subject of formal
action during these meetings. Actions of
the SSC will be restricted to those issues
specifically identified in the agendas
and any issues arising after publication
of this notice that require emergency
action under Section 305(c) of the MSFCMA, provided the public has been
notified of the Council’s intent to take
action to address the emergency.
VerDate jul<14>2003
20:13 Aug 05, 2005
Jkt 205001
Dated: August 3, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5–4244 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 080105E]
New England Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
Management Council (Council) is
scheduling a public meeting of its
Habitat/Marine Protected Area (MPA)/
Ecosystem Committee in August, 2005
to consider actions affecting New
England fisheries in the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ).
Recommendations from this group will
be brought to the full Council for formal
consideration and action, if appropriate.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Monday, August 22, 2005, at 9:30 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Eastland Park Hotel, 157 High
Street, Portland, ME 04101; telephone:
(207) 775–5411; fax: (207) 775–1066.
Council address: New England
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul
J. Howard, Director, New England
Fishery Management Council;
telephone: (978) 465–0492.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Habitat/MPA/Ecosystem Committee will
continue work on elements of the
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Omnibus
Amendment 2 including, but not
limited to, a review of the peer-review
report of the Habitat Evaluation Review
Committee meeting on EFH designation
methods and tools. The Committee will
also review and consider the Habitat
Plan Development Team’s (PDT)
evaluations of the Habitat Area of
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Particular Concern proposals. Other
topics to be addressed by the Committee
include: development of a draft Marine
Protected Area policy based on recent
policy development workshops’ report;
jurisdictional issues surrounding nonfishing marine services: Liquified
Natural Gas (LNG), aquaculture and
windfarms; preliminary review of
coastal pollution and marine fisheries
productivity project; update on
upcoming stakeholder meetings as well
as other topics at the Committee’s
discretion.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in this agenda may come
before this group for discussion, those
issues may not be the subject of formal
action during this meeting. Action will
be restricted to those issues specifically
identified in this notice and any issues
arising after publication of this notice
that require emergency action under
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act, provided the public has been
notified of the Council’s intent to take
final action to address the emergency.
Special Accommodations
This meeting is physically accessible
to people with disabilities. Requests for
sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to Paul
J. Howard, Executive Director, at 978–
465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the
meeting date.
Dated: August 3, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5–4245 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 080105D]
New England Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
Management Council (Council) is
scheduling a public meeting of its
Capacity Committee in August, 2005 to
consider actions affecting New England
fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ). Recommendations from this
group will be brought to the full Council
E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM
08AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45695-45700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15643]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 041029298-5209-04; I.D. 052004A]
RIN 0648-AS38
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fishing Capacity Reduction
Program; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; California, Washington, and
Oregon Fisheries for Coastal Dungeness Crab and Pink Shrimp
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of fee effective date.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this establishing the effective date of fees for
repaying the $35,662,471 reduction loan financing the Pacific Coast
groundfish fishing capacity reduction program.
DATES: The groundfish program fee payment collection will begin on
September 8, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Send questions about this notice to Michael L. Grable,
Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service,
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Grable, (301) 713-2390.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Sections 312(b)-(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a(b) through (e)) is the general
authority for fishing capacity reduction programs. In particular,
section 312(d) authorizes industry fee systems for repaying reduction
loans which finance reduction program costs.
Subpart L of 50 CFR part 600 is the framework rule generally
implementing section 312(b)-(e).
Sections 1111 and 1112 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 App.
U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g) generally authorizes loans financing reduction
programs.
Enacted on February 20, 2003, section 212 of Division B, Title II,
of Public Law 108-7 (section 212) specifically authorizes a fishing
capacity reduction program for that portion of the limited entry trawl
fishery under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
whose permits, excluding those registered to whiting catcher-processors
are endorsed for trawl gear operation. This is the program's reduction
fishery.
The groundfish reduction program's objective was to reduce the
number of vessels and permits endorsed for the operation of groundfish
trawl gear. The program also involved corollary fishing capacity
reduction in the California, Oregon, and Washington fisheries for
Dungeness crab and pink shrimp. These are the program's fee-share
fisheries.
All post-reduction fish landings from the reduction fishery and the
six fee-share fisheries are subject to the groundfish program's fee.
The object of this notice is to establish the effective date of the fee
which fish sellers must pay and fish buyers must collect on all fee
fish landed from these seven fisheries.
NMFS implemented the groundfish program by Federal Register
notification (rather than by the more usual regulatory method). NMFS
proposed the implementing notice on May 28, 2003 (68 FR 31653) and
published the final notice on July 18, 2003 (68 FR 42613). Please refer
to the final notice for groundfish program details.
NMFS allocated the $35,662,471 reduction loan to the reduction
fishery and to each of the six fee-share fisheries as follows:
1. Reduction fishery, $28,428,719; and
2. Fee-share fisheries:
a. California coastal Dungeness crab fishery, $2,334,334,
b. California pink shrimp fishery, $674,202,
c. Oregon coastal Dungeness crab fishery, $1,367,545,
d. Oregon pink shrimp fishery, $2,228,845,
e. Washington coastal Dungeness crab fishery, $369,426, and
f. Washington pink shrimp fishery, $259,400.
Each of these allocations became a reduction loan subamount
repayable by
[[Page 45696]]
fees from the fishery to which the subamount relates.
On November 4, 2003, NMFS published another Federal Register
document (68 FR 62435) advising the public that NMFS would, in one
month, tender the groundfish program's reduction payments to the 91
accepted bidders. On December 4, 2003, NMFS required all accepted
bidders to permanently stop all further fishing with the fishing
vessels and permits whose fishing privileges they had relinquished in
return for reduction payments. Subsequently, NMFS:
1. Disbursed $45,662,471 in reduction payments to 91 accepted
bidders;
2. Revoked the relinquished Federal permits;
3. Advised California, Oregon, and Washington about the
relinquished state permits or licenses;
4. Arranged with the National Vessel Documentation Center for
permanent revocation of the reduction vessels' fishery trade
endorsements; and
5. Notified the U.S. Maritime Administration to prohibit placement
of the reduction vessels under foreign registry or the operational
authority of foreign countries.
On November 16, 2004, NMFS published a Federal Register document
(69 FR 67100) proposing regulations to implement the groundfish
program's industry fee system.
In response to public comment about this proposed rule, NMFS
modified it and published a second proposed rule in the Federal
Register on April 8, 2005 (70 FR 17949).
NMFS published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR
40225), the final rule to implement the industry fee system for
repaying the groundfish program's reduction loan. The regulations
implementing the program are located at Sec. 600.1012 of 50 CFR part
600's subpart M.
II. Purpose
This document's purpose is to establish, in accordance with the
framework rule's Sec. 600.1013(d), the date from and after which the
fee is effective.
III. Notice
Groundfish program fee payment and collection will begin on
September 8, 2005.
From and after this date, all groundfish program fish sellers must
pay the groundfish program fee in accordance with the applicable
regulations.
From and after this date, all groundfish program fish buyers must
collect the groundfish program fee in accordance with the applicable
regulations.
From and after this date, all groundfish program fish buyers must
deposit, disburse, record, and report groundfish program fee matters in
accordance with the applicable regulations.
The initial fee applicable to the groundfish program's reduction
fishery and to each of its six fee-share fishery is as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishery Fee Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reduction fishery 5.00%
California coastal Dungeness crab 1.24%
California pink shrimp 5.00%
Oregon coastal Dungeness crab 0.55%
Oregon pink shrimp 3.75%
Washington coastal Dungeness crab 0.16%
Washington pink shrimp 1.50%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish sellers and fish buyers must pay and collect the groundfish
program's fee in the framework rule manner common to all fishing
capacity reduction programs. Consequently, groundfish program fish
sellers and fish buyers should read the framework rule's Sec. 600.1013
to understand how fish sellers must pay, and fish buyers must collect,
the groundfish program fee.
Generally, fish buyers must deposit and disburse, and keep records
and report about, the groundfish program fee in the framework rule
manner common to all buybacks. Nevertheless, the groundfish program
rule makes specific changes in the framework rule deposit,
disbursement, records, and reports requirements. Consequently,
groundfish program fish buyers should read both the framework rule's
Sec. 600.1014 and the groundfish program rule's paragraph (i) to
understand the full deposit, disbursement, records, and reports
provisions to which the groundfish program's collected fees are
subject.
The following table identifies the various 50 CFR Part 600 rules
involved in or affecting the groundfish program fee:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description Subpart Section
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reduction Framework Rule L 600.1012
through
600.1016
Groundfish Program Fee Rule M 600.1102
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The applicable framework rule sections involve the following
reduction loan and fee matters which are common to all reduction
programs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section Matter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 600.1012 Loan obligation, principal amount, interest rate, payment term, and penalties for non-payment and non-collection.
Section 600.1013 Fee amount, fee rate, how fish sellers pay the fee, and how fish buyers collect the fee.
Section 600.1014 How fish buyers deposit collected fees, disburse collected fees to NMFS, keep fee records, and make fee reports.
Section 600.1015 Late charges for fee payment, collection, deposit, and/or disbursement.
Section 600.1016 NMFS enforcement of all fee provisions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The groundfish program fee rule has only one section (600.1102),
but all of the section's paragraphs specifically involve or affect the
groundfish program's reduction loan or the fees which will repay the
loan. The groundfish program fee rule involves the following reduction
loan and fee matters specific to the groundfish program fee:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section Matter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The rule's purpose.
(b) Definition of terms which the rule uses.
(c) Reduction loan amount.
(d) Reduction loan sub-amounts for the reduction fishery and each of the six fee-share fisheries.
(e) Interest accrual inception.
(f) Interest rate.
(g) Repayment term.
[[Page 45697]]
(h) Subjection of the groundfish program reduction loan to Sec. 600.1012 of the framework rule and subjection of
groundfish program fee payment and collection to Sec. 600.1013 of the framework rule.
(i) Subjection of groundfish program fee collection, deposit, disbursement, records, and reports to Sec. 600.1014 of
the framework rule, except for a specified departures from the Sec. 600.1014 requirements.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although fish sellers and, particularly, all fish buyers should
carefully read the applicable regulations for full fee payment,
collection, deposit, disbursement, recording, and reporting
requirements, the following is a brief and informal synopsis:
The first ex-vessel fish buyers of fee fish must withhold the fee
from the trip proceeds which the fish buyers would otherwise have paid
to the fish sellers who harvested and first sold the fee fish to the
fish buyers. Fish buyers collect the fee when they withhold it from
trip proceeds, and fish sellers automatically pay the fee when the fish
buyers withhold it before paying the net trip proceeds to the fish
sellers. Fish buyers must calculate the fee to be collected by
multiplying the applicable fee rate (depending on whether the fee fish
is from the reduction fishery or from one or more of the six fee-share
fisheries) times the fee fish's full delivery value. Delivery value is
the fee fish's full fair market value, including all in-kind
compensation or other goods or services exchanged in lieu of cash.
Fish buyers must deposit collected fees not less frequently than at
the end of each month. The deposit account must be at a Federally
insured institution. The deposit account may also include the fish
buyers general operating funds, but only if it separately accounts for
all collected fees (both in the aggregate and for each of the seven fee
paying fisheries). Fish buyers may neither pledge nor assign collected
fee deposits. Fish buyers may not use collected fee deposits for any
purpose whatsoever other than aggregating them for disbursement to
NMFS.
Fish buyers must disburse to NMFS all collected fee deposits not
less frequently than necessary for NMFS to have received the
disbursement by the 14th calendar day after the last calendar day of
each month if the collected fee deposits then total $100 or more. If
collected fees do not total $100 or more at the time fish buyers must
disburse them, fish buyers may delay disbursement until either the next
month in which collected fee deposits exceed $100 or the end of the
calendar year of deposit (regardless of amount), whichever comes first.
Fish buyers must accompany each disbursement with a fee collection
report on NMFS's report form and completed in the manner NMFS
specifies.
All fish buyers must maintain for at least three years detailed
records of fee collection, deposit, and disbursement. along with the
landing records required to audit fee payment and collection. Paragraph
(i)(4) of the groundfish program's fee rule (50 CFR 600.1102) specify
the fee payment and collection records which fish buyers must maintain.
Fee payment and fee collection are mandatory, and there are
substantial penalties for failing to pay and collect fees in accordance
with the applicable regulations. In addition to applying these
penalties, NMFS will also enforce the collection of all fee payment and
collection by adding late charges and bring legal actions for
collection enforcement against any fish seller or fish buyer who fails
to pay, collect, deposit, and/or disburse the fee in accordance with
the regulations. NMFS will audit ex-vessel landing records and fish
buyer records for the purpose of determining and enforcing compliance.
To provide more accessible services, streamline collections, and
save taxpayer dollars, fish buyers may disburse collected fee deposits
to NMFS by using a secure Federal system on the Internet known as
Pay.gov. Pay.gov enables fish buyers to use either their checking
accounts or their credit cards to electronically disburse their
collected fee deposits to NMFS. Fish buyers who have access to the
Internet should consider using this quick and easy collected fee
disbursement method. Fish buyers may access Pay.gov by going directly
to Pay.gov's Federal website at: https://www.pay.gov/paygov/.
Fish buyers who do not have access to the Internet or who simply do
not wish to use the Pay.gov electronic system, must disburse their
collected fee deposits to us by sending their checks to our lockbox.
Our lockbox's address is:
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Coast Groundfish Buyback
P. O. Box 979059
St. Louis, MO 63197-9000
Fish buyers' must not forget to include with their disbursements
the fee collection report applicable to each disbursement. The fee
collection report tells NMFS how much of the disbursement it must apply
to each of the seven reduction loan subamounts. Fish buyers using
Pay.gov will find an electronic fee collection report form to receive
information and accompany electronic disbursements. Fish buyers who do
not use Pay.gov must include a hard copy fee collection report with
each of their disbursements. See the attachment to this notice. Fish
buyers not using Pay.gov may also access the NMFS website for an Excel
spreadsheet version of the fee collection report at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mb/financial_services/.
NMFS will, before the fee's effective date, separately mail a copy
of this notice, along with detailed fee payment, collection, deposit,
disbursement, recording, and reporting information and guidance, to
each fish seller and fish buyer of whom NMFS has notice. The fact that
any fish seller or fish buyer might not, however, receive from NMFS a
copy of the notice or of the information and guidance does not relieve
the fish seller or fish buyer from his fee obligations under the
applicable regulations.
This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of Executive Order 12866.
The Assistant Administrator for NMFS, finds that good cause exists
for this notification to be issued without affording prior notice and
opportunity for public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) because such
notification would be unnecessary. Actual notice of the regulatory
action was provided to, and comments were received from the public
during the rulemaking process. This action merely establishes the start
date of the groundfish program's industry fee system which was made
effective in a previous final rule in accordance with the framework
rule's Sec. 600.1013(d). No new requirements are implemented by this
action.
Because notice and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or
any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., are not applicable.
This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has approved these information collections under OMB control
number 0648-0376. NMFS estimates that the public reporting burden for
these requirements will average:
[[Page 45698]]
Two hours for submitting a monthly fish buyer fee collection
report; and
Two hours for making a fish buyer/fish seller report when one party
fails to either pay or collect the fee.
These response estimates include the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
information collection.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to, and no person is subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with, an information collection subject to the requirements of
the PRA unless that information collection displays a currently valid
OMB control number.
Authority: Pub. L. 107-206, Pub. L. 108-7, 16 U.S.C. 1861a (b-
e), and 50 CFR 600.1000 et seq.
Dated: August 3, 2005.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
[[Page 45699]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08AU05.093
[[Page 45700]]
[FR Doc. 05-15643 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C