Great Lakes Pilotage Rates-2015 Annual Review and Adjustment-Extension of Comment Period, 71082-71083 [2014-28272]

Download as PDF 71082 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 230 / Monday, December 1, 2014 / Proposed Rules personally identifiable or confidential business information that is included in a comment. We post all comments received before the close of the comment period on the following Web site as soon as possible after they have been received: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the search instructions on that Web site to view public comments. Comments received timely will also be available for public inspection as they are received, generally beginning approximately 3 weeks after publication of a document, at the headquarters of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244, Monday through Friday of each week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment to view public comments, phone 1–800–743–3951. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Shearer (410) 786–6617. Jacqueline Leach (410) 786–4282. Maria Hammel (410) 786–1775. On October 9, 2014, we published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (79 FR 61164) entitled, ‘‘Conditions of Participation for Home Health Agencies’’ that would revise the health and safety requirements that home health agencies (HHAs) must meet in order to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Specifically, the proposed requirements would focus on the care delivered to patients by home health agencies, reflect an interdisciplinary view of patient care, allow HHAs greater flexibility in meeting quality care standards, and eliminate unnecessary procedural requirements. In addition, we proposed a set of fundamental requirements for HHA services that would encompass patient rights, comprehensive patient assessment, and patient care planning and coordination by an interdisciplinary team. Overarching these requirements would be a quality assessment and performance improvement program that would build on the philosophy that a provider’s own quality management system is key to improved patient care performance. The objective would be to achieve a balanced regulatory approach by ensuring that a HHA furnished health care that met essential health and quality standards, while ensuring that it monitored and improved its own performance. These changes are an integral part of our overall effort to achieve broad-based, measurable improvements in the quality of care furnished through the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while at the same asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:22 Nov 28, 2014 Jkt 235001 time eliminating unnecessary procedural burdens on providers. We have received inquiries from statebased and national industry organizations regarding the 60 day turnaround time to submit comments regarding this proposed rule. The organizations stated that they needed additional time to respond to the rule due to the complex nature of the proposed revisions. Because of the scope of the proposed rule, and since we have specifically requested the public’s comments on various aspect of the rule in an attempt to benefit from the vast experiences of the HHA provider and patient communities, we believe that it is important to allow ample time for all sections of the public to comment on this proposed rule. Therefore, we have decided to extend the comment period for an additional 30 days. This document announces the extension of the public comment period to January 7, 2015. Dated: November 24, 2014. Marilyn Tavenner, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. 2014–28266 Filed 11–28–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 2014–0481 using any one of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. (2) Fax: 202–493–2251. (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202–366–9329. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments. If you have questions on this notice, call or email Mr. Todd Haviland, Director, Great Lakes Pilotage, Commandant (CG– WWM–2), Coast Guard; telephone 202– 372–2037, email Todd.A.Haviland@ uscg.mil, or fax 202–372–1914. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202–366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Coast Guard I. Public Participation and Request for Comments 46 CFR Part 401 We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. [USCG–2014–0481; 1625–AC22] Great Lakes Pilotage Rates—2015 Annual Review and Adjustment— Extension of Comment Period Coast Guard, DHS. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: A. Submitting Comments The Coast Guard is extending the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled ‘‘Great Lakes Pilotage Rates—2015 Annual Review and Adjustment,’’ published on September 4, 2014, for 30 days. We have decided to extend the comment period as we have received new financial data that could affect the discretion provided by Step 7 of the Appendix A methodology and the final rate. DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our online docket via https://www.regulations.gov on or before December 31, 2014 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG– SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG–2014–0481), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert ‘‘USCG–2014–0481’’ in the ‘‘Search’’ E:\FR\FM\01DEP1.SGM 01DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 230 / Monday, December 1, 2014 / Proposed Rules box. Click on ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) based on your comments. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS B. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert ‘‘USCG–2014–0481’’ in the ‘‘Search’’ box. Click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management Facility. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:22 Nov 28, 2014 Jkt 235001 71083 C. Privacy Act III. Background and Purpose Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008 issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316). On November 14, 2014, we received the final reports of the revenue audits conducted by CohnReznick, LLP for the three pilotage districts. Performance of these audits was unanimously recommended by the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee to the Coast Guard at the most recent committee meeting on July 23–24, 2014, in Washington, DC. The data found by the revenue audits are important to analyzing the proposed rule as the findings may alter the final rate. We believe that the data provided in the revenue audits are ‘‘other supportable circumstances’’ that may alter the rate through the discretion provided by Step 7 of the ratemaking methodology. As these revenue audits were received after the comment period closed, we wish to give commenter’s the opportunity to review these revenue audits, which can be found in the docket, and make comments on the revenue audits. II. Regulatory History and Information The Coast Guard published an NPRM entitled ‘‘Great Lakes Pilotage Rates— 2015 Annual Review and Adjustment,’’ on September 4, 2014, (79 FR 52602) proposing rate adjustments for pilotage services on the Great Lakes, last amended in March 2014. The proposed adjustments would establish new base rates made in accordance with a full ratemaking procedure. Additionally, the Coast Guard proposed to exercise the discretion provided by Step 7 of the Appendix A methodology to result in an upward adjustment to match the rate increase of the Canadian Great Lakes Pilotage Authority. The NPRM also proposed temporary surcharges to accelerate recoupment of necessary and reasonable training costs for the pilot associations. All comments on this NPRM were originally due by November 3, 2014. PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 V. Authority This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a). Dated: November 25, 2014. Scott J. Smith, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Director of Marine Transportation Systems, U.S. Coast Guard. [FR Doc. 2014–28272 Filed 11–28–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P E:\FR\FM\01DEP1.SGM 01DEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71082-71083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28272]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Part 401

[USCG-2014-0481; 1625-AC22]


Great Lakes Pilotage Rates--2015 Annual Review and Adjustment--
Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is extending the comment period for the notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled ``Great Lakes Pilotage Rates--
2015 Annual Review and Adjustment,'' published on September 4, 2014, 
for 30 days. We have decided to extend the comment period as we have 
received new financial data that could affect the discretion provided 
by Step 7 of the Appendix A methodology and the final rate.

DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our 
online docket via https://www.regulations.gov on or before December 31, 
2014 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2014-0481 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, 
call or email Mr. Todd Haviland, Director, Great Lakes Pilotage, 
Commandant (CG-WWM-2), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2037, email 
Todd.A.Haviland@uscg.mil, or fax 202-372-1914. If you have questions on 
viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Cheryl Collins, 
Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

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

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2014-0481), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of 
these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing 
address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your 
document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your 
submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
insert ``USCG-2014-0481'' in the ``Search''

[[Page 71083]]

box. Click on ``Submit a Comment'' in the ``Actions'' column. If you 
submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an 
unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
based on your comments.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
insert ``USCG-2014-0481'' in the ``Search'' box. Click ``Search.'' 
Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column. If you do 
not have access to the Internet, you may view the docket online by 
visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement 
with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management 
Facility.

C. Privacy Act

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

II. Regulatory History and Information

    The Coast Guard published an NPRM entitled ``Great Lakes Pilotage 
Rates--2015 Annual Review and Adjustment,'' on September 4, 2014, (79 
FR 52602) proposing rate adjustments for pilotage services on the Great 
Lakes, last amended in March 2014. The proposed adjustments would 
establish new base rates made in accordance with a full ratemaking 
procedure. Additionally, the Coast Guard proposed to exercise the 
discretion provided by Step 7 of the Appendix A methodology to result 
in an upward adjustment to match the rate increase of the Canadian 
Great Lakes Pilotage Authority. The NPRM also proposed temporary 
surcharges to accelerate recoupment of necessary and reasonable 
training costs for the pilot associations. All comments on this NPRM 
were originally due by November 3, 2014.

III. Background and Purpose

    On November 14, 2014, we received the final reports of the revenue 
audits conducted by CohnReznick, LLP for the three pilotage districts. 
Performance of these audits was unanimously recommended by the Great 
Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee to the Coast Guard at the most recent 
committee meeting on July 23-24, 2014, in Washington, DC. The data 
found by the revenue audits are important to analyzing the proposed 
rule as the findings may alter the final rate. We believe that the data 
provided in the revenue audits are ``other supportable circumstances'' 
that may alter the rate through the discretion provided by Step 7 of 
the ratemaking methodology. As these revenue audits were received after 
the comment period closed, we wish to give commenter's the opportunity 
to review these revenue audits, which can be found in the docket, and 
make comments on the revenue audits.

V. Authority

    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: November 25, 2014.
Scott J. Smith,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Director of Marine Transportation 
Systems, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2014-28272 Filed 11-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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