62560 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 12, 2010 / Notices 

(5) ensures accurate, accessible, timely, 

and effective translation of science for 

use by multiple audiences; (6) leads 

identification and implementation of 

information dissemination channels; (7) 

provides communication and marketing 

project management expertise; (8) 

collaborates with external organizations 

and the news, public service, and 

entertainment and other media to 

ensure that scientific findings and their 

implications for public health reach the 

intended audiences; (9) collaborates 

closely with divisions to produce 

materials tailored to meet the 

requirements of news and other media 

channels, including press releases, 

letters to the editor, public service 

announcements, television 

programming, video news releases, and 

other electronic and printed materials; 

(10) coordinates the development and 

maintenance of accessible public 

information through the Internet, social 

media and other applicable channels; 

(11) supervises and manages a 

comprehensive records management 

activity in accordance with National 

Archives and Records Administration 

standards and CERCLA legislative 

requirements; (12) provides training and 

technical assistance in the areas of 

health communication, risk 

communication, social marketing, and 

public affairs; (13) provides editorial 

services, including writing, editing, and 

technical editing; (14) supervises and 

manages OC activities, programs, and 

staff; (15) serves as liaison to internal 

and external groups to advance the 

agency’s mission; (16) collaborates with 

the CDC Office of the Associate Director 

for Communication on media relations, 

electronic communication, health media 

production, and brand management 

activities; and (17) collaborates with 

CDC Centers/Institute/Offices in the 

development of marketing 

communications targeted to populations 

that would benefit from a crossfunctional approach. 

Dated: September 27, 2010. 

William P. Nichols, 

Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2010–25221 Filed 10–8–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4160–70–M 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

United States Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement 

Agency Information Collection 

Activities: Extension of a Currently 

Approved Information Collection; 

Comment Request 

ACTION: 30-Day Notice of Information 

Collection for Review; Application for 

Stay of Deportation or Removal, Form 

I–246, OMB No. 1653–0021. 

The Department of Homeland 

Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement (ICE), is submitting the 

following information collection request 

for review and clearance in accordance 

with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 

1995. The Information Collection was 

previously published in the Federal 

Register on July 15, 2010, Vol. 75, No. 

135, 41214, allowing for a 60-day public 

comment period. ICE received no 

comments on this Information 

Collection from the public during this 

60-day period. The purpose of this 

notice is to allow an additional 30 days 

for public comments. Comments are 

encouraged and will be accepted for 

thirty days until November 12, 2010. 

Written comments and suggestions 

from the public and affected agencies 

regarding items contained in this notice 

and especially with regard to the 

estimated public burden and associated 

response time should be directed to the 

Office of Information and Regulatory 

Affairs, Office of Management and 

Budget. Comments should be addressed 

to the OMB Desk Officer for U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 

Department of Homeland Security, and 

sent via electronic mail to 

oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed 

to (202) 395–5806. Written comments 

and suggestions from the public and 

affected agencies concerning the 

proposed collection of information 

should address one or more of the 

following four points: 

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed 

collection of information is necessary 

for the proper performance of the 

functions of the agency, including 

whether the information will have 

practical utility; 

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the 

agency’s estimate of the burden of the 

proposed collection of information, 

including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used; 

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; and 

(4) Minimize the burden of the 

collection of information on those who 

are to respond, including through the 

use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology, 

e.g., permitting electronic submission of 

responses. 

Overview of This Information 

Collection 

(1) Type of Information Collection: 

Extension of a currently approved 

Information Collection. 

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: 

Application for Stay of Deportation or 

Removal. 

(3) Agency form number, if any, and 

the applicable component of the 

Department of Homeland Security 

sponsoring the collection: I–246; U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

(4) Affected public who will be asked 

or required to respond, as well as a brief 

abstract: Primary: Individual or 

Households, Business or other nonprofit. The information collected on the 

Form I–246 is necessary for U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

(ICE) to make a determination that the 

eligibility requirements for a request for 

a stay of deportation or removal are met 

by the applicant. 

(5) An estimate of the total number of 

respondents and the amount of time 

estimated for an average respondent to 

respond: 10,000 responses at 30 minutes 

(.50 hours) per response. 

(6) An estimate of the total public 

burden (in hours) associated with the 

collection: 5,000 annual burden hours. 

Requests for a copy of the proposed 

information collection instrument, with 

instructions; or inquiries for additional 

information regarding this Information 

Collection should be requested 

via e-mail to: forms.ice@dhs.gov with 

‘‘ICE Form I–246’’ in the subject line. 

Dated: October 5, 2010. 

Joseph M. Gerhart, 

Chief, Records Management Branch, U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 

Department of Homeland Security. 

[FR Doc. 2010–25555 Filed 10–8–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

[Docket No. USCG–2010–0618] 

Exemption and Equivalent 

Arrangements Under the International 

Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as 

Modified by the Protocol of 1988 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 12, 2010 / Notices 62561 

ACTION: Notice of issuance and 

availability. 

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces 

that it has recently notified the 

International Maritime Organization 

(IMO) of issuance of an exemption 

under the International Convention on 

Load Lines (ICLL) covering reduced 

‘‘working freeboard’’ exemptions for 

hopper dredges. In addition, the Coast 

Guard announces completion and 

availability of the DR–68 reduced 

freeboard standards for hopper dredges. 

The Coast Guard also notified IMO of 

approved equivalent arrangements, as 

permitted by the ICLL and U.S. 

regulations, regarding hatch covers for 

hopper dredges and barges that meet 

‘‘flooded hopper’’ stability criteria. This 

notice may be of special interest to the 

U.S. dredging industry and naval 

architecture, and marine engineering 

firms. 

DATES: The Coast Guard issued formal 

notification to the IMO of equivalent 

arrangements for hatch covers for 

certain unmanned open hopper barges 

on March 30, 2009. We issued formal 

notification to the IMO of equivalent 

arrangements for hatch covers for 

certain manned, self-propelled open 

hopper dredges on November 12, 2009. 

We issued formal notification to the 

IMO of reduced freeboard exemptions 

for hopper dredges on April 7, 2010. 

ADDRESSES: More information on load 

lines can be found on the Coast Guard 

load line website at: http:// 

www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5212/ 

loadlines.asp. This notice, the IMO 

notifications, and DR–68 are available in 

the docket and can be viewed by going 

to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting 

USCG–2010–0618 in the ‘‘Keyword’’ 

box, and then clicking ‘‘Search.’’ 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 

Thomas Jordan, United States Coast 

Guard, Office of Design and Engineering 

Standards, Naval Architecture Division 

(CG–5212), at telephone 202–372–1370, 

or by e-mail at 

thomas.d.jordan@uscg.mil. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The International Convention on Load 

Lines (ICLL), 1966 is one of several 

international conventions administered 

by the IMO, a specialized agency of the 

United Nations. It was created to 

establish ‘‘uniform principles and rules 

with respect to the limits to which ships 

on international voyages may be [safely] 

loaded.’’ Chapter 51 (Load Lines) of Title 

46 of the United States Code gives effect 

to ICLL provisions. 

The most familiar load line feature is 

the well-known ‘‘Plimsoll mark’’ visible 

on each side of the hull. However, load 

lined vessels must also meet specific 

design and construction requirements. 

The purpose of load line assignment is 

to ensure the over-all seaworthiness of 

the intact (undamaged) vessel. Ocean 

service load lines allow unrestricted 

operations on any ocean, at any time of 

year (an extreme example being winter 

in the North Atlantic). This is 

accomplished by load line requirements 

that ensure: A robust hull that can 

withstand severe sea conditions, the 

weathertight and watertight integrity of 

critical openings, sufficient reserve 

buoyancy and freeboard, and accurate 

stability and loading information 

provided on board. 

To that effect, the ICLL prescribes 44 

regulations that pertain to the design 

and construction of a ship, an additional 

five regulations specifically for vessels 

that carry timber deck cargoes, and 

seven regulations that divide the oceans 

into zones and areas on the basis of 

seasonal weather criteria. The United 

States regulations for a domestic ocean 

service load line (in 46 CFR Part 42) 

implement Chapter 51 of Title 46 of the 

United States Code. 

United States and ICLL Regulations 

As stipulated in 46 CFR 42.03–5, most 

commercial United States vessels more 

than 79 feet long that operate outside 

the Boundary Line are required to have 

a load line assignment. Those United 

States vessels that go on voyages to 

foreign ports must have an international 

load line assignment issued in 

accordance with the ICLL. United States 

vessels that operate outside the 

Boundary Line on domestic voyages 

only (i.e., coastwise, Great Lakes, or 

ocean voyages that return directly to a 

U.S. port) must have a domestic United 

States load line assignment. 

Although most domestic and ICLL 

load line requirements are appropriate 

for laden cargo ships on the high seas, 

some of the requirements can be overly 

conservative—and burdensome—for 

certain service vessels that operate 

nearshore under less-severe conditions. 

However, under the ICLL and 46 CFR 

42.03–20 and 42.03–30, it is possible to 

relax those requirements—or exempt 

them entirely—if the vessel is still able 

to maintain the equivalent level of 

safety intended by load line assignment. 

Exemption and Equivalency Authority 

Under the ICLL and United States Law 

Recognizing the wide variety of 

commercial vessel types and realizing 

that not every regulation is necessarily 

appropriate for every vessel design, the 

ICLL includes provisions that give 

Administrations (signatory member 

nations) some degree of flexibility in 

applying the regulations to vessels of 

unusual form or service. In addition, 46 

U.S.C. 5108 (‘‘Special Exemptions’’) 

permits exemption of a vessel from the 

load lines requirements when ‘‘(1) the 

vessel is entitled to an exemption under 

an international agreement to which the 

United States is a party; or (2) under 

regulations (including regulations on 

special operations conditions) 

prescribed by the Secretary, the 

Secretary finds that good cause exists 

for granting an exemption.’’ When an 

exemption is granted, a certificate of 

exemption may be issued. 

Exemptions: Both ICLL Article 6(2) 

and 46 CFR 42.03–30 authorize the 

exemption of any vessel which 

embodies features of a novel kind from 

load lines requirements that might 

impede research and development of 

such novel features. Under both 

provisions, however, the relevant 

authority is required to ensure the overall safety of the vessel for the service 

intended. 

Equivalents: Both ICLL Article 8 and 

46 CFR 42.03–20 allow the approval of 

any alternative fitting, material, 

appliance, apparatus, or other provision, 

provided that the alternative is as 

effective as that required by the 

Convention. 

IMO Notification: When approving an 

exemption or equivalency under the 

authority of either Article 6(2) or 8, the 

Administration is required to submit a 

notification to IMO, describing the 

issue, the reasons for the 

Administration’s decision, and the 

alternative arrangement that was 

approved (if applicable). IMO then 

circulates the notification among all 

member Administrations for their 

information. 

ICLL Exemptions for Hopper Dredges: 

Reduced Freeboards 

The Coast Guard has recently 

approved reduced freeboard exemptions 

for some United States dredges under 

two special load line regimes: (1) 

‘‘working freeboard’’ and 2) DR67. 

‘‘Working Freeboard’’ 

With few exceptions, vessels are 

prohibited from submersion of their 

load line marks. This prevents 

overloading and maintains sufficient 

freeboard and reserve buoyancy for the 

high seas voyage. However, it is not 

possible for hopper dredges to conduct 

dredging operations under the extreme 

weather conditions anticipated by the 

load line regulations. Furthermore, 

unlike cargo ships, hopper dredges have 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
62562 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 12, 2010 / Notices 

the unique ability to quickly jettison 

their spoils cargo and regain thousands 

of tons of buoyancy. Therefore, the full 

freeboard for unrestricted ocean 

operation is unnecessary during 

dredging operations. Permitting the 

dredge to operate at a reduced freeboard 

(i.e., to submerge its marks) under 

relatively benign weather conditions 

allows it to safely carry more spoils per 

run, thereby increasing its efficiency. 

Based on that consideration, there are 

two special reduced freeboard 

exemption regimes that have been 

developed for qualified hopper dredges. 

The first regime was established in 

1989 for United States dredges operating 

in domestic waters, when the Coast 

Guard promulgated the ‘‘working 

freeboard’’ load line regulations in 46 

CFR 44.300 through 44.340. In order to 

qualify for the reduced ‘‘working 

freeboard’’ assignment, a dredge must 

meet several design and equipment 

requirements: intact and twocompartment damage stability, remote 

draft indicators, ability to jettison spoils 

under emergency conditions, etc. When 

dredging at the reduced freeboard, it is 

operationally restricted to locations 

within 20 nautical miles from a place of 

refuge, seas not exceeding 10 feet and 

winds not exceeding 35 knots. Under 

these conditions, the dredge can be 

assigned a reduced ‘‘working freeboard’’ 

of 50% of its normal freeboard 

assignment. 

Several United States hopper dredges 

have qualified for this domestic 

‘‘working freeboard’’ assignment over the 

20 years that the regime has been in 

existence. The Coast Guard has now 

reviewed this domestic regime and 

determined that it is equally suitable for 

international service. For purposes of 

ICLL assignment, dredges that meet the 

‘‘working freeboard’’ criteria of 46 CFR 

44.300 embody ‘‘novel features’’ as 

contemplated by ICLL Article 6(2) 

(discussed above). When operated in 

conjunction with appropriate weather 

restrictions, they may safely operate at 

the reduced freeboard. Therefore, in 

accordance with the ICLL Article 6(2) 

and 46 CFR 42.03–30, and on a case-bycase basis, the Coast Guard will 

authorize an ICLL Exemption Certificate 

that exempts the dredges from ICLL 

Article 12, which otherwise prohibits 

submersion of the load line marks. 

DR–67 and DR–68 

The second reduced freeboard regime 

for hopper dredges was established in 

2001 by a joint European working group 

of classification societies, the dredging 

industry, the shipbuilding industry, and 

regulatory officials from Belgium, 

France, Germany, the Netherlands, and 

the United Kingdom. Their exemption 

regime is titled ‘‘Guidelines for the 

Construction and Operation of Dredges 

Assigned Reduced Freeboards,’’ but is 

generally referred to as ‘‘DR–67.’’ Like 

the United States ‘‘working freeboard’’ 

regime, DR–67 sets out similar design 

and equipment requirements. However, 

DR–67 differs from the United States 

regime in that it is more flexible in its 

weather restrictions, and can allow up 

to a 66% reduction in freeboard under 

sufficiently benign conditions. 

The European working group has 

revised and updated DR–67; the new 

revision is referred to as ‘‘DR–68.’’ The 

Coast Guard participated in this revision 

effort to ensure that DR–68 is consistent 

with United States safety concerns and 

in order to provide United States dredge 

operators with an alternative approach 

for reduced freeboard assignment. 

Therefore, in accordance with the ICLL 

Article 6(2) and 46 CFR 42.03–30, and 

on a case-by-case basis, the Coast Guard 

will authorize an ICLL Exemption 

Certificate that exempts the dredges 

from ICLL Article 12, which otherwise 

prohibits submersion of the load line 

marks. 

ICLL Equivalents for Hopper Dredges 

and Barges: Hatch Covers 

Ordinarily, load line regulations 

require hatch openings to be closed by 

weathertight hatch covers, since 

conventional cargo ships cannot survive 

extensive flooding of their cargo holds. 

However, some open hopper vessels 

(such as dredges, dump scows, etc.) can 

be designed to maintain adequate 

buoyancy and stability even with 

flooded hoppers. For such vessels, this 

stability characteristic provides an 

equivalent level of safety to the hatch 

covers; therefore, hatch covers are 

unnecessary and may actually interfere 

with other aspects of the vessel design. 

In accordance with the ICLL Article 8 

and 46 CFR 42.03–20, the Coast Guard 

will, on a case-by-case basis, approve 

equivalent arrangements from ICLL 

Regulation 14 (requirement for hatch 

covers). 

Coast Guard Notifications to IMO 

As required by the Convention, the 

Coast Guard has already submitted the 

requisite notifications to IMO. These 

documents, as well as copies of DR–67 

and DR–68, are posted on-line at: 

http://www.regulations.gov (docket ID 

number USCG–2010–0618). 

Requesting Exemptions and 

Equivalencies 

Owners/operators of hopper dredges 

or barges desiring an exemption or 

equivalency using any of the above 

three standards should contact their 

load line issuing authority 

(classification society), who will review 

the vessel for compliance with the Coast 

Guard’s criteria for the exemption or 

equivalency. The classification society 

will then make a recommendation to the 

Coast Guard Naval Architecture 

Division (CG–5212) for approval. The 

mailing address is Commandant (CG– 

5212), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd 

Street, SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 

20593–7126. 

This notice is issued under authority 

of 5 U.S.C. 552 and 46 U.S.C. 5108. 

Dated: September 15, 2010. 

J.G. Lantz, 

Director, Office of Commercial Regulations 

and Standards, U.S. Coast Guard. 

[FR Doc. 2010–25500 Filed 10–8–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

[FWS–R7–ES–2010–N192; 70120–1113– 

0000–C4] 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 

and Plants; Notice of Availability of 

Draft Recovery Plan for the Southwest 

Alaska Distinct Population Segment of 

the Northern Sea Otter 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of document availability 

for review and public comment. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 

availability of our draft recovery plan 

for the southwest Alaska Distinct 

Population Segment (DPS) of the 

northern sea otter (Enydra lutris 

kenyoni), listed as threatened under the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended (Act). Our recovery plan 

describes the status, current 

management, recovery objectives and 

criteria, and specific actions needed to 

enable us to delist the southwest Alaska 

DPS. We request review and comment 

on our plan from local, State, and 

Federal agencies and the public. We 

will also accept any new information on 

the species’ status throughout its range. 

DATES: We must receive written 

comments on or before February 9, 

2011. However, we will accept 

information about any species at any 

time. 

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery 

plan are available by request from the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine 

Mammals Management Office, 1011 East 

Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES