[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]


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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 [email protected].

    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