[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 4 (Friday, January 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 1092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-387]



[[Page 1092]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Fair Market Value Analysis for a Fiber Optic Cable Permit in 
National Marine Sanctuaries

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NOAA is requesting comments on the 
report ``Fair Market Value Analysis for a Fiber Optic Cable Permit in 
National Marine Sanctuaries'' and two peer reviews of this report. The 
report and peer reviews are available for download at http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/news/newsbboard/newsbboard.html or by 
requesting an electronic or hard copy. Requests can be made by sending 
an email to [email protected] (subject line ``Request for Fair 
Market Value Analysis'') or by calling Matt Brookhart at (301) 713-3125 
x140.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 18, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments regarding this notice to Matt 
Brookhart, Conservation Policy and Planning Branch, Office of National 
Marine Sanctuaries, 1305 East-West Highway, 11th Floor, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910, Attention: Fair Market Value Analysis. Comments may also be 
submitted by email to: [email protected], subject line ``Fair 
Market Value Analysis.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Golde, (301) 713-3125 x152.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries 
has issued several special-use permits to companies seeking to install 
fiber optic cables in National Marine Sanctuaries. The Sanctuary 
statute allows ONMS to permit the presence of cables on the 
sanctuaries' seafloor should it decide to do so. If an application is 
approved, ONMS may collect certain administrative and monitoring fees. 
In addition, ONMS is entitled to receive fair market value for the 
permitted use of sanctuary resources.
    The report ``Fair Market Value Analysis for a Fiber Optic Cable 
Permit in National Marine Sanctuaries'' presents an assessment of fair 
market value for the use of National Marine Sanctuary resources for a 
fiber optic cable. Proper stewardship of sanctuary resources and open 
and equitable relations with telecommunication industry interests 
require a clear and consistent policy in this matter. The content of 
this report is based on dozens of industry and government sources and 
draws on the collaboration and review of numerous experts in the 
business, legal and technical arenas.
    Once finalized, the fee structure proposed in this report will be 
used to assess fees (as stated in their respective special use permits) 
for cables already installed in the Olympic Coast and Stellwagen Bank 
National Marine Sanctuaries. In addition, this structure will provide 
the basis for future fair market value assessment of submarine cable 
permit applications in National Marine Sanctuaries. Comments on the 
report and peer reviews should focus on the methodology employed and 
the conclusions that it reached.

    Dated: December 29, 2000.
John Oliver,
Chief Financial Officer, National Ocean Service.
[FR Doc. 01-387 Filed 1-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P