[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 240 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64405-64406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30791]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Deadline for Submission of Donation Application for the 
Harbor Tug Ex-HOGA (YTM 146)

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy hereby gives notice of the deadline 
of June 13, 2002 for submission of a donation application for the 
harbor tug Ex-HOGA (YTM 146), a National Historic Landmark. Ex-HOGA is 
located at Suisun Bay National Defense Reserve Fleet, Benicia, CA.
    The donation of Naval vessels to qualified organizations is 
authorized by Title 10, section 7306 of the United States Code. A 
qualified organization is: (1) Any state, commonwealth, or possession 
of the United States or any municipal corporation or political 
subdivision thereof; (2) the District of Columbia; (3) any nonprofit 
entity organized pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
Code. By law, the transfer of a Navy ship for donation must occur at no 
cost to the United States Government. The successful applicant will be 
required to place Ex-HOGA on static display as a maritime museum/
memorial and to maintain the vessel in a condition that is satisfactory 
to the Secretary of the Navy.
    A qualified organization wishing to apply for Ex-HOGA must submit a 
comprehensive donation application to the Navy that addresses the 
following areas:
    Financial Plan: The Financial Plan will estimate the start-up and 
operating costs, and provide detailed evidence of firm financing 
adequate to cover these costs. Start-up costs include towing, mooring 
(this includes but not limited to the cost of building, leasing, and 
improving dock and/or shore facilities, and dredging), maintenance, 
museum development, and meeting environmental requirements (including 
permitting fees and expenses). Operating costs are those associated 
with operating and maintaining the vessel as a museum and memorial, 
including rent, utilities, personnel, insurance, etc.
    Firm financing means available funding to ensure the first five 
years of operation and future stability for long-term operation. This 
can include pledges, loans, gifts, bonds, funds on deposit at a 
financial institution, or any combination of the above. The applicant 
must also provide income projections from sources such as individual 
and group admissions, facility rental fees and gift shop revenues 
sufficient to cover the estimated operating expenses.
    Technical: The technical area is comprised of four equally weighted 
plans: Towing, Mooring, Maintenance, and Environmental.
    The Towing Plan describes how Ex-HOGA will be towed from the Suisun 
Bay National Defense Reserve Fleet in Benicia, CA, to the permanent 
display site proposed by the applicant. The Towing Plan must comply 
with all Navy Tow Manual requirements.
    The Mooring Plan describes how Ex-HOGA will be secured at its 
permanent display site during normal and extreme weather conditions 
(including the 100-year storm event) to prevent damage to the ship, its 
mooring system, the pier, and surrounding facilities. The mooring 
location must be acceptable to the Navy, and not obstruct or interfere 
with navigation.
    The Environmental Plan describes how the applicant will comply with 
all Local, State, Federal environmental and public health and safety 
regulations and permitting requirements. The applicant must also 
provide information necessary for the Navy to complete an environmental 
assessment of the donation as required by the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), including the impact of the donation on the natural 
and man-made environment, local infrastructure, and evaluation of the 
socio-economic consequences of the donation.
    The Maintenance Plan must describe plans for long-term, short-term, 
and daily maintenance of the vessel, including ship preservation and 
maintenance schedule, underwater hull inspections, emergency response 
and fire/flood/intrusion control, pest control, security, periodic dry-
docking, and qualifications of the maintenance team.
    Curatorial: The applicant must describe in the Curatorial/Museum 
Plan the qualifications for a professional curator (and curator staff, 
if necessary). The plan should also establish a Collections Management 
Plan that describes how the museum will collect and manage artifacts, 
including a statement of purpose and description of access, authority, 
and collection management responsibilities.
    The Curatorial Plan must also include a Historic Management Plan 
that describes how the museum will display the vessel and exhibits, 
including a description of the historical context of the ship, 
historical subject matter that will be displayed with the ship, and 
exhibit display plans.
    If the Navy receives more than one application for donation of Ex-
HOGA, a two-step evaluation process will be utilized. Phase I is a 
screening process to determine if applications meet minimum 
requirements. Phase II is a comparative analysis of the applications to 
determine the best-qualified applicant. Where two or more application 
meet minimum requirements, the Navy may consider additional criteria. 
This criterion may include submitting information on community support 
and benefit to the Navy.
    Community Support: Includes evidence of local support such as 
letters of support from individuals, organizations, newspapers articles 
or editorials, letters of endorsement from the city and/or local 
Government, and written approval of the local Port Authority (this is 
essential). Evidence of regional support should also be provided. This 
includes letters of endorsement from adjacent communities and counties, 
cities or states. Also describe how the location of the ship will 
encourage public visitation and tourism, become an integral part of the 
community, and how the ship will enhance community development.
    Benefit to the Navy: Describe how the donee may support Navy 
recruiting efforts. Other areas of benefit to the Navy include a 
connection between the Navy and the proposed berthing location, how 
veterans associations in the area are willing to support the vessel, 
how the donee will honor veterans' contributions to the United States, 
and how the exhibit will commemorate those contributions and showcase 
Naval traditions.
    The relative importance for each of the areas that must be 
addressed in the donation application are as follows:

[[Page 64406]]

    Financial and technical are the most important criteria and are 
equal in importance. Benefit to the Navy is next in importance. 
Curatorial and Community are less important than Benefit to the Navy 
and are equal in importance.
    The Secretary of the Navy will make the final decision as to the 
donation of Ex-HOGA. After the decision to donate the ship is made, the 
Navy notifies Congress and Congress has 30 days of continuous session 
to consider the decision.
    A detailed description of all donation application criteria and 
donation application information can be obtained from the Navy Donation 
Program Web Site at http://www.navsea.navy.mil/ndp/, or from the 
contact person listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, 
ATTN: Ms. Gloria Carvalho (PMS 333G), 1333 Isaac Hull Avenue SE., Stop 
2701, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20376-2701, telephone (202) 781-0485.

    Dated: December 7, 2001.
T. J. Welsh,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-30791 Filed 12-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P