[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 97 (Friday, May 20, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29380-29386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9983]



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Part II





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



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15 CFR Part 960



Licensing of Private Land Remote-Sensing Space Systems; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 97 / Friday, May 20, 2005 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 29380]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

15 CFR Part 960

[Docket No.: 050204028-5028-01]
RIN: 0648-AT00


Licensing of Private Land Remote-Sensing Space Systems

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
proposes to amend its regulations governing the licensing of private 
Earth remote sensing space systems under Title II of the Land Remote 
Sensing Policy Act of 1992, 15 U.S.C. 5621 et seq. (the Act). The 
proposed amendments update the regulations to reflect: The new U.S. 
Commercial Remote Sensing Policy issued in April 2003, experience 
gained since August 2000 with respect to the licensing of commercial 
remote sensing space systems, and improvements that take into account 
public comments received on the regulations. The proposed amendments 
will allow NOAA to more effectively license Earth remote sensing space 
systems and help to ensure their compliance with the requirements of 
the Act.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 5, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments on these proposed changes to the regulations should 
be sent to Mr. Douglas Brauer, NOAA/NESDIS International and 
Interagency Affairs Office, 1335 East-West Highway, Room 7311, Silver 
Spring, Maryland 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Douglas Brauer at (301) 713-2024 
x213 or Mr. Glenn Tallia at (301) 713-1221.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title II of the Land Remote Sensing Policy 
Act of 1992 (the Act), 15 U.S.C. 5621 et seq., authorizes the Secretary 
of Commerce (the Secretary) to issue licenses for the operation of 
private Earth remote sensing space systems. The authority to issue 
licenses and to monitor compliance therewith has been delegated from 
the Secretary to the Administrator of NOAA (the Administrator) and 
redelegated to the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and 
Information Services (the Assistant Administrator).
    On July 31, 2000, NOAA published in the Federal Register an interim 
final rule captioned Licensing of Private Land Remote-Sensing Space 
Systems; Interim Final Rule (See 65 FR 46822). These regulations, which 
were effective on August 30, 2000, set forth the agency's minimum 
requirements for the licensing, monitoring and compliance of operators 
of private Earth remote sensing space systems under the Act, 15 CFR 
Part 960. The regulations were intended to facilitate the development 
of the U.S. commercial remote sensing industry and promote the 
collection and widespread availability of Earth remote sensing data, 
while preserving essential U.S. national security interests, foreign 
policy and international obligations.
    Since the publication of the regulations: Two new commercial remote 
sensing satellites have been successfully launched and are now 
operational; NOAA has issued eight new licenses for increasingly 
advanced remote sensing space systems, bringing the total to 21 
licenses issued; and, in April 2003, the President announced a new 
policy on U.S. commercial remote sensing from space. NOAA is now 
proposing amendments to update the regulations to reflect: (1) The new 
U.S. policy on commercial remote sensing from space, (2) experience 
gained since August 2000 with respect to the licensing of commercial 
remote sensing space systems, and (3) improvements that take into 
account public comments received on the interim final rule. The 
proposed amendments will allow NOAA to more effectively license Earth 
remote sensing space systems and help to ensure their compliance with 
the requirements of the Act.

Proposed Amendments

1. Purpose

    In section 960.1(a), the reference to the President's March 1994 
Policy on Foreign Access to Remote Sensing Space Capabilities has been 
removed. This policy was rescinded and superseded by the new U.S. 
Commercial Remote Sensing Policy issued on April 25, 2003. To avoid the 
need to update the regulations in the future to include citations to 
specific policies addressing commercial remote sensing, NOAA has 
included a more general reference to currently applicable U.S. Policy. 
In addition, the list of intended goals in the section has been 
modified to reflect the goals of the most current policy.
    Section 960.1(b) has been modified to refer to currently applicable 
U.S. Policy on remote sensing, as opposed to any specific remote 
sensing policy. The addition of ``necessary'' corrects an omission in 
the 2000 regulations.
    Section 960.1(c) has been added to emphasize the objective of the 
new U.S. policy to sustain, enhance and encourage U.S. firms to play a 
leadership role in the commercial remote sensing satellite industry.

2. Definitions

    In section 960.3, the definition for the term the President's 
Policy has been removed. Instead, a more general definition for the 
term U.S. Policy has been added which is defined to include policy(ies) 
that address U.S. commercial remote sensing space capabilities. Also 
added are definitions for the terms Data Protection Plan and Orbital 
Debris. Finally, the definition of the term Significant or Substantial 
foreign agreement has been modified to improve its clarity.

3. Confidentiality of Information

    In section 960.5(a), the list of documents considered to be 
business confidential or proprietary information has been expanded to 
include foreign agreements and supporting documentation submitted to 
NOAA that are explicitly designated and marked as business confidential 
or proprietary by the submitter.
    In addition, section 960.5(b) has been modified to remove the 
requirement that a public summary of the proposed system be submitted 
at the same time as the license application. This is in recognition of 
the fact that the elements of the proposed system may differ from the 
licensed system. Instead, NOAA will require the public summary to be 
submitted within 30 days of license issuance. This public summary will 
be used by NOAA to provide information to the public concerning a 
licensed system. NOAA will no longer require summaries for amendment 
requests.

4. Review Procedures for License Applications

    NOAA has made minor modifications to section 960.6(a) to make the 
wording consistent throughout that section and thereby improve its 
clarity. In addition, in sections 960.6(b) and (c), NOAA has increased 
the period of time reviewing agencies have to conduct completeness 
reviews for license applications from 10 working days to 30 calendar 
days. The option to extend the completeness review for an additional 10 
working days has been eliminated. In addition, as part of the 
subsequent interagency review process, a reviewing agency will be 
required to notify NOAA before the expiration of the 30-day review 
period if it will be unable to complete its review on time. As is 
required by the 2000 regulations, an agency must also

[[Page 29381]]

give a reason for its delay and an estimate of when its review will be 
completed. These changes reflect the experience of the interagency 
review process over the past four years. The extension of the initial 
completeness review period will allow the reviewing agencies additional 
time to more thoroughly review license applications and supporting 
documentation, which should reduce the number of follow-up questions to 
the applicant. These changes, however, will not impact the overall 120-
day statutory review period. In addition, section 960.6(e)(2) has been 
modified to include the correct citation to section 960.6(b).
    The February 2, 2000, interagency Memorandum of Understanding 
Concerning the Licensing of Private Remote Sensing Satellite Systems 
(MOU), included as Appendix 2 of the regulations, contains timelines 
concerning completeness reviews that differ from what is proposed 
above. NOAA, in consultation with the other signatory agencies to the 
MOU, has determined not to amend the MOU at this time. In those limited 
cases where the timelines contained in the regulations and MOU differ, 
the timelines contained in the regulations will govern.

5. Amendments to Licenses

    In Section 960.7(a)(4), the citation to Appendix 1 has been 
corrected. In addition, consistent with the changes proposed for review 
of new applications, in sections 960.7(c), (d), and (e), NOAA has 
increased the period of time reviewing agencies have to conduct 
completeness reviews on license amendment requests from 10 working days 
to 30 calendar days. The option to extend the completeness review for 
an additional 10 working days has been eliminated. In addition, as part 
of the subsequent interagency review process, a reviewing agency will 
be required to notify NOAA before the expiration of the 30-day review 
period if it will be unable to complete its review on time. As is 
required by the 2000 regulations, an agency must also give a reason for 
its delay and an estimate of when its review will be completed. These 
changes reflect the experience of the interagency review process over 
the past four years. The extension of the initial completeness review 
period will allow the reviewing agencies additional time to more 
thoroughly review proposed license amendments and supporting 
documentation, which should reduce the number of follow-up questions to 
the applicant. These changes, however, will not impact the overall 120-
day statutory review period. Finally, NOAA has added a new section 
960.7(g) that sets forth the conditions under which the amendment 
request review process may be terminated.

6. Notification of Foreign Agreements

    NOAA has made a minor editorial change to section 960.8(b) to 
remove redundant wording. This change should improve the clarity of 
section 960.8(b). NOAA has added a new section 960.8(e) to ensure that 
licensees provide to NOAA final documentation of their foreign 
agreements in a timely manner.

7. License Term

    NOAA has added a new section 960.9(c) to reduce the administrative 
burden to the U.S. Government for licensed systems, which will not, in 
fact, be developed. This will allow NOAA to devote its time and 
resources to licensees whose systems are under actual development, or 
in ongoing operations. This section has two phases. In the first phase, 
the licensee has five years to conduct preliminary and critical design 
reviews for its proposed satellite system. Following the critical 
design review, the licensee will have an additional five years to 
execute a binding contract for launch services and complete the pre-
ship review of the satellite. If these milestones are not met, the 
Assistant Administrator may terminate the license if he/she determines 
that sufficient progress is not being made toward the development and 
launch of the satellite. Companies that are currently licensed will 
have five years from the date of issuance of these regulations to 
conduct the preliminary and critical design reviews.
    NOAA appreciates the complexity of raising the capital necessary to 
develop and launch a remote sensing satellite and will work with the 
individual licensee in charting the progress of development. The 
proposed milestone approach is consistent with that of other government 
agencies, most notably to the Federal Communications Commission for 
communications satellite systems. NOAA is interested in receiving 
comments on whether the time frames for the milestone approach proposed 
herein are suitable, and on alternative approaches to ensure that the 
licenses it issues will be acted upon.

8. Conditions for Operation

    In sections 960.11(b)(8) and (9), NOAA has clarified the 
relationship of the Department of Interior to the National Land Remote 
Sensing Archive and the means by which licensees will offer data to the 
Archive. NOAA has also corrected language regarding the cost of 
fulfilling user requests to match the language in the Act.
    NOAA has added a new section 960.11(b)(13). In this section, NOAA 
has added a new operational condition requiring the licensee to submit 
to NOAA a Data Protection Plan that provides information on how the 
licensee will protect data and information from tasking to 
dissemination. As NOAA licenses more advanced systems, greater emphasis 
has been placed on protection of the data.
    NOAA has added a new section 960.11(c), to allow licensees to seek 
waivers of particular license conditions. NOAA does not anticipate 
granting blanket waivers of conditions; instead it will grant waivers 
on a case-by-case basis, for good cause shown, and following 
consultations with other agencies.

9. Data Policy for Remote Sensing Space Systems

    Sections 960.12(b) and (c)(5) have been modified to correct minor 
oversights from the 2000 regulations.

10. Prohibitions

    In sections 960.13(f) and (g), NOAA has added the phrase ``in a 
timely manner.'' This addition clarifies the importance of the licensee 
providing NOAA information while it is still relevant.

11. Enforcement Procedures

    NOAA has added new sections 960.15(b) through (g) which set forth 
detailed procedures to be followed by NOAA when assessing civil 
penalties under the Act. The 2000 regulations, in section 960.15(a), 
included a general statement that all civil penalty procedures shall be 
in accordance with 15 CFR Part 904. Part 904 sets forth procedures to 
be followed by NOAA when assessing civil penalties under other statutes 
such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act and the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act. Upon additional review, it was determined that 
not all of the provisions of Part 904 would have application in the 
case of NOAA assessing a civil penalty against a NOAA licensee for 
violations the Act, regulations or a license. Accordingly, it was 
decided that procedures specific to the assessment of civil penalties 
against a licensee for such violations should be included.

12. Filing Instructions and Information

    Because NOAA will no longer require the public summary at the time 
a license application is filed, Appendix 1(c) has been modified to 
remove a public

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summary from the list of information that must be submitted with a 
license application.
    In addition, because numerous companies hold licenses for several 
systems, NOAA has modified Appendix 1(d) Sec. III to add the 
requirement to name each system. This will allow NOAA to better 
identify such systems. Finally, the requirement to submit technical 
information has been changed to require the submission of more specific 
and detailed technical information.

Classification

A. Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)

    This proposed rule establishes a more effective process to promote 
the development of the remote sensing industry and to minimize any 
adverse impact on any entity, large or small, that may seek a license 
to operate a private remote sensing space system.
    Accordingly, the Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of 
Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small 
Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. Given the extraordinary capitalization required to operate a 
commercial remote sensing space system, costs of development and launch 
are quite high. Depending on the complexity of a proposed commercial 
remote sensing space system, it can cost approximately $250 to $500 
million to build, launch and operate such a system. As such, small 
entities have yet to enter this field and appear highly unlikely to do 
so.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (35 U.S.C. 3500 et seq.)

    This proposed rule contains a new collection-of-information 
requirement subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that will 
modify the existing collection-of-information requirement that was 
approved by OMB under control number 0648-0174. This new requirement 
has been submitted to OMB for approval. Public reporting burden for 
these requirements are estimated to average: 40 hours for the 
submission of a license application; 10 hours for the submission of a 
data protection plan; 5 hours for the submission of a plan describing 
how the licensee will comply with data collection restrictions; 3 hours 
for the submission of an operations plan for restricting collection or 
dissemination of imagery of Israeli territory; 3 hours for submission 
of a data flow diagram; 2 hours for the submission of satellite sub-
systems drawings; 3 hours for the submission of a final imaging system 
specifications document; 2 hours for the submission of a public summary 
for a licensed system; 2 hours for the submission of a preliminary 
design review; 2 hours for the submission of a critical design review; 
1 hour for notification of a binding launch services contract; 1 hour 
for notification of completion of pre-ship review; 10 hours for the 
submission of a license amendment; 2 hours for the submission of a 
foreign agreement notification; 2 hours for the submission of 
spacecraft operational information submitted when a spacecraft becomes 
operational; 2 hours for notification of deviation in orbit or 
spacecraft disposition; 2 hours for notification of any operational 
deviation; 2 hours for notification of planned purges of information to 
the National Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data Archive; 3 hours for 
the submission of an operational quarterly report; 8 hours for an 
annual compliance audit; 10 hours for an annual operational audit; and 
2 hours for notification of the demise of a system or a decision to 
discontinue system operations. No estimate is being given to provide 
imagery data to the Archive. An estimate will be developed at a later 
date.
    The public burden for this collection of information includes the 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information. Public comment is sought regarding: 
Whether this proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the 
burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Send 
comments on these or any other aspect of the collection of information 
to Mr. Douglas Brauer, NOAA/NESDIS International and Interagency 
Affairs Office, at the address noted above and by e-mail to [email protected], or fax to (202) 395-7285.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.

C. National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)

    Publication of these regulations does not constitute a major 
federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement is not 
required.

D. Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule has been determined to be significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 960

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Satellites, Scientific equipment.

    Dated: May 13, 2005.
Gregory W. Withee,
Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services.

    Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Part 960 of title 15 
of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as 
follows:

PART 960--LICENSING OF PRIVATE REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS

    1. The authority citation for part 960 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 5624.

    2. Section 960.1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  960.1  Purpose.

    (a) The regulations in this part set forth the procedural and 
informational requirements for obtaining a license to operate a private 
remote sensing space system under Title II of the Land Remote Sensing 
Policy Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 5621 et seq.) (Pub. L. 102-555, 106 Stat. 
4163) and applicable U.S. Policy, which addresses the U.S. commercial 
remote sensing satellite industry. (Available from NOAA, National 
Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service, 1335 East-West 
Highway, Room 7311, Silver Spring, MD 20910). In addition, this part 
describes NOAA's regulation of such systems, pursuant to the Act and 
applicable U.S. Policy. The regulations in this part are intended to:
    (1) Preserve the national security of the United States;
    (2) Observe the foreign policies and international obligations of 
the United States;
    (3) Advance and protect U.S. national security and foreign policy 
interests by

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maintaining U.S. leadership in remote sensing space activities, and by 
sustaining and enhancing the U.S. remote sensing industry;
    (4) Promote the broad use of remote sensing data, their information 
products and applications;
    (5) Ensure that unenhanced data collected by licensed private 
remote sensing space systems concerning the territory of any country 
are made available to the government of that country upon its request, 
as soon as such data are available and on reasonable commercial terms 
and conditions as appropriate;
    (6) Ensure that remotely sensed data are widely available for civil 
and scientific research, particularly environmental and global change 
research; and
    (7) Maintain a permanent comprehensive U.S. government archive of 
global land remote sensing data for long-term monitoring and study of 
the changing global environment.
    (b) In accordance with the Act and applicable U.S. Policy, 
decisions regarding the issuance of licenses and operational conditions 
(See Subpart B of this part) will be made by the Secretary of Commerce 
or his/her designee. Determinations of conditions necessary to meet 
national security, foreign policy and international obligations are 
made by the Secretaries of Defense and State, respectively.
    (c) In accordance with U.S. Policy, NOAA encourages U.S. companies 
to build and operate commercial remote sensing space systems whose 
operational capabilities, products, and services are superior to any 
current or planned foreign commercial systems. However, because of the 
potential value of its products to an adversary, the U.S. Government 
may restrict operations of the commercial systems in order to limit 
collection and/or dissemination of certain data and products to the 
U.S. Government or to U.S. Government-approved recipients.
    3. Section 960.3 is amended by revising the definition for the term 
Significant or Substantial foreign agreement, by adding, in 
alphabetical order, definitions for the terms Data Protection Plan, 
U.S. Policy, and by removing the definition for the term President's 
Policy.


Sec.  960.3  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Data Protection Plan refers to the licensee's plan to protect data 
and information through the entire cycle of tasking, operations, 
processing, archiving and dissemination. At a minimum, this includes 
protection of communications links and/or delivery methods for tasking 
of the satellite, downlinking of data to a ground station (including 
relay stations), and delivery of data from the satellite to the 
Licensee's central data storage facilities.
    Significant or Substantial foreign agreement (also referred to in 
this part as foreign agreement or agreement) means an agreement with a 
foreign nation, entity, consortium, or person that provides for one of 
the following:
    (1) Administrative control, which may include distributorship 
arrangements involving the routine receipt of high volumes of the 
system's unenhanced data;
    (2) Participation in the operations of the system, including direct 
access to the systems's unenhanced data; or
    (3) An equity interest in the licensee held by a foreign nation 
and/or person, if such interest equals or exceeds or will equal or 
exceed ten (10) percent of total outstanding shares, or entitles the 
foreign person to a position on the licensee's Board of Directors.
* * * * *
    U.S. Policy means the policy(ies) announced by the President that 
specifically address U.S. commercial remote sensing space capabilities.
    4. Section 960.5 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  960.5  Confidentiality of information.

    (a) Any proprietary information related to a license application, 
application for amendment, foreign agreement, or any other supporting 
documentation submitted to NOAA will be treated as business 
confidential or proprietary information, if that information is 
explicitly designated and marked as such by the submitter. This does 
not preclude the United States Government from citing information in 
the public domain provided by the licensee in another venue (e.g., a 
licensee's website or press release).
    (b) Within thirty (30) days of the issuance of a license to operate 
a remote sensing space system, the Licensee shall provide the Assistant 
Administrator a publicly-releasable summary of the licensed system. The 
summary must be submitted in a readily reproducible form accompanied by 
a copy on electronic media. This summary shall be available for public 
review at a location designated by the Assistant Administrator and 
shall include:
    (1) The name, mailing address and telephone number of the licensee 
and any affiliates or subsidiaries;
    (2) A general description of the system, its orbit(s) and the type 
of data to be acquired; and
    (3) The name and address upon whom service of all documents may be 
made.
    5. Section 960.6 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (b), (c) 
and (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  960.6  Review procedures for license applications.

    (a) The Assistant Administrator shall within three (3) working days 
of receipt of an application, forward a copy of the application to the 
Department of Defense, the Department of State, the Department of the 
Interior, and any other Federal agencies determined to have a 
substantial interest in the license application. The Assistant 
Administrator shall advise such agencies of the deadline prescribed by 
paragraph (b) of this section to require additional information from 
the applicant. The Assistant Administrator shall make a determination 
on the application, in accordance with the Act and section 960.1(b), 
within 120 days of its receipt. If a determination has not been made 
within 120 days, the Assistant Administrator shall inform the applicant 
of any pending issues and any action required to resolve them.
    (b) The reviewing agencies have thirty (30) days from receipt of 
application to notify the Assistant Administrator in writing whether 
the application omits any of the information listed in Appendix 1 of 
this part or whether additional information may be necessary to 
complete the application. This notification shall state the specific 
reasons why the additional information is being sought. The Assistant 
Administrator shall then notify the applicant, in writing, what 
information is required to complete the license application. The 120-
day review period prescribed in Section 201(c) of the Act will be 
stopped until the Assistant Administrator determines that the license 
application is complete.
    (c) Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a complete application, 
as determined by the Assistant Administrator, each Federal agency 
consulted in paragraph (a) of this section shall recommend, in writing, 
to the Assistant Administrator approval or disapproval of the 
application. If a reviewing agency is unable to complete its review in 
thirty (30) days, it is required to notify NOAA prior to the expiration 
of the interagency review period, in writing, of the reason for its 
delay and provide an estimate of the additional time necessary to 
complete the review.
* * * * *
    (e) The Assistant Administrator may terminate the license 
application review process if:

[[Page 29384]]

    (1) The application is withdrawn before the decision approving or 
denying it is issued; or
    (2) The applicant, after receiving a request for additional 
information pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, does not provide 
such information within the time stated in the request.
* * * * *
    6. Section 960.7 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(4), (c), 
(d), and (e), and by redesignating existing paragraph (g) as paragraph 
(h) and adding a new paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  960.7  Amendments to licenses.

    (a) * * *
    (4) deviation from orbital characteristics, performance 
specifications, data collection and exploitation capabilities, 
operational characteristics identified under Appendix 1 of this part, 
or any other change in license parameters.
* * * * *
    (c) The Assistant Administrator, shall within three (3) working 
days of receipt of a request for amendment, forward a copy of the 
request to the Department of Defense, the Department of State, the 
Department of the Interior, and any other Federal agencies determined 
to have a substantial interest in the amendment request. The Assistant 
Administrator shall advise such agencies of the deadline prescribed by 
paragraph (d) of this section to require additional information from 
the licensee. The Assistant Administrator shall make a determination on 
the amendment request, in accordance with the Act and section 960.1(b), 
within 120 days of its receipt. If a determination has not been made 
within 120 days, the Assistant Administrator shall inform the licensee 
of any pending issues and any actions necessary to resolve them.
    (d) The reviewing agencies have thirty (30) days from receipt of 
the amendment request to notify the Assistant Administrator in writing 
whether the request omits any of the information listed in Appendix 1 
of this part or whether additional information may be necessary to 
complete the request. This notification shall state the specific 
reasons why the additional information is being sought. The Assistant 
Administrator shall then notify the licensee, in writing, what 
information is required to complete the amendment request. The 120-day 
review period prescribed in Section 201(c) of the Act will be stopped 
until the Assistant Administrator determines that the amendment request 
is complete.
    (e) Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a complete amendment 
application, as determined by the Assistant Administrator, each Federal 
agency consulted in paragraph (c) of this section shall recommend, in 
writing, to the Assistant Administrator approval or disapproval of the 
amendment application. If a reviewing agency is unable to complete its 
review in thirty (30) days, it is required to notify NOAA prior to the 
expiration of the interagency review period, in writing, of the reason 
for its delay and provide an estimate of the additional time necessary 
to complete the review.
* * * * *
    (g) The Assistant Administrator may terminate the amendment request 
review process if:
    (1) The amendment request is withdrawn before the decision 
approving or denying it is issued; or
    (2) The applicant, after receiving a request for additional 
information pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, does not provide 
such information within the time stated in the request.
* * * * *
    7. Section 960.8 is amended by revising paragraph (b), and 
redesignating existing paragraphs (e) and (f) as paragraphs (f) and (g) 
and adding new paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  960.8  Notification of foreign agreements.

* * * * *
    (b) The Assistant Administrator, in consultation with other 
appropriate agencies, will review the proposed foreign agreement. As 
part of this review, the Assistant Administrator will ensure that the 
proposed foreign agreement contains the appropriate provisions to 
ensure compliance with all requirements concerning national security 
interests, foreign policy and international obligations under the Act 
or the licensee's ability to comply with the Act, these regulations and 
the terms of the license. These requirements include:
    (1) The ability to implement, as appropriate, restrictions on the 
foreign party's acquisition and dissemination of imagery as imposed by 
the license or by the Secretary of Commerce;
    (2) The obligations of the licensee to provide access to data for 
the National Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data Archive (the Archive); 
and
    (3) The obligations of the licensee to convey to the foreign party 
the reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the license and to 
facilitate any monitoring and compliance activities identified in the 
license.
* * * * *
    (e) The licensee is required to provide NOAA a signed copy of the 
foreign agreement within 30 days of its signature.
* * * * *
    8. Section 960.9 is amended by adding a new paragraph (c) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  960.9  License term.

* * * * *
    (c) The licensee shall notify the Assistant Administrator that 
specific actions leading to the development and operation of the 
licensed remote sensing space system have been completed. If the 
Assistant Administrator determines that a licensee has not completed 
such actions with respect to a licensed system he/she may terminate the 
license. The actions required to be taken and associated timelines are 
as follows:
    (1) Presentation to NOAA of the following formal review materials 
within five (5) years of the license issuance:
    (i) Preliminary Design Review, and
    (ii) Critical Design Review.
    (2) Licensee certification to NOAA of the following milestones 
within five (5) years of the Critical Design Review:
    (i) Execution of a binding contract for launch services, and
    (ii) Completion of the pre-ship review of the remote sensing 
payload.
    (3) Remote sensing space systems currently licensed by NOAA will 
have five (5) years from the date of issuance of these regulations to 
meet the milestones in Sec.  960.9(c)(1).
    9. Section 960.11 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(8) and 
(b)(9) and adding new paragraphs (b)(13) and (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  960.11  Conditions for operation.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (8) A licensee shall make available unenhanced data requested by 
the Department of the Interior on reasonable cost terms and conditions 
as agreed by the licensee and the Department of the Interior. After the 
expiration of any exclusive right to sell, or after an agreed amount of 
time, the Department of the Interior shall make these data available to 
the public at the cost of fulfilling user requests.
    (9) Before purging any licensed data in it possession, the licensee 
shall offer such data to the Archive at the cost of reproduction and 
transmission. The Department of the Interior shall make these data 
available immediately to the public at the cost of fulfilling user 
requests.
* * * * *

[[Page 29385]]

    (13) The licensee shall submit a Data Protection Plan to the 
Assistant Administrator for review and approval. The licensee's Data 
Protection Plan shall contain the process to protect data and 
information throughout the entire cycle of tasking, operations, 
processing, archiving and dissemination. If the operating license 
restricts the distribution of certain data and imagery to the United 
States Government or United States Government-approved customers, 
including data whose public distribution is limited for 24 hours after 
collection, the Data Protection Plan should also provide for secure 
delivery of restricted data and imagery to Government-approved customer 
facilities. Communications links that may require protection include, 
but are not limited to: Telemetry, tracking and commanding; narrowband 
and wideband data, including satellite platform and sensor data, 
imagery, and metadata; and terrestrial delivery methods including 
electronic and physical package delivery. The licensee's Data 
Protection Plan must be approved by NOAA before the licensee's remote 
sensing space system may be launched. NOAA encourages the licensee's 
early submission and review of the Data Protection Plan to avoid any 
negative impacts on its system's development and launch schedule.
    (c) The Assistant Administrator may waive any of the conditions in 
Sec.  960.11(b) upon a showing of good cause and following 
consultations with the appropriate agencies.
    Sec.  10. Section 960.12 is amended by revising paragraphs (b) and 
(c)(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  960.12  Data policy for remote sensing space systems.

* * * * *
    (b) If the U.S. Government has not funded and will not fund, either 
directly or indirectly, any of the development, fabrication, launch, or 
operations costs of a licensed system, the licensee may provide access 
to its unenhanced data in accordance with reasonable commercial terms 
and conditions subject to the requirement of providing data to the 
government of any sensed state, pursuant to Sec. 960.11(b)(10).
    (c) * * *
    (5) The extent to which the U.S. interest in promoting widespread 
data availability can be satisfied through license conditions that 
ensure access to the data for non-commercial scientific, educational, 
or other public benefit purposes.
    11. Section 960.13 is amended by revising paragraphs (f) and (g) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  960.13  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (f) Fail or refuse to provide to the Secretary or his/her designee 
in a timely manner, all reports and/or information required to be 
submitted to the Secretary under the Act or the regulations in this 
part;
    (g) Fail to update in a timely manner, the information required to 
be submitted to the Secretary in the license application.
* * * * *
    12. Section 960.15 is amended by revising paragraph (a), 
redesignating existing paragraph (b) as paragraph (h), and by adding a 
new paragraphs (b) through (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  960.15  Penalties and sanctions.

* * * * *
    (a) In addition, any person who violates any provision of the Act, 
any license issued thereunder, or the regulations in this part may be 
assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $10,000 for 
each violation. Each day of operation in violation constitutes a 
separate violation. Civil penalties will be assessed in accordance with 
the procedures contained in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section.
    (b) A notice of violation and assessment (NOVA) will be issued by 
NOAA and served personally or by registered or certified mail, return 
receipt requested, upon the licensee alleged to be subject to a civil 
penalty.
    (1) The NOVA will contain:
    (i) a concise statement of the facts believed to show a violation;
    (ii) a specific reference to the provisions of the Act, regulation, 
license, agreement, or order allegedly violated;
    (iii) the findings and conclusions upon which NOAA based the 
assessment;
    (iv) the amount of the civil penalty assessed; and
    (v) an explanation of the licensee's rights upon receipt of the 
NOVA.
    (2) In assessing a civil penalty, NOAA will take into account 
information available to the Agency concerning any factor to be 
considered under the Act and implementing regulations, and any other 
information that justice or the purposes of the Act require.
    (3) The NOVA may also contain a proposal for compromise or 
settlement of the case.
    (4) The NOVA may also contain a request for the licensee to cease 
and desist operations which are in violation of the Act, regulations, 
license, agreement, or order. If the NOVA contains such a request it 
will advise the licensee:
    (i) Of the amount of time the licensee has to cease and desist the 
violation. The amount of time will be decided on a case-by-case basis 
at the sole discretion of the Agency.
    (ii) If the licensee fails to respond or comply with NOAA's 
request, an injunction or other judicial relief may be sought.
    (iii) Paragraph (c) of this section applies only to those parts of 
the NOVA assessing monetary penalties.
    (c) The licensee has 14 days from receipt of the NOVA to respond. 
During this time:
    (1) The licensee may accept the penalty or compromise penalty, if 
any, by taking the actions specified in the NOVA.
    (2) The licensee may request a hearing under section 960.10.
    (3) The licensee may request an extension of time to respond. NOAA 
may grant an extension of up to 14 days unless it is determined that 
the requester could, exercising reasonable diligence, respond within 
the 14-day period. A telephonic response to the request is considered 
an effective response, and will be followed by written confirmation.
    (4) The licensee may take no action, in which case the NOVA becomes 
final in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
    (d) If no request for hearing is timely filed as provided in 
Sec. 960.10, the NOVA becomes effective as the final administrative 
decision and order of NOAA on the 30th day after service of the NOVA or 
on the last day of any delay period granted. If a request for hearing 
is timely filed in accordance with Sec. 960.10, the date of the final 
administrative decision is as provided in that section.
    (e) The licensee must make full payment of the civil penalty 
assessed within 30 days of the date upon which the assessment becomes 
effective as the final administrative decision and order of NOAA under 
paragraph (d) of this section or Sec. 960.10.
    (1) Payment must be made by mailing or delivering to NOAA at the 
address specified in the NOVA a check or money order made payable in 
United States currency in the amount of the assessment to the 
``Treasurer of the United States,'' or as otherwise directed.
    (2) Upon any failure to pay the civil penalty assessed, NOAA may 
request the Justice Department to recover the amount assessed in any 
appropriate district court of the United States, or may act under 
paragraph (f) of this section.

[[Page 29386]]

    (f) NOAA, in its sole discretion, may compromise, modify, remit, or 
mitigate, with or without conditions, any civil penalty imposed.
    (1) The compromise authority of NOAA under this section is in 
addition to any similar authority provided in any applicable statute or 
regulation, and may be exercised either upon the initiative of NOAA or 
in response to a request by the alleged violator or other interested 
person. Any such request should be sent to NOAA at the address 
specified in the NOVA.
    (2) Neither the existence of the compromise authority of NOAA under 
this section nor NOAA's exercise thereof at any time changes the date 
upon which an assessment is final or payable.
    (g) Factors to be taken into consideration when assessing a penalty 
may include the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the 
alleged violation; the licensee's degree of culpability; any history of 
prior offenses; and such other matters as justice may require.
* * * * *
    13. Appendix 1 to part 960 is amended by revising paragraphs (c) 
and Sec. III of paragraph (d) to read as follows:

Appendix 1 to Part 960--Filing Instructions and Information To Be 
Included in the Licensing Application.

* * * * *
    (c) Number of copies. One (1) copy of each application must be 
submitted in a readily reproducible form accompanied by a copy on 
electronic media.
    (d) * * *

Sec. III--Space Segment

    (1) The name of the system and the number of satellites which 
will compose this system;
    (2) Technical space system information at the level of detail 
typical of a Request for Proposal specification (including sensor 
type; spatial and spectral resolution; pointing parameters, etc.);
    (3) Anticipated best theoretical resolution (show calculation);
    (4) Swath width of each sensor (typically at nadir);
    (5) The various fields of view for each sensor (IFOV, in-track, 
cross-track);
    (6) On-board storage capacity;
    (7) Navigation capabilities--GPS, star tracker accuracies;
    (8) Time-delayed integration with focal plane;
    (9) Oversampling capability;
    (10) Image motion parameters--linear motion, drift, aggregation 
modes;
    (11) Anticipated system lifetime.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 05-9983 Filed 5-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HR-P