[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82141-82142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32761]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket No. MARAD-2010-0111]


Stakeholder Meetings Regarding the U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Fleet 
Revitalization Study

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to announce three public 
listening-session meetings that are being held to gather data and 
comments to inform the Maritime Administration's U.S.-Flag Great Lakes 
Fleet Revitalization Study. The three meetings will be identical in 
terms of agenda and purpose; they are being held in the different 
locations to maximize stakeholder participation.
    The U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Fleet Revitalization Study will examine 
the current and potential future role of Great Lakes shipping in 
supporting the region's economy and as an important component of the 
greater U.S. Marine Highway system serving the Nation at large. It will 
also be used to assess the impact of new environmental regulations on 
the U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Fleet. Of particular interest is the likely 
impact of the EPA's final emission standards for new marine diesel 
``Category 3'' engines that goes into effect in January 2012.
    This study calls for the identification and evaluation of options 
to recapitalize U.S. vessels and port infrastructure on the Great 
Lakes, using private and public sector investments, to generate the 
greatest net benefits for the region and the Nation.
    This Maritime Administration study will be a two-phase effort to 
estimate the costs and options for complying with the new environmental 
regulations. The first phase will be a data gathering effort. An 
inventory of current vessel and port assets will be developed. That 
inventory will be used to determine if the Maritime Administration can 
assist the U.S. Flag Great Lakes vessel operators in complying with the 
new regulations.
    During the second phase of the study, the Maritime Administration 
will examine a mix of private and public sector financing options that 
could be used for vessel or port alterations necessitated by the new 
environmental regulations. This analysis will be used in developing 
strategies for how the Maritime Administration might assist the U.S.-
Flag Great Lakes Fleet and ports in making those changes.
    The Maritime Administration will use the study's findings to 
develop strategies to promote the U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Fleet and 
Ports. Stakeholder input is an essential part of the strategy-
development process, so the study plan includes three stakeholder 
listening-sessions where the important issues raised by the study will 
be discussed. Topics of discussion include the new EPA environmental 
regulations such as the Control of Emissions from Category 3 Marine 
Engines and their impact on Great Lakes vessel operators, the state of 
the Great Lakes shipping markets, and issues facing vessel operators 
and port operators.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general background information or 
technical information, contact Stephen

[[Page 82142]]

Shafer, Maritime Administration, Office of Policy and Plans, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Dates and Addresses:
    The Cleveland, Ohio, meeting will take place on February 15, 2011, 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. The meeting will 
be held at Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade, 420 East Superior 
Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44114.
    Persons interested in attending the meeting should register by 
February 4, 2011.
    The Duluth, Minnesota, meeting will take place on February 23, 
2011, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. The meeting 
will be held at the Inn on Lake Superior, 350 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, 
Minnesota, 55802.
    Persons interested in attending the meeting should register by 
February 11, 2011.
    The Chicago, Illinois, meeting will take place on February 25, 
2011, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. The meeting 
will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, 301 East North 
Water Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60611.
    Persons interested in attending the meeting should register by 
February 11, 2011.
    Registration: The meetings are open to the public. Advanced 
registration is recommended. To register, interested parties should 
send their name, group affiliation, and which of the three meetings 
they will attend to [email protected]. The meeting 
agenda will be sent to registered participants prior to the meeting.
    The Public Meeting will be held at a site accessible to individuals 
with disabilities. Individuals who require accommodations such as sign 
language interpreters should contact ABS Consulting at 
[email protected], as soon as possible, but preferably 
no less than five business days before the scheduled meeting.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator,

    Dated: December 23, 2010.
Murray A. Bloom,
Acting Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-32761 Filed 12-28-10; 8:45 am]
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