1625-0069
Supporting Statement
for
Ballast
Water Management for Vessels with
Ballast Tanks Entering U.S.
Waters
A. Justification.
1) Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The information collection requirement described in this supporting statement is necessary to carry out the reporting requirement of Title 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) 4711, which concerns the management of ballast water to prevent the introduction of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) into United States (U.S.) waters. The mandatory requirement is imposed on owners/operators of vessels who enter U.S. ports after operating outside of our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The master of the vessel provides information to the Coast Guard that details the vessel operator’s ballast water management efforts.
This information collection supports the following strategic goals:
Protection of the Natural Resources
Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Directorate (CG-5)
Human and Natural Environment: Eliminate environmental damage associated with maritime transportation and operations on and around the nation’s waterways.
2) By whom, how, and for what purpose the information is to be used.
The purpose of the information collection is to ensure that the ballast water management regulations are complied with prior to a vessel's entering U.S. waters from beyond the EEZ.
3) Consideration of the use of improved information technology.
The information may be submitted by one for four methods—by mail, or electronically via an on-line form, e-mail or fax. For details, go to http://invasions.si.edu/nbic/.
We estimate that 100% of the reporting requirements can by done electronically. At this time, we estimate that approximately 70% of the responses are collected electronically.
4) Efforts to identify duplication. Why similar information cannot be used.
As a result of state agencies imposing their own ballast water reporting requirements, and to alleviate redundant reporting requirements on vessels, the Coast Guard and National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) hope to remain the single clearinghouse of BWM reporting data and will make this information directly available to state agencies who would otherwise require vessels to submit ballast water reports to them.
5) Methods to minimize the burden to small businesses if involved.
This information collection does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.
6) Consequences to the Federal program if collection were conducted less frequently.
The consequence of not collecting the information would mean that no reliable, systematic method of establishing that vessels have complied with the regulations would exist. Verbal reports would be the only method of collection, with no means to validate such information. Consequently, there would be insufficient data available to study the long-term effects of BWM. There would be no basis for future decision-making actions to reduce the threat of ANS in the United States.
7) Explain any special circumstances that would cause the information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with guidelines.
This information collection is conducted in manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).
8) Consultation.
A 60-day Notice and 30-day Notice were published in the Federal Register to obtain public comment on this collection. (See [USCG-2009-0362]; (June 4, 2009; 74 FR 26875) and (October 15, 2009; 74 FR 52969)). The USCG has not received any comments on this information collection.
9) Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents.
There is no offer of monetary or material value for this information collection.
10) Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents.
There are no assurances of confidentiality provided to the respondents for this information collection.
11) Additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.
There are no questions of sensitive language.
12) Estimates of reporting and recordkeeping hour and cost burdens of the collection of information.
The reporting and recordkeeping burdens include time to complete the information, file a log entry, and maintain and/or supply the necessary data to the Coast Guard, private researchers, and other government agencies.
Annual Burden:
Number of respondents: 8,383
Number of Reponses: 90,638 responses
Average Hours per Response
Vessel operators currently completing this information report that it takes approximately 40 minutes to complete the collection of information.
Annual Burden Hours
The annual burden is 90,638 responses x .67 hours/response = 60,727 hours.
Cost Burden to Industry
The annual cost for BWM reports (i.e., vessel arrivals to the U.S.) is—
90,638 arrivals x 0.67 hrs/arrival x $491/hr = $2,975,6462.
13) Estimates of annualized capital and start-up costs.
There are no capital, start-up or maintenance costs associated with this information collection.
14) Estimates of annualized Federal Government costs.
It takes approximately 15 minutes (0.25 hours), for government personnel to process a BWM report.
The burden and cost for reports are as follows:
90,638 reports 0.25 hours per report = 22,660 hours
22,660 hours $353 per hour = $793,083
15) Explain the reasons for the change in burden.
The change in burden is an ADJUSTMENT due to a change in the number of vessels arrivals.
16) For collections of information whose results are planned to be published for statistical use, outline plans for tabulation, statistical analysis and publication.
This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.
17) Explain the reasons for seeking not to display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information of collection.
The Coast Guard will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.
18) Explain each exception to the certification statement.
The Coast Guard does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.
B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods.
This information collection does not employ statistical methods.
1 Estimated cost burden to industry is adjusted for inflation using BLS data.
2 Note: All calculation figures are subject to rounding.
3 The labor wage is equivalent to a GS-07 in government per Enclosure (2) to COMDTINST 7310.1L.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Supporting Statement |
| Author | USCG |
| Last Modified By | David A. Du Pont |
| File Modified | 2010-01-22 |
| File Created | 2010-01-22 |