[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 7]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR270.21]

[Page 695-696]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
  CHAPTER II--NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
           ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
PART 270_SPECIES-SPECIFIC SEAFOOD MARKETING COUNCILS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 270.21  Petition of objection.

    (a) Filing a petition. Any person issued a notice of assessment 
under Sec. 270.19 may request that NMFS modify or take other 
appropriate action regarding the assessment or promotion plan by filing 
a written petition of objection with NMFS. Petitions of objection may be 
filed:
    (1) Only if the petitioner determines one or more of the following 
criteria is not in accordance with the law:
    (i) The assessment;
    (ii) The plan upon which the assessment is based; or
    (iii) Any obligation imposed on the petitioner under the plan.
    (2) Only during the time period to which the assessment applies.
    (b) Contents of the petition of objection. A petition must be 
addressed to Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, and 
must contain the following:
    (1) The petitioner's correct name, address, and principal place of 
business. If the petitioner is a corporation, this must be stated, 
together with the date and state of incorporation, and the names, 
addresses, and respective positions of its officers; if a partnership, 
the date and place of formation and the name and address of each 
partner;
    (2) The grounds upon which the petition of objection is based, 
including the specific terms or provisions of the assessment, the 
marketing and promotion plan, or obligation imposed by the plan, to 
which the petitioner objects;
    (3) A full statement of the facts upon which the petition is based, 
set forth clearly and concisely, accompanied by any supporting 
documentation;
    (4) The specific relief requested; and
    (5) A statement as to whether or not the petitioner requests a 
hearing.
    (c) Notice to Council. NMFS will promptly furnish the appropriate 
Council with a copy of the petition of objection.

[[Page 696]]

    (d) Opportunity for informal hearing. (1) Any person filing a 
petition of objection may request an informal hearing on the petition. 
The hearing request must be submitted with the petition of objection.
    (2) If a request for hearing is timely filed, or if NMFS determines 
that a hearing is advisable, NMFS will so notify the petitioner and the 
Council. NMFS will establish the applicable procedures, and designate 
who will be responsible for conducting a hearing. The petitioner, the 
Council, and any other interested party, may appear at the hearing in 
person or through a representative, and may submit any relevant 
materials, data, comments, arguments, or exhibits. NMFS may consolidate 
two or more hearing requests into a single proceeding.
    (3) Final decision. Following the hearing, or if no hearing is held, 
as soon as practicable, NMFS will decide the matter and serve written 
notice of the decision on the petitioner and the Council. NMFS's 
decision will be based on a consideration of all relevant documentation 
and other evidence submitted, and will constitute the final 
administrative decision and order of the agency. NMFS will have the 
discretion to waive collection of a contested assessment or revise, 
modify, or alter the assessment amount based on a Council method of 
assessment.