- Regulatory Development Program (RDP)
- RDP Overview
- Active Projects
- Regulatory Archive
- Other Publications
- Participate in USCG Rulemaking
- Small Business Assistance
- Standards Evaluation and Development Divisions
- Regulations and Administrative Law (CG-0943)
- Current IMO FAL Work
- Review to the Annex of the Facilitation Convention
- Electronic Access to Certificates & Documents
- Supply Chain Security & Recovery
- Regulatory Links
- Contact Webmaster
Security Levels
Office of Standards Evaluation and Development (CG-REG)
Standards Evaluation & Analysis Division (CG-REG-1)
Standards Evaluation & Analysis Division (CG-REG-1) is responsible for evaluating the economic and environmental impact of a rulemaking action initiated by the Coast Guard.
Economic Analysis
The federal rule-making process is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which requires that federal regulatory agencies to adequately justify their exercise of rulemaking authority. Within the regulatory process the role of economic analysis is often referred to as "cost-benefit analysis." A cost-benefit analysis provides an understanding of the trade-offs, potential effects, and side effects of their actions, including identifying potential changes in behavior by market participants. Economic analysis can also help clarify the problem the proposed rule is aimed at solving and show why a rule would, or would not, improve upon the status quo. Economic analysis can also look beyond the status quo and compare the effects of the proposed rule with alternative rule specifications, or market-based solutions, aimed at addressing the same problem. The value of economic analysis derives from its capacity to provide a clear, credible, and coherent framework for articulating the reasoned basis for regulatory action.
Environmental Analysis
Federal Agencies need to consider the
environmental impacts of their actions before they act. The
environmental analysis provides an understanding of significant
environmental impacts that can arise from USCG actions. It informs
decision-makers and the public of the reasonable alternatives, and
possibly mitigation, which would avoid or minimize adverse impacts,
to enhance the quality of the human and natural environment. Public
involvement and consultation with other Federal Agencies, State
Agencies, tribal groups and other interested parties is encouraged
by several environmental laws, leading to a more informed
environmental analysis. The effects of USCG actions on the
environment should be treated equally with economic, technical, and
other issues associated with the rulemaking or other proposed
actions.
The environmental analysis of federal rulemakings
is required under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and several
other environmental laws, executive orders and policies. While NEPA,
which is implemented under the President’s
Council on Environmental Quality regulations, is the primary
driver, some of the other statutes that could compel the
environmental analysis of USCG regulatory actions are the
Endangered Species
Act, the Magnuson
Stevens Fisheries and Conservation Act, the
Coastal
Zone Management Act, the
Clean Water Act,
the Clean Air
Act, the
National
Marine Sanctuaries Act, the
Marine Mammal
Protection Act, and the
National Historic Preservation Act, among others. The
Coast Guard’s chief policy guidance documents on NEPA and the
environmental analysis process are the
Commandant
Instructions, specifically
COMDTINST M16475.1D,
COMDTINST 16004.2 and
DHS Management Directive 023-01
Reports
Click here to view statistical information and reports.
For more information contact:
Office of Standards
Evaluation and Development (CG-REG-1)
U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters
2100 2nd Street, SW STOP 7126
Washington, DC 20593
202-372-1460
Click here to e-mail your questions or suggestions
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF)