Port Access Route Study: Off San Francisco, CA, 65543-65545 [E9-29415]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 236 / Thursday, December 10, 2009 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Andean Trade Preferences
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP), Department of
Homeland Security.
ACTION: 60-Day notice and request for
comments; Revision of an existing
information collection: 1651–0091.
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, CBP invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to comment
on an information collection
requirement concerning the Andean
Trade Preferences. This request for
comment is being made pursuant to the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).
DATES: Written comments should be
received on or before February 8, 2010,
to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
Attn: Tracey Denning, Office of
Regulations and Rulings, 799 9th Street,
NW., 7th Floor, Washington, DC.
20229–1177.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information
should be directed to Tracey Denning,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
Office of Regulations and Rulings, 799
9th Street, NW., 7th Floor, Washington,
DC. 20229–1177, at 202–325–0265.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CBP
invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information
collections pursuant to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13;
44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments
should address: (a) Whether the
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimates of the burden of the
collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; (d)
ways to minimize the burden including
the use of automated collection
techniques or the use of other forms of
information technology; and (e)
estimates of capital or start-up costs and
costs of operations, maintenance, and
purchase of services to provide
information. The comments that are
submitted will be summarized and
included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:19 Dec 09, 2009
Jkt 220001
approval. All comments will become a
matter of public record. In this
document the CBP is soliciting
comments concerning the following
information collection:
Title: Andean Trade Preferences.
OMB Number: 1651–0091.
Form Number: 449.
Abstract: The information is to be
used by CBP officers to document
preferential tariff treatment under the
provisions of the Andean Trade
Preferences Act and the Andean Trade
Promotion and Drug Eradication Act
(ATPDEA), as codified in 19 U.S.C. 3201
through 3206. CBP is adding form 449
to this collection of information so
respondents can submit information
under ATPDEA.
Current Actions: This submission is
being made to extend the expiration
date and to revise this information
collection by adding Form 449.
Type of Review: Extension (with
change).
Affected Public: Businesses.
ATPA Certificate of Origin:
Estimated Number of Respondents:
2,133.
Estimated Number of Annual
Responses per Respondent: 2.
Estimated Number of Total Annual
Responses: 4,266.
Estimated Time per Response: 10
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 711.
ATPDEA Certificate of Origin:
Estimated Number of Respondents:
233.
Estimated Number of Annual
Responses per Respondent: 7.
Estimated Number of Total Annual
Responses: 1,631.
Estimated Time per Response: 30
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 815.
Dated: December 7, 2009.
Tracey Denning,
Agency Clearance Officer, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection.
[FR Doc. E9–29458 Filed 12–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
[Docket No. USCG–2009–0576]
Port Access Route Study: Off San
Francisco, CA
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of study; request for
comments.
ACTION:
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is
conducting a Port Access Route Study
(PARS) to evaluate the continued
applicability of and the need for
modifications to current vessel routing
measures in the approaches to San
Francisco. The goal of the study is to
help reduce the risk of marine casualties
and increase the efficiency of vessel
traffic in the study area. The
recommendations of the study may lead
to future rulemaking action or
appropriate international agreements.
DATES: Comments and related material
must reach the Docket Management
Facility on or before February 8, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2009–0576 using any one of the
following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202–493–2251.
(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility
(M–30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail
address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number
is 202–366–9329. To avoid duplication,
please use only one of these four
methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation
and Request for Comments’’ portion of
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
below for instructions on submitting
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this notice of
study, contact Lieutenant Sara Young,
Project Officer, Eleventh Coast Guard
District, telephone 510–437–2978; or
e-mail Sara.E.Young@uscg.mil; or
George Detweiler, Office of Waterways
Management, Coast Guard, telephone
202–372–1566, or e-mail
George.H.Detweiler@uscg.mil. If you
have questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, call Ms. Renee K.
Wright, Program Manager, Docket
Operations, telephone 202–366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Participation and Request for
Comments
Coast Guard
AGENCY:
65543
We encourage you to participate in
this study by submitting comments and
related materials. All comments
received will be posted, without change,
to https://www.regulations.gov and will
include any personal information you
have provided.
E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM
10DEN1
65544
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 236 / Thursday, December 10, 2009 / Notices
Submitting Comments
If you submit comments, please
include the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG–2009–0576),
indicate the specific section of this
document to which each comment
applies, and provide a reason for each
suggestion or recommendation. You
may submit your comments and
material online, or by fax, mail or hand
delivery, but please use only one of
these means. We recommend that you
include your name and a mailing
address, an e-mail address, or a
telephone number in the body of your
document so that we can contact you if
we have questions regarding your
submission.
To submit your comment online, go to
https://www.regulations.gov, click on the
‘‘submit a comment’’ box, which will
then become highlighted in blue. In the
‘‘Document Type’’ drop down menu
select ‘‘Notices’’ and insert ‘‘USCG–
2009–0576’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box.
Click ‘‘Search’’ then click on the balloon
shape in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. If you
submit your comments by mail or hand
delivery, submit them in an unbound
format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches,
suitable for copying and electronic
filing. If you submit them by mail and
would like to know that they reached
the Facility, please enclose a stamped,
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We
will consider all comments and material
received during the comment period.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Viewing the Comments and Documents
To view the comments and
documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to
https://www.regulations.gov, click on the
‘‘read comments’’ box, which will then
become highlighted in blue. In the
‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘USCG–2009–
0576’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the
‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’
column. If you do not have access to the
Internet, you may view the docket
online by visiting the Docket
Management Facility in Room W12–140
on the ground floor of the Department
of Transportation West Building, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. We have an agreement with
the Department of Transportation to use
the Docket Management Facility.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic
form of comments received into any of
our dockets by the name of the
individual submitting the comment (or
signing the comment, if submitted on
behalf of an association, business, labor
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:19 Dec 09, 2009
Jkt 220001
union, etc.). You may review a Privacy
Act, system of records notice regarding
our public dockets in the January 17,
2008, issue of the Federal Register (73
FR 3316).
Definitions
The following definitions are from the
International Maritime Organization’s
(IMO’s) publication ‘‘Ships’ Routeing’’
(except ‘‘Regulated Navigation Area’’)
and should help you review this notice:
Area to be avoided (ATBA) means a
routing measure comprising an area
within defined limits in which either
navigation is particularly hazardous or
it is exceptionally important to avoid
casualties and which should be avoided
by all vessels, or certain classes of
vessels.
Deep-water route means a route
within defined limits, which has been
accurately surveyed for clearance of sea
bottom and submerged obstacles as
indicated on nautical charts.
Inshore traffic zone means a routing
measure comprising a designated area
between the landward boundary of a
traffic separation scheme and the
adjacent coast, to be used in accordance
with the provisions of Rule 10(d), as
amended, of the International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at
Sea, 1972 (COLREGS).
Precautionary area means a routing
measure comprising an area within
defined limits where vessels must
navigate with particular caution and
within which the direction of traffic
flow may be recommended.
Recommended route means a route of
undefined width, for the convenience of
vessels in transit, which is often marked
by centerline buoys.
Recommended track is a route which
has been specially examined to ensure
so far as possible that it is free of
dangers and along which vessels are
advised to navigate.
Regulated Navigation Area (RNA)
means a water area within a defined
boundary for which regulations for
vessels navigating within the area have
been established under 33 CFR part 165.
Roundabout means a routing measure
comprising a separation point or
circular separation zone and a circular
traffic lane within defined limits. Traffic
within the roundabout is separated by
moving in a counterclockwise direction
around the separation point or zone.
Separation Zone or separation line
means a zone or line separating the
traffic lanes in which vessels are
proceeding in opposite or nearly
opposite directions; or separating a
traffic lane from the adjacent sea area;
or separating traffic lanes designated for
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
particular classes of vessels proceeding
in the same direction.
Traffic lane means an area within
defined limits in which one-way traffic
is established. Natural obstacles,
including those forming separation
zones may constitute a boundary.
Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS)
means a routing measure aimed at the
separation of opposing streams of traffic
by appropriate means and by the
establishment of traffic lanes.
Two-way route means a route within
defined limits inside which two-way
traffic is established, aimed at providing
safe passage of ships through waters
where navigation is difficult or
dangerous.
Vessel routing system means any
system of one or more routes or routing
measure aimed at reducing the risk of
casualties; it includes traffic separation
schemes, two-way routes, recommended
tracks, areas to be avoided, no anchoring
areas, inshore traffic zones,
roundabouts, precautionary areas, and
deep-water routes.
Background and Purpose
Requirement for port access route
studies: Under the Ports and Waterways
Safety Act (PWSA) (33 U.S.C. 1223(c)),
the Commandant of the Coast Guard
may designate necessary fairways and
traffic separation schemes (TSSs) to
provide safe access routes for vessels
proceeding to and from United States
ports. The designation of fairways and
TSSs recognizes the paramount right of
navigation over all other uses in the
designated areas.
The PWSA requires the Coast Guard
to conduct a study of potential traffic
density and the need for safe access
routes for vessels before establishing or
adjusting fairways or TSSs. Through the
study process, we must coordinate with
Federal, State, and foreign state agencies
(as appropriate) and consider the views
of maritime community representatives,
environmental groups, and other
interested stakeholders. A primary
purpose of this coordination is, to the
extent practicable, to reconcile the need
for safe access routes with other
reasonable waterway uses.
Previous port access route studies: In
1979, the Coast Guard initiated a port
access route study of the California
coast. The study recommended an
amendment to the existing TSSs off San
Francisco which consisted of rotating
the southern approach lane westward
(seaward) to provide a true north-south
alignment. This shift would encourage
vessels in the area to transit farther
offshore when entering or departing San
Francisco Bay from or to the south. The
International Maritime Organization
E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM
10DEN1
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 236 / Thursday, December 10, 2009 / Notices
(IMO) adopted this recommendation in
1990.
The United States elected to postpone
implementation of the amendment until
the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary was designated and a study of
potential impacts was conducted. The
Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary Vessel Management Final
Report was published October 22, 1998.
Similar to the 1979 PARS and the IMO
adopted amendments, the report
recommended shifting the ‘‘southern
approach’’ of the San Francisco TSS
slightly west to reduce risk of
groundings along the San Mateo
coastline and to improve north-south
alignment.
Necessity for a new port access route
study: The Coast Guard is always
seeking ways to enhance the safety of
life at sea. The Coast Guard has
identified a potential safety
enhancement by increasing
predictability of vessel traffic patterns in
a popular offshore fishing area near the
northern approach of the traffic
separation scheme off San Francisco.
When vessels follow predictable and
charted routing measures, congestion
may be reduced, and mariners may be
better able to predict where vessel
interactions may occur and act
accordingly.
The Coast Guard plans to study
whether extending the traffic lanes of
the Traffic Separation Schemes off San
Francisco would increase safety in the
area just outside the radar range of
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) San
Francisco. Because the VTS does not
monitor this region, extending the traffic
lanes may increase the predictability of
vessel movements and encounters and
improve navigation safety. In addition,
the study will also assess whether
extending the traffic lanes may interfere
with fishing vessels operating in the
area.
Furthermore, the present traffic lanes
go through the Gulf of the Farallones
National Marine Sanctuary and, if
extended, will go into the Cordell Bank
National Marine Sanctuary. The
increased predictability of vessel traffic
using established traffic lanes may
decrease the potential for oil spills,
collisions and other events that could
threaten the marine environment.
Timeline, study area, and process of
this PARS: The Eleventh Coast Guard
District will conduct this PARS. The
study will begin immediately and
should take 6 to 12 months to complete.
The study area will encompass the
traffic separation schemes off San
Francisco extending to the limit of the
VTS area and vessel traffic patterns of
vessels departing from or approaching
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:19 Dec 09, 2009
Jkt 220001
65545
the traffic lanes. The VTS area covers
the seaward approaches within a 38
nautical mile radius of Mount
Tamalpais (37°55.8′ N., 122°34.6′ W).
As part of this study, we will consider
previous studies, analyses of vessel
traffic density, fishing vessel
information, and agency and
stakeholder experience in vessel traffic
management, navigation, ship handling,
and effects of weather. We encourage
you to participate in the study process
by submitting comments in response to
this notice.
We will publish the results of the
PARS in the Federal Register. It is
possible that the study may validate
existing vessel routing measures and
conclude that no changes are necessary.
It is also possible that the study may
recommend one or more changes to
enhance navigational safety and the
efficiency of vessel traffic. The
recommendations may lead to future
rulemakings or appropriate
international agreements.
3. Are modifications to existing vessel
routing measures needed to address
hazards and strains and to improve
traffic efficiency in the study area? If so,
please describe.
4. What costs and benefits are
associated with the measures listed as
potential study recommendations? What
measures do you think are most costeffective?
5. What impacts, both positive and
negative, would changes to existing
routing measures or new routing
measures have on the study area?
This notice is issued under authority
of 33 U.S.C. 1223(c) and 5 U.S.C. 552.
Possible Scope of the Recommendations
We are attempting to determine the
scope of any safety problems associated
with vessel transits in the study area.
We expect that information gathered
during the study will help us identify
any problems and appropriate solutions.
The study may recommend that we—
• Maintain the current vessel routing
measures;
• Modify the existing traffic
separation scheme;
• Create one or more precautionary
areas;
• Create one or more inshore traffic
zones;
• Establish area(s) to be avoided;
• Create deep-draft routes;
• Establish a Regulated Navigation
Area (RNA) with specific vessel
operating requirements to ensure safe
navigation near shallow water; and
• Identify any other appropriate
ships’ routing measures.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Questions
To help us conduct the port access
route study, we request information that
will help answer the following
questions, although comments on other
issues addressed in this notice are also
welcome. In responding to a question,
please explain your reasons for each
answer and follow the instructions
under ‘‘Public Participation and Request
for Comments’’ above.
1. What navigational hazards do
vessels operating in the study area face?
Please describe.
2. Are there strains on the current
vessel routing system, such as
increasing traffic density? Please
describe.
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: October 13, 2009.
Kevin S. Cook,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of
Prevention Policy.
[FR Doc. E9–29415 Filed 12–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[FWS–R1–ES–2009–N231] [10120–1113–
0000–F5]
Endangered Wildlife and Plants;
Permits
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of permit
applications; request for comments.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), invite the
public to comment on applications for
permits to conduct enhancement of
survival activities with endangered
species. The Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (Act) requires that we
solicit public comment on these permit
applications involving endangered
species.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please
send your written comments by January
11, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Program Manager,
Endangered Species, Ecological
Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, OR
97232–4181.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Linda Belluomini, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, at the above address or by
telephone (503–231–6131) or fax (503–
231–6243).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
following applicants have applied for
recovery permits to conduct certain
activities with endangered species
under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We are soliciting
E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM
10DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 236 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65543-65545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29415]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2009-0576]
Port Access Route Study: Off San Francisco, CA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of study; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS)
to evaluate the continued applicability of and the need for
modifications to current vessel routing measures in the approaches to
San Francisco. The goal of the study is to help reduce the risk of
marine casualties and increase the efficiency of vessel traffic in the
study area. The recommendations of the study may lead to future
rulemaking action or appropriate international agreements.
DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management
Facility on or before February 8, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2009-0576 using any one of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202-366-9329. To avoid duplication, please use only one of
these four methods. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for
instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice
of study, contact Lieutenant Sara Young, Project Officer, Eleventh
Coast Guard District, telephone 510-437-2978; or e-mail
Sara.E.Young@uscg.mil; or George Detweiler, Office of Waterways
Management, Coast Guard, telephone 202-372-1566, or e-mail
George.H.Detweiler@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or
submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Renee K. Wright, Program
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this study by submitting
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted,
without change, to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided.
[[Page 65544]]
Submitting Comments
If you submit comments, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG-2009-0576), indicate the specific section of this
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material
online, or by fax, mail or hand delivery, but please use only one of
these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing
address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in the body of your
document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your
submission.
To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov,
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu select
``Notices'' and insert ``USCG-2009-0576'' in the ``Keyword'' box. Click
``Search'' then click on the balloon shape in the ``Actions'' column.
If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an
unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped,
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and
material received during the comment period.
Viewing the Comments and Documents
To view the comments and documents mentioned in this preamble as
being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, click
on the ``read comments'' box, which will then become highlighted in
blue. In the ``Keyword'' box insert ``USCG-2009-0576'' and click
``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you may view the docket
online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on
the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an
agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket
Management Facility.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act, system of
records notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008,
issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).
Definitions
The following definitions are from the International Maritime
Organization's (IMO's) publication ``Ships' Routeing'' (except
``Regulated Navigation Area'') and should help you review this notice:
Area to be avoided (ATBA) means a routing measure comprising an
area within defined limits in which either navigation is particularly
hazardous or it is exceptionally important to avoid casualties and
which should be avoided by all vessels, or certain classes of vessels.
Deep-water route means a route within defined limits, which has
been accurately surveyed for clearance of sea bottom and submerged
obstacles as indicated on nautical charts.
Inshore traffic zone means a routing measure comprising a
designated area between the landward boundary of a traffic separation
scheme and the adjacent coast, to be used in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 10(d), as amended, of the International Regulations
for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS).
Precautionary area means a routing measure comprising an area
within defined limits where vessels must navigate with particular
caution and within which the direction of traffic flow may be
recommended.
Recommended route means a route of undefined width, for the
convenience of vessels in transit, which is often marked by centerline
buoys.
Recommended track is a route which has been specially examined to
ensure so far as possible that it is free of dangers and along which
vessels are advised to navigate.
Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) means a water area within a defined
boundary for which regulations for vessels navigating within the area
have been established under 33 CFR part 165.
Roundabout means a routing measure comprising a separation point or
circular separation zone and a circular traffic lane within defined
limits. Traffic within the roundabout is separated by moving in a
counterclockwise direction around the separation point or zone.
Separation Zone or separation line means a zone or line separating
the traffic lanes in which vessels are proceeding in opposite or nearly
opposite directions; or separating a traffic lane from the adjacent sea
area; or separating traffic lanes designated for particular classes of
vessels proceeding in the same direction.
Traffic lane means an area within defined limits in which one-way
traffic is established. Natural obstacles, including those forming
separation zones may constitute a boundary.
Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) means a routing measure aimed at
the separation of opposing streams of traffic by appropriate means and
by the establishment of traffic lanes.
Two-way route means a route within defined limits inside which two-
way traffic is established, aimed at providing safe passage of ships
through waters where navigation is difficult or dangerous.
Vessel routing system means any system of one or more routes or
routing measure aimed at reducing the risk of casualties; it includes
traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, areas
to be avoided, no anchoring areas, inshore traffic zones, roundabouts,
precautionary areas, and deep-water routes.
Background and Purpose
Requirement for port access route studies: Under the Ports and
Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) (33 U.S.C. 1223(c)), the Commandant of the
Coast Guard may designate necessary fairways and traffic separation
schemes (TSSs) to provide safe access routes for vessels proceeding to
and from United States ports. The designation of fairways and TSSs
recognizes the paramount right of navigation over all other uses in the
designated areas.
The PWSA requires the Coast Guard to conduct a study of potential
traffic density and the need for safe access routes for vessels before
establishing or adjusting fairways or TSSs. Through the study process,
we must coordinate with Federal, State, and foreign state agencies (as
appropriate) and consider the views of maritime community
representatives, environmental groups, and other interested
stakeholders. A primary purpose of this coordination is, to the extent
practicable, to reconcile the need for safe access routes with other
reasonable waterway uses.
Previous port access route studies: In 1979, the Coast Guard
initiated a port access route study of the California coast. The study
recommended an amendment to the existing TSSs off San Francisco which
consisted of rotating the southern approach lane westward (seaward) to
provide a true north-south alignment. This shift would encourage
vessels in the area to transit farther offshore when entering or
departing San Francisco Bay from or to the south. The International
Maritime Organization
[[Page 65545]]
(IMO) adopted this recommendation in 1990.
The United States elected to postpone implementation of the
amendment until the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was
designated and a study of potential impacts was conducted. The Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary Vessel Management Final Report was
published October 22, 1998. Similar to the 1979 PARS and the IMO
adopted amendments, the report recommended shifting the ``southern
approach'' of the San Francisco TSS slightly west to reduce risk of
groundings along the San Mateo coastline and to improve north-south
alignment.
Necessity for a new port access route study: The Coast Guard is
always seeking ways to enhance the safety of life at sea. The Coast
Guard has identified a potential safety enhancement by increasing
predictability of vessel traffic patterns in a popular offshore fishing
area near the northern approach of the traffic separation scheme off
San Francisco. When vessels follow predictable and charted routing
measures, congestion may be reduced, and mariners may be better able to
predict where vessel interactions may occur and act accordingly.
The Coast Guard plans to study whether extending the traffic lanes
of the Traffic Separation Schemes off San Francisco would increase
safety in the area just outside the radar range of Vessel Traffic
Service (VTS) San Francisco. Because the VTS does not monitor this
region, extending the traffic lanes may increase the predictability of
vessel movements and encounters and improve navigation safety. In
addition, the study will also assess whether extending the traffic
lanes may interfere with fishing vessels operating in the area.
Furthermore, the present traffic lanes go through the Gulf of the
Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and, if extended, will go into the
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The increased predictability of
vessel traffic using established traffic lanes may decrease the
potential for oil spills, collisions and other events that could
threaten the marine environment.
Timeline, study area, and process of this PARS: The Eleventh Coast
Guard District will conduct this PARS. The study will begin immediately
and should take 6 to 12 months to complete.
The study area will encompass the traffic separation schemes off
San Francisco extending to the limit of the VTS area and vessel traffic
patterns of vessels departing from or approaching the traffic lanes.
The VTS area covers the seaward approaches within a 38 nautical mile
radius of Mount Tamalpais (37[deg]55.8' N., 122[deg]34.6' W).
As part of this study, we will consider previous studies, analyses
of vessel traffic density, fishing vessel information, and agency and
stakeholder experience in vessel traffic management, navigation, ship
handling, and effects of weather. We encourage you to participate in
the study process by submitting comments in response to this notice.
We will publish the results of the PARS in the Federal Register. It
is possible that the study may validate existing vessel routing
measures and conclude that no changes are necessary. It is also
possible that the study may recommend one or more changes to enhance
navigational safety and the efficiency of vessel traffic. The
recommendations may lead to future rulemakings or appropriate
international agreements.
Possible Scope of the Recommendations
We are attempting to determine the scope of any safety problems
associated with vessel transits in the study area. We expect that
information gathered during the study will help us identify any
problems and appropriate solutions. The study may recommend that we--
Maintain the current vessel routing measures;
Modify the existing traffic separation scheme;
Create one or more precautionary areas;
Create one or more inshore traffic zones;
Establish area(s) to be avoided;
Create deep-draft routes;
Establish a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) with specific
vessel operating requirements to ensure safe navigation near shallow
water; and
Identify any other appropriate ships' routing measures.
Questions
To help us conduct the port access route study, we request
information that will help answer the following questions, although
comments on other issues addressed in this notice are also welcome. In
responding to a question, please explain your reasons for each answer
and follow the instructions under ``Public Participation and Request
for Comments'' above.
1. What navigational hazards do vessels operating in the study area
face? Please describe.
2. Are there strains on the current vessel routing system, such as
increasing traffic density? Please describe.
3. Are modifications to existing vessel routing measures needed to
address hazards and strains and to improve traffic efficiency in the
study area? If so, please describe.
4. What costs and benefits are associated with the measures listed
as potential study recommendations? What measures do you think are most
cost-effective?
5. What impacts, both positive and negative, would changes to
existing routing measures or new routing measures have on the study
area?
This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1223(c) and 5
U.S.C. 552.
Dated: October 13, 2009.
Kevin S. Cook,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Prevention Policy.
[FR Doc. E9-29415 Filed 12-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P
