Ocean Renewable Power Company, Tidal Energy Project, Cobscook Bay, ME, 5817-5818 [2012-2547]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 24 / Monday, February 6, 2012 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES request, [USCG–2012–0016], and must be received by April 6, 2012. We will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov. They will include any personal information you provide. We have an agreement with DOT to use their DMF. Please see the ‘‘Privacy Act’’ paragraph below. Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number [USCG– 2012–0016], indicate the specific section of the document to which each comment applies, providing a reason for each comment. You may submit your comments and material online (via https://www.regulations.gov), by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online via www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the DMF. We recommend you include your name, mailing address, an email address, or other contact information in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission. You may submit your comments and material by electronic means, mail, fax, or delivery to the DMF at the address under ADDRESSES; but please submit them by only one means. To submit your comment online, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, and type ‘‘USCG– 2012–0016’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box. 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 comments 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 and will address them accordingly. Viewing comments and documents: To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this Notice 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–2012– 0016’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. You may also visit the DMF in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:27 Feb 03, 2012 Jkt 226001 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Privacy Act Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received in 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 statement regarding Coast Guard public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316). Information Collection Requests 1. Title: Title 46 CFR Subchapter Q: Lifesaving, Electrical, Engineering and Navigation Equipment, Construction and Materials & Marine Sanitation Devices (33 CFR part 159). OMB Control Number: 1625–0035. Summary: This information is used by the Coast Guard to ensure that regulations governing specific types of safety equipment, material and Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs) installed on commercial vessels and pleasure craft are met. Manufacturers are required to submit drawings, specifications, and laboratory test reports to the CG before any approval is given. Need: Title 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3703, and 4302 authorize the Coast Guard to establish safety equipment and material regulations. Title 46 CFR parts 159 to 164 prescribe these requirements. Title 33 U.S.C. 1322 authorizes the Coast Guard to establish MSD regulations. Title 33 CFR part 159 prescribes these rules. NVIC 8–01 (Chg 2) prescribes the standards for navigation equipment. This information will be used to determine whether manufacturers are in compliance with Coast Guard regulations. When the Coast Guard approves any safety equipment, material or MSD for use on a commercial vessel or pleasure craft, the manufacturer is issued a Certificate of Approval. Forms: CGHQ–10030. Respondents: Manufacturers of safety equipment, materials and marine sanitation devices. Frequency: On occasion. Burden Estimate: The estimated burden has decreased from 103,289 hours to 58,414 hours a year. 2. Title: Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1995 and 1997 Amendments to the International Convention OMB Control Number: 1625–0079. Summary: This information is necessary to ensure compliance with the international requirements of the STCW PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5817 Convention, and to maintain an acceptable level of quality in activities associated with training and assessment of merchant mariners. Need: Chapter 71 of 46 U.S.C. authorizes the Coast Guard to issue regulations related to licensing of merchant mariners. These regulations are contained in 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter B. Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection for the existing STCW requirements. NOTE— The Coast Guard has an ongoing rulemaking related to STCW [USCG– 2004–17914; RIN 1625–AA16]. Comments related to that rulemaking are outside the scope of this extension request. Forms: None. Respondents: Owners and operators of vessels, training institutions, and mariners. Frequency: On occasion. Burden Estimate: The estimated burden remains 17,927 hours a year. Dated: January 27, 2012. R.E. Day, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology. [FR Doc. 2012–2548 Filed 2–3–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [Docket No. USCG–2011–1162] Ocean Renewable Power Company, Tidal Energy Project, Cobscook Bay, ME Coast Guard, DHS. Request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard seeks public comments and information on how to best address the proposal put forth by Ocean Renewable Energy Company (ORPC) to install five turbine generator units secured to the ocean floor, used for generating electricity from tidal currents and is now providing the public the opportunity to provide additional comments. The proposed project will take place in the navigable waters of Cobscook Bay, between the City of Eastport and the Town of Lubec in Washington County, Maine. The proposal does not impede surface navigation, but could pose a threat to navigation safety for activities that occur within the water area where these underwater turbines operate. To protect the maritime public and underwater SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06FEN1.SGM 06FEN1 5818 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 24 / Monday, February 6, 2012 / Notices turbine equipment, the Coast Guard is considering several options to ensure the safety of all waterway users and is garnering comments and information from the public with regards to these various options. DATES: All written comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before February 21, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments identified by docket number USCG–USCG–1162 before or after the meeting 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. Our online docket for this rulemaking is available on the Internet at https://www. regulations.gov under docket number USCG–USCG–2011–1162. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions concerning the meeting or the proposed rule, please call or email Lieutenant Megan Drewniak of the Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England; email Megan.L.Drewniak@ uscg.mil, telephone 207–741–5421. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background and Purpose ORPC’s tidal energy project involves installation of five underwater turbines on the seabed in the navigable waters of Cobscook Bay. The nature and operation of the structure is hazardous and poses risks to the mariner. In order to mitigate the inherent risks involved with these tidal generators, it may be necessary to control or limit vessel movement and activity through the area. Several maritime practices that involve physical contact with the seabed (e.g., anchoring, dragging, trawling, etc.) pose a specific risk to the mariner as inadvertent entanglement with an underwater turbine could pose the risk of a marine casualty. It is also VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:27 Feb 03, 2012 Jkt 226001 conceivable that mariners who become entangled in the underwater turbine and auxiliary power cables could be electrocuted. In order to minimize the risk of a marine casualty, entanglement, or electrocution, the Coast Guard may propose regulatory action or, in the alternative, it may decide to take other actions outside of a regulatory act. The proposed regulatory action might consist of a regulated navigation area or safety zone. This option may look to prohibit anchoring, fishing, dredging, diving, surface or submarine scientific equipment, dragging, trawling, or any other activities that could pose the risk of a marine casualty or impact the underwater turbines. It is important to note that violations of these regulations may result in law enforcement action and liable a civil or criminal penalty. Potential non-regulatory actions that could be taken by the Coast Guard are routing measures that would amount to recommendations to the mariner of an area to be avoided or a precautionary area in which the mariner would have notice that they should avoid the area in order to reduce the risk of a marine casualty. This request invites public comment on the merits, advantages, and disadvantages of taking action to prohibit certain activities in the vicinity of the proposed tidal energy project. We are attempting to determine the scope of any safety concerns associated with vessel navigation in the area. We expect that information gathered during the comment period and public meetings will identify any problems and appropriate solutions. We will use your comments to evaluate if the Coast Guard will pursue action within a designated area of Cobscook Bay, ME and what activities should be excluded once these underwater turbines are installed. The Coast Guard is also interested in receiving comments and information about the current aids to navigation (ATON) configuration, proposed private aids to navigation (PATON) to mark the turbine generator units, and potential impacts associated with installation of an underwater cable assembly to transfer electricity to a power control and grid interface facility in Lubec, Maine. You may view documents prepared by the Coast Guard in our online docket, and comments submitted thus far by going to https://www.regulations.gov. Once there, insert ‘‘USCG–2011–1162’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box and click ‘‘Search.’’ You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. We encourage you to participate by submitting comments in writing. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www. regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before February 21, 2012. If you submit a comment online via https://www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand delivery, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the Docket Management Facility. 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 notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316). Dated: January 20, 2012. C.L. Roberge, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Northern New England. [FR Doc. 2012–2547 Filed 2–3–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency [Docket ID FEMA–2008–0010] Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS. ACTION: Committee management; notice of open federal advisory committee teleconference meeting. AGENCY: The Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy (Board) will meet by teleconference on February 21, 2012. The meeting will be open to the public. DATES: The meeting will take place Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. Please note that the meeting may close early if the Board has completed its business. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06FEN1.SGM 06FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5817-5818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2547]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1162]


Ocean Renewable Power Company, Tidal Energy Project, Cobscook 
Bay, ME

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard seeks public comments and information on how 
to best address the proposal put forth by Ocean Renewable Energy 
Company (ORPC) to install five turbine generator units secured to the 
ocean floor, used for generating electricity from tidal currents and is 
now providing the public the opportunity to provide additional 
comments. The proposed project will take place in the navigable waters 
of Cobscook Bay, between the City of Eastport and the Town of Lubec in 
Washington County, Maine. The proposal does not impede surface 
navigation, but could pose a threat to navigation safety for activities 
that occur within the water area where these underwater turbines 
operate. To protect the maritime public and underwater

[[Page 5818]]

turbine equipment, the Coast Guard is considering several options to 
ensure the safety of all waterway users and is garnering comments and 
information from the public with regards to these various options.

DATES: All written comments and related material must be received by 
the Coast Guard on or before February 21, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments identified by docket number 
USCG-USCG-1162 before or after the meeting 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. 
Our online docket for this rulemaking is available on the Internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov under docket number USCG-USCG-2011-1162.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions concerning the 
meeting or the proposed rule, please call or email Lieutenant Megan 
Drewniak of the Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard Sector 
Northern New England; email Megan.L.Drewniak@uscg.mil, telephone 207-
741-5421. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to 
the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    ORPC's tidal energy project involves installation of five 
underwater turbines on the seabed in the navigable waters of Cobscook 
Bay. The nature and operation of the structure is hazardous and poses 
risks to the mariner. In order to mitigate the inherent risks involved 
with these tidal generators, it may be necessary to control or limit 
vessel movement and activity through the area.
    Several maritime practices that involve physical contact with the 
seabed (e.g., anchoring, dragging, trawling, etc.) pose a specific risk 
to the mariner as inadvertent entanglement with an underwater turbine 
could pose the risk of a marine casualty. It is also conceivable that 
mariners who become entangled in the underwater turbine and auxiliary 
power cables could be electrocuted.
    In order to minimize the risk of a marine casualty, entanglement, 
or electrocution, the Coast Guard may propose regulatory action or, in 
the alternative, it may decide to take other actions outside of a 
regulatory act. The proposed regulatory action might consist of a 
regulated navigation area or safety zone. This option may look to 
prohibit anchoring, fishing, dredging, diving, surface or submarine 
scientific equipment, dragging, trawling, or any other activities that 
could pose the risk of a marine casualty or impact the underwater 
turbines. It is important to note that violations of these regulations 
may result in law enforcement action and liable a civil or criminal 
penalty.
    Potential non-regulatory actions that could be taken by the Coast 
Guard are routing measures that would amount to recommendations to the 
mariner of an area to be avoided or a precautionary area in which the 
mariner would have notice that they should avoid the area in order to 
reduce the risk of a marine casualty.
    This request invites public comment on the merits, advantages, and 
disadvantages of taking action to prohibit certain activities in the 
vicinity of the proposed tidal energy project. We are attempting to 
determine the scope of any safety concerns associated with vessel 
navigation in the area. We expect that information gathered during the 
comment period and public meetings will identify any problems and 
appropriate solutions. We will use your comments to evaluate if the 
Coast Guard will pursue action within a designated area of Cobscook 
Bay, ME and what activities should be excluded once these underwater 
turbines are installed.
    The Coast Guard is also interested in receiving comments and 
information about the current aids to navigation (ATON) configuration, 
proposed private aids to navigation (PATON) to mark the turbine 
generator units, and potential impacts associated with installation of 
an underwater cable assembly to transfer electricity to a power control 
and grid interface facility in Lubec, Maine.
    You may view documents prepared by the Coast Guard in our online 
docket, and comments submitted thus far by going to https://www.regulations.gov. Once there, insert ``USCG-2011-1162'' in the 
``Keyword'' box and click ``Search.'' You may also visit 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.
    We encourage you to participate by submitting comments in writing. 
All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have 
provided.
    Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before February 21, 2012. 
If you submit a comment online via https://www.regulations.gov, it will 
be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully 
transmit the comment. If you fax, hand delivery, or mail your comment, 
it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when 
it is received at the Docket Management Facility.
    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 notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

    Dated: January 20, 2012.
C.L. Roberge,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Northern New 
England.
[FR Doc. 2012-2547 Filed 2-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

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