Port Access Route Study: The Pacific Coast From Washington to California, 40791-40793 [2021-15923]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 143 / Thursday, July 29, 2021 / Proposed Rules
environments. However, the Class E
airspace is not required because there
are no IFR procedures published for
Creech AFB Airport.
This action also proposes two
administrative updates to the Class D
legal description. The second line of the
text header should be updated from
‘‘Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary
Field, NV’’ to ‘‘Creech AFB Airport,
NV’’, to match the FAA database.
Additionally, the third line of the text
header should be updated from ‘‘(lat.
36°35′14″ N, long. 115°40′24″ W)’’ to
‘‘(lat. 36°35′11″ N, long. 115°40′39″ W)’’,
to match the FAA database.
Class D and Class E5 airspace
designations are published in
paragraphs 5000, and 6005,
respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11E,
dated July 21, 2020, and effective
September 15, 2020, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR
71.1. The Class E airspace designation
listed in this document will be
published subsequently in the Order.
FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, is
published yearly and effective on
September 15.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this
regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which
frequent and routine amendments are
necessary to keep them operationally
current, is non-controversial, and
unlikely to result in adverse or negative
comments. It, therefore: (1) Is not a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a
‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44
FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)
does not warrant preparation of a
regulatory evaluation as the anticipated
impact is so minimal. Since this is a
routine matter that will only affect air
traffic procedures and air navigation, it
is certified that this rule, when
promulgated, would not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
This proposal will be subject to an
environmental analysis in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1F,
‘‘Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures’’ prior to any FAA final
regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (air).
16:36 Jul 28, 2021
Accordingly, pursuant to the
authority delegated to me, the Federal
Aviation Administration proposes to
amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
REPORTING POINTS
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR
part 71 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103,
40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,
1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.
§ 71.1
[Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in
14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11E,
Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated July 21, 2020, and
effective September 15, 2020, is
amended as follows:
■
Paragraph 5000
Class D Airspace.
*
*
*
*
*
AWP NV D Indian Springs, NV [Amended]
Creech AFB Airport, NV
(Lat. 36°35′11″ N, long. 115°40′39″ W)
That airspace extending upward from the
surface to and including 5,700 feet MSL
within a 5-mile radius of the airport,
excluding Restricted Area R–4806W. This
Class D airspace area is effective during the
specific dates and times established in
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective
date and time will thereafter be continuously
published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas
Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More
Above the Surface of the Earth.
*
*
*
*
*
AWP NV E5 Indian Springs, NV [Revoked]
Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, NV
(Lat. 36°35′14″ N, long. 115°40′24″ W)
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on July
23, 2021.
Maria A. Aviles,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support
Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021–16119 Filed 7–28–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Jkt 253001
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG–2021–0345]
Port Access Route Study: The Pacific
Coast From Washington to California
PO 00000
Coast Guard, DHS.
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
The Coast Guard is
conducting a Port Access Route Study
(PARS) to evaluate safe access routes for
the movement of vessel traffic
proceeding to or from ports or places
along the western seaboard of the
United States and to determine whether
a Shipping Safety Fairway (‘‘Fairway’’)
and/or routing measures should be
established, adjusted or modified. The
PARS will evaluate the continued
applicability of, and the need for
modifications to, current vessel routing
measures. The data gathered during this
Pacific Coast PARS (PACPARS) may
result in the establishment of one or
more new vessel routing measures,
modification of existing routing
measures, or disestablishment of
existing routing measures off the Pacific
Coast between Washington and
California. To assist us in conducting
the PACPARS, we invite your responses
to questions in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section. The
recommendations of the study may
consider future rulemaking action or
potential international agreements.
DATES: Comments and related material
must be received on or before January
25, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2021–0345 using the Federal
eRulemaking Portal https://
www.regulations.gov. See the ‘‘Public
Participation and Request for
Comments’’ portion of the
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION section for
further instructions on submitting
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions about this
notification of study, call or email LCDR
Sara Conrad, Coast Guard Pacific Area
(PAC–54), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone
(510) 437–3813, email Sara.E.Conrad@
uscg.mil or Mr. Tyrone Conner,
Eleventh Coast Guard District (dpw),
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (510) 437–
2968, email Tyrone.L.Conner@uscg.mil
or Mr. John Moriarty, Thirteenth Coast
Guard District (dpw), U.S. Coast Guard;
telephone (206) 220–7274, email
John.F.Moriarty@uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Table of Abbreviations
33 CFR Parts 166 and 167
AGENCY:
Notification of study; request for
comments.
ACTION:
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Environmental Review
VerDate Sep<11>2014
The Proposed Amendment
40791
Sfmt 4702
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
U.S.C. United States Code
PAC Pacific Area Command
PARS Port Access Route Study
PACPARS Pacific Coast Port Access Route
Study
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
E:\FR\FM\29JYP1.SGM
29JYP1
40792
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 143 / Thursday, July 29, 2021 / Proposed Rules
RNA Regulated Navigation Areas
TSS Traffic Separation Scheme
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal
Basis
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
A. Requirement for PARS: Under the
Ports and Waterways Safety Act,
(PWSA) (46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(1)), the
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
designate necessary fairways 1 and
traffic separations 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 PARS, i.e. 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 such as
construction and operation of renewable
energy facilities and other uses of the
Pacific Ocean in the study area.
B. Previous Port Access Route Studies:
The approaches to San Francisco, CA,
were last studied in 2009, and the final
results were published in the Federal
Register on June 20, 2011 (76 FR 35805).
The study was conducted to evaluate
the continued applicability of and the
potential need for modifications to the
vessel routing to help reduce the risk of
marine casualties and increase the
efficiency of vessel traffic in the study
area. The PARS for the Strait of Juan de
Fuca, Haro Strait, Boundary Pass,
Rosario Strait, the Strait of Georgia, and
adjacent waters was completed in
November 2000, published in the
Federal Register on January 22, 2001
(66 FR 6514). The study was conducted
to evaluate the need for modifications to
current vessel routing and traffic
management measures due to increase
in maritime activities. The PARS for the
approaches to Los Angeles-Long Beach
and in the Santa Barbara Channel was
last completed in June 2011, and the
1 Fairway or shipping safety fairway is a lane or
corridor in which no artificial island or fixed
structure, whether temporary or permanent, will be
permitted. Temporary underwater obstacles may be
permitted under certain conditions described for
specific areas. Aids to navigation approved by the
Coast Guard may be established in a fairway. See
33 CFR 166.105(a).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:36 Jul 28, 2021
Jkt 253001
final results were published in the
Federal Register in November 2011 (76
FR 67395). The study was conducted to
evaluate the continued applicability of
and the potential need for modifications
to the traffic separation schemes.
However, there has never been a PARS
conducted for the entire pacific coast of
the United States designed to analyze all
vessel traffic proceeding to and from all
the ports and transiting through the
United States EEZ.
C. Need for a New Port Access Route
Study: Given the current forecasted
development of aquaculture farms,
offshore renewable energy, commercial
space ports/re-entry sites, expansion of
marine sanctuaries, development of
ports supporting Panamax vessels,
potential LNG ports and additional
increasing commercial traffic, the Coast
Guard has determined that a PACPARS
needs to be conducted. This PARS will
focus on the coastwise shipping routes
and near coastal users of the Pacific
Ocean between the coastal ports, and
the approaches to coastal ports within
the EEZ. This PACPARS will help the
Coast Guard determine what impact, if
any, the siting, construction and
operation of new developments may
have on existing near coastal users of
the Pacific Ocean, and the potential
impact of shipping to other maritime
users. To ensure safety of navigation,
the Coast Guard will determine the
impacts of rerouting traffic, funneling
traffic, and placement of structures that
may obstruct navigation. Some of the
impacts may include increased vessel
traffic density, more restricted offshore
vessel routing, fixed navigation
obstructions, underwater cable hazards,
and economic impacts. Analyzing the
various impacts will require a thorough
understanding of the interrelationships
of shipping, other commercial and
recreational uses, and port operations.
The goal of the PACPARS is to
enhance navigational safety by
examining existing shipping routes and
waterway uses, and, to the extent
practicable, reconciling the paramount
right of navigation within designated
port access routes with other waterway
uses such as the development of
aquaculture farms, offshore renewable
energy, commercial space ports/re-entry
sites, marine sanctuaries, ports
supporting Panamax vessels, potential
LNG ports and additional commercial
vessel traffic.
III. Information Requested
Timelines, Study Area, Focus, and
Process: Coast Guard Pacific Area
Command will conduct a PACPARS and
should take several years to complete.
The study area will encompass all
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
vessel traffic patterns approaching and
departing major ports along the west
coast to include all current Traffic
Separation Schemes and vessel
maneuvering along the Pacific Coast
from Washington to California and all
federal navigable waters out to the EEZ.
The PACPARS will focus on vessel
traffic and navigation mitigation
techniques to improve and support safe
navigation transits within the major
Pacific Coast Ports and the United States
EEZ.
As part of this study, we will analyze
current and historical vessel traffic,
fishing vessel information, 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 document.
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
concerns associated with vessel transits
in the study area. The information
gathered during the study should help
us identify concerns and mitigating
solutions. Considerations might include:
(1) Maintain the current vessel routing
measures; (2) modify the existing traffic
separation schemes; (3) create one or
more precautionary areas; (4) create one
or more inshore traffic zones; (5)
establish area(s) to be avoided; (6) create
deep-draft routes; (7) establish
Regulated Navigation Areas (RNA) with
specific vessel operating requirements
to ensure safe navigation near shallow
water; (8) identify any other appropriate
ships’ routing measures; (9) use this
study for future decisions on routing
measures or other maritime traffic
considerations and; (10) use this study
to inform other agencies concerning the
impacts of their future endeavors.
Questions: To help us conduct the
PARS, we request information that will
help answer the following questions,
although comments on other issues
addressed in this document 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.
E:\FR\FM\29JYP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 143 / Thursday, July 29, 2021 / Proposed Rules
(1) What navigational hazards do
vessels operating in the study area face?
Please describe.
(2) Are there strains on the current
vessel routing systems, such as
increasing traffic density associated
with future growth? Please describe.
(3) Are modifications to existing
vessel routing measures needed to
address hazards and 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 considerations? 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?
(6) Where do you transit? Where are
your transit routes? What criteria are
used in determining your transit routes?
(7) Do you currently experience
competing uses for the same waterway
areas or transit routes? If so, please
describe.
(8) Do you anticipate, or are you
aware of, future competing uses for the
same waterway areas or transit routes?
These could include potential offshore
energy projects, potential offshore
aquaculture projects, or otherwise.
(9) Are there other environmental,
cultural, tribal, marine mammal or other
impacts which should be considered
during this Port Access Route Study?
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
IV. Public Participation and Request for
Comments
We encourage you to submit
comments through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov. If your material
cannot be submitted using https://
www.regulations.gov, contact the person
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this document for
alternate instructions. If you submit
comments, please include the docket
number for this notification of study
and provide a reason for each suggestion
or recommendation.
We accept anonymous comments. All
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov and will include
any personal information you have
provided. For more about privacy and
submissions in response to this
document, see DHS’s eRulemaking
System of Records (85 FR 14226, March
11, 2020).
Documents mentioned in this
notification of study as being available
in the docket, and all public comments,
will be in our online docket at https://
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:36 Jul 28, 2021
Jkt 253001
www.regulations.gov and can be viewed
by following that website’s instructions.
Additionally, if you go to the online
docket and sign up for email alerts, you
will be notified when comments are
posted.
This document is published under the
authority of 46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(1).
Dated: July 21, 2021.
Michael F. McAllister,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,
Pacific Area.
[FR Doc. 2021–15923 Filed 7–28–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Copyright Royalty Board
37 CFR Part 385
[Docket No. 21–CRB–0001–PR (2023–2027)]
Determination of Rates and Terms for
Making and Distributing Phonorecords
(Phonorecords IV)
Copyright Royalty Board,
Library of Congress.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of
comment period.
AGENCY:
Because of technical issues
with the electronic filing system, the
Copyright Royalty Judges are reopening
the comment period in connection with
a proposed partial settlement and
proposed regulations that set certain
rates and terms applicable during the
period beginning January 1, 2023, and
ending December 31, 2027, for the
section 115 statutory license for making
and distributing phonorecords of
nondramatic musical works for an
additional 15 days.
DATES: The comment period for the
proposed rule published June 25, 2021,
at 86 FR 33601, is reopened. Comments
and objections, if any, are due no later
than August 10, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
identified by docket number 21–CRB–
0001–PR (2023–2027), online through
eCRB at https://app.crb.gov.
Instructions: To send your comment
through eCRB, if you don’t have a user
account, you will first need to register
for an account and wait for your
registration to be approved. Approval of
user accounts is only available during
business hours. Once you have an
approved account, you can only sign in
and file your comment after setting up
multi-factor authentication, which can
be done at any time of day. All
comments must include the Copyright
Royalty Board name and the docket
number for this proposed rule. All
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
40793
properly filed comments will appear
without change in eCRB at https://
app.crb.gov, including any personal
information provided.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to eCRB at
https://app.crb.gov and perform a case
search for docket 21–CRB–0001–PR
(2023–2027).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anita Blaine, CRB Program Specialist, at
202–707–7658 or crb@loc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June
25, 2021, The Copyright Royalty Judges
published for comment proposed
regulations (arising from a partial
settlement) that set rates and terms
applicable during the period beginning
January 1, 2023, and ending December
31, 2027, for the section 115 statutory
license for making and distributing
phonorecords of nondramatic musical
works. Comments were due by July 26,
2021. 86 FR 33601 (June 25, 2021).
Some filers experienced technical
difficulties filing their comments in
eCRB. The CRB is aware of the problem
and is working on a solution. The
Judges therefore extend the deadline for
filing comments to August 10, 2021.
Jesse M. Feder,
Chief Copyright Royalty Judge.
[FR Doc. 2021–16276 Filed 7–27–21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 1410–72–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R01–OAR–2021–0381; FRL–8782–01–
R1]
Air Plan Approval; Maine; Chapter 100
Definitions and Chapter 113 Growth
Offset Regulations
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revision submitted by the State of
Maine. This revision amends the
definition of ‘‘Ozone Transport Region’’
in the State’s Chapter 100 Definitions
Regulation and revises language in the
State’s Chapter 113 Growth Offset
Regulation regarding applicability of
Nonattainment New Source Review in
areas that, at a future date, may not be
within the Ozone Transport Region.
This action is being taken under the
Clean Air Act (CAA).
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\29JYP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 143 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40791-40793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15923]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Parts 166 and 167
[Docket No. USCG-2021-0345]
Port Access Route Study: The Pacific Coast From Washington to
California
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notification of study; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS)
to evaluate safe access routes for the movement of vessel traffic
proceeding to or from ports or places along the western seaboard of the
United States and to determine whether a Shipping Safety Fairway
(``Fairway'') and/or routing measures should be established, adjusted
or modified. The PARS will evaluate the continued applicability of, and
the need for modifications to, current vessel routing measures. The
data gathered during this Pacific Coast PARS (PACPARS) may result in
the establishment of one or more new vessel routing measures,
modification of existing routing measures, or disestablishment of
existing routing measures off the Pacific Coast between Washington and
California. To assist us in conducting the PACPARS, we invite your
responses to questions in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. The
recommendations of the study may consider future rulemaking action or
potential international agreements.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received on or before
January 25, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0345 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION section for further
instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
notification of study, call or email LCDR Sara Conrad, Coast Guard
Pacific Area (PAC-54), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (510) 437-3813,
email [email protected] or Mr. Tyrone Conner, Eleventh Coast Guard
District (dpw), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (510) 437-2968, email
[email protected] or Mr. John Moriarty, Thirteenth Coast Guard
District (dpw), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (206) 220-7274, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
U.S.C. United States Code
PAC Pacific Area Command
PARS Port Access Route Study
PACPARS Pacific Coast Port Access Route Study
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
[[Page 40792]]
RNA Regulated Navigation Areas
TSS Traffic Separation Scheme
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
A. Requirement for PARS: Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act,
(PWSA) (46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(1)), the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
designate necessary fairways \1\ and traffic separations 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Fairway or shipping safety fairway is a lane or corridor in
which no artificial island or fixed structure, whether temporary or
permanent, will be permitted. Temporary underwater obstacles may be
permitted under certain conditions described for specific areas.
Aids to navigation approved by the Coast Guard may be established in
a fairway. See 33 CFR 166.105(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The PWSA requires the Coast Guard to conduct a PARS, i.e. 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 such as construction and operation of
renewable energy facilities and other uses of the Pacific Ocean in the
study area.
B. Previous Port Access Route Studies: The approaches to San
Francisco, CA, were last studied in 2009, and the final results were
published in the Federal Register on June 20, 2011 (76 FR 35805). The
study was conducted to evaluate the continued applicability of and the
potential need for modifications to the vessel routing to help reduce
the risk of marine casualties and increase the efficiency of vessel
traffic in the study area. The PARS for the Strait of Juan de Fuca,
Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, Rosario Strait, the Strait of Georgia, and
adjacent waters was completed in November 2000, published in the
Federal Register on January 22, 2001 (66 FR 6514). The study was
conducted to evaluate the need for modifications to current vessel
routing and traffic management measures due to increase in maritime
activities. The PARS for the approaches to Los Angeles-Long Beach and
in the Santa Barbara Channel was last completed in June 2011, and the
final results were published in the Federal Register in November 2011
(76 FR 67395). The study was conducted to evaluate the continued
applicability of and the potential need for modifications to the
traffic separation schemes. However, there has never been a PARS
conducted for the entire pacific coast of the United States designed to
analyze all vessel traffic proceeding to and from all the ports and
transiting through the United States EEZ.
C. Need for a New Port Access Route Study: Given the current
forecasted development of aquaculture farms, offshore renewable energy,
commercial space ports/re-entry sites, expansion of marine sanctuaries,
development of ports supporting Panamax vessels, potential LNG ports
and additional increasing commercial traffic, the Coast Guard has
determined that a PACPARS needs to be conducted. This PARS will focus
on the coastwise shipping routes and near coastal users of the Pacific
Ocean between the coastal ports, and the approaches to coastal ports
within the EEZ. This PACPARS will help the Coast Guard determine what
impact, if any, the siting, construction and operation of new
developments may have on existing near coastal users of the Pacific
Ocean, and the potential impact of shipping to other maritime users. To
ensure safety of navigation, the Coast Guard will determine the impacts
of rerouting traffic, funneling traffic, and placement of structures
that may obstruct navigation. Some of the impacts may include increased
vessel traffic density, more restricted offshore vessel routing, fixed
navigation obstructions, underwater cable hazards, and economic
impacts. Analyzing the various impacts will require a thorough
understanding of the interrelationships of shipping, other commercial
and recreational uses, and port operations.
The goal of the PACPARS is to enhance navigational safety by
examining existing shipping routes and waterway uses, and, to the
extent practicable, reconciling the paramount right of navigation
within designated port access routes with other waterway uses such as
the development of aquaculture farms, offshore renewable energy,
commercial space ports/re-entry sites, marine sanctuaries, ports
supporting Panamax vessels, potential LNG ports and additional
commercial vessel traffic.
III. Information Requested
Timelines, Study Area, Focus, and Process: Coast Guard Pacific Area
Command will conduct a PACPARS and should take several years to
complete. The study area will encompass all vessel traffic patterns
approaching and departing major ports along the west coast to include
all current Traffic Separation Schemes and vessel maneuvering along the
Pacific Coast from Washington to California and all federal navigable
waters out to the EEZ. The PACPARS will focus on vessel traffic and
navigation mitigation techniques to improve and support safe navigation
transits within the major Pacific Coast Ports and the United States
EEZ.
As part of this study, we will analyze current and historical
vessel traffic, fishing vessel information, 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 document.
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 concerns associated with vessel
transits in the study area. The information gathered during the study
should help us identify concerns and mitigating solutions.
Considerations might include: (1) Maintain the current vessel routing
measures; (2) modify the existing traffic separation schemes; (3)
create one or more precautionary areas; (4) create one or more inshore
traffic zones; (5) establish area(s) to be avoided; (6) create deep-
draft routes; (7) establish Regulated Navigation Areas (RNA) with
specific vessel operating requirements to ensure safe navigation near
shallow water; (8) identify any other appropriate ships' routing
measures; (9) use this study for future decisions on routing measures
or other maritime traffic considerations and; (10) use this study to
inform other agencies concerning the impacts of their future endeavors.
Questions: To help us conduct the PARS, we request information that
will help answer the following questions, although comments on other
issues addressed in this document 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.
[[Page 40793]]
(1) What navigational hazards do vessels operating in the study
area face? Please describe.
(2) Are there strains on the current vessel routing systems, such
as increasing traffic density associated with future growth? Please
describe.
(3) Are modifications to existing vessel routing measures needed to
address hazards and 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 considerations? 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?
(6) Where do you transit? Where are your transit routes? What
criteria are used in determining your transit routes?
(7) Do you currently experience competing uses for the same
waterway areas or transit routes? If so, please describe.
(8) Do you anticipate, or are you aware of, future competing uses
for the same waterway areas or transit routes? These could include
potential offshore energy projects, potential offshore aquaculture
projects, or otherwise.
(9) Are there other environmental, cultural, tribal, marine mammal
or other impacts which should be considered during this Port Access
Route Study?
IV. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions. If you submit comments, please include the docket number
for this notification of study and provide a reason for each suggestion
or recommendation.
We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted
without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and
submissions in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System
of Records (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
Documents mentioned in this notification of study as being
available in the docket, and all public comments, will be in our online
docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following
that website's instructions.
Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up for email
alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted.
This document is published under the authority of 46 U.S.C.
70003(c)(1).
Dated: July 21, 2021.
Michael F. McAllister,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Pacific Area.
[FR Doc. 2021-15923 Filed 7-28-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
