Seventh Coast Guard District Southeast Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study: Port Approaches and International Entry and Departure Transit Areas, 76497-76499 [2022-27133]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 14, 2022 / Notices applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Special Emphasis Panel; Diabetes Oriented Small Business Applications: Open and Closed Loop Technologies. Date: January 20, 2023. Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Democracy II, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892 (Virtual Meeting). Contact Person: Ryan G. Morris, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Review Branch, Division of Extramural Activities, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Room 7015, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892–2542, (301) 594–4721, ryan.morris@ nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.847, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Research; 93.848, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Research; 93.849, Kidney Diseases, Urology and Hematology Research, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: December 8, 2022. Miguelina Perez, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2022–27064 Filed 12–13–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P Dated: December 8, 2022. Miguelina Perez, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY [FR Doc. 2022–27063 Filed 12–13–22; 8:45 am] Coast Guard BILLING CODE 4140–01–P [Docket No. USCG–2022–0347] Seventh Coast Guard District Southeast Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study: Port Approaches and International Entry and Departure Transit Areas DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Institute of General Medical Sciences; Notice of Closed Meeting ACTION: Name of Committee: NIGMS Initial Review Group, Training and Workforce Development Study Section—A Review of Applications for Medical Scientist Training Program and Basic Biomedical Predoctoral T32 awards. Date: February 27, 2023. Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:11 Dec 13, 2022 Jkt 259001 Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of study; request for comments. AGENCY: Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, notice is hereby given of the following meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Place: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Natcher Building, 45 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Virtual Meeting). Contact Person: Isaah S. Vincent, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Office of Scientific Review, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 45 Center Drive, Room 3AN12L, Bethesda, MD 20892, (301) 594–2948, isaah.vincent@ nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.375, Minority Biomedical Research Support; 93.821, Cell Biology and Biophysics Research; 93.859, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry Research; 93.862, Genetics and Developmental Biology Research; 93.88, Minority Access to Research Careers; 93.96, Special Minority Initiatives; 93.859, Biomedical Research and Research Training, National Institutes of Health, HHS) The Coast Guard is beginning a series of studies to gather more information about routes used by ships, to access ports on the Southeast Atlantic Coast of the United States. This action is being taken in support of the provisions provided in Public Law 117– 169, commonly referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), and Executive Order on the Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (E.O. 14082). These studies will be separate from, but may expand upon, the proposals in the other Coast Guard rulemakings. DATES: The Coast Guard Seventh District Commander will schedule individual, localized Port Access Route Studies (PARS) for specific port approaches and international transit areas to ports on the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76497 This initiative is expected to be completed by December 2026. Comments and related material must be received on or before February 13, 2023. Requests for a public meeting must be submitted on or before January 13, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG– 2022–0347 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. If you have questions about this notice or study, call or email LT Ryan Gilbert, Seventh Coast Guard District (dpw), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (305) 415– 6750, email Ryan.A.Gilbert@uscg.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: I. Table of Abbreviations ACPARS Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study AIS Automatic Identification System ANPRM Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking COMDTINST Commandant Instruction CFR Code of Federal Regulations COTP Captain of the Port DHS Department of Homeland Security EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EO Executive Order FL Florida FR Federal Register GA Georgia IRA Inflation Reduction Act MTS Marine Transportation System Information Bulletin PARS Port Access Route Study NM Nautical Mile NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking SC South Carolina TSS Traffic Separation Scheme U.S. United States U.S.C. United States Code II. 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. A. Submitting Comments: If you submit comments to the online public docket, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG– 2022–0347), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. We accept anonymous comments. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, and insert E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM 14DEN1 76498 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 14, 2022 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 ‘‘USCG–2022–0347’’ in the ‘‘search box.’’ Click ‘‘Search’’. Then click ‘‘Comment Now.’’ We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. B. Public Meetings: The Coast Guard may hold public meeting(s) if there is sufficient public interest. You must submit a request for one on or before January 13, 2023. You may submit your request for a public meeting online via https://www.regulations.gov. Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that a public meeting would aid in the study, we will hold a meeting at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register. C. Viewing 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–2022– 0347’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. D. Privacy Act: 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 Correspondence System of Records notice (84 FR 48645, September 26, 2018). Documents mentioned in this notice 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, or a final rule is published. III. Definitions Fairway or shipping safety fairway means a lane or corridor in which no artificial island or fixed structure, whether temporary or permanent, will be permitted. See 33 CFR 166.105 (a). International Entry and Departure Transit Areas means navigation routes followed by vessels coming to or departing from the United States or an international seaport. For these studies, international entry and departure transit areas will connect to recommend shipping safety fairways at the outer limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Port Approaches mean navigation routes followed by vessels entering or departing a seaport from or to a primary VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:11 Dec 13, 2022 Jkt 259001 transit route. These studies will consider port approaches that connect seaports to recommended shipping safety fairways described in the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study (ACPARS). IV. Discussion The Coast Guard is beginning a series of new studies regarding port approaches and international entry and departure transit areas, to ports on the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These routes are critical links of a robust and effective Marine Transportation System (MTS) and integral to efficient movement between ports and shipping safety fairways along the Atlantic Coast. Section 50251 of the IRA allows the Department of the Interior to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way previously withdrawn in the Presidential memorandum entitled ‘‘Memorandum on the Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition’’ and dated September 8, 2020; or the Presidential memorandum entitled ‘‘Presidential Determination on the Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition’’ and dated September 25, 2020. Additionally, section 50251 of the IRA expanded the authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to include waters adjacent to any territory of the United States, specifically the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. These new studies are focused on routes between port approaches and international entry and departure transit areas that would potentially be impacted through the creation of new, renewable offshore energy projects, created as a result of the implementation of the IRA. The Ports and Waterways Safety Act, (PWSA)(46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(1)), authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to designate necessary fairways 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. Before establishing or adjusting fairways, 46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(1) requires the Coast Guard to study potential traffic density and assess the need for safe access routes for vessels. During this process, the Coast Guard considers the views of the maritime community, environmental groups, and other stakeholders to reconcile the need for safe access routes with reasonable PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 waterway uses. See 46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(3). An analysis of potential traffic density, involving vessels proceeding to and from a U.S. port, is referred to as a Port Access Route Study (PARS). Several PARS will examine ports along the Southeast Atlantic Coast of the U.S. and U.S. Territories that are economically significant, support military operations, or are critical to national defense, and related international entry and departure transit areas. In particular the PARS will study areas that are integral to the safe, efficient and unimpeded flow of commerce to/from major international shipping lanes. Similar to the ACPARS, this PARS will use Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and information from stakeholders to identify and verify customary navigation routes as well as potential conflicts involving alternative activities, such as wind energy generation and offshore mineral exploitation and exploration. V. Timeline, Scope, and Process The Seventh Coast Guard District will conduct this PARS. The study will commence upon publication of this notice and may take 12 months or more to complete. The study area is bounded by a line connecting the following geographic positions: 1. 33°51′7″ N 078°32′27″ W to; 2. 32°26′38″ N 075°55′34″ W to; 3. 25°24′28″ N 079°56′37″ W to; 4. 25°09′2″ N 080°00′15″ W to; 5. 24°53′1″ N 080°12′27″ W to; 6. 24°25′53″ N 081°03′18″ W to; 7. 24°14′49″ N 081°53′7″ W thence following an arc of 12nm around a center point of Loggerhead Key, FL to; 8. 24°25′7″ N 082°55′50″ W to; 9. 24°50′16″ N 082°55′29″ W to; 10. 25°03′31″ N 081°22′23″ W to; 11. 25°11′41″ N 081°08′51″ W thence following the coastline back to origin. This area extends approximately 185 nautical miles seaward of the North Carolina/South Carolina Border then approximately follows the territorial sea from Miami around the Florida Keys. An illustration showing the study area is available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. Additionally, the study area is available for viewing on the Navigation Center’s website at: https:// www.navcen.uscg.gov/port-access-routestudy-reports. The Coast Guard will analyze ports that are economically significant, that support military operations, or are strategic for national defense along the Southeast Atlantic Coast and U.S. E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM 14DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 14, 2022 / Notices Territory. This study includes but is not limited to: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY —Port of Charleston, SC; Port of Savannah, GA; Port of Brunswick, GA from January 2023 to December 2023 — Port of Kings Bay, GA; Port of Jacksonville, FL from January 2024 to December 2024 — Port Canaveral, FL; Port Everglades, FL; Port Miami, FL; Port of Key West from January 2025 to December 2025 — Ports of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands from January 2026 to December 2026 Federal Emergency Management Agency VI. Methodology These studies will analyze navigation routes to and from the ports identified above to their proposed fairways, as well as international routes to and from the United States. Current capabilities and planned improvements in these ports to handle maritime conveyances will be considered. Analyses will be conducted in accordance with Marine Planning to Operate and Maintain the Marine Transportation System (MTS) and Implement National Policy, COMDTINST 16003.2B, and coordinated by the cognizant District Commander. This instruction is available at https://media.defense.gov/ 2019/Jul/10/2002155400/-1/-1/0/CI_ 16003_2B.PDF. Notices of study will be published in the Federal Register to inform and solicit public comments for each PARS. We will publish the results of the PARS in the Federal Register. It is possible that the study may validate the status quo (no fairways or routing measures) and conclude that no changes are necessary. It is also possible that the study may recommend one or more changes to address navigational safety and the efficiency of vessel traffic management. The recommendations may lead to future rulemakings or appropriate international agreements. This notice is issued under authority of 46 U.S.C. 70003(c) and 5 U.S.C.552(a). lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Dated: December 9, 2022. Brendan C. McPherson, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2022–27133 Filed 12–13–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:11 Dec 13, 2022 Jkt 259001 [Docket ID FEMA–2022–0056; OMB No. 1660–0017] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Public Assistance Program Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: 60 Day Notice of Revision and request for comments. AGENCY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on an extension, with change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning information collected for the Public Assistance (PA) program eligibility determinations, grants management, and compliance with Federal laws and regulations. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 13, 2023. ADDRESSES: To avoid duplicate submissions to the docket, please submit comments at https:// www.regulations.gov under Docket ID FEMA–2022–0056. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket ID. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy and Security Notice that is available via a link on the homepage of https://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Hildebrand, Acting Chief, Public Assistance Program Delivery Branch, Rachel.Hildebrand@fema.dhs.gov or 202–714–9731. You may contact the Information Management Division for copies of the proposed collection of information: FEMA-InformationCollections-Management@fema.dhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76499 5121–5207 (Stafford Act), authorizes grants to assist State, local, and Tribal governments and certain private nonprofit entities with the response to and recovery from disasters, following Presidentially-declared major disasters and emergencies. 44 CFR part 206 specifies the information collections necessary to facilitate the provision of assistance under the Public Assistance (PA) Program. 44 CFR 206.202 describes the general application procedures for the PA Program. Collection of Information Title: Public Assistance Program. Type of Information Collection: Extension, with change, of a currently approved information collection. OMB Number: 1660–0017. FEMA Forms: FEMA Form FF–104– FY–22–233 Organization Profile, FEMA Form FF–104–FY–22–234, Recipient Incident Information; FEMA Form FF– 104–FY–21–131 (formerly FF 009–0– 49), Request for Public Assistance; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–22–235, Applicant Impact Survey; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–22–238, Pre-Approval Request; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–22– 236, Impact List; FEMA Form FF–104– FY–22–239; Project Application for Debris Removal; FEMA Form FF–104– FY–22–240, Project Application for Emergency Protective Measures; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–22–242, Project Application for Infrastructure Restoration; FEMA Form FF–104–FY– 22–243, Project Application for Building Code and Floodplain Administration and Enforcement; FEMA Form FF–104– FY–22–244, Project Application for Management Costs; FEMA Form FF– 104–FY–22–245, Damage Information; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–22–241, Project Application for COVID–19; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–21–137 (formerly FF 009–0–123), Force Account Labor Summary Record; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–21–135 (formerly FF 009– 0–128), Applicant’s Benefits Calculation Worksheet; FEMA Form FF–104–FY– 21–141 (formerly FF 009–0–127), Force Account Equipment Summary Record; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–21–138 (formerly FF 009–0–124), Materials Summary Record; FEMA Form FF–104– FY–21–139 (formerly FF 009–0–125), Rented Equipment Summary Record; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–21–140 (formerly FF 009–0–126), Contract Work Summary Record; FEMA Form FF–104– FY–22–237, Donated Labor Sign-in; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–21–132 (formerly FF 009–0–111), Quarterly Progress Reports; FEMA Form FF–104– FY–22–248, Time Extension; FEMA Form FF–104–FY–22–249, State Administrative Plan; FEMA Form FF– E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM 14DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76497-76499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27133]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2022-0347]


Seventh Coast Guard District Southeast Atlantic Coast Port Access 
Route Study: Port Approaches and International Entry and Departure 
Transit Areas

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of study; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is beginning a series of studies to gather 
more information about routes used by ships, to access ports on the 
Southeast Atlantic Coast of the United States. This action is being 
taken in support of the provisions provided in Public Law 117-169, 
commonly referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), and 
Executive Order on the Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure 
Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (E.O. 14082). These 
studies will be separate from, but may expand upon, the proposals in 
the other Coast Guard rulemakings.

DATES: The Coast Guard Seventh District Commander will schedule 
individual, localized Port Access Route Studies (PARS) for specific 
port approaches and international transit areas to ports on the 
Atlantic Coast of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This initiative is expected 
to be completed by December 2026. Comments and related material must be 
received on or before February 13, 2023. Requests for a public meeting 
must be submitted on or before January 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2022-0347 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 
notice or study, call or email LT Ryan Gilbert, Seventh Coast Guard 
District (dpw), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (305) 415-6750, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

ACPARS Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study
AIS Automatic Identification System
ANPRM Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
COMDTINST Commandant Instruction
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
EO Executive Order
FL Florida
FR Federal Register
GA Georgia
IRA Inflation Reduction Act
MTS Marine Transportation System Information Bulletin
PARS Port Access Route Study
NM Nautical Mile
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
SC South Carolina
TSS Traffic Separation Scheme
U.S. United States
U.S.C. United States Code

II. 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.
    A. Submitting Comments: If you submit comments to the online public 
docket, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-
2022-0347), indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation. We accept anonymous comments.
    To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, 
and insert

[[Page 76498]]

``USCG-2022-0347'' in the ``search box.'' Click ``Search''. Then click 
``Comment Now.'' We will consider all comments and material received 
during the comment period.
    B. Public Meetings: The Coast Guard may hold public meeting(s) if 
there is sufficient public interest. You must submit a request for one 
on or before January 13, 2023. You may submit your request for a public 
meeting online via https://www.regulations.gov. Please explain why you 
believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that a 
public meeting would aid in the study, we will hold a meeting at a time 
and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.
    C. Viewing 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-2022-0347'' and click ``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket 
Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column.
    D. Privacy Act: 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 
Correspondence System of Records notice (84 FR 48645, September 26, 
2018). Documents mentioned in this notice 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, or a final rule is published.

III. Definitions

    Fairway or shipping safety fairway means a lane or corridor in 
which no artificial island or fixed structure, whether temporary or 
permanent, will be permitted. See 33 CFR 166.105 (a).
    International Entry and Departure Transit Areas means navigation 
routes followed by vessels coming to or departing from the United 
States or an international seaport. For these studies, international 
entry and departure transit areas will connect to recommend shipping 
safety fairways at the outer limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone 
(EEZ).
    Port Approaches mean navigation routes followed by vessels entering 
or departing a seaport from or to a primary transit route. These 
studies will consider port approaches that connect seaports to 
recommended shipping safety fairways described in the Atlantic Coast 
Port Access Route Study (ACPARS).

IV. Discussion

    The Coast Guard is beginning a series of new studies regarding port 
approaches and international entry and departure transit areas, to 
ports on the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These routes 
are critical links of a robust and effective Marine Transportation 
System (MTS) and integral to efficient movement between ports and 
shipping safety fairways along the Atlantic Coast.
    Section 50251 of the IRA allows the Department of the Interior to 
grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way previously withdrawn in the 
Presidential memorandum entitled ``Memorandum on the Withdrawal of 
Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing 
Disposition'' and dated September 8, 2020; or the Presidential 
memorandum entitled ``Presidential Determination on the Withdrawal of 
Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing 
Disposition'' and dated September 25, 2020. Additionally, section 50251 
of the IRA expanded the authority under the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act to include waters adjacent to any territory of the United 
States, specifically the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. These new studies 
are focused on routes between port approaches and international entry 
and departure transit areas that would potentially be impacted through 
the creation of new, renewable offshore energy projects, created as a 
result of the implementation of the IRA.
    The Ports and Waterways Safety Act, (PWSA)(46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(1)), 
authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to designate necessary 
fairways 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.
    Before establishing or adjusting fairways, 46 U.S.C. 70003(c)(1) 
requires the Coast Guard to study potential traffic density and assess 
the need for safe access routes for vessels. During this process, the 
Coast Guard considers the views of the maritime community, 
environmental groups, and other stakeholders to reconcile the need for 
safe access routes with reasonable waterway uses. See 46 U.S.C. 
70003(c)(3).
    An analysis of potential traffic density, involving vessels 
proceeding to and from a U.S. port, is referred to as a Port Access 
Route Study (PARS). Several PARS will examine ports along the Southeast 
Atlantic Coast of the U.S. and U.S. Territories that are economically 
significant, support military operations, or are critical to national 
defense, and related international entry and departure transit areas. 
In particular the PARS will study areas that are integral to the safe, 
efficient and unimpeded flow of commerce to/from major international 
shipping lanes. Similar to the ACPARS, this PARS will use Automatic 
Identification System (AIS) data and information from stakeholders to 
identify and verify customary navigation routes as well as potential 
conflicts involving alternative activities, such as wind energy 
generation and offshore mineral exploitation and exploration.

V. Timeline, Scope, and Process

    The Seventh Coast Guard District will conduct this PARS. The study 
will commence upon publication of this notice and may take 12 months or 
more to complete.
    The study area is bounded by a line connecting the following 
geographic positions:
    1. 33[deg]51'7'' N 078[deg]32'27'' W to;
    2. 32[deg]26'38'' N 075[deg]55'34'' W to;
    3. 25[deg]24'28'' N 079[deg]56'37'' W to;
    4. 25[deg]09'2'' N 080[deg]00'15'' W to;
    5. 24[deg]53'1'' N 080[deg]12'27'' W to;
    6. 24[deg]25'53'' N 081[deg]03'18'' W to;
    7. 24[deg]14'49'' N 081[deg]53'7'' W thence following an arc of 
12nm around a center point of Loggerhead Key, FL to;
    8. 24[deg]25'7'' N 082[deg]55'50'' W to;
    9. 24[deg]50'16'' N 082[deg]55'29'' W to;
    10. 25[deg]03'31'' N 081[deg]22'23'' W to;
    11. 25[deg]11'41'' N 081[deg]08'51'' W thence following the 
coastline back to origin.
    This area extends approximately 185 nautical miles seaward of the 
North Carolina/South Carolina Border then approximately follows the 
territorial sea from Miami around the Florida Keys. An illustration 
showing the study area is available in the docket where indicated under 
ADDRESSES. Additionally, the study area is available for viewing on the 
Navigation Center's website at: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/port-access-route-study-reports.
    The Coast Guard will analyze ports that are economically 
significant, that support military operations, or are strategic for 
national defense along the Southeast Atlantic Coast and U.S.

[[Page 76499]]

Territory. This study includes but is not limited to:

--Port of Charleston, SC; Port of Savannah, GA; Port of Brunswick, GA 
from January 2023 to December 2023
-- Port of Kings Bay, GA; Port of Jacksonville, FL from January 2024 to 
December 2024
-- Port Canaveral, FL; Port Everglades, FL; Port Miami, FL; Port of Key 
West from January 2025 to December 2025
-- Ports of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands 
from January 2026 to December 2026

VI. Methodology

    These studies will analyze navigation routes to and from the ports 
identified above to their proposed fairways, as well as international 
routes to and from the United States. Current capabilities and planned 
improvements in these ports to handle maritime conveyances will be 
considered. Analyses will be conducted in accordance with Marine 
Planning to Operate and Maintain the Marine Transportation System (MTS) 
and Implement National Policy, COMDTINST 16003.2B, and coordinated by 
the cognizant District Commander. This instruction is available at 
https://media.defense.gov/2019/Jul/10/2002155400/-1/-1/0/CI_16003_2B.PDF. Notices of study will be published in the Federal 
Register to inform and solicit public comments for each PARS.
    We will publish the results of the PARS in the Federal Register. It 
is possible that the study may validate the status quo (no fairways or 
routing measures) and conclude that no changes are necessary. It is 
also possible that the study may recommend one or more changes to 
address navigational safety and the efficiency of vessel traffic 
management. The recommendations may lead to future rulemakings or 
appropriate international agreements.
    This notice is issued under authority of 46 U.S.C. 70003(c) and 5 
U.S.C.552(a).

    Dated: December 9, 2022.
Brendan C. McPherson,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2022-27133 Filed 12-13-22; 8:45 am]
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