Coast Guard May 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the Coast Guard has recertified the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, Alaska. This certification allows the PWSRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Prince William Sound Program established by statute.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise the perimeter of the existing security zone that extends approximately 150 feet into the navigable waters of the Oakland Estuary, Alameda, California, around the United States Coast Guard Island Pier to coincide with the perimeter of a floating security barrier. This action is necessary to provide continued security for the military service members on board vessels moored at the pier and the government property associated with these valuable national assets. This security zone would prohibit all persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, or anchoring within a portion of the Oakland Estuary surrounding the Coast Guard Island Pier unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend the permanent special local regulations for the Suncoast Offshore Challenge and the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix in the Gulf of Mexico near Sarasota, Florida. By existing permanent special local regulations, these two race events have nearly identical course and time characteristics, however one event is held annually on the first Saturday of July and the other event is held annually on the first Sunday of July. The sponsor has decided to combine the events into a single day, reduced the length of the racecourse, and modified the times of the event which would take place annually on the first Sunday of July between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time). These amended regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life for the participating vessels, spectators, and mariners on the navigable waters of the United States during the event.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary security zone on the waters of the upper Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the security of a large number of visitors to the annual July 4th celebration on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The security zone will allow for control of a designated area of the river and safeguard spectators and high-ranking officials.

The Coast Guard proposes a permanent fixed security zone in the waters from the Don Holt, I-526 Bridge, on the Cooper River to the entrance of Foster Creek on the Cooper River, South Carolina. This security zone is necessary to protect the public and port from potential subversive acts during port embarkation operations. During enforcement of the security zone vessels would be prohibited from entering, transiting, anchoring, mooring, or loitering within this zone, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Charleston, South Carolina, or the Captain of the Port's designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise regulations governing safety zones for fireworks displays in Long Island Sound. This revision would establish 9 new permanent safety zones, would revise the location for one established fireworks safety zone, and would amend the notification and enforcement provisions to include additional launches from beach areas. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the events.

The Captain of the Port, Portland, Oregon, will enforce the safety zones established for the Cinco de Mayo Fireworks Display and the Portland Rose Festival Fireworks Display on the waters of the Willamette River on May 6, 2005 and June 3, 2005 respectively. The Captain of the Port, Portland, Oregon, is taking this action to safeguard watercraft and their occupants from safety hazards associated with the display of fireworks. Entry into these safety zones is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.