Coast Guard 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC). NOSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters affecting the offshore industry.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish Temporary special local regulations for the swim portions of ``Beach 2 Battleship Full and Half Iron Distance Triathlon'', to be held on the waters of Banks Channel, adjacent to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in Wrightsville Channel during the swimming portion of this event.

The USCG announces the availability of the draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Coast Guard modernization. Through this modernization effort, the USCG intends to update its command structure, support systems, and business practices to position itself for sustainable and effective mission execution into the twenty-first century. The Draft PEA is an important document informing these efforts, and we request public input into the Draft PEA for more fully informed decision making during this process.

The Cape Fear Dragon Boat Festival will take place on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 27, 2008. This event will consist of four 45 foot long Dragon boats racing a 250 meter course.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0018, Official Logbook. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard will hold public meetings to let members of the public present comments on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) for commercial fishing industry vessels and reopen the previously announced public comment period. Two public meetings will be held at the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, WA, on November 21 and 22, 2008. This proposed rulemaking would consider several changes to the current regulations.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Mackinac Bridge Walk security zone on the Straits of Mackinac from 6 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on September 1, 2008. This action is necessary to protect pedestrians during the event from an accidental or intentional vessel-to-bridge collision. During the enforcement period, navigational and operational restrictions will be placed on all vessels transiting through the Straits area, under and around the Mackinac Bridge, located between Mackinaw City, MI, and St. Ignace, MI. All vessels must obtain permission from the Captain of Port Sault Ste. Marie (COTP) or a Designated Representative to enter or move within the security zone.

The Coast Guard is establishing safety zones for annual events in the Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. This rule consolidates current regulations establishing safety zones for annual fireworks events in the former Captain of the Port Toledo Zone and the former Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. In addition, it adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays or other events.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding two Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0081, Alternate Compliance Program, and (2) 1625-0083, Operational Measures for Existing Tank Vessels Without Double Hulls. Our ICRs describe the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks comments on, the application for recertification submitted by the Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (CIRCAC) for the period September 1, 2008, through August 31, 2009. Under the Oil Terminal and Tanker Environmental Oversight Act of 1990, the Coast Guard may certify, on an annual basis, an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of a Regional Citizens' Advisory Council for Cook Inlet, Alaska. This advisory group monitors the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Cook Inlet program established by the statute. The current certification for CIRCAC will expire August 31, 2008.

The Coast Guard is revising the dates and is reinstating a temporary regulated navigation area and safety zone on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Romeoville, IL. This regulated navigation area and safety zone places navigational and operational restrictions on all vessels transiting through the electrical dispersal barrier IIA.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 3.4, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation, the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge may remain in the closed position for 42 days to facilitate bridge lift cable maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary to facilitate necessary bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Atlantic Ocean offshore from Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 2008 Personal Watercraft Challenge. This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from entering waters within the zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami, Florida, or a designated representative. This rule is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States and protect participants, spectators, and mariner traffic from potential hazards associated with the event.

The Coast Guard, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Minerals Management Service, in concert with representatives from various State governments, industry, environmental interest groups, and the general public, developed the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines to reflect the consensus agreement of the entire oil spill response community. This notice announces the PREP 5- year exercise cycle, 2009 through 2013, and requests comments from the public, and requests volunteers from industry to participate in the scheduled PREP Area exercises. The new schedule adjustment from 3 years to 5 years was created to align with the Department of Homeland Security's National Exercise 5-year Schedule.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone, on the navigable waters of the San Diego Bay in support of the Bollotta & Associates USS Midway Fireworks Display. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Astoria Regatta Assoc. Display to be held on the waters of the Columbia River in the vicinity of Astoria's waterfront in Astoria, Oregon. The safety zone will restrict vessels from entering the designated area during the fireworks display. This temporary rule is needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Red Bull Flugtag to be held on the waters of the Willamette River in the vicinity of McCall's Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon. The safety zone will restrict vessels from entering the designated area during the marine event. This temporary rule is needed to provide for the safety of participants in the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the St. Lawrence River, Alexandria Bay, NY. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the St. Lawrence River during the August 16, 2008, 70th Anniversary Celebration for the Thousand Island International Bridge. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``Pride of Baltimore Recycled Regatta'', a marine event to be held August 2, 2008 on the waters of the Patapsco River, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Baltimore Inner Harbor during the event.

The Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) and its working groups will meet in Texas City, Texas, to discuss waterway improvements, aids to navigation, area projects impacting safety on the Houston Ship Channel, and various other navigation safety matters in the Galveston Bay area. All meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard will enforce the ``Celebrate Milwaukie Fireworks Display safety zone on the Willamette River''; from 8:30 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. On July 26, 2008. This action is necessary to provide a safe display for the public and to keep them clear of the fall out area of the fireworks. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0015, Bridge Permit Application Guide (BPAG). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding four Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0032, Vessel Inspection Related Forms and Reporting Requirements Under Title 46 U.S. Code; (2) 1625-0037, Certificates of Compliance, Boiler/Pressure Vessel Repairs, Cargo Gear Records, and Shipping Papers; (3) 1625-0041, Various International Agreement Pollution Prevention Certificates and Documents, and Equivalency Certificates; and (4) 1625-0042, Requirements for Lightering of Oil and Hazardous Material Cargoes. Our ICRs describe the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Huron, Mackinac Island, MI. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Huron during the 100th Anniversary Chicago to Mackinac Race Fireworks, July 22, 2008 fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Huron, St. Ignace, MI. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Huron during the Mackinac Bridge Birthday Fireworks, July 26, 2008 fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.