Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters in Isle of Wight Bay. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of personnel and vessels at and immediately adjacent to the Harry W. Kelley Memorial (US-50) Bridge during submarine electrical cable replacement operations, which will occur daily, from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. on January 27, 2020, through February 3, 2020. This rule will prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland- National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is proposing to modify the name and location of an existing security zone in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. This proposed rule would adjust the coordinates of the security zone and update the facility name from HOVENSA Refinery to Limetree Bay Terminals. The proposed rule would continue to prohibit persons and vessels from entering the security zone, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative. This action is necessary to better meet the safety and security needs of Limetree Bay Terminals in St. Croix, USVI. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the CSX Transportation Railroad swing bridge across Bayou Sara, mile 0.1 near Saraland, Alabama. This deviation is needed to collect and analyze information on vessel traffic when the bridge tender is moved to a geographically remote centralized control point located in Mobile, AL. The Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public about the impact to vessel traffic generated by this change.

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of the Morro Bay Harbor Entrance. This temporary safety zone is being established to reduce significant hazards subject to the vessels, the harbor, and the public during periods of poor weather conditions. Entry of persons or vessels into this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Los Angeles-Long Beach, or her designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Ohio River, extending the entire width of the river, from mile marker (MM) 756.4 to MM 757.4 in Owensboro, KY. This safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry into, transiting through or anchoring within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is requesting applications from persons interested in serving as a member of the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee (``Committee''). This recently established Committee will advise the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation, and towing safety. Please read this notice for a description of the 18 Committee positions we are seeking to fill.

The Coast Guard is establishing four safety zones for certain waters of the Patapsco River, Chesapeake Bay, and Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters at Baltimore Harbor Anchorage No. 5, between Belvidere Shoal and Kent Island, MD, between Point Lookout, MD, and St. George Island, MD, and between Possum Point, VA, and Cockpit Point, VA, during non-lethal signaling and warning device training conducted from on board U.S. Coast Guard vessels. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The United States Coast Guard is extending the comment period for the notice of study and request for comments for the Port Access Route Study: Alaskan Arctic Coast that we published on December 21, 2018. This action will provide the public with additional time and opportunity to provide the Coast Guard with information regarding the Port Access Route Study: Alaskan Arctic Coast. The comment period is extended until June 30, 2020.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Coast Guard announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of replacing the existing BNSF bridge across the Missouri River at Bismarck, ND, or constructing a bridge adjacent to the existing bridge. CEQ regulations require an early and open process for determining the scope of issues that the Coast Guard needs to address in an EIS (``scoping''). Scoping determines which issues to analyze in depth in the EIS and eliminates from detailed study the issues that are not significant or were covered in prior environmental reviews. This document invites the participation of affected federal, state, and local agencies, any affected Indian tribes and other interested persons in determining the appropriate issues for EIS analysis for this project.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary security zone on certain navigable waters of the Cooper River within a 500-yard radius of the South Carolina State Port Authority Cruise Ship Terminal in Charleston, SC during a visit by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. This action is necessary to protect personnel from potential hazards and security risk associated with the Commandant's speaking engagement. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the security zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River between Mile Marker (MM) 364.5 and MM 365.5, upriver of the Bienville Trace Scenic Byway/ US-425 Bridge in Vidalia, LA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment during a fireworks display. Entry of persons or vessels into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone. This security zone is necessary to provide security and protection for visiting personnel during the events related to the College Football Playoff game. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 229.5 to MM 230.5, above Head of Passes. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment on these navigable waters near Baton Rouge, LA, during a New Year's Eve fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent regulated navigation area for certain waters of Lake Washington. The regulated navigation area is intended to protect personnel and vessels from potential hazards created by excessive vessel wake prior to and following high traffic Seafair events.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks comments on, the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) for March 2, 2020 through February 28, 2021. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Coast Guard may certify the PWSRCAC on an annual basis. This advisory group monitors the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Prince William Sound program established by the statute. The Coast Guard may certify an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of the PWSRCAC. The current certification for the PWSRCAC will expire March 1, 2020.

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel on all waters of the Main Branch of the Chicago River 600 feet west of the N Orleans Street Bridge and 1000 feet east of the N Columbus Street Bridge. This action is necessary and intended to protect the safety of life and property on navigable waters prior to, during, and immediately after firework displays. During the enforcement periods listed below, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation for the St. Thomas Lighted Boat Parade marine event. The special local regulation is for certain navigable waters of Crown Bay, Haulover Cay, and St. Thomas Harbor, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels, spectators, and public during the event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters within one-tenth of a mile up and down river of Mile Marker (MM) 91.5 and Mile Marker (MM) 28.3 on the Illinois River. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by diving operations for salvage work. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily modify the operating schedule that governs the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge (US 74/SR 133), across the Northeast Cape Fear River, at mile 1.0, at Wilmington, North Carolina. This proposed temporary modification will allow the drawbridge to be maintained in the closed position and is necessary to accommodate bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for all navigable waters within a 100-yard radius of berth four at the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego, CA during the offload of narcotics from a military vessel. The security zone is needed to protect the military vessel and vessel's personnel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Diego.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent safety zone around the Big Foot Tension Leg Platform (TLP), located in Walker Ridge 29 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of this proposed rule is to protect the facility from any dangers associated with vessels operating outside the normal shipping channels and fairways that are not providing service to or working with the facility. Placing a permanent safety zone around the facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, collisions, security breaches, oil spills, releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is proposing to revise an existing moving safety zone for San Juan Harbor, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The proposed revisions would expand the existing moving safety zone to include an adjacent berthing; add a 50-yard radius around moored liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas carriers; and update terminal names. This action would continue to prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative. This action is necessary to better meet the safety and security needs of San Juan Harbor. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval for the following collection of information: 1625-NEW, Merchant Mariner CredentialingJob Task Analysis. Our ICR 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 will enforce the special local regulation for the Charleston Harbor Christmas Parade of Boats on December 14, 2019. This action is necessary to ensure safety of life on navigable waters of the United States during the Charleston Harbor Christmas Parade of Boats. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the designated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on a portion of the Ohio River in Brookport, IL. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the demolition of Lock and Dam 52 involving explosives. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.