Coast Guard June 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations that govern the operation of the Berkley Bridge across the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 0.4, in Norfolk, Virginia. The proposal would extend the morning and evening rush hour closure periods so that the morning rush hour period starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 9 a.m., and the evening rush hour starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The proposed change would relieve vehicular traffic congestion during the weekday rush hours while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the regulations governing the operation of the PGA Boulevard bridge, Intracoastal Waterway mile 1012.6, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida. This rule is needed to provide for workman and mariner safety during repairs to the bridge. The bridge will be on single and double-leaf operations during the repair period and several waterway closures will be needed to ensure personal safety.

The Coast Guard is issuing a supplement to our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on May 20, 2004 (69 FR 29114). The NPRM underwent further Coast Guard review after its comment period that produced revisions significant enough to merit this supplement to our original proposal. This supplement is intended to announce the revisions and reopen the comment period. The Coast Guard proposes to make changes to existing permanent security zones in designated waters adjacent to the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai, Hawaii. These revised security zones are necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and facilities from acts of sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other causes of a similar nature and will extend from the surface of the water to the ocean floor. Some of the revised security zones would be continuously activated and enforced at all times, while others would be activated and enforced only during heightened threat conditions. Entry into these Coast Guard security zones while they are activated and enforced would be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (GLPAC). GLPAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretary on a wide range of issues related to pilotage on the Great Lakes, including the rules and regulations that govern the registration, operating requirements, and training policies for all U.S. registered pilots. The Committee also advises on matters related to ratemaking to determine the appropriate charge for pilot services on the Great Lakes.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary regulated navigation area, temporary security zone and temporary drawbridge regulation during the Organization of American States (OAS) conference. These regulations are needed to provide for public safety and security during the OAS conference. The regulations will control the movement of vessels within the regulated navigation area, restrict access to the security zone, and alter the schedule of the Brooks Memorial Bascule Bridge.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone encompassing the navigable waters of Presque Isle Bay. This safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This safety zone restricts vessel traffic from a portion of Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay, Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the Route 280 Bridge, mile 5.8, across the Passaic River, at Harrison, New Jersey. Under this temporary rule the Route 280 Bridge may remain in the closed-to- navigation position from March 1, 2006 through November 30, 2007. This temporary rulemaking is necessary to facilitate rehabilitation repairs at the bridge

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the Rock Island Railroad & Highway Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River at Mile 482.9, at Rock Island, Illinois. The drawbridge need not open for river traffic and may remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 25, 2005. This proposed rule would allow the annually scheduled running of a foot race as part of a local community event.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) for the rulemaking on Vessel and Facility Response Plans for Oil; 2003 Removal Equipment Requirements and Alternative Technology Revisions. The DPEIS addresses the increase of the oil removal capacity (caps) requirements for tank vessels and marine transportation-related (MTR) facilities and added requirements for new response technologies. We are requesting public comments on this DPEIS. The Environmental Protection Agency published a notice of receipt of this DPEIS on May 27, 2005 (70 FR 30719).