Coast Guard September 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 special local regulations for the ``Chesapeakeman Ultra Triathlon'', an event to be held October 1, 2005 on the waters of the Choptank River at Cambridge, 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 Choptank River during the Chesapeakeman Ultra Triathlon swim.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the General Edwards SR1A Bridge, at mile 1.7, across the Saugus River between Lynn and Revere, Massachusetts. This change to the drawbridge operation regulations would allow the bridge to remain in the closed position from November 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006. This action is necessary to facilitate structural maintenance at the bridge.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the Coast Guard has forwarded one Information Collection Request (ICR)1625-0010, Defect/Noncompliance Report and Campaign Update Reportabstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comment by OIRA ensures that we impose only paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) and its working groups will meet as required to discuss various issues relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. All meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation during the ``Sunset Lake Hydrofest'', a marine event to be held September 24 and 25, 2005, on the waters of Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. This special local regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action will restrict vessel traffic in portions of Sunset Lake during the event.

On August 18, 2005, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register requesting public comments regarding establishment of temporary special local regulations for ``The Liberty Grand Prix'', a power boat race to be held on the waters of the Delaware River, adjacent to Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ. On September 13, 2005, the Coast Guard learned that this marine event was proposed to be conducted at a different date and time than previously published in the NPRM. This rule changes the dates of the temporary regulated area. 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 between the Walt Whitman and Benjamin Franklin bridges in the Delaware River during the power boat race.

The Coast Guard is permanently removing a ``crash stop'' requirement for tanker escort vessels in Prince William Sound and Puget Sound. The requirement appeared in a final rule published in 1994 under docket number CGD 91-202, but was suspended for safety reasons before it ever went into effect. Removal of the suspended provision is the final action for both the CGD 91-202 and the USCG-2003-14734 rulemakings.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary fixed security zones in the waters extending approximately 100 yards around six separate oil refinery piers in the San Francisco Bay area. These security zones are an integral part of the Coast Guard's efforts to protect these facilities and the surrounding areas from destruction or damage due to accidents, subversive acts, or other causes of a similar nature. Entry into the zones is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) San Francisco Bay, or his designated representative. These zones will be subject to discretionary and random patrol and monitoring by Coast Guard, Federal, state and local law enforcement assets.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone for the transfer of the M/V MATHER from the Municipal Pier to Cleveland City Docks. This safety zone is intended to manage vessel traffic in order to provide for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during the event.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the Coast Guard has forwarded three Information Collection Requests (ICRs)(1) 1625-0028, Course Approvals for Merchant Marine Training Schools, (2) 1625-0034, Ships' Stores Certification for Hazardous Materials Aboard Ships, and (3) 1625-0043, Ports and Waterways SafetyTitle 33 CFR Subchapter P abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comment by OIRA ensures that we impose only paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the James River Bridge, mile 5.0, across the James River between Isle of Wight and Newport News, Virginia. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation on two 3-day closure periods from 7 a.m. on October 14 through 5 p.m. October 17, 2005, and from 7 a.m. on November 18 through 5 p.m. November 21, 2005, to facilitate mechanical repairs.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the Manasquan Inlet, to encompass all waters east of the Bascule Span Bridge in Manasquan, NJ. This temporary safety zone is needed to conduct an oil spill protective strategy test. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of the boating public, oil spill response workers and equipment during the strategic oil spill protective strategy test.

The U.S. Coast Guard will hold a public hearing at the Venice High School, 1 Indian Avenue, Venice, Florida 34285 to provide the Shakett Creek Pedestrian Bridge owner, waterway users and other interested persons the opportunity to offer evidence and be heard as to whether any alterations of the Shakett Creek Pedestrian Bridge in Nokomis, Florida are necessary to provide reasonably free, safe and unobstructed passage for waterborne traffic.

In accordance with the requirements in 33 CFR 127.009, the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Portland, Oregon is preparing a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) as to the suitability of the Columbia River for liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine traffic. This LOR will encompass the marine safety and security aspects associated with the proposed Northern Star Natural Gas LLC (Northern Star) LNG facility. The LOR is in response to a Letter of Intent (LOI) submitted by Northern Star to operate an LNG facility in Bradwood, Clatsop County, Oregon. Because the proposed LNG facility would be located in state waters, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead Federal agency for this proposed project. The COTP Portland, OR is soliciting written comments and related material, and will join FERC in holding a public meeting seeking comments, pertaining specifically to maritime safety and security aspects of the proposed LNG facility. In preparation for issuance of an LOR and the completion of certain other regulatory mandates, the COTP Portland, OR, will consider comments received from the public as input into a formalized risk assessment process. This process will assess the safety and security aspects of the facility, adjacent port areas, and navigable waterways.

On September 2, 2005, the Coast Guard published a notice and requested comments on a proposed change to regulations governing the operation of the SR 1 (West Larose) vertical lift bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 35.6 west of Harvey Lock, at Larose, Louisiana. The proposed rule would change the bridge's schedule so that it would remain closed to navigation at various times on weekdays during the school year to facilitate the safe, efficient movement of staff, students and other residents within the parish. That notice was issued August 26, 2005, before Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and caused that city to be flooded. We have changed the address and docket number where comments on the proposed rule should be sent because of flood conditions in New Orleans.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Lower Mississippi River. This safety zone is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the New Greenville Bridge construction. Entry into this zone is prohibited to all vessels and mariners unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the drawbridge operation regulations for the operation of the SR 27 Bridge, at mile 0.7, across Townsend Gut, between Boothbay Harbor and Southport, Maine. This temporary rule allows the bridge to open at specific times between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., after a half-hour advance notice is given. Additionally, this temporary rule allows the bridge to remain closed for nine days, September 19, 2005 through September 27, 2005. This action is necessary to help facilitate rehabilitation construction and painting at the bridge.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local regulations for the ``Hampton Roads Sailboard Classic'', a marine event to be held October 29 and 30, 2005 on the waters of Willoughby Bay, Norfolk, Virginia. 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 portions of Willoughby Bay during the event.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations for the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge, mile 3.4, across English Kills at New York City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position from September 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations governing six bridges across Bayou Lafourche, south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. The Lafourche Parish Council has requested that the bridges remain closed to navigation at various times on weekdays during the school year. These closures will facilitate the safe, efficient movement of staff, students and other residents within the parish.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the Coast Guard has forwarded one Information Collection Request (ICR)1625-0015, Bridge Permit Application Guideabstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comment by OIRA ensures that we impose only paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations in the navigable waters of Lake Tahoe for the loading, transport, and launching of fireworks used during a fireworks display to be held in celebration of Labor Day on September 4, 2005. These special local regulations are intended to prohibit vessels and people from entering into or remaining within the regulated area and to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations for the ``Clarksville Hydroplane Challenge'', a power boat race to be held on the waters of the John H. Kerr Reservoir adjacent to Clarksville, Virginia. 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 portions of the John H. Kerr Reservoir adjacent to Clarksville, Virginia during the power boat race.

The Coast Guard announces that conditions of entry are no longer being imposed on vessels arriving from the country of Nauru.