Coast Guard March 1, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is announcing a workshop for interested and affected parties regarding changes to the Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program (STEP) for ballast water treatment systems. Our goal in this program is to facilitate the development of effective ballast water treatment (BWT) technologies, through rigorous evaluations of prototype systems under shipboard conditions. This will create more options for vessel owners seeking alternatives to ballast water exchange for use in meeting the ballast water management (BWM) requirements established by the Coast Guard. To aid in the development of applications to STEP, the Coast Guard will hold a workshop to expand public awareness of STEP and present recent changes to the guidance materials on applications. We encourage all interested and/or affected stakeholders to attend the workshop.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the waters surrounding the Wantagh Parkway Number 3 Bridge across the Sloop Channel in Town of Hempstead, New York. This zone is necessary to protect vessels transiting in the area from hazards imposed by construction barges and equipment that are being utilized to construct a new bascule bridge over the Sloop Channel. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Long Island Sound, New Haven, Connecticut.