Coast Guard March 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Lower Mississippi River Waterway Safety Advisory Committee (LMRWSAC) will meet to discuss various issues relating to navigational safety on the Lower Mississippi River and related waterways. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard proposes the establishment of a 420 foot safety zone in support of the Cavalier 4th of July Fireworks Display occurring on July 04, 2006, on the banks of Broad Bay, Virginia Beach, VA. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on Broad Bay as necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

Subsequent to an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the October 26, 2004, edition of the Federal Register, the Coast Guard proposes to revise the regulations governing the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) in First Coast Guard District waters to require that certain tank vessels and tug/barge combinations transiting Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts be accompanied by escort tugs and federally licensed pilots. The Coast Guard also proposes to establish a Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS) for Buzzards Bay and to require mandatory participation in the VMRS by vessels subject to the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge VHF Radiotelephone regulations, including tug/barge combinations. Participation in the Buzzards Bay VMRS could be accomplished either automatically through a vessel's Automatic Identification System (AIS) or via VHF radiotelephone. The purpose of this proposed rulemaking is to reduce the likelihood of an incident that might result in a collision, allision, or grounding and the aftermath discharge or release of oil or hazardous material into the navigable waters of the United States.

The Coast Guard proposes temporary special local regulations during the ``Bo Bowman MemorialSharptown Regatta'', a marine event to be held on the waters of the Nanticoke River near Sharptown, Maryland. 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 the Nanticoke River during the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for the St. Petersburg Grand Prix Air Show, St. Petersburg, Florida (Air Show). The Air Show's aeronautic displays will be held daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on March 31, 2006 through April 3, 2006. This regulation is needed to restrict persons and vessels from entering, anchoring, mooring, or transiting the regulated area. This regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of Air Show participants, spectators, and mariners in the area.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulations governing the operation of the Boot Key Harbor Bridge, mile 0.13, between Marathon and Boot Key, Monroe County, Florida. Due to the amount of vehicle traffic and the lack of openings during the proposed time period, this action will improve the movement of vehicular traffic while not unreasonably interfering with the movement of vessel traffic. This rule will allow the bridge to open as necessary on the hour between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At all other times, the bridge will open on demand following a one-hour notification to the bridge tender. The draw shall open as soon as practicable for the passage of tugs with tows, public vessels of the United States and vessels in a situation where a delay would endanger life or property.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary fixed security zone surrounding a portion of Coast Guard Island within the navigable waters of the Brooklyn Basin during an official change of command ceremony. This security zone is needed for national security reasons to protect the ceremony participants and guests from potential subversive acts. Entry into this security zone is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Francisco, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes the establishment of a 1000 foot safety zone around a fireworks display for the Pepsi Americas' Sail 2006 occurring on July 4, 2006, on the Morehead City Harbor, Morehead City, NC. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on the Morehead City Harbor. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations during the ``Pepsi Americas' Sail 2006'', tall ships parade and race to be held on Onslow Bay, Beaufort Inlet, inland waters of the Morehead City State Port and Beaufort Waterfront. This special local regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This proposed action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in segments of coastal North Carolina in the vicinity of Onslow Bay, Beaufort Inlet, inland waters of Morehead City State Port and Beaufort Harbor during the parade of sail and tall ship race.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone offshore of Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon. Small arms training and fire will be conducted within this zone, and a safety zone is needed to ensure the safety of persons and vessels operating in this area during the specified periods. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his/her designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent special local regulation for the Dragon Boat Races held annually the second Saturday and Sunday of June on the waters of the Willamette River, Portland, Oregon. These special local regulations limit the movement of non-participating vessels in the regulated race area. This proposed rule is needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to seek the approval of OMB for the renewal of one Information Collection Request (ICR). The ICR is 1625-0071, Boat Owner's ReportPossible Safety Defect. Before submitting the ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments on it as described below.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the AMTRAK Old Saybrook-Old Lyme Bridge across the Connecticut River at mile 3.4, between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, Connecticut. This temporary deviation requires the bridge to operate on a fixed opening schedule from March 8, 2006 through April 15, 2006, and also allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for 72 hours, from 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2006 through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. The draw shall open on signal for commercial vessels, except during the 72 hour bridge closure period, after at least a four- hour advance notice is given. This deviation is necessary to facilitate urgent bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard has temporarily changed the regulation governing the operation of the New York City Highway Bridge (Belt Parkway), at mile 0.8, across Mill Basin, at New York City, New York. This temporary final rule allows the bridge owner to open only one of the two moveable spans for the passage of vessel traffic from March 8, 2006 through September 7, 2006. This rule is necessary to facilitate bridge deck replacement.

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), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR is 1625- 0048, Vessel Reporting Requirements. The ICR describes 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.

This notice announces a teleconference of the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC). The purpose of the teleconference is for CTAC to approve comments to be submitted on the Coast Guard's Notification of Arrival in U.S. Ports and Certain Dangerous Cargo interim rule. Less than 15 days notice of this teleconference is given in order to complete timely input on critical issues being studied by the Coast Guard before the end of the interim rule's comment period on March 16, 2006.

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent fixed security zones in the U.S. navigable 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 is implementing the special local regulations at 33 CFR 100.527 for intercollegiate crew races, marine events to be held April 8, 2006, on the waters of the St. Mary's River at St. Mary's City, Maryland. These special local regulations are necessary to control vessel traffic due to the confined nature of the waterway and expected vessel congestion during the event. The effect will be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area for the safety of event participants, spectators and vessels transiting the event area.

The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, at the recommendation of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) is convening a Propeller Strike Injury Avoidance Workshop to address propeller strike avoidance issues. The workshop will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee (CFIVSAC). CFIVSAC advises and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard for improving commercial fishing industry safety practices.

The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announce the availability of the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for this license application. The application describes a project that would be located in the Gulf of Mexico, in lease block High Island Area 27, on the outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Main Terminal would be located approximately 45 miles South of High Island and 50 miles East-Southeast of Galveston, Texas, with a riser platform in lease block West Cameron 167, approximately 27 miles South of Holly Beach and 29 miles South-Southeast of Johnson's Bayou, Louisiana. The Coast Guard and MARAD request public comments on the DEIS.

The National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) will meet to discuss various issues relating to offshore safety and security. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the operating regulations that govern the operation of the Route 35 Bridge, at New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW) mile 1.1, across Manasquan River, at Brielle, New Jersey. The bridge will be closed to navigation on three four-month closure periods from 8 a.m. November 1, 2006 until 5 p.m. March 1, 2007; from 8 a.m. on November 1, 2007 until 5 p.m. March 1, 2008; and from 8 a.m. on November 1, 2008 until 5 p.m. March 1, 2009. Extensive structural, mechanical, and electrical repairs and improvements necessitate these closures.