Coast Guard June 7, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing 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 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 proposing to change the operational language concerning the Rob Roy Drawbridge across the Arkansas Waterway at Mile 67.4 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the Baring Cross Railroad Drawbridge across the Arkansas Waterway at Mile 119.6 at Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Van Buren Railroad Drawbridge across the Arkansas Waterway at Mile 300.8 at Van Buren, Arkansas, to reflect the actual procedures currently being followed. The Coast Guard is also proposing to remove the regulations governing the following three bridges because they are locked in the open-to-navigation position and are no longer considered to be drawbridges: Missouri Pacific Railroad Drawbridge (Benzal Railroad Drawbridge) across the Arkansas Waterway at Mile 7.6 at Benzal, Arkansas, the Rock Island Railroad Drawbridge across the Arkansas Waterway at Mile 118.2 at Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Junction Railroad Drawbridge across the Arkansas Waterway at Mile 118.7 at Little Rock, Arkansas. These revisions will make the regulations concerning the Arkansas River clearer, thus the mariners transiting the river will be able to transit the river with greater ease.

The Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Subcommittee on Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS) will meet to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. The CTAC Working Groups on Barge Emissions and Placarding, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) Annex II and Marine Vapor Control Systems will also meet to discuss environmental issues and future changes to regulations. These meetings will be open to the public.