Coast Guard August 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce the special local regulations in the navigable waters of San Francisco Bay for the annual U.S. Navy and City of San Francisco sponsored Fleet Week Parade of Navy Ships and Blue Angels Flight Demonstration to be held on October 4, 2007, through October 7, 2007. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of event participants and spectators. During the enforcement period, no persons or vessels may enter the regulated area without permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP) or his designated representative.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Rio Vista Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 12.8, at Rio Vista, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to conduct required maintenance of the drawspan. This deviation allows for a 4-hour notice for openings.

The Coast Guard revises 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 pilots operating under a properly endorsed Federal pilot's license. The Coast Guard establishes a Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS) for Buzzards Bay, and requires mandatory participation in the VMRS by vessels subject to the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge VHF Radiotelephone regulations, including tug/barge combinations. The purpose of this rule 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 is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Labor Day Celebration Fireworks off Village Beach Fishing Pier, Island Park, NY. The safety zone is necessary to protect the life and property of the maritime community from the hazards posed by the fireworks display. Entry into or movement within this safety zone during the enforcement period is prohibited without approval of the Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary 500-yard moving security zone around the U.S. Forces vessel SBX-1 during transit within the Honolulu Captain of the Port Zone. The security zone is necessary to protect the SBX-1 from hazards associated with vessels and persons approaching too close during transit. Entry of persons or vessels into this temporary security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP).

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone upon certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, and Inner Harbor during the movement of the historic sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the tow of the vessel from its berth at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, to a point on the Patapsco River near the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, and return. This action will restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, and Inner Harbor during the event.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the U.S. 165 Bridge, Mile 110.1, Columbia, Louisiana across the Ouachita River. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation from 8 a.m., August 6, 2007 until its removal from the waterway on August 31, 2007. The deviation is necessary in order to prepare the bridge for demolition.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the Ferry Street Bridge, across the Quinnipiac River, mile 0.7, at New Haven, Connecticut. This notice of proposed rulemaking allows the bridge owner to keep one of the two moveable bascule spans in the closed position at all times from September 28, 2007 through April 30, 2008. This temporary rule is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is enforcing a security zone approximately one quarter mile on each side of the Mackinac Bridge in the Straits of Mackinac near Mackinaw City, MI. The purpose of this security zone is to protect pedestrians and vessels during the event from vessel to bridge collision. The security zone will place navigational and operational restrictions on all vessels transiting through the Straits area, under and around the Mackinac Bridge, located between Mackinaw City, MI, and St. Ignace, MI.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the Kansas City Southern Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 167.1, Monroe, Louisiana across the Ouachita River. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation from 8 a.m., beginning November 1, 2007 for up to 18 consecutive days. The deviation is necessary in order to finish repairs on the pivot pier and connect the navigation span to the pivot pier.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Milwaukee Harbor Safety Zone in Milwaukee Harbor during August through September 2007. This action is necessary to protect vessels and people from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This safety zone will restrict vessel traffic from a portion of the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations during the ``Ragin' on the River'' power boat race to be held Labor Day weekend, September 1 and 2, 2007, on the waters of the Susquehanna River, adjacent to Port Deposit, Maryland. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. The effect will be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area for the safety of participants and vessels transiting the event area.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations for the ``Crystal Coast Super Boat Grand Prix'', a power boat race to be held on the waters of Bogue Banks adjacent to Morehead City, NC. 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 Morehead City Turning Basin including sections of the Intra-Coastal Waterways and Morehead City Channel during the power boat race.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Michigan near Petoskey, MI. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Michigan during the Petoskey August 17, 2007 Fireworks Display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is changing the permanent security zones in waters adjacent to the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai, Hawaii. Review of the established zones indicated the need for some adjustment to better suit vessel and facility security in and around Hawaiian ports. The changes are intended to enhance the protection of personnel, vessels, and facilities from acts of sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other causes of a similar nature.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the Coast Guard is forwarding five Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0002, Application for Vessel Inspection, Waiver, and Continuous Synopsis Record; (2) 1625-0017, Various International Agreement Safety Certificates and Documents; (3) 1625-0030, Oil and Hazardous Materials Transfer Procedures; (4) 1625-0072, Waste Management Plans, Refuse Discharge Logs, and Letters of Instruction for Certain Persons-in- Charge (PIC); and (5) 1625-0078, Licensing and Manning Requirements for Officers on Towing Vessels. Our ICRs describe the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the S99 Alford Street Bridge across the Mystic River, mile 1.4, between Charlestown and Boston, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation the S99 Alford Street Bridge may remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. on July 27, 2007. In addition, the bridge may remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. on August 28, 2007 through 11:59 p.m. on August 30, 2007. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary to facilitate emergency mechanical repairs.

The Coast Guard is establishing a security zone in the vicinity of the HOVENSA refinery facility on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The security zone is needed for national security reasons to protect the public and the HOVENSA facility from potential subversive acts. This interim rule excludes entry into the security zone by all vessels without permission of the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan or a scheduled arrival in accordance with the Notice of Arrival requirements of 33 CFR part 160, subpart C.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Safety Zone during the ``National Night Out'', an event to be held August 7, 2007 on the New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to temporarily restrict vessel traffic in the New River to accommodate a Helicopter Search and Rescue demonstration and a fireworks display.

The Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operation regulations of two Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridges: The Main Street and U.S. 50 Bridges, at mile 22.4, across Wicomico River (North Prong) in Salisbury, MD. This final rule will allow the bridges to open on signal if four hours advance notice is given and eliminate the continual attendance of draw tender services while still providing the reasonable needs of navigation.