Coast Guard November 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is correcting a notice of study and request for comments that appeared in the Federal Register on November 19, 2007 (72 FR 64968). That notice informed the public the Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS) on the area east and south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to include the northern right whale critical habitat, mandatory ship reporting system area, and the Great South Channel including Georges Bank out to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary. The purpose of the PARS is to analyze potential vessel routing measures that might help reduce ship strikes with the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale while minimizing any adverse effects on vessel operations. The recommendations of the study will inform the Coast Guard and may lead to appropriate international actions.

The Secretary of Homeland Security is establishing the Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee (DRBOSAC) under authority of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, Public Law 109-241. Individuals interested in serving on this committee are invited to apply for membership.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within a 250 yard radius of Ambrose Light (LLNR 720) located at position 40[deg]27'00'' N, 073[deg]48'00'' W, approximately 8.35 nautical miles east of Sandy Hook, NJ. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life, property and the environment on navigable waters of the United States during survey and reconstruction of the Ambrose Light that was recently damaged. This safety zone is intended to keep vessels a safe distance from Ambrose Light during the survey and reconstruction operations.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership in the Area Maritime Security Committee, Houston-Galveston, Texas. The Committee assists the Captain of the Port, Houston-Galveston, Texas in developing, reviewing, and updating the Area Maritime Security Plan for their area of responsibility.

The Coast Guard is changing a permanent security zone in waters adjacent to the island of Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Review of the established zone indicates that its scope is overly-broad and that it imposes an unnecessary and unsustainable enforcement burden on the Coast Guard. This change is intended to narrow the zone's scope so it more accurately reflects current enforcement needs.

The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS) on the area east and south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to include the northern right whale critical habitat, mandatory ship reporting system area, and the Great South Channel including Georges Bank out to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary. The purpose of the PARS is to analyze potential vessel routing measures that might help reduce ship strikes with the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale while minimizing any adverse effects on vessel operations. The recommendations of the study will inform the Coast Guard and may lead to appropriate international actions.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit Information Collection Requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0005, Application and Permit to Handle Hazardous Materials; (2) 1625-0020, Security Zones, Regulated Navigation Areas, and Safety Zones; (3) 1625-0029, Self-propelled Liquefied Gas Vessels; (4) 1625-0031, Plan Approval and Records for Electrical Engineering RegulationsTitle 46 CFR Subchapter J; and (5) 1625-0085, Streamlined Inspection Program. Before submitting these ICRs to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard is proposing to change the operating schedule for the State Route 433 (S433) pontoon span bridge across Liberty Bayou, mile 2.0, at Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The proposed rule would allow the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, owner of the bridge, to reduce the hours of manned operation of the bridge in order to make more efficient use of personnel and operating resources.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the operation of the State Route 22 (SR 22) swing span bridge across Tchefuncta River, mile 2.5, at Madisonville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has requested changes to the present drawbridge operating regulations in 33 CFR 117.500 to enhance the flow of vehicles across the bridge during peak traffic hours.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District will hold a public hearing to receive comments concerning the status of the Bellaire Bridge at Bellaire, Ohio. The hearing will allow interested persons to present comments and information about the bridge not being used for transportation purposes and being an obstruction to navigation.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Consolidated Rail Corporation (CONRAIL) Bridge, at mile 2.0, across Raccoon Creek at Bridgeport, NJ. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation beginning at 7 a.m. on December 3, 2007, until and including 7 p.m. on January 18, 2008 to facilitate mechanical repairs.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of San Francisco Bay, during the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Maritime Interdiction Training. This safety zone is established to ensure the safety of participants and the public from dangers associated with the training. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the State Route 433 (S433) Bridge across Bonfouca Bayou, mile 7.0, at Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed.

The Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) will meet to elect a new committee chairperson, vice- chairperson and chairpersons for subcommittees. The meeting will not be a working meeting. This meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the regulations that govern the operation of the US 50 Bridge across the Isle of Wight Bay (Sinepuxent Bay), at mile 0.5, in Ocean City, MD. The proposal would close the drawbridge to navigation in order to facilitate extensive rehabilitation and to maintain the bridge's operational integrity. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a new security zone in the Manbirtee Key area of Port of Manatee, Florida. The purpose of this security zone is to ensure the security of vessels, facilities, and the surrounding area. Entry into the security zone would be prohibited without permission of the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard proposes the establishment of a 1,000 foot safety zone around a fireworks display for the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla occurring on November 24, 2007, on Motts Channel/ Banks Channel, Wrightsville Beach, NC. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on Motts Channel. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.