Coast Guard 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces a teleconference of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). The purpose of the teleconference is for MERPAC to discuss and prepare recommendations for the Coast Guard concerning its supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) on the consolidation of merchant mariner qualification credentials [USCG-2006-24371]. MERPAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters related to the training, qualification, licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Siuslaw River during a fireworks display. The Captain of the Port, Portland, Oregon is taking this action to safeguard watercraft and their occupants from safety hazards associated with this display. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the Washington Street S136 Bridge, mile 0.0, across the Norwalk River at Norwalk, Connecticut. This proposed rule would allow the bridge to remain in the closed position to facilitate the running of the annual Norwalk River Fun Run held on the first Saturday morning in December, with a rain date for the next day in the event of inclement weather. This rule is necessary to facilitate safety of race participants and the uninterrupted running of the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations during the ``Plymouth Drag Boat Race'', a power boat race to be held on the waters of the Roanoke River, Plymouth, North Carolina. 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 portions of the Roanoke River adjacent to Plymouth, North Carolina during the power boat race.

The Coast Guard is temporarily revising the operating regulations for the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge at Mile 8.80 over the Trenton Channel during the planned seven-month duration of time that the Grosse Ile County (Free) Bridge at Mile 5.60 will be rehabilitated and not available for vehicular traffic. Grosse Ile is connected to the mainland by these two bridges only. The temporary regulations will revise the number of required bridge openings of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge to provide less interruptions of vehicular traffic while simultaneously providing for reasonable needs of marine navigation.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Hamilton Avenue Bridge across Gowanus Canal, mile 1.2, at Brooklyn, New York. Under this temporary deviation the draw may remain in the closed position from April 3, 2007 through April 5, 2007 and from April 6, 2007 through September 29, 2007, a four-hour advance notice shall be required for all bridge openings. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the Coast Guard is forwarding four Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request an extension of their approval for the following collections of information. The ICRs are: (1) 1625- 0007, Characteristics of Liquid Chemicals Proposed for Bulk Water Movement; (2) 1625-0049, Waterfront Facilities Handling Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Hazardous Gas (LHG); (3) 1625-0064, Plan Approval and Records for Subdivision and Stability Regulations Title 46 CFR Subchapter S; and (4) 1625-0074, Direct User Fees for Inspection or Examination of U.S. and Foreign Commercial Vessels. Our ICRs describe the 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.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations during the ``Ocean City Maryland Offshore Challenge'', a power boat race to be held on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the shoreline at Ocean City, MD. 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 regulated area during the power boat race.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the AK Railroad Bridge across Arthur Kill at mile 11.6, between Staten Island, New York and Elizabeth, New Jersey. This temporary deviation requires the AK Railroad Bridge to remain in the open position at all times, except that the draw would close for the passage of trains for two daily one-hour closure periods on a fixed schedule with a one hour adjustment whenever high water occurs during or up to one hour after the applicable closure period. In addition, a number of unscheduled requests for one hour closure periods may be granted by the Coast Guard within one to three hours of receipt of the request. The purpose of this deviation is to test a temporary change to the drawbridge operation schedule to help determine the most equitable and safe solution to facilitate the present and anticipated needs of navigation and rail traffic.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local regulations for ``Sail Virginia 2007'' marine event. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters before, during, and after Sail Virginia 2007 activities. This proposed action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in the vicinity of the tall ship parade as the parade transits the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Roads, the James and Elizabeth Rivers and Norfolk Harbor.

The Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), its Subcommittees on Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472 Standard, and Outreach, as well as its Working Group on Barge Hazard Communication will meet to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. These meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a draft Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) biometric reader specification and a draft TWIC contactless smart card application. These draft documents have been recommended to the Coast Guard by the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. We request your comments on these draft recommended specifications, and on specific questions found at the end of this notice.

The National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) and its subcommittees on boats and associated equipment, prevention through people, and recreational boating safety strategic planning will meet to discuss issues relating to recreational boating safety. All meetings will be open to the public.

The Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) will meet to discuss matters relating to these specific issues of towing safety. The meetings will be open to the public.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) Bridge, at mile 1.0, across Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace, Maryland. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation beginning at 6 p.m. on March 30, 2007, until and including 6 p.m. on June 8, 2007, to facilitate structural repairs.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Lower Colorado River, Laughlin, NV, in support of a fireworks display near the AVI Resort and Casino. The safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the crew, spectators, participants of the event, participating vessels and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels will be prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Route 82 Bridge across the Connecticut River, mile 16.8, at East Haddam, Connecticut. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge may remain in the closed position for two nights from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. between March 19, 2007 and March 23, 2007. The exact two closure dates will be determined based upon favorable weather necessary to perform the scheduled repairs. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Manitowoc St. Patrick's Day Fireworks safety zone on the Manitowoc River on March 17, 2007 from 5:30 p.m. through 7 p.m. This action is necessary to protect the public from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. During the enforcement period no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Paintersville Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 33.4, at Paintersville, CA. This deviation allows for a 12-hour notice for openings. The deviation is necessary for the bridge owner, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to coordinate vessel traffic with their scheduled critical maintenance and operating upgrades.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Isleton Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 18.7, at Isleton, CA. This deviation allows for a 12-hour notice for openings. The deviation is necessary for the bridge owner, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to coordinate vessel traffic with their scheduled critical maintenance and operating upgrades.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request an extension of their approval of the following collection of information. The ICR is 1625-0056, Labeling Requirements in 33 CFR parts 181 and 183 and 46 CFR 25.10-3. Our ICR describes 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 Coast Guard is establishing 49 permanent safety zones for fireworks displays at various locations within the geographic boundary of the Fifth Coast Guard District. This action is necessary to protect the life and property of the maritime public from the hazards posed by fireworks displays. Entry into or movement within these zones during the enforcement periods is prohibited without approval of the appropriate Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local regulations for the ``Baltimore County Community Waterfront Festival'', an event to be held May 12, 2007 at Martin Lagoon, Middle River, 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 temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Middle River waterfront to accommodate watercraft static displays, fire-rescue demonstrations and a fireworks display.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Long Island Railroad Bridge, across Reynolds Channel, mile 4.4, at New York City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the draw may remain in the closed position for 24-hours on both March 3, 2007 and March 10, 2007. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.