Coast Guard 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is extending the effective period of a safety zone in the vicinity of the Eastport Breakwater Terminal, Eastport, Maine. This safety zone was established on January 9, 2015 (80 FR 1344). This rule will extend the effective period of the existing temporary final rule from January 30, 2017 until October 1, 2017. This rule will continue to restrict vessels from approaching within 100 yards of the eastern face of the Eastport Breakwater Terminal without authorization from the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Northern New England. This safety zone continues to be necessary due to the ongoing repairs to the breakwater following a partial collapse of the structure on December 4, 2014.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent safety zone on the navigable waters of Port Valdez, Valdez, Alaska, in the vicinity of the Valdez Spit. The proposed safety zone is necessary to protect persons and vessels from the hazards associated with the annual City of Valdez July 4th Fireworks Display event. This rule is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the navigable waters of Port Valdez, in the immediate vicinity of the fireworks launch platforms, before, during, and immediately after the fireworks event. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations for certain waters of the Tred Avon River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters located between Bellevue, MD and Oxford, MD during a swim event on June 10, 2017. If necessary, due to inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to June 11, 2017. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Long Creek in Hempstead, NY around the Loop Parkway Bridge. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the Weeks Marine Loop Parkway Submarine Cable Routing and Protection Project. This regulation prohibits entry of vessels or people into the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Long Island Sound.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the lower deck of the Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to support the Shamrock Run event. This deviation allows the lower span of the Steel Bridge to remain in the closed-to- navigation position to allow for the safe passage of participates in the Shamrock Run event across the bridge.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the S.R. 74 Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles during the 8th Annual Wrightsville Beach Marathon. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the U.S. 50 (Harry Kelly) Bridge across the Isle of Wight (Sinepuxent) Bay, mile 0.5, at Ocean City, MD. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles during the 2017 Island 2 Island Half Marathon Bridge Run. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Morgan City Railroad Bridge across the Atchafalaya River (also known as Berwick Bay), mile 17.5 [Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route), mile 0.3] in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This deviation is necessary to perform maintenance needed for the continued safe operation of the bridge. This deviation allows for the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation for two (2) separate two-day periods between Thursday, March 9, 2017, and Friday, March 17, 2017.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations for certain waters of the Chesapeake Bay. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located between Sandy Point, Anne Arundel County, MD and Kent Island, Queen Anne's County, MD, during a paddling event on April 29, 2017. In the case of inclement weather, the paddling event is scheduled for April 30, 2017. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or Coast Guard Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is reopening the comment period for the Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) it published on November 3, 2016, regarding the modification of the security zone between Liberty State Park and Ellis Island. In response to public requests, the Coast Guard is extending the comment period until April 17, 2017.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule of four bridges across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; Stickney Point, mile 68.6, Siesta Drive, mile 71.6, Cortez, mile, 87.4 and Anna Maria, mile 89.2, Drawbridges, Sarasota, FL. The request was made to the Coast Guard to change the operation of four drawbridges due to an increase in vehicle traffic throughout these areas at all times of the year. This proposed rulemaking would change the bridges' operating schedule from a three times an hour opening schedule to a twice an hour opening schedule throughout the year.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0102, National Response Resource Inventory, without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard proposes the creation of several new anchorages and holding areas as well as a non-anchorage area, the expansion of one existing general anchorage, and the establishment of new and clarification of existing regulations governing such anchorages and areas in the Puget Sound area. This action is necessary to provide enhanced safety for maritime traffic in the Puget Sound area. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing a 500-yard temporary safety zone around barge Togiak Trader and tug Rosario within the Bellingham Bay Explosive Anchorage. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public due to an operational equipment test utilizing compressed air onboard that vessel. The safety zone will prohibit any person or vessel from entering or remaining in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the US17 (Perquimans) Bridge across the Perquimans River, mile 12.0, at Hertford, NC. This deviation is necessary to perform a bridge deck replacement project. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the waters of the Florida Keys, near Sugarloaf Key, Florida. The safety zone is needed to protect safety of life, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards from recently discovered ordnance in two locations within the vicinity of American Shoal Light. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Key West or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard seeks comments on the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) for March 1, 2017, through February 28, 2018. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Coast Guard may certify the PWSRCAC on an annual basis. This advisory group monitors the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Prince William Sound program established by the statute. The Coast Guard may certify an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of the PWSRCAC. The current certification for the PWSRCAC will expire February 28, 2017.

The Coast Guard announces that the District Five Prevention Division (Dp) has issued a Certificate of Alternate Compliance (COAC) from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) for the M/V TURTLE as required by statue. Due to the construction and placement of the pilothouse aft and starboard of amidships it cannot fully comply with the masthead light provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the vessel's operations as an open deck vehicle ferry as there are no structures forward of amidships to affix a masthead light. This notice promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety and stewardship missions.

This Final Rule finalizes the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Interim Final Rule that adjusted DHS civil monetary penalties for inflation. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act) was signed into law on November 2, 2015. Using the formula in the 2015 Act and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), DHS calculated adjusted penalties. On July 1, 2016, DHS published an Interim Final Rule setting forth the adjusted civil penalty amounts, effective for civil penalties assessed after August 1, 2016 whose associated violations occurred after November 2, 2015. Pursuant to the 2015 Act, all agencies must adjust civil monetary penalties annually and publish the adjustment in the Federal Register. Accordingly, this Final Rule adjusts DHS's civil monetary penalties pursuant to the 2015 Act and OMB guidance. The new penalties will be effective for penalties assessed after January 27, 2017 whose associated violations occurred after November 2, 2015. DHS also announces that it will make its required annual adjustment of civil monetary penalties in future years by publication of a Final Rule notwithstanding the notice and comment provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Hanohano Ocean Challenge special local regulations on the waters of Mission Bay, California on January 28, 2017. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, sponsor vessels, and general users of the waterway. During the enforcement period, persons and vessels are prohibited from anchoring, blocking, loitering, or impeding within this regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend the monetary property damage threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty, and for reporting a type of marine casualty called a ``serious marine incident'' (SMI). The initial regulations setting these dollar threshold amounts were promulgated in the early1980s and they have not been updated. Because the monetary thresholds for reporting have not kept pace with inflation, relatively minor casualties must be reported. Additionally, the regulations require mandatory drug and alcohol testing following an SMI; consequently, testing is being conducted for casualties that are less significant than those intended to be captured by the original regulations. Updating the regulations will reduce the burden on vessel owners and operators, and will also reduce the amount of Coast Guard resources expended to investigate these incidents.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent special local regulation for the Annual Fautasi Ocean Challenge canoe race in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa. This annual event historically occurs during the weeks of Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving Day. This action is necessary to safeguard the participants and spectators, including all crews, vessels, and persons on the water in Pago Pago Harbor during the event. This regulation will functionally close the port to vessel traffic during the race, but will not require the evacuation of any vessels from the harbor. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring in the harbor would be prohibited to all vessels not registered with the sponsor as participants or not part of the race patrol, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Honolulu or a designated representative. Vessels who are already moored or anchored in the harbor seeking permission to remain there shall request permission from the COTP unless deemed a spectator vessel that is moored to a waterfront facility within the regulated area. The area forming the subject of this permanent special local regulation is described below. We invite your comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone for all waters of the Tennessee River, beginning at mile marker 446.0 and ending at mile marker 454.5 during periods of high water flow. High water flow is determined by flow rates that have reached or exceeded 100,000 cubic feet per second at Chickamauga lock and dam on the Tennessee River at mile marker 471.0. This proposed safety zone is necessary to provide safety for mariners transiting on the Tennessee River during periods of high water flow. Entry into this area will be prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce a security zone along the Potomac River and Anacostia River, and adjacent waters at Washington, DC, for activities associated with the 58th Presidential Inauguration. The zone will be enforced on the days leading up to and through the cessation of activities associated with the 58th Presidential Inauguration taking place on January 20, 2017. This action is necessary to protect government officials, mitigate potential terrorist acts and incidents, and enhance public and maritime safety and security immediately before, during, and after these activities. During the enforcement period, entry into or remaining within the zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise a special local regulation in the navigable waters of Half Moon Bay, CA, near Pillar Point in support of the Mavericks Surf Competition, an annual invitational surf competition held at the Mavericks Break. We are proposing this revision to improve the regulation by making it clearer and to have it better reflect the natural conditions that must be met for this surf competition to take place. This regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after the surfing competition, which is held only one day between November 1 of each year and March 31 of the following year. This proposed revision would temporarily restrict vessel traffic in the vicinity of Pillar Point and prohibit vessels and persons not participating in the surfing event from entering the dedicated surfing area and a designated no-entry area. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.