Coast Guard June 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the St. John the Baptist Independence Day Fireworks on July 1, 2021 from 8:45 p.m. through 9:45 p.m. to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Eighth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event on the Lower Mississippi River, by Reserve Louisiana. During the enforcement periods, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying a Coast Guard ensign.

The Coast Guard will not enforce the security zones for Seattle's Seafair Fleet Week moving vessels, Puget Sound, WA in July or August 2021. The Captain of the Port Sector Puget Sound has determined that enforcement of this regulation is not necessary because the event is cancelled.

On July 13, 2020, the Coast Guard published a notification of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to change the operating schedule that governs the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge across the New River, mile 2.5, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This proposed change would allow the drawbridge to operate on a more predictable schedule. The Coast Guard is publishing this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) as considerable time has passed since the NPRM was published and minor modifications have been made to the proposed rule. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will not enforce the Safety Zone for the Seattle Seafair Firework Display in Lake Washington, Seattle, WA in July 2021. The Captain of the Port Sector Puget Sound has determined that enforcement of this regulation is not necessary because Seafair the event was cancelled.

The Coast Guard is changing the operating schedule that governs the Welch Causeway (SR 699) Bridge, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway mile 122.8, at Madeira Beach, Florida. This change will place the drawbridge on a daily operating schedule to alleviate vehicle congestion due to on demand bridge openings and balance the needs of all modes of transportation due to the economic growth in the vicinity of the bridge.

The Coast Guard will enforce numerous safety zones within the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area of responsibility during the dates and times specified below. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the dangers associated with pyrotechnics. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the regulated areas, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters in the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth, NH. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons, property, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with the construction and heavy lift operations at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock No. 1. When enforced, this rule will prohibit persons and vessels from entering into the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Northern New England or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for Port Aransas 4th of July Fireworks Display on July 4, 2021, to provide for the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Eighth Coast Guard District identifies the safety zone for this event in Port Aransas, TX. During the enforcement periods, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish temporary special local regulations for certain waters of the St. Mary's River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located at Piney Point, MD, during a high-speed power boat demonstration event on October 2, 2021, and October 3, 2021. 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 the Coast Guard Event Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, in the vicinity of Lido Beach, Florida, during the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. Approximately 70 boats and jet skis, traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour are expected to participate. Additionally, it is anticipated that 100 spectator vessels will be present along the race course. The special local regulation is necessary to protect the safety of race participants, participant vessels, spectators, and the general public on certain navigable waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Lido Beach, Florida during the event. The special local regulation will establish an enforcement area where all persons and vessels, except those persons and vessels participating in the high speed boat races, are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area without obtaining permission from the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is reopening the comment period to solicit additional comments concerning its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to change the drawbridge regulation governing the 63rd Street Bridge, across Indian Creek, mile 4.0, at Miami Beach, Florida. The Coast Guard received a request from the City of Miami Beach, Florida to reopen the comment period. This request was made to allow the City of Miami Beach and members of the public to comment as they were unaware of the initial notice and comment period.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters within a one nautical mile radius around a capsized vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, South Timbalier block 22, near Port Fourchon, LA. The temporary safety zone is needed to protect life and property during emergency salvage operations surrounding the capsized vessel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone and movement of vessels within this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Houma or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce a special local regulation for the Patriot's Point Fireworks Display on July 4, 2021 from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m., to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during the event. The Coast Guard will enforce a temporary safety zone during the Patriot's Point Fireworks Display occurring on the bank of the Cooper River at Patriot's Point, in Charleston, South Carolina. The temporary safety zone is necessary to protect vessels, spectators, and the general public during the event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the designated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation for all navigable waters of the Ohio River between mile markers 127.5 and 128.5. The special local regulation is needed to protect regatta participants, the public, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the regatta. This special local regulation establishes a Patrol Commander and restricts movement and anchoring of spectator and non-participant vessels during the time of the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone covering the channel closure for the Northeast Shelter Island Channel Entrance. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) Sensitive Site Strategy Evaluation Program (SSSEP) boom deployment exercise. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector San Diego.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone located in Federal regulations for a recurring marine event. This action is necessary and intended for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during these events. During each enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the respective safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, 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: 1625-0018, Official Logbook; without change. 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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, 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: 1625-0120, U.S. Coast Guard Exchange Non-Apropriated Fund Employment Application; without change. 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.

On November 27, 2019 the Coast Guard published a notice of study and request for comments (84 FR 65398), announcing a Port Access Route Study (PARS) for the Approaches to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. This notice announces the availability of a draft report for public review and comment. We seek your comments on the content, proposed routing measures, and development of the report. The recommendations of the study may lead to future rulemakings or appropriate international agreements.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Patapsco River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near the Francis Scott Key (I-695) Bridge, Baltimore, MD. This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic on the Patapsco River from September 1, 2021, through November 17, 2021, while work crews install power transmission lines crossing over the river. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce established safety zones for maritime events starting in July 2021 to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways. Our regulation for safety zones within the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie Zone identifies the regulated area for these safety zones. During the enforcement periods, vessels must stay out of the established safety zone and may only enter with permission from the designated representative of the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie.

On June 7, 2021, the United States Coast Guard published a notice of availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the BNSF Railway Bridge across the Missouri River between the cities of Bismarck and Mandan, ND. The Coast Guard is now providing notice that the public comment period is extended through July 26, 2021. This action will align the Coast Guard's comment period with the EPA comment period for this project, which starts on June 11, 2021 and ends on July 26, 2021. When an agency files a draft Environmental Impact Statement with EPA, EPA also issues a Notice of Availability for the same document.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters in the Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons, property, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with construction operations at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas ``Mac'' Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge, which will occur from 7 a.m. on June 14, 2021, through 9 p.m. on June 19, 2021. This rule will prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is amending the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) at the harbor bar entrance to Crescent City Harbor. This document will update inapplicable coordinates of the area and replace with updated coordinates.

The Coast Guard is announcing its intent to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Sea Machines Robotics. Sea Machines Robotics will work with the USCG Research and Development Center (RDC) to modify the currently existing SM300 system installed on the USCG RDC unmanned surface vessel (USV) to determine what parameters and behaviors would be beneficial for USCG mission sets. Additionally, the agreement will investigate the current state of collision avoidance in autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs), to develop a better understanding of how these capabilities should be evaluated/regulated in the future. The Coast Guard invites other potential non-Federal participants, who have the interest and capability to bring similar contributions to this type of research, to submit proposals for consideration in similar CRADAs.