Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will hold a public meeting on issues related to proposed amendments to the Convention of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO). Background documentation may be found on the Department of State's Web site: https://www.state.gov/e/eeb/cip/imso/.

The Coast Guard will enforce the U.S. Nationals Waterski Racing Championship special local regulation on Mission Bay from 8 a.m. on October 10, 2008 through 5 p.m. on October 12, 2008. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the special local regulation without permission of the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the drawbridge operation regulations of the S37 Bridge, at ICW mile 14.1, across Barnegat Bay at Seaside Heights, NJ. This proposal would allow the drawbridge to operate on an advance notice basis during specific times of the year. The proposed change would result in more efficient use of the bridge during months of infrequent transit.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) which provides an assessment of the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed regulation of residue resulting from the shipping of dry cargo on the Great Lakes. We request your comments on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Gilmerton (U.S. 13/460) Lift Bridge, at AIWW mile 5.8, across the Elizabeth River (Southern Branch) in Chesapeake, VA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate structural repairs and allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation during the specified dates and times to facilitate structural repairs.

The Coast Guard proposes to increase the size of the Boston Inner Harbor Special Anchorage Area ``A'' at the entrance to Fort Point Channel in Boston Harbor, Boston, MA at the request of the Boston Harbormaster and the Boston Harbor Yacht Club. This action will provide additional anchorage space and provide a safe and secure anchorage for vessels of not more than 65 feet in length.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC). NOSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters affecting the offshore industry.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish Temporary special local regulations for the swim portions of ``Beach 2 Battleship Full and Half Iron Distance Triathlon'', to be held on the waters of Banks Channel, adjacent to Wrightsville Beach, 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 Wrightsville Channel during the swimming portion of this event.

The USCG announces the availability of the draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Coast Guard modernization. Through this modernization effort, the USCG intends to update its command structure, support systems, and business practices to position itself for sustainable and effective mission execution into the twenty-first century. The Draft PEA is an important document informing these efforts, and we request public input into the Draft PEA for more fully informed decision making during this process.

The Cape Fear Dragon Boat Festival will take place on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 27, 2008. This event will consist of four 45 foot long Dragon boats racing a 250 meter course.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0018, Official Logbook. 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 will hold public meetings to let members of the public present comments on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) for commercial fishing industry vessels and reopen the previously announced public comment period. Two public meetings will be held at the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, WA, on November 21 and 22, 2008. This proposed rulemaking would consider several changes to the current regulations.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Mackinac Bridge Walk security zone on the Straits of Mackinac from 6 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on September 1, 2008. This action is necessary to protect pedestrians during the event from an accidental or intentional vessel-to-bridge collision. During the enforcement period, navigational and operational restrictions will be placed on all vessels transiting through the Straits area, under and around the Mackinac Bridge, located between Mackinaw City, MI, and St. Ignace, MI. All vessels must obtain permission from the Captain of Port Sault Ste. Marie (COTP) or a Designated Representative to enter or move within the security zone.

The Coast Guard is establishing safety zones for annual events in the Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. This rule consolidates current regulations establishing safety zones for annual fireworks events in the former Captain of the Port Toledo Zone and the former Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. In addition, it adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays or other events.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding two Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0081, Alternate Compliance Program, and (2) 1625-0083, Operational Measures for Existing Tank Vessels Without Double Hulls. 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 Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks comments on, the application for recertification submitted by the Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (CIRCAC) for the period September 1, 2008, through August 31, 2009. Under the Oil Terminal and Tanker Environmental Oversight Act of 1990, the Coast Guard may certify, on an annual basis, an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of a Regional Citizens' Advisory Council for Cook Inlet, Alaska. This advisory group monitors the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Cook Inlet program established by the statute. The current certification for CIRCAC will expire August 31, 2008.

The Coast Guard is revising the dates and is reinstating a temporary regulated navigation area and safety zone on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Romeoville, IL. This regulated navigation area and safety zone places navigational and operational restrictions on all vessels transiting through the electrical dispersal barrier IIA.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 3.4, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation, the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge may remain in the closed position for 42 days to facilitate bridge lift cable maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary to facilitate necessary bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Atlantic Ocean offshore from Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 2008 Personal Watercraft Challenge. This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from entering waters within the zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami, Florida, or a designated representative. This rule is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States and protect participants, spectators, and mariner traffic from potential hazards associated with the event.

The Coast Guard, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Minerals Management Service, in concert with representatives from various State governments, industry, environmental interest groups, and the general public, developed the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines to reflect the consensus agreement of the entire oil spill response community. This notice announces the PREP 5- year exercise cycle, 2009 through 2013, and requests comments from the public, and requests volunteers from industry to participate in the scheduled PREP Area exercises. The new schedule adjustment from 3 years to 5 years was created to align with the Department of Homeland Security's National Exercise 5-year Schedule.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone, on the navigable waters of the San Diego Bay in support of the Bollotta & Associates USS Midway Fireworks Display. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are 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 Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Astoria Regatta Assoc. Display to be held on the waters of the Columbia River in the vicinity of Astoria's waterfront in Astoria, Oregon. The safety zone will restrict vessels from entering the designated area during the fireworks display. This temporary rule is needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Red Bull Flugtag to be held on the waters of the Willamette River in the vicinity of McCall's Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon. The safety zone will restrict vessels from entering the designated area during the marine event. This temporary rule is needed to provide for the safety of participants in the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the St. Lawrence River, Alexandria Bay, NY. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the St. Lawrence River during the August 16, 2008, 70th Anniversary Celebration for the Thousand Island International Bridge. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``Pride of Baltimore Recycled Regatta'', a marine event to be held August 2, 2008 on the waters of the Patapsco River, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, 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 temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Baltimore Inner Harbor during the event.