[Federal Register: October 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 204)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 61401-61402]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24oc05-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army
33 CFR Part 207
RIN 0710-AA63
Navigation Regulations
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Corps is proposing to amend the regulations for lockage
operations at Bonneville Lock and Dam and amend the regulations which
establish the restricted areas at Little Goose Lock and Dam. The Corps
is making corrections and adjustments to the lockage control, signals,
and permissible dimensions of vessels for Bonneville Lock and Dam.
These changes correct language for the new replacement lock. For the
Little Goose Lock and Dam the Corps is making adjustments in the
upstream channel restricted area boundary to provide a recreational
craft corridor along the north shoreline. This will provide better boat
ramp access in support of the small craft portage route and reduce
interference between fisherman and the boat ramp.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 8, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, ATTN: CECW-NWD, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20314-1000.
Comments may also be faxed to (202) 761-5096 or e-mail to:
Ken.C.Hall@usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ken Hall, Program Manager, CECW-
NWD at (202) 761-4717, or Brian Schmidtke, (503) 808-4333 for
Bonneville Lock and Dam or Ms. Ann Glassley at (509) 527-7115 for
Little Goose Lock and Dam.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to its authorities in section 4, 7,
and 28 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1917 (40 Stat. 266; 33 U.S.C.
1) and Chapter XIX of the Army Appropriations Act of 1919 (40 Stat.
892; 33 U.S.C. 3), the Corps proposes to amend the regulations in 33
CFR part 207.718. The Corps is proposing to amend the regulations in 33
CFR part 207.718 (b), (d)(3), (e), (f)(1), (j) and (w)(7). Paragraph
(b) changes the description of the limits of the approach channels at
Bonneville Lock and Dam. Paragraph (d)(3) deletes the Bonneville Lock
and Dam specific exception referring to vessels entering under an amber
light. This provides consistent entering and exiting signals for the
entire Columbia/Snake lock and dam system. Paragraph (e) had several
changes. The new paragraph deletes the Bonneville specific exception on
useable chamber size. The new paragraph adds text detailing the
Bonneville Lock and Dam staff gauges, sill elevations, and how to
compute depth over the sill, since Bonneville's staff gauges are
different from all other Columbia/Snake lock and dams that directly
read depth over the sill. The new paragraph replaces a sentence
referring to vessel draft so it refers to depth over the sill and not
staff gauge readings. This change makes the sentence correct for all
Columbia/Snake locks including Bonneville. The new paragraph corrects
the minimum depth over the sill at Bonneville Lock and Dam at 19 feet.
The new paragraph deletes three sentences concerning rearrangement of
tows specifically at Bonneville Lock and Dam, and the new paragraph
deletes one sentence concerning inundation of the downstream guide wall
at Bonneville Lock and Dam. Paragraph (f)(1) corrects grammar by
changing the last word from ``sections'' to ``section.'' Paragraph (j)
includes grammatical changes and corrects and details the location of
the downstream mooring facility at Bonneville Lock and Dam. This new
paragraph also deletes reference to vessels being allowed to lay-to
against the upstream guide wall at Bonneville Lock and Dam. Paragraph
(w)(7) revises the upstream restricted area of Little Goose Lock and
Dam to allow less interference between fisherman and the boat ramp on
the north river bank as more small craft portaging is expected
coinciding with the Lewis and Cark bicentennial. The regulation
governing
[[Page 61402]]
the navigation locks and approach channels, Columbia and Snake Rivers,
Washington and Oregon, 33 CFR 207.718 was adopted on January 23, 1978
(43 FR 3115). The last amendment to 33 CFR 207.718 January 26, 2000 (65
FR 4125). This proposed rule is not a major rule for the purposes of
Executive Order 12866. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act,
the Corps of Engineers certifies that this proposed rule would not have
a significant impact on small business entities.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 207
Navigation (water), Vessels, Water Transportation, Danger Zones.
Dated: October 11, 2005.
Gerald W. Barnes,
Chief, Operations, Directorate of Civil Works.
For the reasons stated above, the Corps proposes to amend 33 CFR
part 207 as follows:
PART 207--NAVIGATION REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 207 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 Stat. 266 (33 U.S.C. 1).
2. Amend Sec. 207.718 by revising paragraphs (b), (d)(3), (e),
(f)(1), (j) and (w)(7) to read as follows.
Sec. 207.718 Navigation locks and approach channels, Columbia and
Snake Rivers, Oreg. and Wash.
* * * * *
(b) Lockage control. The Lock Master shall be charged with
immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside
as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. Upstream and
downstream approach channels extend to the end of the wing or the guide
wall, whichever is longer. At Bonneville lock the upstream approach
channel extends to the mooring tie offs at Fort Rains and the
downstream approach channel extends to the downstream tip of Robins
Island. The Lock Master shall demand compliance with all laws, rules
and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area and is authorized
to issue necessary orders and directions, both to employees of the
Government or to other persons within the limits of the lock or lock
area, whether navigating the lock or not. Use of lock facilities is
contingent upon compliance with regulations, Lock Master instructions
and the safety of people and property.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(3) Entering and exit signals. Signal lights are located outside
each lock gate. When the green (go) light is on, all vessels will enter
in the sequence prescribed by the Lock Master. When the red (stop)
light is on, the lock is not ready for entrance and vessels shall stand
clear. In addition to the above visual signals, the Lock Master will
signal that the lock is ready for entrance by sounding one long blast
on the lock air horn. The Lock Master will signal that the lock is
ready for exit by lighting the green exit light and sounding one short
blast on the air horn.
* * * * *
(e) Permissible dimensions of vessels. Nominal overall dimensions
of vessels allowed in the lock chamber are 84 feet wide and 650 feet
long. Depth of water in the lock depends upon river levels which may
vary from day to day. Staff gauges showing the minimum water level
depth over gate sills are located inside the lock chamber near each
lock gate and outside the lock chamber near the end of both upstream
and downstream guide walls, except at Bonneville where the staff gauges
show water levels in feet above MSL and are located on the southern
guide walls at the upstream and downstream miter gates. Bonneville's
upstream sill elevation is 51 feet MSL and the downstream sill
elevation is--12 feet MSL. Depth over sill at Bonneville is determined
by subtracting the sill elevation from the gauge reading. Vessels shall
not enter the navigation lock unless the vessel draft is at least one
foot less than the water depth over the sill. Information concerning
allowable draft for vessel passage through the locks may be obtained
from the Lock Master. Minimum lock chamber water level depth is 15 feet
except at Ice Harbor where it is 14 feet and at Bonneville where it is
19 feet. When the river flow at Lower Granite exceeds 330,000 cubic
feet per second the normal minimum 15-foot depth may be decreased to as
little as eight feet.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(1) When a recreational vessel lockage schedule is in effect, at
the appointed time for lockage of recreation craft, recreation craft
shall take precedence; however, commercial vessels may be locked
through with recreation craft if safety and space permit. At other than
the appointed time, the lockage of commercial and tow vessels shall
take precedence and recreational craft may (only) lock through with
commercial vessels only as provided in paragraph (h) of this section.
* * * * *
(j) Waiting for lockage. Vessels waiting for lockage shall wait in
the clear outside of the lock approach channel, or contingent upon
permission by the Lock Master, may at their own risk, lie inside the
approach channel at a place specified by the Lock Master. At
Bonneville, vessels may at their own risk, lay-to at the downstream
moorage facility on the north shore downstream from the north guide
wall provided a 100-foot-wide open channel is maintained.
* * * * *
(w) * * *
(7) At Little Goose Lock and Dam. The waters restricted to all
vessels, except Government vessels, are described as all waters
commencing at the upstream of the navigation lock guidewall and running
in a direction of 60[deg]37' true for a distance of 676 yards; thence
345[deg]26' true for a distance of 494 yards; thence 262[deg]37'47''
true to the dam embankment shoreline. The downstream limits commence
512 yards downstream and at right angles to the axis of the dam on the
south shore; thence parallel to the axis of the dam to the north shore.
Signs designate the restricted areas.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 05-21171 Filed 10-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-92-P