[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17562-17564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7815]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 167
[USCG-2009-0765]
Port Access Route Study: In the Approaches to Los
Angeles[dash]Long Beach and in the Santa Barbara Channel
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of study; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS)
to evaluate the continued applicability of and the need for
modifications to current vessel routing in the approaches to Los
Angeles[dash]Long Beach and in the Santa Barbara Channel. The goal of
the study is to help reduce the risk of marine casualties and increase
the efficiency of vessel traffic in the study area. The recommendations
of the study may lead to future rulemaking action or appropriate
international agreements.
DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our
online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before June 7, 2010
or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2009-0765 using any one of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202-366-9329. To avoid duplication, please use only one of
these four methods. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for
instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice
of study, call or e-mail Lieutenant Morgan Barbieri, Project Officer,
Eleventh Coast Guard District, telephone 510-437-2978; e-mail
[email protected]; or George Detweiler, Office of Waterways
Management, Coast Guard, telephone 202-372-1566, e-mail
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing or
submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Renee K. Wright, Program
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this study by submitting
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted,
without change, to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided.
A. Submitting comments: If you submit comments, please include the
docket number for this notice (USCG-2009-0765), indicate the specific
section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a
reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your
comments and material online, or by fax, mail or hand delivery, but
please use only one of these means. We recommend that you include your
name and a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in
the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have
questions regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov,
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu select
``Notices'' and insert ``USCG-2009-0576'' in the ``Keyword'' box. Click
``Search'' then click on the balloon shape in the ``Actions'' column.
If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an
unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped,
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and
material received during the comment period.
B. Viewing the comments and documents: To view comments and
documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket,
go to http://www.regulations.gov, click on the ``read comments'' box,
which will then become highlighted in blue. In the ``Keyword'' box
insert ``USCG-2009-0765'' and click ``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket
Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column. If you do not have access to the
Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket
Management Facility in Room W12-140
[[Page 17563]]
on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an
agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket
Management Facility.
C. Privacy Act: Anyone can search the electronic form of comments
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a
Privacy Act, system of records notice regarding our public dockets in
the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).
II. Definitions
The following definitions (except ``Regulated Navigation Area'')
are from the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) publication
``Ships' Routeing'' and should help you review this notice:
Area to be avoided (ATBA) means a routing measure comprising an
area within defined limits in which either navigation is particularly
hazardous or it is exceptionally important to avoid casualties and
which should be avoided by all vessels, or certain classes of vessels.
Deep-water route means a route within defined limits, which has
been accurately surveyed for clearance of sea bottom and submerged
obstacles as indicated on nautical charts.
Inshore traffic zone means a routing measure comprising a
designated area between the landward boundary of a traffic separation
scheme and the adjacent coast, to be used in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 10(d), as amended, of the International Regulations
for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS).
Precautionary area means a routing measure comprising an area
within defined limits where vessels must navigate with particular
caution and within which the direction of traffic flow may be
recommended.
Recommended route means a route of undefined width, for the
convenience of vessels in transit, which is often marked by centerline
buoys.
Recommended track is a route which has been specially examined to
ensure so far as possible that it is free of dangers and along which
vessels are advised to navigate.
Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) means a water area within a defined
boundary for which regulations for vessels navigating within the area
have been established under 33 CFR part 165.
Roundabout means a routing measure comprising a separation point or
circular separation zone and a circular traffic lane within defined
limits. Traffic within the roundabout is separated by moving in a
counterclockwise direction around the separation point or zone.
Separation Zone or separation line means a zone or line separating
the traffic lanes which vessels are proceeding in opposite or nearly
opposite directions; or from the adjacent sea area; or separating
traffic lanes designated for particular classes of vessels proceeding
in the same direction.
Traffic lane means an area within defined limits in which one-way
traffic is established. Natural obstacles, including those forming
separation zones, may constitute a boundary.
Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) means a routing measure aimed at
the separation of opposing streams of traffic by appropriate means and
by the establishment of traffic lanes.
Two-way route means a route within defined limits inside which two-
way traffic is established, aimed at providing safe passage of ships
through waters where navigation is difficult or dangerous.
Vessel routing system means any system of one or more routes or
routing measure aimed at reducing the risk of casualties; it includes
traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, areas
to be avoided, no anchoring areas, inshore traffic zones, roundabouts,
precautionary areas, and deep-water routes.
III. Background and Purpose
A. Requirement for port access route studies: Under the Ports and
Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) (33 U.S.C. 1223(C)), the Commandant of the
Coast Guard may designate necessary fairways and traffic separation
schemes (TSSs) to provide safe access routes for vessels proceeding to
and from United States ports. The designation of fairways and TSSs
recognizes the paramount right of navigation over all other uses in the
designated areas.
The PWSA requires the Coast Guard to conduct a study of potential
traffic density and the need for safe access routes for vessels before
establishing or adjusting fairways or TSSs. Through the study process,
we must coordinate with Federal, State, and foreign State agencies (as
appropriate) and consider the views of maritime community
representatives, environmental groups, and other interested
stakeholders. A primary purpose of this coordination is, to the extent
practicable, to reconcile the need for safe access routes with other
reasonable waterway uses.
B. Previous port access route studies: From 1993 through 1996, the
Coast Guard conducted a port access route study to analyze vessel
routing measures in the approaches to California ports. We published
the study results in the Federal Register on October 25, 1996 (61 FR
55248). The study recommended shifting the southern approach lanes of
the existing TSS off San Francisco westward (seaward) and extending the
existing TSS in the Santa Barbara Channel from Point Conception to
Point Arguello. The study concluded that no changes to the TSS in the
approaches to Los Angeles-Long Beach were necessary at that time.
In 1995, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach initiated major
port improvement projects. These projects are completed and included
the following:
Lengthening of the Los Angeles Approach Channel to extend
approximately 3.5 nautical miles beyond the Los Angeles breakwater.
Deepening of the Los Angeles Approach Channel to a project depth of
81 feet.
A slight shift of the Long Beach Approach to a 355 deg. True
inbound course.
Deepening of the Long Beach Approach Channel to a project depth of
69 feet.
The Coast Guard published a notice of study in the Federal Register
(64 FR 12139, March 11, 1999) which announced that we would conduct a
PARS for the approaches to Los Angeles-Long Beach. The Coast Guard
published a notice of study results in the Federal Register on May 19,
2000 (65 FR 31856). The PARS evaluated the potential effects of the
port improvement projects on navigational safety and vessel traffic
management efficiency. It concluded that modifications to the TSS in
the approaches to Los Angeles-Long Beach and the Precautionary Area
were necessary for the safety of the maritime community utilizing the
Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
C. Necessity for a new port access route study: The Coast Guard is
always seeking ways to enhance the safety of life at sea. Increased
vessel traffic has been observed bypassing the Santa Barbara Channel
TSS and opting for routes south of San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa
Cruz Islands approaching the San Pedro Channel. Vessels, which have
traditionally utilized the established TSS in the Santa Barbara Channel
to access ports in Los Angeles-Long Beach, have recently shifted to
transit in the
[[Page 17564]]
area south of San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands.
The Coast Guard has identified a potential safety enhancement by
increasing predictability of vessel traffic patterns in this area with
an established vessel routing system. When vessels follow predictable
and charted routing measures such as a TSS, congestion may be reduced,
and mariners may be better able to predict where vessel interactions
may occur and act accordingly.
This study will assess whether the creation of a vessel routing
system is necessary to increase the predictability of vessel movements,
which may decrease the potential for collisions, oil spills, and other
events that could threaten the marine environment.
IV. Timeline, Study Area, and Process of This PARS
The Eleventh Coast Guard District will conduct this PARS. The study
will begin upon publication of this notice and should take 6 to 12
months to complete.
The study area will be the area with a northern boundary at
34[deg]30[min] N; a western boundary 121[deg]00[min] W; a southern
boundary at 33[deg]15[min] N; and an eastern boundary along the
shoreline. This area encompasses the TSSs in the Santa Barbara Channel
and in the approaches to Los Angeles-Long Beach and the approach to the
San Pedro Channel from the Pacific Ocean, particularly the area south
of San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands and north of San
Nicholas, Santa Barbara, and Santa Catalina Islands where an increase
in vessel traffic has been identified.
As part of this study, we will analyze vessel traffic density,
agency and stakeholder experience in vessel traffic management,
navigation, ship handling, and effects of weather. We encourage you to
participate in the study process by submitting comments in response to
this notice.
We will publish the results of the PARS in the Federal Register. It
is possible that the study may validate existing vessel routing
measures and conclude that no changes are necessary. It is also
possible that the study may recommend one or more changes to enhance
navigational safety and the efficiency of vessel traffic management.
The recommendations may lead to future rulemakings or appropriate
international agreements.
Possible Scope of the Recommendations
We are attempting to determine the scope of any safety problems
associated with vessel transits in the study area. We expect that
information gathered during the study will help us identify any
problems and appropriate solutions. The study may recommend that we--
Maintain the current vessel routing measures,
Modify the existing traffic separations schemes;
Create one or more precautionary areas;
Create one or more inshore traffic zones;
Establish area(s) to be avoided;
Create deep-draft routes;
Establish a regulated navigation Area (RNA) with specific
vessel operating requirements to ensure safe navigation near shallow
water; and
Identify any other appropriate ships' routing measures.
Questions
To help us conduct the port access route study, we request
information that will help answer the following questions, although
comments on other issues addressed in this notice are also welcome. In
responding to a question, please explain your reasons for each answer
and follow the instructions under ``Public Participation and Request
for Comments'' above.
1. What navigational hazards do vessels operating in the study area
face? Please describe.
2. Are there strains on the current vessel routing system, such as
increasing traffic density? Please describe.
3. Are modifications to existing vessel routing measures needed to
improve traffic management efficiency in the study area? If so, please
describe.
4. What costs and benefits are associated with the potential study
recommendations listed above? What measures do you think are most cost-
effective?
5. What impacts, both positive and negative, would changes to
existing vessel routing measures or establishing new routing measures
have on the study area?
This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1223(c) and 5
U.S.C. 552.
Dated: March 11, 2010.
J.R. Castillo,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 2010-7815 Filed 4-6-10; 8:45 am]
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