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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 165 / Monday, August 30, 2021 / Proposed Rules MM Mile Marker MNSA Maritime Navigation Safety Association NOI Notice of Inquiry NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking RDB Right Descending Bank Section U.S.C. United States Code
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 110
Docket Number USCG20200154
RIN 1625AA01

Anchorage Regulations; Mississippi River, Mile Markers 12 to 85 Above Head of Passes Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:

The Coast Guard proposes to amend anchorage regulations for the Lower Mississippi River LMR between mile markers MM 12 and 85 Above Head of Passes AHP. This action would modify nine anchorages and establish one new anchorage grounds.
The rule would increase the available anchorage areas necessary to accommodate vessel traffic, promote navigational safety, provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce, and bolster the economy through increased anchorage capacity. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before September 29, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG
20200154 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https
www.regulations.gov. See the Public Participation and Request for Comments portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further instructions on submitting comments.
SUMMARY:

If you have questions about this proposed rulemaking, call or email Lieutenant Commander Thao Nguyen, Sector New Orleans, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 5043652231, email Thao.V.Nguyen@
uscg.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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I. Table of Abbreviations AHP Above Head of Passes CFR Code of Federal Regulations COTP Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans CPRA Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority CRPPA Crescent River Port Pilots Association DHS Department of Homeland Security FR Federal Register LDB Left Descending Bank LMR Lower Mississippi River
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II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis The legal basis and authorities for this notice of proposed rulemaking are found in 46 U.S.C. 70006, 33 CFR
109.05, 33 CFR 1.051, and DHS
Delegation No. 0170.1, which collectively authorize the Coast Guard to propose, establish, and define regulatory anchorage grounds. Under Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulation CFR 109.05, U.S. Coast Guard District Commanders are delegated the authority to establish anchorage grounds by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard established Anchorage Grounds under Title 33 CFR 110.1b, Subpart B
32 FR 17728, Dec. 12, 1967, as amended by 52 FR 33811, Sept. 8, 1987;
63 FR 5526, June 30, 1998.
The Coast Guard proposes to amend nine existing anchorage grounds;
Boothville Anchorage 33 CFR
110.195a4, Magnolia Anchorage 33
CFR 110.195a7, Davant Anchorage 33 CFR 110.195a9, Wills Point Anchorage 33 CFR 110.195a11, Cedar Grove Anchorage 33 CFR
110.195a12, Belle Chasse Anchorage 33 CFR 110.195a13, Lower 12 Mile Point Anchorage 33 CFR
110.195a14, Lower 9 Mile Anchorage 33 CFR 110.195a15, Point Michel Anchorage 33 CFR
110.195a35, and to establish one new anchorage groundsPhoenix Anchorage at 33 CFR 110.195a37.
The project to modify or establish multiple anchorage grounds along the LMR was initiated in 2019. From 2019
through 2021, certain port stakeholders, including Crescent River Port Pilots Association CRPPA, Maritime Navigation Safety Association MNSA, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority CPRA and United States Coast Guard USCG worked to determine if the proposed modifications were necessary and in suitable locations with consideration given to, among other things, environmental factors.
The Coast Guard published a Notice of Inquiry NOI, 85 FR 61671, on September 30, 2020. The NOI solicited comments from maritime stakeholders on the proposal to amend ten existing anchorage grounds and to establish two new anchorage grounds. At the end of the comment period, ending on November 30, 2020, we received a total
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of nine comments. The Coast Guard addresses the comments below.
Seven of the nine comments supported the proposed modifications of existing or establishment of new anchorage grounds along the Lower Mississippi River LMR; one comment opposed several of the proposed modifications of existing or establishment of new anchorage grounds along the LMR detailed below, and one comment was outside of the scope of the NOI as it related to change in presidency.
One commenter objected to the following modifications/new anchorages:
1 0.6 miles establishment of Phoenix Anchorage located at Mile Marker MM
57.8258.42. The justification provided was that the anchorage could conflict with a borrow source identified for marsh restoration.
The Coast Guard does not agree with this objection. Operations routinely occur along the Mississippi River in and around anchorage grounds and impacts to navigation and work-sites, such as the borrow site, are minimal.
2 0.3 miles expansion of Davant Anchorage located at MM 52.853.9.
The justification was that the anchorage could conflict with a borrow source identified for marsh restoration.
The Coast Guard does not agree with this objection. Operations routinely occur along the Mississippi River in and around anchorage grounds and impacts to navigation and work-sites, such as the borrow site, are minimal.
3 0.1 miles expansion of Magnolia Anchorage located at MM 45.547.6.
The justification was that the anchorage could conflict with a borrow source identified for marsh restoration.
The Coast Guard does not agree with this objection. Operations routinely occur along the Mississippi River in and around anchorage grounds and impacts to navigation and work-sites, such as the borrow site, are minimal.
4 0.95 miles expansion of Boothville Anchorage located at MM 13.018.5.
The justification was that the anchorage could conflict with a borrow source identified for marsh restoration.
The Coast Guard does not agree with this objection. Operations routinely occur along the Mississippi River in and around anchorage grounds and impacts to navigation and work-sites, such as the borrow site, are minimal.
5 0.2 miles expansion of Alliance Anchorage located at MM 63.865.8.
The justification was that the anchorage could conflict with a borrow source identified for marsh restoration.
The Coast Guard does not agree with this objection. Operations routinely
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