Voglio sapere a riguardo di…

40792

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 143 / Thursday, July 29, 2021 / Proposed Rules
RNA Regulated Navigation Areas TSS Traffic Separation Scheme
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS

A. Requirement for PARS: Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, PWSA 46 U.S.C. 70003c1, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall designate necessary fairways 1 and traffic separations 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 PARS, i.e. 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 such as construction and operation of renewable energy facilities and other uses of the Pacific Ocean in the study area.
B. Previous Port Access Route Studies:
The approaches to San Francisco, CA, were last studied in 2009, and the final results were published in the Federal Register on June 20, 2011 76 FR 35805.
The study was conducted to evaluate the continued applicability of and the potential need for modifications to the vessel routing to help reduce the risk of marine casualties and increase the efficiency of vessel traffic in the study area. The PARS for the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, Rosario Strait, the Strait of Georgia, and adjacent waters was completed in November 2000, published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2001
66 FR 6514. The study was conducted to evaluate the need for modifications to current vessel routing and traffic management measures due to increase in maritime activities. The PARS for the approaches to Los Angeles-Long Beach and in the Santa Barbara Channel was last completed in June 2011, and the 1 Fairway or shipping safety fairway is a lane or corridor in which no artificial island or fixed structure, whether temporary or permanent, will be permitted. Temporary underwater obstacles may be permitted under certain conditions described for specific areas. Aids to navigation approved by the Coast Guard may be established in a fairway. See 33 CFR 166.105a.

VerDate Sep<11>2014

16:36 Jul 28, 2021

Jkt 253001

final results were published in the Federal Register in November 2011 76
FR 67395. The study was conducted to evaluate the continued applicability of and the potential need for modifications to the traffic separation schemes.
However, there has never been a PARS
conducted for the entire pacific coast of the United States designed to analyze all vessel traffic proceeding to and from all the ports and transiting through the United States EEZ.
C. Need for a New Port Access Route Study: Given the current forecasted development of aquaculture farms, offshore renewable energy, commercial space ports/re-entry sites, expansion of marine sanctuaries, development of ports supporting Panamax vessels, potential LNG ports and additional increasing commercial traffic, the Coast Guard has determined that a PACPARS
needs to be conducted. This PARS will focus on the coastwise shipping routes and near coastal users of the Pacific Ocean between the coastal ports, and the approaches to coastal ports within the EEZ. This PACPARS will help the Coast Guard determine what impact, if any, the siting, construction and operation of new developments may have on existing near coastal users of the Pacific Ocean, and the potential impact of shipping to other maritime users. To ensure safety of navigation, the Coast Guard will determine the impacts of rerouting traffic, funneling traffic, and placement of structures that may obstruct navigation. Some of the impacts may include increased vessel traffic density, more restricted offshore vessel routing, fixed navigation obstructions, underwater cable hazards, and economic impacts. Analyzing the various impacts will require a thorough understanding of the interrelationships of shipping, other commercial and recreational uses, and port operations.
The goal of the PACPARS is to enhance navigational safety by examining existing shipping routes and waterway uses, and, to the extent practicable, reconciling the paramount right of navigation within designated port access routes with other waterway uses such as the development of aquaculture farms, offshore renewable energy, commercial space ports/re-entry sites, marine sanctuaries, ports supporting Panamax vessels, potential LNG ports and additional commercial vessel traffic.
III. Information Requested Timelines, Study Area, Focus, and Process: Coast Guard Pacific Area Command will conduct a PACPARS and should take several years to complete.
The study area will encompass all
PO 00000

Frm 00003

Fmt 4702

Sfmt 4702

vessel traffic patterns approaching and departing major ports along the west coast to include all current Traffic Separation Schemes and vessel maneuvering along the Pacific Coast from Washington to California and all federal navigable waters out to the EEZ.
The PACPARS will focus on vessel traffic and navigation mitigation techniques to improve and support safe navigation transits within the major Pacific Coast Ports and the United States EEZ.
As part of this study, we will analyze current and historical vessel traffic, fishing vessel information, 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 document.
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. 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 concerns associated with vessel transits in the study area. The information gathered during the study should help us identify concerns and mitigating solutions. Considerations might include:
1 Maintain the current vessel routing measures; 2 modify the existing traffic separation schemes; 3 create one or more precautionary areas; 4 create one or more inshore traffic zones; 5
establish areas to be avoided; 6 create deep-draft routes; 7 establish Regulated Navigation Areas RNA with specific vessel operating requirements to ensure safe navigation near shallow water; 8 identify any other appropriate ships routing measures; 9 use this study for future decisions on routing measures or other maritime traffic considerations and; 10 use this study to inform other agencies concerning the impacts of their future endeavors.
Questions: To help us conduct the PARS, we request information that will help answer the following questions, although comments on other issues addressed in this document 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.

E:FRFM29JYP1.SGM

29JYP1