96-26147. Regulated Navigation Area; Mullet Key Channel, Tampa, FL

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 199 (Friday, October 11, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26147]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 165

[CGD07-93-010]
RIN 2115-AE84


Regulated Navigation Area; Mullet Key Channel, Tampa, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Withdrawal of proposed rule; notice of termination.

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SUMMARY: This rulemaking project was initiated to protect vessels with 
drafts greater than 38 feet from safety hazards associated with 
shoaling within Mullet Key Channel. Since initiation of this rule, 
Mullet Key Channel has been dredged to a project depth of 45 feet. This 
dredging has eliminated the shoaling problem in the channel and reduced 
the risks for vessels with drafts greater than 38 feet. Therefore, the 
Coast Guard is withdrawing and terminating further rulemaking under 
docket number CGD07-93-010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LT James Raby, Chief, Port Management Department, Marine Safety Office 
Tampa, 155 Columbia Dr., Tampa, FL 33606, Phone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulated navigation area for Mullet Key 
Channel was first published in the Federal Register on November 12, 
1993 [58 FR 59975]. This proposed regulation was established to protect 
vessels with drafts greater than 38 feet from the safety hazards 
associated with shoaling on the outside edges of the marked channel. 
Under this proposed regulation, all vessels with a draft in excess of 
38 feet transiting Mullet Key Channel, would have been limited to a one 
way traffic zone. Numerous comments were received from the port 
community disagreeing on the need for this regulation. Correspondence 
from the port community agreed that minor shoaling did exist in Mullet 
Key Channel. However, due to the width of the Channel being 600 feet, 
there is still sufficient room for even the largest vessels that enter 
Tampa Bay to transit the Channel simultaneously. The surrounding waters 
of Mullet Key Channel are also much deeper than what is normally found 
in the remainder of the bay. This deeper water significantly reduces 
the hydrodynamic effects on vessels which can pull a vessel out of the 
channel. These comments, in addition to the completed dredging of the 
Channel to a project depth of 45 feet, eliminated the need for this 
regulation. Therefore, this rulemaking is no longer necessary, and the 
Coast Guard is withdrawing it and terminating further rulemaking under 
docket number CGD07-93-010.

    Dated: September 9, 1996.
J.W. Lockwood,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-26147 Filed 10-10-96; 8:45 am]
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