[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24522]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 4, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Parts 166 and 167
[CGD 83-032]
RIN 2115-AB29
Traffic Separation Schemes and Shipping Safety Fairways Off the
Coast of California (CGD 83-032)
agency: Coast Guard, DOT.
action: Notice of termination.
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summary: This rulemaking project was initiated to modify existing
traffic separation schemes (TSSs) and establish a shipping safety
fairway (SSF) off the coast of California to preserve a right of way
for navigation through areas which were expected to be sites of
offshore oil and gas development. The proposal was based on port access
route studies conducted in the early 1980's. Congress later placed a
moratorium on oil and gas drilling off California, and in September,
1992, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
dedicated the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). The MBNMS
encompasses the area where the Coast Guard had proposed the SSF to
prohibit structures. The SSF is no longer needed because oil and gas
drilling are prohibited in the Sanctuary. Additionally, the data that
supported the proposed changes is now outdated. Therefore, the Coast
Guard is terminating further rulemaking under docket number 83-032.
for further information contact: Margie G. Hegy, Short Range Aids to
Navigation Division, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, (202) 267-0415.
supplementary information: The 1978 amendments to the Ports and
Waterways Safety Act (PWSA), 33 U.S.C. 1223(c), required the Coast
Guard to undertake a port access route study to determine the need for
traffic separation schemes or shipping safety fairways to increase
vessel traffic safety in offshore areas subject to the jurisdiction of
the U.S. The Coast Guard initiated this study by publishing a Notice of
Proposed Study on April 16, 1979 (44 FR 22543).
For the purposes of the port access route study, the U.S. coastline
was divided into 32 geographically defined areas. Study area 22
included the coast of southern California and study areas 23 to 25
included the central and northern California coast. Through public
participation and government agency consultation, the studies evaluated
potential traffic density patterns, waterways use of conflicts, and the
need for safe access routes in offshore areas.
The Study Results for the coast of southern California (area 22)
were published on June 24, 1982 (47 FR 27430). An additional study of
the Port Access Routes, Northern Approach to Santa Barbara Channel, was
announced on July 26, 1984 (49 FR 30078), and results published on
December 5, 1985 (50 FR 49861).
The Study Results for the central and northern coast of California
(areas 23-25) were published on October 14, 1982 (47 FR 46043). An
additional study on Port Access Routes, Entrance to San Francisco Bay
was announced on December 17, 1984 (49 FR 48946), and the study results
were published on May 8, 1986 (51 FR 17071).
The port access route studies recommended amendments to the TSSs
off the coast of California and the designation of new SSFs to
establish a comprehensive safe routing system for vessels proceeding
to, from, or between the ports of San Francisco and Los Angeles-Long
Beach. The Coast Guard published a proposed rule on April 27, 1989 (54
FR 18258) to implement the study recommendations. However, after
considering information from public hearings, extensive written
comments opposing the proposal, the Congressional moratorium on oil and
gas drilling, and the effect of the MBNMS, the Coast Guard has
determined that the proposed SSF is not needed. Therefore, this
rulemaking is no longer necessary, and the Coast Guard is terminating
further rulemaking under docket number 83-032. On August 24, 1993 (58
FR 44634), the Coast Guard announced a new study of the area to
evaluate the need for routing measures in the approaches to California
ports and the need for measures to regulate vessel traffic in the
offshore California national marine sanctuaries to protect sanctuary
resources.
Dated: September 29, 1994.
R. C. Houle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 94-24522 Filed 10-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
