95-30678. Review of Icebreaking Program for the East Coast of the United States

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 242 (Monday, December 18, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65087-65088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30678]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD 95-084]


Review of Icebreaking Program for the East Coast of the United 
States

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is reviewing its domestic icebreaking mission 
along the east coast of the United States from Maine to Virginia. 
Consistent with the President's effort to reinvest government, this 
review is necessary to assess the effectiveness of the present program, 
the impacts resulting from changes in the Coast Guard's icebreaking 
fleet, and the needs of the future. The Coast Guard is requesting 
comments and data to assist in this review.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to the Chief, Ice Operations 
Division, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street S.W., 
Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 1202A at the 
above address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The telephone number is [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR Robert Garrett, Icebreaker Facilities Branch, Ice Operations 
Division, Office of Navigation Safety and Waterway Services between 
7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
Telephone [phone], telefax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this review by submitting written views and data on icebreaking 
operations on the east coast of the United States. Persons submitting 
comments should include their names and addresses, identify this docket 
(CGD 95-084), identify the aspect of icebreaking operations on 

[[Page 65088]]
which comments are submitted, and state the expected impacts on current 
icebreaking operations and the reasons for those impacts. Persons 
wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose stamped, 
self-addressed postcards or envelopes.

Background

    Under Executive Order No. 7521 of December 21, 1936, the Coast 
Guard has assisted as practicable in keeping the channels and harbors 
along the northeast and mid-Atlantic coast of the United States open to 
shipping during the winter and in preventing flooding from ice jams. In 
doing so, the Coast Guard has attempted to meet the reasonable demands 
of commerce and to support other agencies in their icebreaking efforts.
    To accomplish this mission, the Coast Guard maintains a fleet of 
icebreaking tugs, ice-capable buoy tenders, and ice-reinforced boats. 
This fleet has undergone substantial changes since the 1960's. 
Replacement cutters and boats generally have been larger and more 
capable of meeting the changing requirements of their primary mission 
areas. However, they are fewer in number and may not have all of the 
icebreaking capabilities of the vessels they replaced. For example, the 
physical size of the larger cutters and boats may restrict their 
ability to operate in the upper reaches of rivers where ice jams 
typically form.
    On occasion, private interests have operated or hired commercial 
tugs for icebreaking services. [Coast Guard policy prohibits if from 
competing with commercial icebreaking concerns.] However, commercial 
concerns apparently have not been able to meet worst-year ice 
conditions.

The Review

    Consistent with the President's effort to reinvent government, the 
Coast Guard is now reviewing its East Coast icebreaking program to 
assess its effectiveness, to identify the impacts resulting from 
changes in the Coast Guard's icebreaking fleet, and to determine the 
program's needs for the future. The Coast Guard is particularly 
interested in receiving comments and data on the following subjects:
    1. The Coast Guard's present ability to satisfy the reasonable 
demands of commerce for icebreaking along the East Coast.
    2. The continuing need for the Coast Guard to maintain icebreaking 
capabilities along the East Coast.
    3. The impact and alternatives available should the Coast Guard no 
longer provide icebreaking services along the East Coast.
    4. Private industry's ability to provide icebreaking services.
    5. The need, if any, to replace the Coast Guard's 65 foot 
icebreaking tugs and the capabilities required of the replacement 
vessels to minimize costs while maintaining necessary support.
    This list of subjects is not intended to suggest that the Coast 
Guard's role or level of service should or will change. It is intended 
to assist the Coast Guard in evaluating the costs and benefits of its 
present icebreaking program and its needs for the future.

    Dated: December 12, 1995.
J. A. Creech,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety 
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-30678 Filed 12-15-95; 8:45 am]
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