2012-8100. Safety Zone, Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, and Calumet-Saganashkee Channel, Chicago, IL

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel on all waters of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from Mile Marker 295.7 to Mile Marker 297.0 at various times from May 1, 2012 until June 6, 2012. This action is necessary to protect the waterways, waterway users, and vessels from hazards associated with the Army Corp of Engineers' barrier testing operations. During these tests, the Army Corp of Engineers' will conduct various safety tests to include barge effects and field strength at depth measurement.

During any of the below listed enforcement periods, entry into, transiting, mooring, laying-up or anchoring within the enforced area of this safety zone by any person or vessel is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.930 will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 1-4, 2012, and again on June 5-6, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice, call or email CWO Jon Grob, Prevention Department, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, telephone [phone], email address [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel, Chicago, IL, listed in 33 CFR 165.930. Specifically, the Coast Guard will enforce this safety zone between Mile Marker 295.7 to Mile Marker 297.0 on all waters of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Enforcement will occur from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on:

(1) On May 1-4, 2012.

(2) On June 5-6, 2012.

This enforcement action is necessary because the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan has determined that the Army Corp of Engineers' fish suppression operations to clear all fish between barrier IIA and IIB, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scheduled maintenance shutdown of Barrier IIB, poses risks to life and property. The combination of vessel traffic and the fish removal operations in the water makes the controlling of vessels through the impacted portion of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal necessary to prevent injury and property loss.

In accordance with the general regulations in § 165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, mooring, laying up or anchoring within the enforced area of this safety zone by any person or vessel is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

This notice is issued under authority of 33 CFR 165.930 and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). In addition to this notice in the Federal Register, the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, will also provide notice through other means, which may include, but are not limited to, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, Local Notice to Mariners, local news media, distribution in leaflet form, and on-scene oral notice. Additionally, the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, may notify representatives from the maritime industry through telephonic and email notifications.

Dated: March 14 2012.

M.W. Sibley,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan.