81 FR 15327 - Port Access Route Study (PARS): In Nantucket Sound

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 55 (March 22, 2016)

Page Range		15327-15328
FR Document		2016-06424

The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS) to determine whether it should revise existing regulations to improve navigation safety in Nantucket Sound due to factors such as increased vessels traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, weather conditions, or navigational difficulty.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15327-15328]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06424]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0165]


Port Access Route Study (PARS): In Nantucket Sound

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of study; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS) 
to determine whether it should revise existing regulations to improve 
navigation safety in Nantucket Sound due to factors such as increased 
vessels traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, weather conditions, 
or navigational difficulty.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received on or before June 
20, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, or view documents noted to be 
available in the docket, and comments made in response to this notice 
using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov), 
docket USCG-2016-0165.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this study by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.
    A. Submitting Comments: You may submit your comments and material 
online via http://www.regulations.gov. Type ``USCG-2016-0165'' into the 
search bar and click search, next to the displayed search results click 
``Comment Now'', which will open the comment page for this study. We 
will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period.
    B. Viewing Comments and Documents: To view comments, as well as 
documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
go to http://www.regulations.gov, type ``USCG-2016-0165'' into the 
search bar and click search, next to the displayed search results click 
``Open Docket Folder'', which will display all comments and documents 
associated with this study.
    C. Public Meeting: The Coast Guard may hold public meeting(s) if 
there is sufficient public interest. You must submit a request for one 
on or before April 12, 2016. You may submit your request for a public 
meeting online via http://www.regulations.gov. Please explain why you 
believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that a 
public meeting would aid in the study, we will hold a meeting at a time 
and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.
    D. Privacy Act: Anyone can search the electronic form of comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a 
Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 
2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

II. Definitions

    The following definitions (except ``Regulated Navigation Area'') 
are from the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) publication 
``Ships' Routing'' Tenth Edition 2010 and should help you review this 
notice:
    Area to be avoided (ATBA) means a routing measure comprising an 
area within defined limits in which either navigation is particularly 
hazardous or it is exceptionally important to avoid casualties and 
which should be avoided by all ships, or certain classes of ships.
    Deep-water route means a route within defined limits, which has 
been accurately surveyed for clearance of sea bottom and submerged 
obstacles as indicated on the chart.
    Inshore traffic zone means a routing measure comprising a 
designated area between the landward boundary of a traffic separation 
scheme and the adjacent coast, to be used in accordance with the 
provisions of Rule 10(d), as amended, of the International Regulations 
for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS).
    Precautionary area means a routing measure comprising an area 
within defined limits where ships must

[[Page 15328]]

navigate with particular caution and within which the direction of 
traffic flow may be recommended.
    Recommended route means a route of undefined width, for the 
convenience of ships in transit, which is often marked by centerline 
buoys.
    Recommended track is a route which has been specially examined to 
ensure so far as possible that it is free of dangers and along which 
vessels are advised to navigate.
    Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) means a water area within a defined 
boundary for which regulations for vessels navigating within the area 
have been established under 33 CFR part 165.
    Roundabout means a routing measure comprising a separation point or 
circular separation zone and a circular traffic lane within defined 
limits. Traffic within the roundabout is separated by moving in a 
counterclockwise direction around the separation point or zone.
    Separation zone or separation line means a zone or line separating 
the traffic lanes in which ships are proceeding in opposite or nearly 
opposite directions; or separating a traffic lane from the adjacent sea 
area; or separating traffic lanes designated for particular classes of 
ship proceeding in the same direction.
    Traffic lane means an area within defined limits in which one-way 
traffic is established. Natural obstacles, including those forming 
separation zones, may constitute a boundary.
    Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) means a routing measure aimed at 
the separation of opposing streams of traffic by appropriate means and 
by the establishment of traffic lanes.
    Two-way route means a route within defined limits inside which two-
way traffic is established, aimed at providing safe passage of ships 
through waters where navigation is difficult or dangerous.
    Vessel routing system means any system of one or more routes or 
routing measures aimed at reducing the risk of casualties; it includes 
traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, areas 
to be avoided, no anchoring areas, inshore traffic zones, roundabouts, 
precautionary areas, and deep-water routes.

III. Background and Purpose

    A. Section 310 of the 2015 Coast Guard Authorization Act, Public 
Law 114-120 signed by the President on February 8, 2016, directs the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard to complete and submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a Port Access Route Study (PARS) of Nantucket Sound using the 
standards and methodology of the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route 
Study, to determine whether the Coast Guard should revise existing 
regulations to improve navigation safety in Nantucket Sound due to 
factors such as increased vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic 
patterns, weather conditions, or navigational difficulty. The Atlantic 
Coast Port Access Route Study contained in the ``marine planning 
guidelines'' of the Study are included in the docket for this notice.
    B. The purpose of this notice is to announce commencement of this 
PARS and to solicit public comments. We encourage you to participate in 
the study process by submitting comments in response to this notice. 
Comments should address impacts to navigation in Nantucket Sound 
resulting from factors such as increased vessel traffic, changing 
vessel traffic patterns, weather conditions, or navigational 
difficulty.

IV. This PARS: Timeline, Study Area, and Process

    The First Coast Guard District will conduct this PARS. The study 
will commence upon publication of this notice and may take 10 months to 
complete.
    The study area is described as Nantucket Sound, an area bounded by 
a line connecting the following geographic positions, including the 
entrance and exit routes to the sound but not the individual harbors.
     41[deg]41' N., 070[deg]00' W.;
     41[deg]20' N., 070[deg]00' W.;
     41[deg]16' N., 070[deg]15' W.
     41[deg]28' N., 070[deg]40' W.; and
     41[deg]34' N., 070[deg]40' W.;
    An illustration showing the study area is available in the docket.
    We will publish the results of the PARS in the Federal Register. It 
is possible that the study may validate the status quo (no routing 
measures) and conclude that no changes are necessary. It is also 
possible that the study may recommend one or more changes to address 
navigational safety and the efficiency of vessel traffic management. 
The recommendations may lead to future rulemakings or appropriate 
international agreements.
    This notice is published under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: March 10, 2016.
L. L. Fagan,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-06424 Filed 3-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

15328 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2016 / Notices

navigate with particular caution and Transportation of the Senate a Port DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
within which the direction of traffic Access Route Study (PARS) of SECURITY
flow may be recommended. Nantucket Sound using the standards
Recommended route means a route of and methodology of the Atlantic Coast U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
undefined width, for the convenience of Port Access Route Study, to determine Services
ships in transit, which is often marked whether the Coast Guard should revise [CIS No. 2579–15; DHS Docket No. USCIS–
by centerline buoys. existing regulations to improve 2014–0011]
Recommended track is a route which navigation safety in Nantucket Sound
has been specially examined to ensure due to factors such as increased vessel RIN 1615–ZB47
so far as possible that it is free of traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns,
dangers and along which vessels are weather conditions, or navigational Extension of the Designation of Liberia
advised to navigate. difficulty. The Atlantic Coast Port for Temporary Protected Status
Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) Access Route Study contained in the AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and
means a water area within a defined ‘‘marine planning guidelines’’ of the Immigration Services, Department of
boundary for which regulations for Study are included in the docket for this Homeland Security.
vessels navigating within the area have notice.
been established under 33 CFR part 165. ACTION: Notice.
B. The purpose of this notice is to
Roundabout means a routing measure announce commencement of this PARS SUMMARY: Through this Notice, the
comprising a separation point or and to solicit public comments. We Department of Homeland Security
circular separation zone and a circular encourage you to participate in the (DHS) announces that the Secretary of
traffic lane within defined limits. Traffic study process by submitting comments Homeland Security (Secretary) is
within the roundabout is separated by in response to this notice. Comments extending the designation of Liberia for
moving in a counterclockwise direction should address impacts to navigation in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 6
around the separation point or zone. Nantucket Sound resulting from factors
Separation zone or separation line months, from May 22, 2016, through
such as increased vessel traffic, November 21, 2016.
means a zone or line separating the changing vessel traffic patterns, weather
traffic lanes in which ships are The extension allows currently
conditions, or navigational difficulty. eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS
proceeding in opposite or nearly
opposite directions; or separating a IV. This PARS: Timeline, Study Area, through November 21, 2016, so long as
traffic lane from the adjacent sea area; and Process they otherwise continue to meet the
or separating traffic lanes designated for eligibility requirements for TPS. The
The First Coast Guard District will Secretary has determined that an
particular classes of ship proceeding in conduct this PARS. The study will
the same direction. extension is warranted because,
commence upon publication of this although there have been significant
Traffic lane means an area within notice and may take 10 months to
defined limits in which one-way traffic improvements, conditions in Liberia
complete. supporting its November 2014
is established. Natural obstacles, The study area is described as
including those forming separation designation for TPS continue to be met.
Nantucket Sound, an area bounded by a Through this Notice, DHS also sets
zones, may constitute a boundary. line connecting the following
Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) forth procedures necessary for eligible
geographic positions, including the nationals of Liberia (or aliens having no
means a routing measure aimed at the entrance and exit routes to the sound
separation of opposing streams of traffic nationality who last habitually resided
but not the individual harbors. in Liberia) to re-register for TPS and to
by appropriate means and by the • 41°41′ N., 070°00′ W.; apply for renewal of their Employment
establishment of traffic lanes. • 41°20′ N., 070°00′ W.;
Two-way route means a route within Authorization Documents (EADs) with
• 41°16′ N., 070°15′ W.
defined limits inside which two-way U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
• 41°28′ N., 070°40′ W.; and
Services (USCIS). Re-registration is
traffic is established, aimed at providing • 41°34′ N., 070°40′ W.;
safe passage of ships through waters An illustration showing the study area limited to persons who have previously
where navigation is difficult or is available in the docket. registered for TPS under the designation
dangerous. We will publish the results of the of Liberia and whose applications have
Vessel routing system means any PARS in the Federal Register. It is been granted. Certain nationals of
system of one or more routes or routing possible that the study may validate the Liberia (or aliens having no nationality
measures aimed at reducing the risk of status quo (no routing measures) and who last habitually resided in Liberia)
casualties; it includes traffic separation conclude that no changes are necessary. who have not previously applied for
schemes, two-way routes, recommended It is also possible that the study may TPS may be eligible to apply under the
tracks, areas to be avoided, no anchoring recommend one or more changes to late initial registration provisions if they
areas, inshore traffic zones, address navigational safety and the meet (1) at least one of the late initial
roundabouts, precautionary areas, and efficiency of vessel traffic management. filing criteria, and (2) all TPS eligibility
deep-water routes. The recommendations may lead to criteria (including continuous residence
future rulemakings or appropriate in the United States since November 20,
III. Background and Purpose 2014, and continuous physical presence
international agreements.
A. Section 310 of the 2015 Coast in the United States since November 21,
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

This notice is published under the
Guard Authorization Act, Public Law authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a). 2014).
114–120 signed by the President on For individuals who have already
February 8, 2016, directs the Dated: March 10, 2016. been granted TPS under Liberia’s
Commandant of the Coast Guard to L. L. Fagan, designation, the 60-day re-registration
complete and submit to the Committee Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, period runs from March 22, 2016
on Transportation and Infrastructure of First Coast Guard District. through May 23, 2016. USCIS will issue
the House of Representatives and the [FR Doc. 2016–06424 Filed 3–21–16; 8:45 am] new EADs with a November 21, 2016,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and BILLING CODE 9110–04–P expiration date to eligible Liberia TPS

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:34 Mar 21, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1

Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:15:46
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:15:46

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of study; request for comments.
Dates		Comments and related material must be received on or before June 20, 2016.
Contact		If you have questions on this notice, email [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 15327

81 FR 15327 - Port Access Route Study (PARS): In Nantucket Sound

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITYCoast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 55 (March 22, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard