82 FR 15367 - Port Access Route Study (PARS): In Nantucket Sound

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 58 (March 28, 2017)

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conducted the Nantucket Sound Port Access Route Study (PARS) in accordance with the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) (33 U.S.C. 1223(c)), as directed by the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. The USCG used the standards and methodology of the Atlantic Coast PARS to determine whether existing regulations should be revised 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 report, as submitted to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on February 27, 2017, is available in the docket for viewing. It concluded that no regulatory changes to existing vessel routing measures are needed.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 15367]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06088]


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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; final report.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conducted the Nantucket Sound Port 
Access Route Study (PARS) in accordance with the Ports and Waterways 
Safety Act (PWSA) (33 U.S.C. 1223(c)), as directed by the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2015. The USCG used the standards and methodology 
of the Atlantic Coast PARS to determine whether existing regulations 
should be revised 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 report, 
as submitted to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate on February 27, 2017, is available in 
the docket for viewing. It concluded that no regulatory changes to 
existing vessel routing measures are needed.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The Nantucket Sound PARS considered whether existing regulations 
should be revised to improve navigation safety in Nantucket Sound due 
to factors such as vessel traffic density, vessel traffic patterns, 
weather conditions, or navigation challenges in the study area. All 
available sources of data relevant to this process, including existing 
and potential traffic patterns, existing regulations, public 
submissions, and other factors were analyzed. Although the study 
recommended no regulatory changes to existing vessel routing measures, 
the USCG will continue to actively monitor and initiate appropriate 
actions on all waterways subject to its jurisdiction as needed to 
support navigation safety.

Public Participation and Comments

    On March 22, 2016, we published a Notice of Study; request for 
comments entitled ``Port Access Route Study (PARS): In Nantucket 
Sound'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 15327). Six comments were 
received in response to our Federal Register Notice and other outreach 
efforts.

Viewing Documents and Comments

    To view the final report as submitted to Congress and comments, 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.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received to the 
docket 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).

Conclusion

    The Nantucket Sound PARS focused on gathering factual and relevant 
information to aid the USCG assess potential risk of marine casualties 
and efficiency of vessel traffic in the region. The USCG analyzed 
vessel traffic density, hazards, agency and stakeholder experience in 
vessel traffic management, navigation, ship handling, the effects of 
weather, and impacts to marine mammals and other wildlife. The USCG 
also considered public comments in the final report. The Nantucket 
Sound PARS concluded that no regulatory changes to existing vessel 
routing measures are needed but reiterated that the USCG actively 
monitors all waterways subject to its jurisdiction to help ensure 
navigation safety. As such, the USCG will continue to monitor Nantucket 
Sound for changing conditions and consider appropriate actions to 
promote waterway and user safety.

    Dated: March 10, 2017.
S.D. Poulin,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-06088 Filed 3-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P