Port Access Route Study for Approaches to Los Angeles and Long Beach

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to respond to this notice by submitting written data, views, or arguments. Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify this notice (USCG-1999-5198) and the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit all comments and attachments in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ inches by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or envelopes. The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the comment period. The Coast Guard does not plan to hold a public meeting. Persons may request a public meeting by writing to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that the opportunity for oral

presentations will aid this study, we will hold a public meeting at a time and place announced in a later notice of the Federal Register.

Definitions

The following International Maritime Organization (IMO) definition should help you review this notice and provide comments: 1. Internationally recognized 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, inshore traffic zones, roundabouts, precautionary areas, and deep-water routes. 2. Traffic Separation Scheme or (TSS) means a routing measure aimed at the separation of opposing streams of traffic by appropriate means and by the establishment of traffic lanes. 3. Traffic lane means an area within defined limits in which one- way traffic is established. 4. Separation zone or 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 ships proceeding in the same direction. 5. Precautionary area means a routing measure comprising an area within defined limits where ships must navigate with particular caution and within which the direction of traffic flow may be recommended. 6. 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 provision of Rule 10(d), as amended, of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (Collision Regulations). 7. 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 nautical charts.

Background and Purpose

Port Access Route Studs Requirements. Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) [33 U.S.C. 1223(c)], the Secretary of Transportation may designate necessary fairways and Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS's) to provide safe access routes for vessels proceeding to and from U.S. ports. The Secretary delegated this authority to the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR ) Sec. 1.46. The designation of fairways and TSS's recognizes the paramount right of navigation over all other uses in the designate areas. The PWSA requires the Coast Guard to conduct a study of port-access routes before establishing or adjusting fairways or TSS's. Through the study process, we must coordinate with Federal, State, and foreign state agencies (as appropriate) and consider the views of maritime community representatives, environmental groups, and other interested stakeholders. A primary purpose of this coordination is, to the extent practicable, to reconcile the need for safe port-access routes with other reasonable waterway uses. Previous port access route studies. The Coast Guard announced an initial port access route study for the coast of California, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, in the Federal Register on June 24, 1982 (47 FR 27430). The study recommended establishing a shipping safety fairway overlaying the Los Angeles/Long Beach precautionary area. This recommendation has not been implemented. The Coast Guard announced another port access route study for the coast of California in the Federal Register on August 24,1 993 (58 FR 44634). this study evaluated the effects of oil tanker transits through the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the adequacy of vessel traffic management measures along the California cost from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The Coast Guard published study results in the Federal Register on October 25,1996 (62 FR 55249). The study did not recommend any changes to the Los Angeles/Long Beach TSS at that time. Why is a new port access route study necessary? A study of port- access routes is needed to evaluate the potential effects of port improvement projects on navigational safety and vessel traffic management efficiency and recommend changes, if necessary, to existing routing measures. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach began major port improvement projects in 1995. These projects should be completed soon (Long Breach--June 1999; Los Angeles--January 2000). Port improvements include the following: • Lengthening of the Los Angeles Approach Channel to extend 3.5 nautical miles beyond the Los Angeles breakwater. • Deepening of the Los Angeles Approach Channel to a project depth of 81 feet. • Slight eastward shift of the Long Beach Approach to a 355- degree true inbound course. • Deepening of the Long Beach Approach Channel to a project depth of 69 feet. Timeline, Study Area, and process of the new port access route study. The Coast Guard will begin the study immediately and should complete it by mid-May 1999. The study area includes the navigable waters of Los Angeles, and Long Beach Harbors, the Los Angeles/Long Beach TSS and all waters bound by the coastline and the following coordinates:

Latitude Longitude 33 deg.-47.00' N 118 deg.-25.40' W 33 deg.-47.00' N 118 deg.-38.60' W 33 deg.-15.50' N 118 deg.-38.60' W 33 deg.-15.50' N 117 deg.-52.70' W 33 deg.-35.30' N 117'-52.70' W

During the study, we will consult with Federal and State agencies and will consider the views of representatives of the maritime community, port and harbor authorities or associations, environmental groups and other interested parties. We will also consider previous studies and experience in the areas of vessel traffic management, navigation, ship handling, and the effects of weather, and review prior analyses of the traffic density. We encourage you to participate in the study process by submitting comments in response to this notice. We will publish the results of this port access route study in the Federal Register. It is possible that the study may validate continued applicability of existing vessel routing measures and conclude that no changes are necessary. It is also possible that the study may recommend one or more changes to enhance navigational safety and vessel traffic management efficiency. Study recommendations may lead to future rulemaking.

Questions

To help us conduct the port access route study, we request comments on the following questions, although comments on related issues under the broad category of vessel routing are welcome. 1. What navigational hazards do vessels operating in the study area face? Please describe (consider issues such as port and waterway configurations, variations in local geography, climate, and other similar factors). Will there be additional navigational hazards once port improvement projects are completed? If so, please describe. 2. Are there strains on the current vessel routing system (increasing traffic density, for example)? If so, please describe. Will there be additional strains once port improvement projects are

completed? (We are particularly interested in information on vessel characteristics and trends, including traffic volume, the size and types of vessels involved, potential interference with the flow of commercial traffic, the presence of any unusual cargoes, etc.). 3. Are modifications to existing vessel routing measures needed to address existing or future hazards and strains and improve traffic management efficiency in the study area? If so, please describe. What positive and negative impacts would changes to existing routing measures or new routing measures have on the study area (consider proximity of fishing grounds, oil and gas drilling and production operations, environmental impact, affect on local practices, or any other potential or actual conflicting activity)? 4. Do you have any specific recommendations regarding aids to navigation design for the lengthened approach channels? If so, please describe.

Dated: March 4, 1999. R.C. North, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. [FR Doc. 99-6015 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-M