[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 204 (Thursday, October 22, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 63972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26888]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Proposed Changes in Levels of Service at Locks and Dams on the 
Ouachita and Black Rivers

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: It is proposed that the hours of availability at Jonesville 
and Columbia Locks on the Ouachita and Black Rivers will be increased 
from the current schedule of 20 hours per day, separated into two 10 
hour periods, 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., 7 days 
per week, 365 days per year to 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 
days per year. It is also proposed that the hours of availability at 
Felsenthal and H.K. Thatcher Locks on the Ouachita and Black Rivers 
will be reduced from the current schedule of 16 hours per day, 
separated into two 8 hour periods, 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. 
to 1:00 a.m., 7 days per week, 365 days per year to a 10 hour period, 
5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The reduced levels of 
service are in response to the Inland Marine Transportation System 
Guidelines for Establishing and Implementing Levels of Operating 
Service which sets forth criteria for determining hours of 
availability, based on lock usage data. The intended effect is to 
provide lock availability that matches existing lock usage by 
commercial industry. The Vicksburg District will continue to work with 
industry to optimize the hours of availability and make adjustments as 
needed.

DATES: Proposed implementation date is November 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments, in duplicate, to Mr. James V. Ross, 
Chief, Operations Division, Vicksburg District, US Army Corps of 
Engineers, 4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183, or deliver them to Mr 
Ross between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday at the address above. Comments received and other materials 
relevant to the proposed reduction in hours of lock availability can be 
inspected at Mr. Ross' office during the same hours. An appointment 
will be required for inspection, so please call ahead to make an 
appointment and to avoid conflicts with inspections by other interested 
parties. Phone: 601-631-5315

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Thomas Hengst at the Corps of 
Engineers, Vicksburg District, River Operations Branch, by phone at 
601-631-5600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The legal authority for the regulation 
governing the use, administration, and navigation of the Ouachita and 
Black Rivers and Locks is Section 4 of the River and Harbor Act of 
August 18, 1894 (28 Stat. 362), as amended, which is codified at 33 
U.S.C. Section 1. This statute requires the Secretary of the Army to 
``prescribe such regulations for the use, administration, and 
navigation of the navigable waters of the United States'' as the 
Secretary determines may be required by public necessity. Reference 33 
CFR part 207.249, Ouachita and Black Rivers, Ark. and La., Mile 0.0 to 
Mile 338.0 (Camden, Ark.) above the mouth of the Black River; the Red 
River, La., Mile 6.7 (Junction of Red, Atchafalaya and Old Rivers) to 
Mile 276.0 (Shreveport, La.); use, administration, and navigation.

John W. Cross,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2015-26888 Filed 10-21-15; 8:45 a.m.]
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