[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 15367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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]
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