[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6521]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 110

[CGD08-93-021]
RIN 2115-AA98

 

Anchorage Grounds; Mississippi River Below Baton Rouge, LA, 
Including South and Southwest Passes

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending the anchorage ground regulations 
for Magnolia Anchorage, Cedar Grove Anchorage, Lower 12 Mile Point 
Anchorage and New Orleans General Anchorage. These amendments will 
expand the size of three of the anchorages to provide additional 
anchorage space for deep draft vessels and reduce the size of the Lower 
12 Mile Point Anchorage by 0.1 of a mile.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 21, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. M.M. Ledet, Project Officer, Commander (oan), Eighth Coast Guard 
District, Hale Boggs Federal Building, 501 Magazine Street, New 
Orleans, LA 70130-3396. Telephone (504) 589-4686.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Mr. 
M.M. Ledet, Project Manager, and CDR D.G. Dickman, Project Counsel.

Regulatory History

    On Tuesday, November 9, 1993, the Coast Guard published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking that discusses the problems associated with current 
anchorage availability in the Lower Mississippi River for the New 
Orleans Port area (58 FR 59425). The Coast Guard Received 4 letters 
commenting on the proposal. A public hearing was not requested and one 
was not held.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    Three comments were received supporting the changes. Each comment 
identified the need for additional anchorage ground on the Lower 
Mississippi River. One comment expressed the opinion that the 
additional anchorage ground would bring added revenues to the Port of 
New Orleans. No negative comments were received.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This regulation is not considered to be a significant regulatory 
action under Executive Order 12866 and is nonsignificant under 
Department of Transportation regulatory policies and procedures (44 FR 
11034, February 26, 1979). The economic impact of this regulation is 
expected to be so minimal that a Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary. 
The regulation will in fact have a positive impact on boat launch and 
ship support activities. The regulation will also enhance safe 
navigation on the Lower Mississippi River by providing additional safe 
anchorage outside the navigable channel for large vessels. All vessels 
using the anchorages of the Lower Mississippi River are required to 
follow the regulations set forth in 33 CFR 110.195.

Small Entities

    The Coast Guard has not received comments regarding the impact this 
rule will have on small entities. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies 
under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This action contains no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq).

Federalism Assessment

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that this rule does not raise sufficient federalism concerns to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    This rule has been thoroughly reviewed by the Coast Guard. It has 
been determined not to have a significant effect on the human 
environment or environmental conditions and to be categorically 
excluded from further environmental documentation in accordance with 
section 2.B.2.c. of Commandant Instruction M16475.1B.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
Part 110 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 110--ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 2030, 2035 and 2071; 49 CFR 1.46 and 
33 CFR 1.05-1(g). Section 110.1a and each section listed in 110.1a 
are also issued under 33 U.S.C. 1223 and 1231.

    2. Section 110.195 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(7), 
(a)(11), (a)(13) and (a)(15) to read as follows:


Sec. 110.195  Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, LA, including South 
and Southwest Passes.

    (a) * * *
    (7) Magnolia Anchorage. An area 2.1 miles in length along the right 
descending bank of the river from mile 45.5 to mile 47.6 above Head of 
Passes. From mile 45.5 to mile 46.3, the area has a width of 1100 feet. 
From mile 46.3 to mile 47.6, the area has a width of 600 feet as 
measured 500 feet riverward from the right descending bank.
* * * * *
    (11) Cedar Grove Anchorage. An area 1.2 miles in length along the 
right descending bank of the river, 700 feet wide as measured 400 feet 
from the Low Water Reference Plane of the right descending bank 
extending from mile 69.9 to mile 71.1 above Head of Passes.
* * * * *
    (13) Lower 12 Mile Point Anchorage. An area 2.2 miles in length 
along the right descending bank of the river, 800 feet wide extending 
from mile 78.6 to mile 80.8 above Head of Passes.
* * * * *
    (15) New Orleans General Anchorage.  An area 0.9 of a mile in 
length along the right descending bank of the river, 800 feet wide 
extending from mile 90.0 to mile 90.9 above Head of Passes. The area's 
width is 800 feet measured from the shore.
* * * * *
    Dated: March 14, 1994.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-6521 Filed 3-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M