[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24522]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Parts 166 and 167

[CGD 83-032]
RIN 2115-AB29

 

Traffic Separation Schemes and Shipping Safety Fairways Off the 
Coast of California (CGD 83-032)

agency: Coast Guard, DOT.

action: Notice of termination.

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summary: This rulemaking project was initiated to modify existing 
traffic separation schemes (TSSs) and establish a shipping safety 
fairway (SSF) off the coast of California to preserve a right of way 
for navigation through areas which were expected to be sites of 
offshore oil and gas development. The proposal was based on port access 
route studies conducted in the early 1980's. Congress later placed a 
moratorium on oil and gas drilling off California, and in September, 
1992, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
dedicated the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). The MBNMS 
encompasses the area where the Coast Guard had proposed the SSF to 
prohibit structures. The SSF is no longer needed because oil and gas 
drilling are prohibited in the Sanctuary. Additionally, the data that 
supported the proposed changes is now outdated. Therefore, the Coast 
Guard is terminating further rulemaking under docket number 83-032.

for further information contact: Margie G. Hegy, Short Range Aids to 
Navigation Division, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, (202) 267-0415.

supplementary information: The 1978 amendments to the Ports and 
Waterways Safety Act (PWSA), 33 U.S.C. 1223(c), required the Coast 
Guard to undertake a port access route study to determine the need for 
traffic separation schemes or shipping safety fairways to increase 
vessel traffic safety in offshore areas subject to the jurisdiction of 
the U.S. The Coast Guard initiated this study by publishing a Notice of 
Proposed Study on April 16, 1979 (44 FR 22543).
    For the purposes of the port access route study, the U.S. coastline 
was divided into 32 geographically defined areas. Study area 22 
included the coast of southern California and study areas 23 to 25 
included the central and northern California coast. Through public 
participation and government agency consultation, the studies evaluated 
potential traffic density patterns, waterways use of conflicts, and the 
need for safe access routes in offshore areas.
    The Study Results for the coast of southern California (area 22) 
were published on June 24, 1982 (47 FR 27430). An additional study of 
the Port Access Routes, Northern Approach to Santa Barbara Channel, was 
announced on July 26, 1984 (49 FR 30078), and results published on 
December 5, 1985 (50 FR 49861).
    The Study Results for the central and northern coast of California 
(areas 23-25) were published on October 14, 1982 (47 FR 46043). An 
additional study on Port Access Routes, Entrance to San Francisco Bay 
was announced on December 17, 1984 (49 FR 48946), and the study results 
were published on May 8, 1986 (51 FR 17071).
    The port access route studies recommended amendments to the TSSs 
off the coast of California and the designation of new SSFs to 
establish a comprehensive safe routing system for vessels proceeding 
to, from, or between the ports of San Francisco and Los Angeles-Long 
Beach. The Coast Guard published a proposed rule on April 27, 1989 (54 
FR 18258) to implement the study recommendations. However, after 
considering information from public hearings, extensive written 
comments opposing the proposal, the Congressional moratorium on oil and 
gas drilling, and the effect of the MBNMS, the Coast Guard has 
determined that the proposed SSF is not needed. Therefore, this 
rulemaking is no longer necessary, and the Coast Guard is terminating 
further rulemaking under docket number 83-032. On August 24, 1993 (58 
FR 44634), the Coast Guard announced a new study of the area to 
evaluate the need for routing measures in the approaches to California 
ports and the need for measures to regulate vessel traffic in the 
offshore California national marine sanctuaries to protect sanctuary 
resources.

    Dated: September 29, 1994.
R. C. Houle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety 
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 94-24522 Filed 10-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M