[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27760]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD 94-097]

 

Review of Icebreaking Resource Requirements in the Great Lakes

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a review of icebreaking 
requirements in the Great Lakes and is seeking public comment. It may 
also hold a public meeting to provide additional opportunity for public 
input. The Coast Guard currently provides icebreaking services in the 
Great Lakes to support maritime commerce, respond to urgent search and 
rescue and other emergency situations, and to prevent flooding caused 
by ice. It is interested in continuing to provide the appropriate level 
of icebreaking services, while also seeking to reduce costs.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before, January 9, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to the Chief, Ice Operations 
Division, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 1202A at the 
above address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 267-1450.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR Robert Garrett, Icebreaker Facilities Branch, Ice Operations 
Division, Office of Navigation Safety and Waterway Services. Telephone 
(202) 267-1460, telefax (202) 267-4425. Normal office hours are between 
7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If it receives indication of sufficient 
interest, the Coast Guard may hold a public meeting to discuss its plan 
to provide icebreaking services in the Great Lakes, and to obtain input 
from the shipping community and general public on the needs and 
benefits of icebreaking services. The most likely site for a meeting 
would be Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Such a meeting would be announced 
by separate notice published in the Federal Register. The Coast Guard 
is interested in providing the appropriate level of icebreaking 
services to the maritime community in the Great Lakes, while seeking to 
reduce costs. It specifically solicits comments on whether or not it 
should hold a public meeting.

Background and Purpose

    The Coast Guard currently provides icebreaking services within the 
United States to support the reasonable demands of commerce, respond to 
urgent search and rescue and other emergency situations, and to prevent 
flooding caused by ice.
    Executive Order 7521 (December 21, 1936) directs the Coast Guard 
domestic ice operations program to ``assist in keeping open to 
navigation by means of icebreaking operations * * * channels and 
harbors in accordance with the reasonable demands of commerce * * *.''
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the responsibility for flood 
control and determines if icebreaking will assist in the regulation and 
operation of an affected waterway. Upon request of the appropriate 
Corps of Engineers authority, the Coast Guard may, pursuant to 14 
U.S.C. 141(a) and 14 U.S.C. 88(a), provide ice management facilities 
and services to aid in the prevention of floods and hazardous water 
stages caused by ice obstructions. The Coast Guard may also provide ice 
management facilities and services for flood control in response to 
requests from other Federal, State, or local governmental agencies or 
private interests, after appropriate consultations with the Corps of 
Engineers. Icebreaking for flood control is conducted to the extent 
Coast Guard resources are available and can be effectively used.

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard solicits comments from all segments of the Great 
Lakes maritime community on their reasonable requirements for 
icebreaking services. Persons submitting comments should include their 
name and address, identify this docket (CGD 94-097), identify the 
aspect of icebreaking operations on which comments are submitted, and 
state the expected impacts on current icebreaking operations and the 
reasons for those impacts. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of 
comments should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. 
The Coast Guard is particularly interested in receiving views, data, 
and reasons on the following review questions regarding two 
hypothetical scenarios of available icebreaking services in the Great 
Lakes. These scenarios do not indicate any future proposed level of 
service for Coast Guard icebreaking resources, but are designed to 
determine the total economic costs and benefits associated with 
icebreaking support.
     Scenario One--Limited Coast Guard icebreaking services 
would be available in the Great Lakes, but due to the severe ice 
conditions, would generally not permit any degree of certainty for 
planning vessel transits. Some ports may be inaccessible and some 
routes impassable for extended periods.
     Scenario Two--Coast Guard icebreaking services would be 
available in the Great Lakes but, on average, transit in ice conditions 
would generally take twice as long as when there is no ice. Most ports 
and routes would remain open, but may be temporarily closed due to ice 
conditions.

--Compared to your typical level of lake shipping during this period, 
would your shipping decrease under either scenario, and, if so, by 
approximately what percentage?
--Assess the impact of each scenario on your operations. Would either 
force you to significantly change your business operations?
--Would the changes to your business operations associated with either 
scenario affect your costs? Explain the effects and estimate the 
applicable costs as best as possible, including lost plant revenue, 
additional shipping costs (rail, truck, or increased shipping during 
non-ice season), increased inventory costs, or increased warehouse/
storage facility costs, additional material handling costs, additional 
interest costs, additional inventory tax liabilities, or other relevant 
costs.
--What other considerations are relevant to your business or interests?
--Consider any environmental issues of each scenario. Explain any 
additional impacts from increased truck or rail shipping during the ice 
season.

    All comments received by the Coast Guard as a result of this notice 
will be summarized for consideration prior to any public meeting and 
will also be included in the analysis of icebreaking requirements in 
the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard will consider all relevant comments in 
the formulation of any changes to its domestic ice operations program.

    Dated: November 3, 1994.
G.A. Penington,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and 
Waterway Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27760 Filed 11-8-94; 8:45 am]
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