[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 204 (Monday, October 24, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61401-61402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21171]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army

33 CFR Part 207

RIN 0710-AA63


Navigation Regulations

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Corps is proposing to amend the regulations for lockage 
operations at Bonneville Lock and Dam and amend the regulations which 
establish the restricted areas at Little Goose Lock and Dam. The Corps 
is making corrections and adjustments to the lockage control, signals, 
and permissible dimensions of vessels for Bonneville Lock and Dam. 
These changes correct language for the new replacement lock. For the 
Little Goose Lock and Dam the Corps is making adjustments in the 
upstream channel restricted area boundary to provide a recreational 
craft corridor along the north shoreline. This will provide better boat 
ramp access in support of the small craft portage route and reduce 
interference between fisherman and the boat ramp.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, ATTN: CECW-NWD, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20314-1000. 
Comments may also be faxed to (202) 761-5096 or e-mail to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ken Hall, Program Manager, CECW-
NWD at (202) 761-4717, or Brian Schmidtke, (503) 808-4333 for 
Bonneville Lock and Dam or Ms. Ann Glassley at (509) 527-7115 for 
Little Goose Lock and Dam.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to its authorities in section 4, 7, 
and 28 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1917 (40 Stat. 266; 33 U.S.C. 
1) and Chapter XIX of the Army Appropriations Act of 1919 (40 Stat. 
892; 33 U.S.C. 3), the Corps proposes to amend the regulations in 33 
CFR part 207.718. The Corps is proposing to amend the regulations in 33 
CFR part 207.718 (b), (d)(3), (e), (f)(1), (j) and (w)(7). Paragraph 
(b) changes the description of the limits of the approach channels at 
Bonneville Lock and Dam. Paragraph (d)(3) deletes the Bonneville Lock 
and Dam specific exception referring to vessels entering under an amber 
light. This provides consistent entering and exiting signals for the 
entire Columbia/Snake lock and dam system. Paragraph (e) had several 
changes. The new paragraph deletes the Bonneville specific exception on 
useable chamber size. The new paragraph adds text detailing the 
Bonneville Lock and Dam staff gauges, sill elevations, and how to 
compute depth over the sill, since Bonneville's staff gauges are 
different from all other Columbia/Snake lock and dams that directly 
read depth over the sill. The new paragraph replaces a sentence 
referring to vessel draft so it refers to depth over the sill and not 
staff gauge readings. This change makes the sentence correct for all 
Columbia/Snake locks including Bonneville. The new paragraph corrects 
the minimum depth over the sill at Bonneville Lock and Dam at 19 feet. 
The new paragraph deletes three sentences concerning rearrangement of 
tows specifically at Bonneville Lock and Dam, and the new paragraph 
deletes one sentence concerning inundation of the downstream guide wall 
at Bonneville Lock and Dam. Paragraph (f)(1) corrects grammar by 
changing the last word from ``sections'' to ``section.'' Paragraph (j) 
includes grammatical changes and corrects and details the location of 
the downstream mooring facility at Bonneville Lock and Dam. This new 
paragraph also deletes reference to vessels being allowed to lay-to 
against the upstream guide wall at Bonneville Lock and Dam. Paragraph 
(w)(7) revises the upstream restricted area of Little Goose Lock and 
Dam to allow less interference between fisherman and the boat ramp on 
the north river bank as more small craft portaging is expected 
coinciding with the Lewis and Cark bicentennial. The regulation 
governing

[[Page 61402]]

the navigation locks and approach channels, Columbia and Snake Rivers, 
Washington and Oregon, 33 CFR 207.718 was adopted on January 23, 1978 
(43 FR 3115). The last amendment to 33 CFR 207.718 January 26, 2000 (65 
FR 4125). This proposed rule is not a major rule for the purposes of 
Executive Order 12866. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
the Corps of Engineers certifies that this proposed rule would not have 
a significant impact on small business entities.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 207

    Navigation (water), Vessels, Water Transportation, Danger Zones.

    Dated: October 11, 2005.
Gerald W. Barnes,
Chief, Operations, Directorate of Civil Works.

    For the reasons stated above, the Corps proposes to amend 33 CFR 
part 207 as follows:

PART 207--NAVIGATION REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 207 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 40 Stat. 266 (33 U.S.C. 1).

    2. Amend Sec.  207.718 by revising paragraphs (b), (d)(3), (e), 
(f)(1), (j) and (w)(7) to read as follows.


Sec.  207.718  Navigation locks and approach channels, Columbia and 
Snake Rivers, Oreg. and Wash.

* * * * *
    (b) Lockage control. The Lock Master shall be charged with 
immediate control and management of the lock, and of the area set aside 
as the lock area, including the lock approach channels. Upstream and 
downstream approach channels extend to the end of the wing or the guide 
wall, whichever is longer. At Bonneville lock the upstream approach 
channel extends to the mooring tie offs at Fort Rains and the 
downstream approach channel extends to the downstream tip of Robins 
Island. The Lock Master shall demand compliance with all laws, rules 
and regulations for the use of the lock and lock area and is authorized 
to issue necessary orders and directions, both to employees of the 
Government or to other persons within the limits of the lock or lock 
area, whether navigating the lock or not. Use of lock facilities is 
contingent upon compliance with regulations, Lock Master instructions 
and the safety of people and property.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) Entering and exit signals. Signal lights are located outside 
each lock gate. When the green (go) light is on, all vessels will enter 
in the sequence prescribed by the Lock Master. When the red (stop) 
light is on, the lock is not ready for entrance and vessels shall stand 
clear. In addition to the above visual signals, the Lock Master will 
signal that the lock is ready for entrance by sounding one long blast 
on the lock air horn. The Lock Master will signal that the lock is 
ready for exit by lighting the green exit light and sounding one short 
blast on the air horn.
* * * * *
    (e) Permissible dimensions of vessels. Nominal overall dimensions 
of vessels allowed in the lock chamber are 84 feet wide and 650 feet 
long. Depth of water in the lock depends upon river levels which may 
vary from day to day. Staff gauges showing the minimum water level 
depth over gate sills are located inside the lock chamber near each 
lock gate and outside the lock chamber near the end of both upstream 
and downstream guide walls, except at Bonneville where the staff gauges 
show water levels in feet above MSL and are located on the southern 
guide walls at the upstream and downstream miter gates. Bonneville's 
upstream sill elevation is 51 feet MSL and the downstream sill 
elevation is--12 feet MSL. Depth over sill at Bonneville is determined 
by subtracting the sill elevation from the gauge reading. Vessels shall 
not enter the navigation lock unless the vessel draft is at least one 
foot less than the water depth over the sill. Information concerning 
allowable draft for vessel passage through the locks may be obtained 
from the Lock Master. Minimum lock chamber water level depth is 15 feet 
except at Ice Harbor where it is 14 feet and at Bonneville where it is 
19 feet. When the river flow at Lower Granite exceeds 330,000 cubic 
feet per second the normal minimum 15-foot depth may be decreased to as 
little as eight feet.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) When a recreational vessel lockage schedule is in effect, at 
the appointed time for lockage of recreation craft, recreation craft 
shall take precedence; however, commercial vessels may be locked 
through with recreation craft if safety and space permit. At other than 
the appointed time, the lockage of commercial and tow vessels shall 
take precedence and recreational craft may (only) lock through with 
commercial vessels only as provided in paragraph (h) of this section.
* * * * *
    (j) Waiting for lockage. Vessels waiting for lockage shall wait in 
the clear outside of the lock approach channel, or contingent upon 
permission by the Lock Master, may at their own risk, lie inside the 
approach channel at a place specified by the Lock Master. At 
Bonneville, vessels may at their own risk, lay-to at the downstream 
moorage facility on the north shore downstream from the north guide 
wall provided a 100-foot-wide open channel is maintained.
* * * * *
    (w) * * *
    (7) At Little Goose Lock and Dam. The waters restricted to all 
vessels, except Government vessels, are described as all waters 
commencing at the upstream of the navigation lock guidewall and running 
in a direction of 60[deg]37' true for a distance of 676 yards; thence 
345[deg]26' true for a distance of 494 yards; thence 262[deg]37'47'' 
true to the dam embankment shoreline. The downstream limits commence 
512 yards downstream and at right angles to the axis of the dam on the 
south shore; thence parallel to the axis of the dam to the north shore. 
Signs designate the restricted areas.
* * * * *

[FR Doc. 05-21171 Filed 10-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-92-P