[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 246 (Friday, December 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76320-76321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7794]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[CGD08-05-016]
RIN 1625-AA01


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

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The United States Coast Guard will meet to discuss the 
comments received relating to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) 
for Kenner Bend Anchorage as published in the Federal Register, Vol. 
70, No. 80 on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, from 9 
a.m. to 12 p.m. This meeting may adjourn early if all business is 
finished.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Basement Conference Room at 
the Hale Boggs Federal Building, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, 
Louisiana. This notice is available on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Melissa 
Owens, Waterways Management Division, telephone (504) 846-5923, fax 
(504) 589-8919.

Background

    Runway 1-19 at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 
Airport is positioned in a north-south line running parallel to the 
Airport Access Road. Aircraft approaching the runway from the south or 
departing the runway from the north pass over the Lower Kenner Bend 
Anchorage. Due to the close proximity of Runway 1-19 to Kenner Bend, 
aircraft occasionally descend and

[[Page 76321]]

ascend directly over vessels anchored in the Lower Kenner Bend 
Anchorage, creating a potentially dangerous situation that is of 
particular concern during periods of reduced visibility. Aircraft 
approaching the runway from the south follow a descending glide slope 
path with a minimum height of 311 feet above mean sea level over the 
Kenner Bend Anchorage. Certain vessels with cargo handling equipment 
such as cranes and boom are capable of extending equipment to a height 
upwards of 300 feet above the waterline. This amendment to the 
anchorage regulations for the Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, LA, 
including South and Southwest Passes is proposed to prohibit vessels 
that are anchored in the Lower Kenner Bend Anchorage from engaging in 
cargo transfer operations or exercising any shipboard equipment such as 
cranes and booms while at anchor. This proposed revision is needed to 
increase safety at Kenner Bend by reducing the potential for collision 
between aircraft and vessels anchored in the Lower Kenner Bend 
Anchorage.

Discussion of Issues

    The Coast Guard received three negative comments to the NPRM for 
Kenner Bend Anchorage from the Maritime Navigation Safety Association 
(MNSA), the Steamship Association of Louisiana (SALA), and the New 
Orleans and Baton Rouge Port (NOBRA) Pilots. All three organizations 
contend that the complete prohibition against using cargo-handling 
equipment is excessive, and argue that some operations should be 
allowed while at anchor. To better express their concerns, all parties 
requested a public meeting be held. This meeting is open to the public. 
Please note that the meeting may close early if all business is 
finished.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
the Committee Administrator at the location indicated under Addresses 
as soon as possible.

    Dated: December 8, 2005.
R.F. Duncan,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander Eighth Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E5-7794 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am]
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