[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25502-25504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4064]


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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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Corps is amending the regulations for lockage operations 
at Bonneville Lock and Dam and amending 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 fishermen and the boat ramp.

DATES: The effective date is May 31, 2006.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CECW-NWD, 441 G Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20314-1000.

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

[[Page 25503]]

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 amends the regulations in 33 CFR Part 
207.718. The proposed rule was published in the October 24, 2005, issue 
of the Federal Register (70 FR 61402), and no comments were received in 
response to that notice.
    The Corps amends the regulations at 33 CFR 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 amended paragraph deletes 
the Bonneville specific exception on useable chamber size. The modified 
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 amended 
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 
revised paragraph corrects the minimum depth over the sill at 
Bonneville Lock and Dam at 19 feet. The amended paragraph deletes three 
sentences concerning rearrangement of tows specifically at Bonneville 
Lock and Dam, and it 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 Clark 
bicentennial.
    The regulation governing 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 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 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: April 24, 2006.
Gerald W. Barnes,
Chief, Operations, Directorate of Civil Works.

0
For the reasons stated above, the Corps amends 33 CFR part 207 as 
follows:

PART 207--NAVIGATION REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 207 continues to read as follows:

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


0
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.
* * * * *

[[Page 25504]]

    (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. 06-4064 Filed 4-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-92-P