[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 102 (Friday, May 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 31340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12750]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Proposed Reductions in Levels of Service at Locks and Dams on the 
Ouachita and Black Rivers

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: It is proposed that the hours of availability at Jonesville 
and Columbia Locks on the Ouachita and Black Rivers will be reduced 
from the current schedule of 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 
days per year to 18 hours per day, separated into two 9 hour periods, 5 
a.m. to 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., 7 days per week, 365 days per 
year. It is also proposed that the hours of availability at Felsenthal 
and H.K. Thatcher Locks on the Ouachita and Black Rivers will be 
reduced from the current schedule of 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 
365 days per year to 16 hours per day, separated into two 8 hour 
periods, 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., 7 days per week, 365 
days per year. Constrained funding and fiscal deficit have led to 
reduced operation and maintenance funding on the Ouachita/Black 
Waterway. The intended effect is to provide lock availability that 
matches existing lock usage and to help ensure that minimal dredging 
needs will be met. Pool levels will not be affected by change of 
operating hours.

DATES: Proposed implementation date is July 29, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Mr. James V. Ross, Chief, 
Operations Division, Vicksburg District, US Army Corps of Engineers, 
4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183, or deliver them to Mr. Ross 
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at 
the address above. Comments received and other materials relevant to 
the proposed reduction in hours of lock availability will be posted on 
the Vicksburg District Web site, http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Kidby at the Corps of 
Engineers Headquarters in Washington, DC, by phone at 202-761-0250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The legal authority for the regulation 
governing the use, administration, and navigation of the Ouachita and 
Black Rivers and Locks is Section 4 of the River and Harbor Act of 
August 18, 1894 (28 Stat. 362), as amended, which is codified at 33 
U.S.C. Section 1. This statute requires the Secretary of the Army to 
``prescribe such regulations for the use, administration, and 
navigation of the navigable waters of the United States'' as the 
Secretary determines may be required by public necessity. Reference 33 
CFR Part 207.249, Ouachita and Black Rivers, Ark. and La., Mile 0.0 to 
Mile 338.0 (Camden, Ark.) above the mouth of the Black River; the Red 
River, La., Mile 6.7 (Junction of Red, Atchafalaya and Old Rivers) to 
Mile 276.0 (Shreveport, La.); use, administration, and navigation.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-12750 Filed 5-24-12; 8:45 am]
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