[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 59339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23440]



[[Page 59339]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Intracoastal Waterway Route ``Magenta Line'' on NOAA Nautical 
Charts

AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Since 1912, a series of nautical charts of the Intracoastal 
Waterways, produced by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and, 
subsequently, NOAA, have depicted an Intracoastal Waterway Route, a 
``recommended route'' known to recreational boaters and commercial 
mariners as ``the magenta line.'' Coast Survey originally added the 
line to the charts to show the best route through the Intracoastal 
Waterway but it has not been consistently maintained since its last 
comprehensive update in 1936. Aware of safety concerns, NOAA's Office 
of Coast Survey is removing the ``recommended route'' from NOAA 
nautical charts. We are also issuing a Local Notice to Mariners, 
advising caution in using the line in charts where it has not been 
removed. The Office of Coast Survey invites written comments about 
whether NOAA nautical charts should depict a recommended route through 
the Intracoastal Waterways.

DATES: Written, faxed, or emailed comments are due by midnight, 
December 26, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Email comments to [email protected], or fax 
to 301-713-4019. Written comments may be mailed to Lt.j.g. Leslie 
Flowers, Office of Coast Survey, 1315 East-West Highway, 6312, 
Silver Spring MD 20906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lt.j.g. Leslie Flowers, telephone 301-
713-2730, ext. 115; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Background

    The first known appearance of what is commonly referred to as the 
``magenta line'' is in a set of eight charts (each titled ``U.S. Coast 
and Geodetic Survey INSIDE ROUTE'') included in a now-defunct U.S. 
Coast & Geodetic Survey publication, Inside Route Pilot, 1st edition 
1912. (As a sample, the chart edition from 1913 is in the NOAA 
Historical Maps & Charts Collection: http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/preview/image/4DNo3-13.)
    The U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey published seven editions through 
1935, when their depiction of the Intracoastal Waterway Route underwent 
a major update. As the agency pointed out in their 1935 annual report, 
``the existing [pre-1935] charts of this system of waterways have been 
based principally on surveys made from 60 to 80 years ago and, 
necessarily, are obsolete in many respects.'' The U.S. Coast and 
Geodetic Survey received substantially more appropriations from the 
Public Works Administration in 1935, which allowed the agency to update 
the Intracoastal Waterways Route on nautical charts. ``[W]hile the 
entire area has not been surveyed, by concentrating on the through 
route and its most important tributaries, sufficient field surveys have 
been made so the charts of the entire route can be produced,'' the 
agency director reported.
    At some point, the Inside Route Pilot was discontinued (the latest 
edition in the NOAA Central Library is from 1936) and USC&GS changed 
its charting system. Beginning in 1936, the ``Inside Route'' series of 
charts were absorbed into the Intracoastal Waterway nautical charts.
    From 1936 to the present, the Intracoastal Waterway Route has 
remained on Intracoastal Waterway charts, largely without changes or 
updates.
    See more information on the history of the Intracoastal Waterway 
Route at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/IntracoastalWaterwayRoute.

2. Current Status of the Intracoastal Waterway Route on Nautical Charts

    Numerous examples can be found where the charted Intracoastal 
Waterway Route (``magenta line'') passes on the wrong side of aids to 
navigation; crosses shoals, obstructions, shoreline; and falls outside 
of dredged channels, etc. Coast Survey is taking several actions to 
address the problems.
    First, Coast Survey is systematically removing the Intracoastal 
Waterway Route ``magenta line'' from new editions of affected nautical 
charts.
    Second, Coast Survey is preparing chart notes for dozens of charts 
that are updated but not issued as new editions, and where the magenta 
line will not be deleted. Coast Survey will revise the chart notes and 
publish the revised notes in the Local Notice to Mariners. The LNMs 
will warn: ``The general location of the Waterway is indicated by a 
magenta line. Mariners are advised to follow the aids to navigation and 
avoid charted shoals and obstructions.''
    Third, Coast Survey is updating the position of the magenta line on 
current charts (not scheduled for new editions) when authoritative 
reports or information indicate proper re-positioning.
    Fourth, Coast Survey is considering the options for future charts: 
should NOAA continue to depict the ``magenta line,'' and what should 
the ``magenta line'' designate?

3. Public Comments

    The director of NOAA's Office of Coast Survey invites interested 
parties to submit comments to assist Coast Survey as it decides whether 
to maintain a new or updated magenta line depicting an Intracoastal 
Waterway Route on Intracoastal Waterway nautical charts. Comments may 
address whether recreational or commercial mariners need a magenta line 
depicting a specified Intracoastal Waterway Route, and whether that 
should be a federal government charting responsibility. Additionally, 
the director specifically seeks comments regarding:
    1. How do you currently access the magenta line? On paper nautical 
charts, raster navigational charts, electronic navigational charts, 
commercial paper chart books, commercial charts, or other?
    2. How do you use the ``magenta line''? Do you consider it to be a 
general route, a specific trackline, or a reference line?
    3. Given limited government resources, what are your ideas for how 
NOAA should develop and maintain a reinstated magenta line?
    4. How do you use the Intracoastal Waterway? Recreationally or 
commercially? Locally or long distance?
    5. What are your boat's length and draft?

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. Chapter 17, Coast and Geodetic Survey Act 
of 1947.

    Dated: September 13, 2013.
Rear Admiral Gerd Glang,
Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-23440 Filed 9-25-13; 8:45 am]
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