[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15055-15056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04997]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0351]


Consolidated Port Approaches Port Access Route Studies (CPAPARS)

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of an update to the 
Consolidated Port Approaches Port Access Route Studies (CPAPARS). The 
Coast Guard is publishing this updated report to provide continued 
transparency on the consolidated recommendations and alternatives 
provided by the supplemental PARS, the Advance Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking and ongoing dialogue with the maritime industry.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via https://www.regulations.gov on or before June 8, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email Maureen Kallgren, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1561, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study

    On April 5, 2017, the Coast Guard announced the completion of the 
Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study in the Federal Register (82 FR 
16510), which is available for viewing and download from the Coast 
Guard Navigation Center's website at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/port-access-route-studies.
    The ACPARS identified navigation safety corridors along the 
Atlantic Coast based on the predominant two-way vessel traffic and 
customary routes confirmed with AIS data for offshore deep draft and 
coastal seagoing tug/tow vessels. The study recommended using these 
corridor locations to establish shipping safety fairways or other 
appropriate vessel routing measures.
    Based on the recommendations provided in the ACPARS, the Coast 
Guard published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in the 
Federal Register (85 FR 37034) on June 19, 2020. This ANPRM, which is 
available for viewing and download from the Federal Register docket 
USCG-2019-0279 at www.regulations.gov, sought comments regarding the 
possible establishment of fairways along the Atlantic Coast of the 
United States, as identified in the ACPARS final report.

Port Approaches and International Entry and Departure Transit Areas

    Recognizing the ACPARS only analyzed coastal, longshore, and 
predominantly north/south vessel transit routes along the Atlantic 
Coast, the Coast Guard announced on March 15, 2019, new studies focused 
on port approaches and international entry and departure areas along 
the Atlantic Coast to supplement the ACPARS. On September 9, 2022, the 
Coast Guard announced the availability of the Consolidated Port 
Approaches and International Entry and Departure Transit Areas Port 
Access Route Studies, (CPAPARS). The CPAPARS summarizes the findings of 
four regional port access route studies: the Northern New York Bight; 
Seacoast of New Jersey Including Offshore Approaches to the

[[Page 15056]]

Delaware Bay, Delaware; Approaches to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia; and 
the Seacoast of North Carolina; as well as ongoing dialogue with the 
maritime industry. Through continued engagement with stakeholders, the 
Coast Guard was notified of two erroneous graphics published in the 
report. Additionally, stakeholders sought clarification on some 
fairways adjustments and requested the opportunity to provide comments. 
This update corrects the graphical errors, amends certain recommended 
fairways, provides additional explanation of the recommendations, and 
provides a 90-day comment period. The updated CPAPARS has been 
completed and has been uploaded to the docket and at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/port-access-route-study-reports for public review.
    This notice is issued under authority of 46 U.S.C. 70003(c).

    Dated: March 7, 2023.
Michael D. Emerson,
Director, Marine Transportation Systems.
[FR Doc. 2023-04997 Filed 3-9-23; 8:45 am]
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