[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86664-86665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27440]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2023-0330]


Removal of Smith Point Traffic Separation Scheme From Nautical 
Charts

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Smith Point Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is a vessel 
traffic routing measure which lies on inland waters, at the mouth of 
the Potomac River. The Coast Guard announces its intention to have the 
TSS removed from the nautical charts, and from the U.S. Coast Pilot. We 
will also change the buoy which identifies the TSS from a special 
purpose lighted yellow buoy to a red and white striped lighted mid-
channel buoy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
notice, call or email Matthew Creelman, Marine Planner at Fifth Coast 
Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6230, email, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

FR Federal Register
DHS Department of Homeland Security
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
TSS Traffic Separation Scheme
USCG United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security

II. Background and Purpose

    The Smith Point TSS, a vessel traffic routing measure, lies in 
inland waters, as defined in 33 CFR 2.26, in the Chesapeake Bay, at the 
mouth of the Potomac River, just south of the Maryland/Virginia border. 
It was never formally established by rule, and exists only as a 
notation on NOAA nautical charts. On August 21, 2023 (88 FR 56850), we 
issued a notice of inquiry, requesting comments on whether the TSS 
should be removed from the NOAA charts and the U.S. Coast Pilot. 
(Issued by NOAA, the U.S. Coast Pilot is a series of nautical books 
that cover a variety of information important to navigators of coastal 
and intracoastal waters and the Great Lakes.) There was 90-day comment 
period.
    During the comment period, USCG received one comment. The comment, 
from the Association of Maryland Pilots, supported the decision to 
remove the TSS, noting that conditions have changed since the TSS was 
first listed on the nautical charts in 1969, and that

[[Page 86665]]

today, the TSS is an impediment to safe navigation in the area. The TSS 
identifies separate northbound and southbound travel lanes which 
accommodated both lanes of vessel traffic in 1969, given the size of 
vessels operating in the area then. Today, however, vessels with deeper 
drafts, which are limited to operating in the waters the TSS covers, 
travel in the area, and they must travel in opposing lanes to avoid the 
risk of grounding.
    The comment, and supporting documents, are available in the public 
docket and can be viewed at https://www.regulation.gov. To view 
documents, in the ``Search'' box insert ``USCG-2023-0330'' and click 
``Search.'' Then select ``Supporting & Related Material'' in the 
Document Type column.
    The Smith Point TSS no longer serves a useful purpose, and the 
notice of inquiry USCG published in August confirms that there are no 
concerns from the public about removing it and therefore the USCG has 
decided to move forward with the removal of the vessel traffic routing 
measure.

III. Authority and Action To Be Taken

    Under 46 U.S.C. 70001(a)(4), as delegated, USCG may control vessel 
traffic in areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States that 
it determines to be hazardous by, among other means, establishing 
vessel traffic routing schemes. Based on the analysis of historical 
vessel traffic patterns and the comment received, the Coast Guard will:
    1. Request NOAA remove the Smith Point TSS chart feature from all 
applicable charts and update the U.S. Coast Pilot to remove the TSS and 
reflect changes to the on-scene navigational buoy the USCG will deploy.
    2. Change the Smith Point Fairway Lighted Buoy SP (LLNR 7490) to 
Smith Point Lighted Buoy SP, a white and red striped Safe Water Buoy 
and the light will be changed from a yellow to white with a Morse Code 
``A'' flash characteristic.

    Dated: December 8, 2023.
Shannon N. Gilreath,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2023-27440 Filed 12-13-23; 8:45 am]
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