Notice2022-10457
Port Access Route Study: Seacoast of North Carolina Including Approaches to the Cape Fear River and Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina
Primary source
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Published
May 16, 2022
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard announces the completion of the Port Access Route Study for the Seacoast of North Carolina including approaches to the Cape Fear River and Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina. The study examined existing shipping routes and waterway uses, to include the potential for offshore energy development, in the study area to evaluate the need for establishing or changing existing vessel routing measures. This notice summarizes the study's recommendations.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 94 (Monday, May 16, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 94 (Monday, May 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29756-29757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10457]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket Number USCG-2020-0093]
Port Access Route Study: Seacoast of North Carolina Including
Approaches to the Cape Fear River and Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of availability, final report.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the completion of the Port Access
Route Study for the Seacoast of North Carolina including approaches to
the Cape Fear River and Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina. The study
examined existing shipping routes and waterway uses, to include the
potential for offshore energy development, in the study area to
evaluate the need for establishing or changing existing vessel routing
measures. This notice summarizes the study's recommendations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
notice or study, call or email Mr. Matthew Creelman, Waterways Section
Chief at Fifth Coast Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6230, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b664a5f5f434e5c05600568594e4e47464a45196b5e58484c05464247"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4904283d3d212c3e6702670a3b2c2c252428277b093c3a2a2e67242025">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
ACPARS Atlantic Coast Ports Access Route Study
BOEM Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
IMO International Maritime Organization
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
OREI Offshore Renewable Energy Installation
PARS Port Access Route Study
SAR Search and Rescue
USCG United States Coast Guard
II. Background and Purpose
We conducted this Port Access Route Study (PARS) following a Notice
of Study, published in the Federal Register on March 18, 2020. There
was a 60-day public comment period, as
[[Page 29757]]
well as other outreach efforts identified in Section C of the study.
During the comment period the USCG received 2 discrete comments in
response to the notice.
On March 24, 2022, the Notice of Availability of the draft study
was published in the Federal Register (87 FR 16758) with a 30-day
public comment period and a request for public comment.
During the 30-day public comment period, the USCG received 2
comments in response to the draft study.
All comments and supporting documents are available in the public
docket and can be viewed at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. To view
documents, in the ``Search'' box insert ``USCG-2020-0093'' and click
``Search''.
III. Study Recommendations
The recommendations of this PARS are based on the data analysis for
historical vessel traffic patterns, comments received to the docket,
public outreach, and consultation with other government agencies and
stakeholders. Recommendations in the study include:
1. Submit a proposal to the IMO to create a precautionary area
offshore from the entrance to the Cape Fear River at the terminus of
the Traffic Separation Scheme.
2. Establish two Cape Fear Approach Connector Fairways aligned to
the Southeast and the Southwest of the proposed precautionary area.
3. Establish the Beaufort Inlet Connector Fairway
IV. Summary of Changes
No changes were recommended.
V. Future Actions
The USCG will continue to serve as a NEPA cooperating agency to the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) environmental review of each
proposed OREI project. In that role, the USCG will evaluate the
navigational safety risks of each proposal on a case-by-case basis.
The final study will be submitted to the Coast Guard's Office of
Navigation Systems (CG-NAV-2) for consideration and to inform the Coast
Guard's ongoing efforts to establish shipping safety fairways along the
Atlantic Coast, which can be found at 85 FR 37034.
The final study is available for viewing and download from the
Federal Register docket at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> or the USCG
Navigation Center website at <a href="https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=PARSReports">https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=PARSReports</a>.
Dated: May 3, 2022.
Laura M. Dickey,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2022-10457 Filed 5-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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