Notice2023-27440
Removal of Smith Point Traffic Separation Scheme From Nautical Charts
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 14, 2023
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86664-86665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99d4f8ededf1fceeb7d2b7daebfcfcf5f4f8f7abd9eceafafeb7f4f0f5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bff2decbcbd7dac891f491fccddadad3d2ded18dffcaccdcd891d2d6d3">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 <a href="https://www.regulation.gov">https://www.regulation.gov</a>. 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]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 14, 2023.
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