1625-AC57 202410 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 1625 U.S. Coast Guard USCG 1600 Department of Homeland Security DHS Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast

The Coast Guard seeks comments regarding proposed shipping safety fairways (fairways) along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Fairways are marked routes for vessel traffic in which any fixed obstructions are prohibited. The proposed fairways are based on studies about vessel traffic along the Atlantic Coast. The Coast Guard is coordinating this action with the Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) to minimize the impact on potential offshore energy leases.

]]> Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No 33 CFR 166 33 CFR 167 46 U.S.C. 70001 46 U.S.C. 70003 46 U.S.C. 70034 Yes

This rulemaking would establish shipping safety fairways along the Atlantic Coast of the United States to facilitate the direct and unobstructed transits of ships  and facilitate development on the outer continental shelf.  The establishment of fairways would ensure that obstruction-free routes are preserved to and from US ports and along the Atlantic coast.  

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Section 70003 of title 46 United States Code (46 U.S.C. 70003) directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard resides to designate necessary fairways that provide safe access routes for vessels proceeding to and from U.S. ports.

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The ANPRM outlined the Coast Guard's plans for fairways along the Atlantic Coast and requested information and data associated with the regulatory concepts.  The Coast Guard will use this information and data to shape regulatory language and alternatives and assess the associated impacts in the NPRM. The Coast Guard is also considering comments received on port access route studies notices in development of the proposed rule. 

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The fairways are designed to keep traditional vessel navigation routes free from fixed structures that could impact navigation safety and impede other shared offshore activities.  Fairways are not mandatory; however, the Coast Guard recognizes that there is increasing interest in offshore commercial development, including offshore renewable energy installations, and believes this development is best served by the establishment of consistent and well-defined fairways.  The proposed fairways would help ensure that offshore developments remain viable by allowing developers to construct and maintain installations without risk of impeding vessel traffic.

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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is leasing offshore areas that could affect customary shipping routes.  Expeditious pursuit of this rulemaking is intended to prevent conflict between customary shipping routes and areas that may be leased by BOEM. 

]]> ANPRM 06/19/2020 85 FR 37034 ANPRM Comment Period End 08/18/2020 NPRM 01/19/2024 89 FR 3587 Notification of Public Meeting; Extension of Comment Period 03/25/2024 89 FR 20582 NPRM Comment Period Extended End 05/17/2024 NPRM Comment Period Reopened 12/00/2024 NPRM Comment Period End 02/00/2025 Docket number USCG-2019-0279. The Coast Guard held four public meetings to help identify any potential environmental impacts of this proposed rule. Three meetings were held in person (Jan. 31, and Feb. 7 and 12) at various locations along the Atlantic Coast, and one meeting (Feb. 15) was held online. 89 FR 4320, Jan. 23, 2024; and 89 FR 6533, Feb. 1, 2024. In addition, we provided notice of availability of geographic information system (GIS) files that chart the fairways to help interested persons visualize the dimensions of the proposed fairways. 89 FR 10019, Feb. 13, 2024. These files are available at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/rulemaking-files. The Coast Guard will publish a draft Programmatic EIS (PEIS) via a notice in the Federal Register. The public will have the opportunity to provide input on the draft PEIS. Coast Guard also plans to reopen the NPRM for comment based on the impact of the draft PEIS analysis on the proposed rule. Coast Guard is also considering holding additional public meetings during that comment period. Undetermined None No No https://www.regulations.gov https://www.regulations.gov No No Maureen Kallgren Program Manager 1625 U.S. Coast Guard USCG 571 608-5384 maureen.r.kallgren2@uscg.mil Office of Navigation Systems (CG-NAV), 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, STOP 7509, Washington DC 20593-7509