[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 27463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12735]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD13-90-028]
RIN 2115-AE06


Regulated Navigation Area: Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de 
Fuca, WA; Grays Harbor, WA; Columbia River & Willamette River OR; 
Yaguina Bay, OR; Umpqua River, OR; Coos Bay, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of termination.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This rulemaking project was initiated to adopt regulations 
requiring an emergency tow-wire on tank barges while transiting certain 
port areas of the Pacific Northwest. The project is no longer necessary 
because the Coast Guard issued separate regulations on December 22, 
1993, which require an emergency tow wire or tow line on all offshore 
oil barges. The Coast Guard is therefore terminating further rulemaking 
under docket number CGD13-90-028.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR J. Bigley or LTJG M. L. Kammerer, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 
Port Safety and Security Branch, (206) 220-7210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 22, 1990, the Coast Guard published a 
``Request for comments; notice of hearing'' at 55 FR 21044 seeking 
public comment on six navigation safety initiatives for port areas in 
the Pacific Northwest. These six safety initiatives involved the use of 
tug escorts, emergency towing plans, speed criteria, additional bridge 
personnel, emergency tow-wire requirements for tank barges, and 
requirements for extended pilotage. A public hearing was held on June 
22, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, to hear comments on the six 
initiatives and alternative courses of action. The comments pertaining 
to emergency tow-wire requirements for tank barges were addressed and 
incorporated in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on 
October 24, 1991 at 56 FR 55104.
    The rule proposed by the October 24, 1991, NPRM would have required 
all tank barges to carry an emergency tow-wire while transiting certain 
port areas of the Pacific Northwest. This rule was proposed in response 
to the growing concerns of the citizens of Washington and Oregon that 
regulatory action was necessary to prevent the discharge of oil or 
other hazardous substances during transportation. The proposed rule was 
intended to enhance navigation safety, thereby reducing the risk of 
pollution and environmental damage from collisions and groundings.
    Subsequent to publication of the October 24, 1991 NPRM, the Coast 
Guard issued regulations requiring that all offshore oil barges carry 
an emergency tow wire or tow line (December 22, 1993, 58 FR 67988). 
These separate regulations became effective on January 21, 1994, and 
are codified at 33 CFR 155.230. Because these separate regulations 
adequately addressed the same issue addressed by the proposed rule, the 
proposed rule has become unnecessary, and the Coast Guard is 
terminating further rulemaking under docket number CGD13-90-028.

    Dated: May 16, 1995.
John A. Pierson,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 
Acting.
[FR Doc. 95-12735 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M