Coast Guard announces Public Hearing Dates for northern NY Bight Port Access Route Study

On June 29th, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) published in the federal register a notice of the initiation of the northern NY Bight Port Access Route Study (NNYBPARS). Comments will be due on August 28.

The NNYBPARS will evaluate the adequacy of existing vessel routing measures and determine whether additional vessel routing measures are necessary for port approaches to New York and New Jersey and international and domestic transit areas in the First District area of responsibility. The Northern New York Bight PARS (NNYBPARS) will consider whether existing or additional routing measures are necessary to improve navigation safety due to factors such as planned or potential offshore development; current port capabilities and planned improvements; increased vessel traffic; existing and potential anchorage areas; changing vessel traffic patterns; effects of weather; or navigational difficulty. Vessel routing measures, which include traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, deep-water routes, precautionary areas, and areas to be avoided, are implemented to reduce the risk of marine casualties. The recommendations of the study may subsequently be implemented through rulemakings or in accordance with international agreements.

The USCG will hold a virtual public meeting via webinar and teleconference to provide an opportunity for oral comments on the NNYBPARS. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 beginning at 6 p.m. ET and the link to the webinar can be found here. The agenda and other relevant information can be viewed here. Capacity is limited, so please register to attend by emailing Rebecca.C.Blanchflower@uscg.mil. Instructions will be emailed to registered participants before the meetings occur. For additional information, please contact Tom Vinson or Laura Morton.

To submit a comment online, go to:  www.regulations.gov and search “USCG-2020-0278” by August 28th at 11:59 pm.