
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 73156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29714]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0760]
RIN 1625-AA11


Regulated Navigation Area; Reporting Requirements for Barges 
Loaded With Certain Dangerous Cargoes, Inland Rivers, Eighth Coast 
Guard District; Stay (Suspension) Expiring

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The stay of reporting requirements under the Regulated 
Navigation Area (RNA) applicable to barges loaded with certain 
dangerous cargoes on the inland rivers in the Eighth District area of 
responsibility (AOR) is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2015. The 
Coast Guard intends to allow the stay to expire in part. Once the stay 
partially expires, RNA reporting requirements in a limited form will 
resume under the existing regulation. The Coast Guard is developing an 
amendment to the existing regulation.

DATES: November 24, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email Shelley Miller, Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2330, 
email Shelley.R.Miller@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Regulatory History

    The reporting requirements under 33 CFR 165.830, ``Regulated 
Navigation Area; Reporting Requirements for Barges Loaded with Certain 
Dangerous Cargoes, Inland Rivers, Eighth Coast Guard District,'' were 
initially suspended in January 2011 due to the expiration of the 
contract for the reporting system at the Inland River Vessel Movement 
Center (IRVMC). This suspension was published in the Federal Register 
on January 10, 2011 and was due to expire on January 15, 2013 (76 FR 
1360). On January 2, 2013, the Coast Guard extended this suspension 
through September 30, 2013 (78 FR 25) and on October 1, 2013, the Coast 
Guard extended the suspension again through December 31, 2015 (78 FR 
60216). The suspension of reporting requirements is scheduled to expire 
on December 31, 2015.
    Additionally, the Coast Guard published a final rule in January 
2015 (80 FR 5282), titled Vessel Requirements for Notices of Arrival 
and Departure, and Automatic Identification System. This rule contains 
an exemption, at 33 CFR 160.204(a)(3), for any vessel required to 
report its movements, its cargo, or the cargo in barges it is towing 
under 33 CFR 165.830 after December 31, 2015.

II. Discussion

    The Coast Guard intends to allow the suspension of certain 
reporting requirements under 33 CFR 165.830 to expire as scheduled. The 
Coast Guard does not intend to reinstate reporting, 24 hours per day, 
365 days per year, at 90 plus reporting points under the RNA as 
currently published. Rather, we anticipate reporting will be required 
in response to specific concerns, under a limited form of the RNA 
currently in the CFR.
    Specifically, the Coast Guard is considering whether existing Sec.  
165.830(d)(1)(ix), (d)(2)(iv), (f)(9), (g)(4), and (h) of the existing 
RNA may take effect on January 1, 2016, with revisions to the 
references to IRVMC. Although we have not yet developed revisions to 
the existing regulation, we are publishing this document to inform 
members of the public who are aware of, and may have questions about, 
the upcoming expiration of the suspension.
    This document is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: November 9, 2015.
D.R. Callahan,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-29714 Filed 11-23-15; 8:45 am]
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