Search Results for keywords:"Great Lakes Fishery

The U.S. Coast Guard announced new pilotage rates for 2025 under the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960. The updated rates, which take into account factors like inflation, district operating costs, and an increase in the number of pilots, will result in a 7% rise in pilotage costs compared to the previous year. These changes are made to ensure safe and reliable pilotage services in the Great Lakes, catering to foreign merchant vessels and any U.S. vessel engaged in foreign trade. The Coast Guard reviewed public comments on these changes but made no alterations to the proposed rates.

The Coast Guard has proposed changes to its regulations concerning special local regulations and safety zones in the Captain of the Port Zone Eastern Great Lakes, aiming to maintain safety on these waters. These changes involve updating event names, modifying existing regulations, and removing some obsolete entries. The rule would establish temporary zones during scheduled events, restricting access without permission from the Captain of the Port to protect vessels and the public. Public comments on the proposal are invited until February 20, 2025, via the Federal Decision-Making Portal.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to renew the information collection requirements regarding public notifications for Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in the Great Lakes Basin. This is aimed at ensuring that the public and relevant health departments are promptly informed about CSO discharges, which can carry health risks. The renewal would extend the current standards until April 30, 2021, allowing for continued monitoring and notification procedures. The EPA is seeking additional public comments on this proposal until March 26, 2021.

The Coast Guard is implementing a temporary safety zone on Lake Erie around the Avon Lake Power Plant in Ohio due to potential hazards from demolition activities. This safety zone, which extends within a 750-yard radius of the plant, will be active on December 19, 2024, with a backup date of December 20, 2024, in case of bad weather. Only personnel and vessels with permission from the Captain of the Port, Eastern Great Lakes, are allowed to enter this area, ensuring the safety of people and the environment.

The Coast Guard has implemented a temporary safety zone around the Main Street Bridge over the Erie Canal in North Tonawanda, NY, to protect personnel and vessels from the dangers of falling debris during a fireworks display. This safety zone, effective from 11:45 p.m. on December 31, 2024, until 1:15 a.m. on January 1, 2025, prohibits entry unless permission is granted by the Captain of the Port. The decision was made without prior public comment due to the urgency of the situation. The rule is not expected to significantly impact small businesses or the environment, as it lasts only 1.5 hours and coincides with a time when canal traffic is minimal.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection related to its Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program. This program, part of the Department of Commerce, aims to improve ocean and coastal environmental understanding through education grants. To achieve this, NOAA is extending its existing data collection efforts to monitor and improve B-WET activities by gathering feedback from grant recipients and teachers. Comments on the proposal are invited until February 18, 2025, to help evaluate and enhance the program’s effectiveness.

The Coast Guard has issued a final rule to establish a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, to ensure safety during a bank stabilization construction project. Starting December 2, 2024, until July 11, 2025, vessel speeds will be limited, and access to the RNA will be restricted during construction hours unless permitted by the Captain of the Port. The rule aims to minimize risks to both vessels and construction workers, while also providing exceptions for small entities, and has been reviewed to ensure compliance with various federal regulations and executive orders.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request titled "Water Quality Standards Regulation" to the Office of Management and Budget for review. This request, referred to as an extension, is tied to standards aimed at protecting water quality in the United States. The public is invited to submit comments until March 31, 2025. The collection involves various entities, including states, territories, and Tribes, and is estimated to take about 493,362 hours annually, costing around $25 million in labor and operational expenses.

The National Park Service proposes to update regulations for using personal watercraft at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The proposal includes reducing flat wake speed zones in specific areas and officially closing certain parts of West Petit Bois Island and around the Fort Pickens ferry pier to watercraft. These changes aim to protect the natural and cultural resources of the seashore and enhance visitor safety. Public comments on this proposed rule must be submitted by March 16, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for the waters off Washington, Oregon, and California. These changes include adjustments to recreational fishery seasons and allocations for 2025. New measures are also proposed to transfer unused fishing quotas from Northern California to areas south of Point Arena to help maintain opportunities for anglers. The public is invited to provide comments on these proposed rules by January 27, 2025.