Search Results for keywords:"Great Lakes Fishery

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), has issued a final rule concerning Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and related Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for certain airports. This rule addresses changes due to new or revised criteria and updates in the National Airspace System, such as new navigational facilities or obstacles. These updates aim to ensure the safe and efficient use of airspace and enhance flight safety under instrument flight rules. The rule becomes effective on February 3, 2021, with some procedures available sooner depending on safety requirements.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a 90-day decision on two petitions related to the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. The petitions aimed to change the status of the gray wolf by creating and delisting a distinct Western Great Lakes population and recognizing a West Coast population as threatened. However, after reviewing the petitions, the Service determined they do not provide enough scientific or commercial information to justify these actions. As a result, they will not take further action on the petitions to revise the current gray wolf listings.

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 Department of Commerce is submitting an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program. This program aims to enhance public understanding of environmental science through education grants. The information collection involves surveys from program participants to evaluate and improve the program. The public is invited to comment on this request within 30 days of the notice's publication.

The National Park Service is asking for public comments on the significance of various properties that were nominated before March 1, 2025, for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. They are accepting electronic comments until April 1, 2025. The notice provides details on specific properties across several states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Additionally, the document mentions requests for the removal of certain resources and additional documentation for others.

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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released the final guidance for creating new Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs), as authorized by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. Coastal states, including territories and Indian Tribes, can form these partnerships to manage ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The guidance outlines the application process, including the necessary elements for a new ROP, who can apply, and how to submit applications to NOAA. Existing ROPs, like the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, are not affected by this new guidance.

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 Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, alongside the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation of Canada, has updated the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules used in their regions. These changes, now effective as of January 10, 2025, aim to clarify current requirements related to vessel conditions, navigation, radio communications, hazardous cargo, and reporting procedures. The rules also detail specific requirements, such as the need for landing booms on certain vessels and the conditions under which vessels can load at increased draughts. The updates are intended to ensure consistency and avoid confusion among users of the Seaway, with the amendments aligning closely between the United States and Canada.