Search Results for keywords:"Great Lakes Fishery

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have announced final actions related to a highway construction project in Jackson Park, Cook County, Illinois. The project includes widening roadways, and constructing trails and underpasses. These actions allow Chicago to proceed with construction, fill material discharge into U.S. waters, and alterations to a federally-funded restoration project. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued, indicating the project will not significantly affect the environment, and legal challenges must be filed by July 8, 2021.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee. This committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on issues related to the pilotage of ships through the Great Lakes, with a focus on regulations and policies. Applicants must have at least five years of experience in maritime operations and need to apply by email before May 6, 2025. Those interested should send a cover letter, resume, and brief biography to the contact provided in the notice.

The Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on April 9, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. The meeting will be available both in-person at 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, Kentucky, and virtually. The board, which advises the Secretary of Agriculture on plans and education for the Recreation Area, will discuss topics such as environmental education and natural resource management. Those wishing to provide comments must register by April 4, 2025, and the meeting is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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 Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, part of the Department of Transportation, has announced a public meeting of its Advisory Board scheduled for March 6, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. The meeting will take place in-person at the DOT in Washington, DC, with a virtual attendance option available. Interested individuals must RSVP by March 1, 2025, along with requests to speak at the meeting or submit materials for discussion. The meeting agenda includes opening remarks, a report, and discussions on previous and new business.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is setting up a new advisory council for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary to guide its management and act as a communication link with the local community. Applications for membership in this council are being accepted until March 7, 2025. The council will include a variety of seats for experts in natural resources, conservation, education, and other fields, as well as non-voting seats for government agencies. NOAA is encouraging individuals with relevant expertise or local knowledge to apply for these seats.

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 Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) announced a final rule to update the St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls to match fees charged by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) in Canada, starting in the 2025 navigation season. This tariff outlines the tolls for vessels and commodities using their facilities. GLS clarified that these changes won't significantly impact small U.S. entities because they mostly affect foreign vessels. The rule doesn't require an environmental impact statement and has no federalism or unfunded mandates implications.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has decided to close its investigation into whether Canadian rules on ballast water management systems were harming U.S. shipping operations in the Great Lakes. Initially sparked by fears of unfair conditions for U.S. ships due to new Canadian regulations, the situation improved enough for the FMC to conclude that short-term issues have been resolved. However, a longer-term investigation remains open to address any potential ongoing concerns. The FMC encourages those affected to continue participating in this ongoing investigation to address any lingering disparities.