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August 2017 9 boatingonthehudson.com
In 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard promulgated an
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to seek
comprehensive public input and examine whether there is
a need for a proposed rule on new anchorage grounds on
the Hudson River to promote safe navigation. An ANPRM
is an optional, pre-rulemaking tool for seeking information
from the public.
More than 10,200 comments were received fromwaterway
stakeholders during the ANPRM comment period that
ended December 6, 2016. A summary of the comments can
be found here in the docket for the ANPRM.
After a review of the comments, Rear Adm. Steven
Poulin, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, has
suspended future rulemaking decisions and directed a
formal risk identification and evaluation of the Hudson
River, known as a Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment
(PAWSA). The PAWSA process is a disciplined approach
to identify major waterway safety hazards, estimate risk
levels, evaluate potential mitigation measures, and set the
stage for implementation of selected measures to reduce
risk. Additional information about a PAWSA and the entire
process can be found here at the Coast Guard Navigation
Center website.
In the fall, a group of waterway users and stakeholders
will conduct a two-day structured workshop to meet these
objectives and ensure the PAWSA process is a joint effort
involving waterway users, stakeholders, and agencies to
determine the safety of the waterway.
The Coast Guard will announce the workshop dates,
times, locations, and participant selection process in a
separate notice. Within the workshop capacity, the District
Commander’s goal is to build a team that helps ensure
the diverse concerns conveyed in the ANPRM comments
are represented through the PAWSA risk analysis process.
The discussions will help promote navigation safety and
environmental protection.
If members of the public wish to be considered
for participation in the workshops please email:
by July 21 with name, contact
information, connection to the waterway, experience, and
related skills.
Photo:
Coast Guard Announces
Ports and Waterways Safety
Assessment on Hudson River