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Coast Guard MARIPARS UpdateMs. Michele DesAutels, First Coast Guard District

NEFMC Habitat Committee21 April 2020

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PARS Background

Activity to date

MARIPARS Draft Report

Next steps

Agenda

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Tool by which program managers determine the need to establish routing measures, fairways, LAA or recommended routes in offshore approaches and coastal waters.

Serve as analysis to justify regulatory projects or IMO submissions. ◦ Determine present traffic density ◦ Determine potential traffic density ◦ Determine if existing vessel routing measures are adequate ◦ Determine if existing vessel routing measure require modifications ◦ Determine the type of modifications ◦ Define and justify the needs for new vessel routing measures ◦ Determine the type of routing measures; and ◦ Determine if the usage of the vessel routing measures must be mandatory for

specific classes of vessels. Utilize methodology in USCG Commandant Instruction 16003.2B, Marine

Planning to Operate and Maintain the Marine Transportation System (MTS) and Implement National Policy.

Port Access Route Study (PARS) Background

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ACPARS (1.0)Purpose: Analyze coastwise maritime traffic and potential impacts from offshore wind development (Smart from the Start)◦ Notice of Study announced in 2011◦ Final report published in 2016◦ Recommended Marine Planning Guidelines◦ Identified navigation corridors (historical shipping routes)

ACPARS Supplemental (2.0)Purpose: Build upon first study, focusing on ports/approaches◦ Notice of Study announced in March 2019◦ East/West Routes and Ports◦ Includes Ports from D1, D5, D7◦ MARIPARS issued separately but in line with activity◦ Goal to complete all studies by 2021

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ACPARS Activity to Date

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MARIPARS Activity to Date

Notice of study published 26 MAR 2019◦ Purpose: Evaluate the need to designate routes to

facilitate vessel transit through the 7 leases in MA/RI WEA◦ Study was open for 60 days◦ 30 comments received to the docket◦ 3 Public meetings held (MA, RI, NY)

Draft Report published 29 JAN 2020◦ Notice was open for 45 days◦ 48 comments received to the docket

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MARIPARS Draft Report

Key Findings in the Draft Report (Executive Summary)◦ MA/RI WEA’s turbine layout be developed along a standard and

uniform grid pattern with at least three lines of orientation and standard spacing to accommodate vessel transits, traditional fishing operations, and search and rescue operations, through the MA/RI WEA.

◦ If such a uniform grid pattern is adopted and approved by BOEM, the USCG does not plan to pursue vessel routing measures through the MA/RI WEA.

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ACPARS (1.0)◦ Issue Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for navigation corridors

(TBD)

MARIPARS◦ Analyze comments, Finalize report, Issue Federal Register

Notice (TBD)◦ Monitor changing conditions and will consider appropriate

additional studies as needed

NY Bight PARS◦ Launch study in Federal Register (June 2020)

Next Steps