Sometimes as you gaze westward across the Bay, you may see large cargo ships, anchored a few miles offshore. If the Coast Guard has its way, those large ships may be more up close and personal, anchored right off Cape Charles Harbor, very near to the old Plantation Light. The US Coast Guard is currently exploring the possibility of creating a new anchorage just outside of Cape Charles. While this may create a business opportunities for some, it will certainly alter the visual landscape of this coastal community. Below is the full press release, and details on the upcoming public hearing to take place in Norfolk:
The link to the full Federal Register is Here
We published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register on April 19, 2016 (81 FR 22939), entitled “Anchorage Grounds; Lower Chesapeake Bay, Cape Charles, VA.” In it we stated our intention to hold two public meetings, and to publish a notice announcing the location and date (81 FR 22940). This document is the notice of that meeting.
In the ANPRM, we stated that the Coast Guard is considering amending the regulations for Hampton Roads, VA and adjacent waters anchorages by establishing a new anchorage, near Cape Charles, VA on the Lower Chesapeake Bay.
You may view the ANPRM in our online docket, in addition to supporting documents prepared by the Coast Guard (Illustration Contemplated Anchorage R), and comments submitted thus far by going to http://www.regulations.gov. Once there, insert “USCG-2015-1118” in the “Search” box and click “Search.”
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments either orally at the meeting or in writing. If you bring written comments to the meeting, you may submit them to Coast Guard personnel specified at the meeting to receive written comments. These comments will be submitted to our online public docket. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided.
Comments submitted before or after the meetings must reach the Coast Guard on or before Wednesday, August 31, 2016. We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions.
Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the March 24, 2005, issue of theFederal Register (70 FR 15086).
For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the public meeting, contact LCDR Barbara Wilk at the telephone number or email address indicated under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.
The Coast Guard will hold a public meeting regarding its “Anchorage Grounds; Lower Chesapeake Bay, Cape Charles, VA” advance notice of proposed rulemaking on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Slover Public Library Meeting Room, 235 E. Plume St., Norfolk, VA 23510, telephone 757-617-7986. The public meeting on July 20, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be held at Eastern Shore Community College Lecture Hall, 29300 Lankford Highway, Melfa, VA, 23410. A written summary of the meeting and comments will be placed in the docket.
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