On April 12, 2021, the US Coast Guard (USCG) posted a supplemental notice of study to seek additional information related to the notice of study that was published on June 29, 2020, regarding the Northern New York Bight Port Access Route Study (NNYBPARS). Following a review of the comments and materials received, the USCG identified several areas of additional inquiry related to the study. The USCG invites comments and responses to the proposed questions and information requests. Comments close May 12, 2021.
Federal Register Notice: Port Access Route Study: Northern New York Bight
This screenshot of the Data Explorer interactive map shows the Northern NY Bight Port Access Route Study Area outlined in blue.
A map of the NNYBPARS study area is available in the Northeast Ocean Data Portal’s Data Explorer under Marine Transportation > Proposed Areas and Studies > USCG PARS Study Areas, or it can be found by entering PARS in the Data Explorer’s keyword search bar.
Background on the Northern New York Bight PARS
The Coast Guard is conducting the Northern New York Bight PARS to evaluate the adequacy of existing vessel routing measures and determine whether additional ones are necessary for the approaches to the Port of New York and New Jersey and international and domestic transit areas in the vicinity. The PARS will consider factors such as planned or potential offshore development, current port capabilities and anticipated improvements, increased vessel traffic, existing and potential anchorage areas, changing vessel traffic patterns, effects of weather any d navigational difficulty.
Vessel routing measures, which include traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, deep-water routes, precautionary areas and areas to be avoided, are implemented to reduce the risk of marine casualties. The recommendations of the study may subsequently be implemented through rulemakings or in accordance with international agreements.
The First Coast Guard District, Coast Guard Sector New York, and Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound are conducting this PARS. The area extends approximately 150 nautical miles seaward and covers approximately 25,000 square nautical miles, including the offshore area of New Jersey and New York used by private, commercial, and public vessels transiting to and from these ports.
