Coast Guard wraps up Texas bay shipping lane study—yawn.
Published Date: 8/7/2026
Notice
Summary
The Coast Guard Heartland District announces the completion of the Approaches to Galveston Bay and Sabine Pass, Texas and Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana Port Access Route Study (PARS). The study was conducted to evaluate the adequacy of existing vessel routing measures and determine whether additional vessel routing measures are necessary for port approaches to Galveston Bay and Sabine Pass, Texas, Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, and international and domestic transit areas in the Heartland Coast Guard District area of responsibility (AOR).
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New Offshore Fairway Anchorages Recommended
The March 2026 PARS final report recommends implementing several new fairway anchorages in the study area to give vessels a safe waiting area while they await clearance into port. The recommendation covers approaches to Galveston Bay and Sabine Pass, Texas, and Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, and was announced in the Federal Register on August 7, 2026.
No Widening of Safety Fairways
In the final PARS report (March 2026), the Coast Guard found existing safety fairways in the study area are adequate but said the safety fairways cannot be widened as recommended because of established infrastructure within the Gulf of America. This conclusion was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2026.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13137, Marine Casualty Reporting on the Outer Continental Shelf
Starting July 30, 2026, companies working on the Outer Continental Shelf must report marine accidents based on who’s involved, not just where they happen. The rule raises the damage cost that triggers a report from $25,000 to $75,000, saving businesses money and making rules clearer and fairer. This change cuts industry costs by over $10,000 in 10 years and aligns U.S. rules with international standards for offshore activities.
2026-08699, Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast
The Coast Guard is making the Atlantic Coast safer for ships by setting up special shipping lanes from New York to Florida. They’re reopening the comment period until June 22, 2026, so everyone can share their thoughts before the rules are finalized. This affects ship operators and coastal communities, aiming to keep sea travel smooth and safe without extra costs right now.
2026-16130, Safety Zone; WHALE Floating Production System Outer Continental Shelf Facility, Alaminos Canyon 773, Gulf of America
The Coast Guard wants to create a safety zone around the WHALE Floating Production System in the Gulf of America to keep boats away unless they get special permission. This will help prevent accidents, spills, and security problems, protecting people, property, and the environment. If you have thoughts, send them in by September 8, 2026!
2026-16164, Special Local Regulations; Annual Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show, Marquette Bay, Hessel, MI
The Coast Guard will enforce the Annual Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show special local regulation on the U.S. navigable waters of Marquette Bay, Hessel, MI on August 8, 2026. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property on these navigable waters prior to, during, and immediately after the boat show. While in the regulated area all vessels will operate at a no wake speed and follow the directions of the on-scene patrol commander.
2026-16155, Safety Zones; Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Detroit Zone
The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Roostertail Fireworks in Detroit, MI, from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on August 8, 2026, to protect the safety of life and property on the navigable waters of the Detroit River immediately prior to, during, and immediately after this event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission from the Captain of the Port (COTP) Detroit or a designated representative.
2026-16118, Safety Zone; Chevron GENESIS SPAR Outer Continental Shelf Facility, Green Canyon Block 205A, Gulf of America
The Coast Guard is proposing to disestablish a safety zone around the GENESIS SPAR facility, previously located in Green Canyon Block 205A on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of America. The GENESIS SPAR facility was decommissioned and fully removed by the Chevron Corporation in June of 2024. This proposed rulemaking would disestablish the permanent safety zone and remove the regulatory text of 33 CFR 147.825. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16117, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired: Title-Census of Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies (CTLEA)
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), Department of Justice (DOJ), will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Next: 2026-16122, Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request