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West
Coast South Shore Trade Area
upgrades
celebrated by Government of Canada
VANCOUVER, BC
— The Government of Canada
and its partners have celebrated two road projects in the
South Shore Trade Area (SSTA) of Burrard Inlet, which are
in their final stages and will enhance truck, rail, and
port operations while reducing impacts to local
communities. The SSTA is an import and export corridor
that provides a connection to markets overseas. The new
SSTA projects will help to meet expected growth in rail
and road traffic and enhance safety. Benefits include:
Safer access to terminal facilities for commercial
traffic;
Elimination of rail/road conflicts at 11 rail crossings,
improving safety and reducing rail related noise;
More efficient and reliable movements of grain for
Canadian exporters who use South Shore terminals;
Improved flow of import and export container traffic to
and from container terminals;
Reduced congestion and increased safety on the local road
network;
Better access for emergency service providers (police,
fire, ambulance);
Safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, and
increased overall road safety and traffic management.
The projects have been made possible through the
collaboration of multiple partners including: the City of
Vancouver, Port Metro Vancouver, the terminal operators,
Canadian Pacific (CP), TransLink, and Canadian National
Railway (CN).
DOT releases new rules
proposal
for rail transport of flammable materials
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Transportation has released the details of its rulemaking proposal to improve the safe transportation of large quantities of flammable materials by rail - particularly crude oil and ethanol - in the form of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and a companion Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). The NPRM proposes enhanced tank car standards, a classification and testing program for mined gases and liquids and new operational requirements for high-hazard flammable trains (HHFT) that include braking controls and speed restrictions. Specifically, within two years, it proposes the phase out of the use of older DOT 111 tank cars for the shipment of packing group I flammable liquids, including most Bakken crude oil, unless the tank cars are retrofitted to comply with new tank car design standards. The ANPRM seeks further information on expanding comprehensive oil spill response planning requirements for shipments of flammable materials. Both the NPRM and ANPRM are available for review at: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/osd/chronology and will be open for 60 days of public comment. PHMSA does not intend to extend the comment period. The new, comprehensive rulemaking will open for public comment once published in the Federal Register at www.regulations.gov
Port Angeles Port
Commission
rolls back rates at two marinas
PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles Commission voted to roll back the rates at both the Port Angeles Boat Haven and the John Wayne Marina at Tuesday's port commission meeting. The rates will roll back to the 2013 rates effective August 1, 2014. The roll back is in response to the work, feedback and collaboration of the Port Angeles Boat Haven advisory committee. "Our tenants provided feedback and the port listened," said Jerry Ludke, the Port of Port Angeles Airport and Marina manager. For a list of new rates visit: http://portofpa.com/Index.aspx?NID=161
Coast Guard eyes
shutting down
Tillamook Bay Whistle Buoy
SEATTLE — Coast Guard officials have proposed the disestablishment of Tillamook Bay Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy "T" (LLNR 680 - 9810) near Garibaldi, Oregon. The proposal to disestablish the buoy came after a determination was made that the buoy does not mark any specific hazard to mariners, and is not necessary for safe navigation. The entrance to Tillamook Bay is additionally marked by a lighted entrance buoy, a light upon the north jetty and a leading light marking the center of the entrance channel. The proposal was issued in the District Local Notice to Mariners issue 20/14. Each Coast Guard district office publishes and makes available for the public a weekly LNM. LNMs are the official Coast Guard publication that list current conditions of ATON, proposed changes to ATON, approved marine events and various announcements for waterway safety. The 13th District LNM can be found on the Coast Guard Navigation Center's web site. The LNM lists contact information for mariners to submit comments via mail, phone or email on this or any other proposed change to ATON.
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Customs and Border
Protection
set to hire 2,000 new officers
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is accepting applications nationwide for CBP officer positions at air, land and sea ports across the country. As a result of funding provided in the fiscal year 2014 budget, CBP will hire 2,000 additional officers by the end of fiscal year 2015. An applicant for the CBP officer position must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the U.S for the past three years; must be referred for selection prior to their 37th birthday (or a preference eligible veteran, or have prior civilian federal law enforcement experience); and have a valid driver’s license. In addition, applicants must pass an entrance examination, medical examination, physical fitness assessments, video-based test and/or structured interview, drug test, background investigation and polygraph examination. For more information on the CBP officer position, visit www.cbp.gov/careers.