Regulated Navigation Area; Strait of Juan de Fuca and Adjacent Coastal Waters of Washington; Makah Whale Hunting

Resumo

The Coast Guard, after consultation with the Department of Justice, Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce, is revising the Interim Rule and adopting it as final. The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) along the northwest Washington coast and in a portion of the entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The final RNA covers a broader geographic area than the interim rule and also changes the amount of time of the SECURITE notice from one hour to one half hour prior to whale hunting operations. The RNA will reduce the danger to life and property in the vicinity of Makah whale hunt activities. Within the RNA, a moving exclusionary zone (MEZ) around a Makah whale hunt vessel may be in effect during actual whale hunt operations.