Comment Sought On Draft Water Quality Assessment And Impaired Waters List


Comment Sought On Draft Water Quality Assessment And Impaired Waters List

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Water Quality is seeking comment on its draft updated assessment of waterbodies in North Carolina, including a list of impaired waters and strategies for water quality improvement.

The 2004 Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters List is available on the DWQĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs Web site at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tmdl/ or by writing: Robin Markham, Division of Water Quality Planning, NC DENR, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617, or ro***********@nc****.net, or calling (919) 733-5083, ext. 558. Copies are also available at the divisionĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs regional offices and central office in downtown Raleigh.

The document, which is updated every two years, is a comprehensive accounting of how well surface waters, groundwaters, and wetlands support their designated uses, such as swimming, aquatic life support and water supply. The report also lists which waters do not support their designated uses and the likely causes of the impairment.

In North Carolina, the number one rated cause for streams to be rated as impaired is poor biological integrity; more than 1600 miles of streams are impaired by this standard. Poor biological integrity means that the stream does not have an appropriate number and/or variety of benthic macroinvertebrates, aquatic bugs that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye.

These animals, primarily aquatic insect larvae, are sensitive to subtle changes in water quality and can be indicators of a wide range of environmental stresses. These stresses fall into two broad classes: 1) chemical or physical pollutants, such as toxic chemicals or oxygen-consuming wastes; and 2) habitat degradation such as loss of riffles and pools due to sedimentation or scour due to increased force of waters from stormwater flow or wetlands loss.

“We have enhanced our ability to identify the sources and relative effects of such stresses and completed more than 20 studies of specific streams over the last two years,” said Michelle Woolfolk, environmental supervisor in DWQĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs planning branch and one of the authors of the report. “Our ability to assess layers of plausible, potential causes, and evaluate multiple lines of evidence to determine to what degree a possible stressor is actually a contributor to impairment is constantly improving.”

Other notable areas of the 2004 report include:

ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· The number one rated source of impairment is urban runoff and storm sewers. Stormwater runoff carries natural and human-made pollutants into waterbodies from a variety of sources and may include sediment, nutrients, bacteria, oil and grease, trace metals, toxic and synthetic chemicals. The quantity and force of stormwater can also cause changes in aquatic habitat such as scouring, stream bank erosion and excessive instream sedimentation.
ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· To reduce multiple counts of the same stream segment, those that have multiple source types of impairment are listed once under a priority category rather than presented in several categories. All known sources of impairment are included in the single listing. For example, if a stream segment is impaired because of its lack of biological integrity, excessive nutrients and a chemical pollutant; under the 2004 design, the stream and all its impairment sources will be listed under one priority category rather than being listed in three as in previous years.
ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· Use support ratings for the Broad, Neuse, and Yadkin-Pee Dee river basins have been updated since the 2002 report. Use support for each of these basins is contained in the basinwide management plans approved by the Environmental Management Commission before November 2003. Generally, use support ratings for each of the stateĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs 17 river basins are evaluated every five years on a rotating basis as the basinwide management plans are revised.
ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· Work has begun on an aggressive program to define and characterize Piedmont and Mountain area groundwater hydrology in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey. Knowledge of the quality and availability of the shallow aquifer system, its vulnerability to contamination, and its relationship to the recharge of surface water resources is necessary in order to provide appropriate levels of protection for present and future use. Four research stations were completed in 2003 and reports from these sites will be available this year.

The report also summarizes sample collection and reporting methodology, state classifications and standards, monitoring, assessment, and other state programs that contribute to the reportĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs findings.

Comments on the draft report and impaired waters list should be submitted in writing no later than May 31 to Robin Markham at the above address. The Division of Water Quality will submit the final list to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by June 30.


Comment Sought On Draft Water Quality Assessment And Impaired Waters List

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Water Quality is seeking comment on its draft updated assessment of waterbodies in North Carolina, including a list of impaired waters and strategies for water quality improvement.

The 2004 Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters List is available on the DWQĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs Web site at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tmdl/ or by writing: Robin Markham, Division of Water Quality Planning, NC DENR, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617, or ro***********@nc****.net, or calling (919) 733-5083, ext. 558. Copies are also available at the divisionĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs regional offices and central office in downtown Raleigh.

The document, which is updated every two years, is a comprehensive accounting of how well surface waters, groundwaters, and wetlands support their designated uses, such as swimming, aquatic life support and water supply. The report also lists which waters do not support their designated uses and the likely causes of the impairment.

In North Carolina, the number one rated cause for streams to be rated as impaired is poor biological integrity; more than 1600 miles of streams are impaired by this standard. Poor biological integrity means that the stream does not have an appropriate number and/or variety of benthic macroinvertebrates, aquatic bugs that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye.

These animals, primarily aquatic insect larvae, are sensitive to subtle changes in water quality and can be indicators of a wide range of environmental stresses. These stresses fall into two broad classes: 1) chemical or physical pollutants, such as toxic chemicals or oxygen-consuming wastes; and 2) habitat degradation such as loss of riffles and pools due to sedimentation or scour due to increased force of waters from stormwater flow or wetlands loss.

“We have enhanced our ability to identify the sources and relative effects of such stresses and completed more than 20 studies of specific streams over the last two years,” said Michelle Woolfolk, environmental supervisor in DWQĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs planning branch and one of the authors of the report. “Our ability to assess layers of plausible, potential causes, and evaluate multiple lines of evidence to determine to what degree a possible stressor is actually a contributor to impairment is constantly improving.”

Other notable areas of the 2004 report include:

ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· The number one rated source of impairment is urban runoff and storm sewers. Stormwater runoff carries natural and human-made pollutants into waterbodies from a variety of sources and may include sediment, nutrients, bacteria, oil and grease, trace metals, toxic and synthetic chemicals. The quantity and force of stormwater can also cause changes in aquatic habitat such as scouring, stream bank erosion and excessive instream sedimentation.
ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· To reduce multiple counts of the same stream segment, those that have multiple source types of impairment are listed once under a priority category rather than presented in several categories. All known sources of impairment are included in the single listing. For example, if a stream segment is impaired because of its lack of biological integrity, excessive nutrients and a chemical pollutant; under the 2004 design, the stream and all its impairment sources will be listed under one priority category rather than being listed in three as in previous years.
ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· Use support ratings for the Broad, Neuse, and Yadkin-Pee Dee river basins have been updated since the 2002 report. Use support for each of these basins is contained in the basinwide management plans approved by the Environmental Management Commission before November 2003. Generally, use support ratings for each of the stateĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs 17 river basins are evaluated every five years on a rotating basis as the basinwide management plans are revised.
ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™ĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Â· Work has begun on an aggressive program to define and characterize Piedmont and Mountain area groundwater hydrology in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey. Knowledge of the quality and availability of the shallow aquifer system, its vulnerability to contamination, and its relationship to the recharge of surface water resources is necessary in order to provide appropriate levels of protection for present and future use. Four research stations were completed in 2003 and reports from these sites will be available this year.

The report also summarizes sample collection and reporting methodology, state classifications and standards, monitoring, assessment, and other state programs that contribute to the reportĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs findings.

Comments on the draft report and impaired waters list should be submitted in writing no later than May 31 to Robin Markham at the above address. The Division of Water Quality will submit the final list to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by June 30.

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Introducing the New NAVCEN Maritime Safety Information Application!

Dear Users of the Marine Transportation System,

We’re excited to announce the launch of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center’s new Maritime Safety Information (MSI) Application! This enhanced platform is designed to improve your access to critical navigation safety information, including Local Notices to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists.

Key Features of the New MSI Application:
‱ Near-Real-Time Updates: Stay informed with the latest changes and updates.
‱ GIS Display: Visualize navigation information directly on an interactive map.
‱ Customizable Searches: Narrow your searches to focus on specific waterways or regions of interest.

The application is available now and ready to support safer, more efficient maritime operations.

Access the New MSI Application:
Click HERE to explore the platform and take advantage of its features.

We’re committed to ensuring mariners have the tools and information they need to navigate safely and effectively. If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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NAVCEN’s Upgraded LNM & Light List Application Launching the Week of December 2nd

During the week of December 2nd, the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) will launch its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application.  The application will feature GIS-based tools, customizable downloads, and GeoJSON integration for enhanced maritime safety information. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) is excited to announce the launch of its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application during the week of December 2nd, reaffirming our commitment to enhancing access to critical maritime safety information.

This upgraded application allows users to download and print LNMs for entire Coast Guard Districts or define their own area of interest using the GIS tools to zoom in and access localized data.  The form section enables users to organize and sort LNMs by waterway or category. For programmatic integration, GeoJSON files will be available to download for data ingestion into other applications.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and are confident this enhanced version will better serve the diverse needs of the maritime community.

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Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice
to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the
accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.

What Is Changing?

1. Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production
of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from
using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety
Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.

2. How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be
available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively
on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion
of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once
the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area,
which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our
website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light
List.

3. LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen
minutes. Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours. This will give you a much more up-to-
date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your
area of transit or planned routes.

4. Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily
Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to
focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will
also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the
data externally.

Why Are These Changes Being Made?
The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to-navigation
data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent
updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:
‱ Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information,
mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring
safer navigation.
‱ Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users,
from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
‱ Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format
to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.
When Will These Changes Take Effect?
The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center
website) will be completed by Monday, October 21st.
How to Access the New Features?
Starting October 21st, 2024, you will be able to access the updated Local Notice to
Mariners (LNM) and Light List through the NAVCEN website, with a User Guide available to
assist you. While legacy versions of these products will no longer be produced or posted
after October 31st, previously available versions will remain accessible for download
indefinitely. Additionally, users can now generate updated LNMs in real time, with data
refreshed every 15 minutes.

For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us page, select ‘LNMs or Light
Lists’ from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance the safety and efficiency of
maritime navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov)

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LNM/Light List Application Delay

Good Day,

Availability of the modernized Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs) and Light List (LL) application will be delayed beyond the scheduled 30 September 2024 launch date as a result of Hurricane Helene.

The following legacy products will remain available on the NAVCEN website until 31 October to ensure customers maintain uninterrupted access to MSI products during the transition:

  • Weekly Local Notices to Mariners (pdf)
  • Light Lists (pdf)
  • Daily LNM Discrepancies and Temporary Changes (XML)
  • Weekly Light List files (PDF, XML)

We are working diligently to reschedule the application’s launch and will provide an update with the new release date as soon as it becomes available. 

For questions or comments, you may contact us via our contact us page (please select “LNMs or Light Lists” from the Subject pull-down menu).

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. 

Sincerely,
Navigation Center
U.S. Coast Guard
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov

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Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.

What Is Changing?

  1. Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.
  2. How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area, which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light List.
  3. LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen minutes.  Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours.  This will give you a much more up-to-date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your area of transit or planned routes.
  4. Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the data externally.

Why Are These Changes Being Made?

The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to-navigation data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:

  • Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information, mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer navigation.
  • Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users, from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
  • Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.

 

 

When Will These Changes Take Effect?

The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center website) will be completed by Monday, September 30th.

How to Access the New Features?

Starting on September 30th, 2024, you will be able to access the updated LNM and Light List through the NAVCEN website. A User Guide will be available on the NAVCEN website. Customers will still have the ability to download legacy versions of these products until October 21st.

For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us Page, select ‘LNMs or Light Lists’ from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve the safety and efficiency of maritime navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov)

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More
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