Ports and waterways safety: San Diego, CA; security zone,
[Federal Register: February 6, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 25)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5480-5482]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06fe02-12]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[COTP San Diego 01-020]
RIN 2115-AA97
Security Zone; San Diego, CA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone in the waters adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in San Diego, CA. This action is necessary to ensure public safety and prevent sabotage or terrorist acts against the public and commercial structures and individuals near or in this structure. This security zone will prohibit all persons and vessels from entering, transiting through or anchoring within the security zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), or his designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 6 p.m. (PDT) on October 25, 2001 to 3:59 p.m. (PDT) on June 21, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Any comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket COTP San Diego 01-020, and are available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Diego, 2716 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO Christopher Farrington, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at (619) 683-6495.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory Information
As authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553, we did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. In keeping with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM, and that under 5 U.S.C. 553 (d)(3), good cause exists for making this regulation effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
On September 11, 2001, two commercial aircraft were hijacked from Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts and flown into the World Trade Center in New York, New York inflicting catastrophic human casualties and property damage. A similar attack was conducted on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia on the same day. National security officials warn that future terrorist attacks against civilian targets may be anticipated. A heightened level of security has been established concerning all vessels operating in the waters adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station area. This security zone is needed to protect the United States and more specifically the personnel and property of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
The delay inherent in the NPRM process, and any delay in the effective date of this rule, is contrary to the public interest insofar as it may render individuals and facilities within and adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station vulnerable to subversive activity, sabotage or terrorist attack. The measures contemplated by the rule are intended to prevent future terrorist attacks against individuals and facilities within or adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station facility. Immediate action is required to accomplish this objective. Any delay in the effective date of this rule is impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
Background and Purpose
On September 11, 2001, terrorists launched attacks on civilian and military targets within the United States killing large numbers of people and damaging properties of national significance. Vessels operating near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station present possible platforms from which individuals may gain unauthorized access to this installation, or launch terrorist attacks upon the waterfront structures and adjacent population centers.
As part of the Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-399), Congress amended The Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) to allow the Coast Guard to take actions, including the establishment of security and safety zones, to prevent or respond to acts of terrorism against individuals, vessels, or public or commercial structures. 33 U.S.C. 1226. The terrorist acts against the United States on September 11, 2001, have increased the need for safety and security measures on U.S. ports and waterways. In response to these terrorist acts, and in order to prevent similar occurrences, the Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone in the navigable waters of the United States adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
This temporary security zone is necessary to provide for the safety and security of the United States of America and the people, ports, waterways and
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properties within the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station area. This temporary security zone, which prohibits all vessel traffic from entering, transiting or anchoring within a one nautical mile radius of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, is necessary for the security and protection of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. This zone will be enforced by the official patrol (Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officers) onboard Coast Guard vessels and patrol craft. The official patrol may also be onboard patrol craft and resources of any government agency that has agreed to assist the Coast Guard in the performance of its duties.
Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into this security zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. Each person and vessel in a security zone must obey any direction or order of the COTP. The COTP may remove any person, vessel, article, or thing from a security zone. No person may board, or take or place any article or thing on board any vessel in a security zone without the permission of the COTP.
Pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 1232, any violation of the security zone described herein, is punishable by civil penalties (not to exceed $27,500 per violation, where each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation), criminal penalties (imprisonment for not more than 6 years and a fine of not more than $250,000), in rem liability against the offending vessel, and license sanctions. Any person who violates this regulation, using a dangerous weapon, or who engages in conduct that causes bodily injury or fear of imminent bodily injury to any officer authorized to enforce this regulation, also faces imprisonment up to 12 years (class C felony).
Regulatory Evaluation
This temporary final rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979).
Due to the recent terrorist actions against the United States the implementation of this security zone is necessary for the protection of the United States and its people. Because these security zones are established in an area near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that is seldom used, the Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that full regulatory evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Coast Guard considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small entities'' includes small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations less than 50,000.
This security zone will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because the portion of the security zone that affects the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station area is infrequently transited. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this temporary final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Assistance for Small Entities
In accordance with Sec. 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), the Coast Guard offers to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. If your small business or organization is affected by this rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact Petty Officer Chris Farrington, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at (619) 683-6495.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule and have determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.
Taking of Private Property
This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That
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Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.
Environment
We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34), of Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, this rule, which establishes a security zone, is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
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The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191, 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.
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Add new Sec. 165.T11-048 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T11-048 Security Zone: Waters adjacent to San Onofre
Nuclear Generating Station San Diego, CA.
(a) Location: San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. This security zone encompasses waters within a one nautical mile radius of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that is centered at the following coordinate: latitude 33 deg. 22' 30" N, longitude 117 deg. 33' 50" W.
(b) Effective dates. These security zones will be in effect from 6 p.m. (PDT) on October 25, 2001 to 3:59 p.m. (PDT) on June 21, 2002. If the need for these security zones ends before the scheduled termination time and date, the Captain of the Port will cease enforcement of the security zones and will also announce that fact via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and Local Notice to Mariners.
(c) Regulations. This section is also issued under section 7 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226). In accordance with the general regulations in Sec. 165.33 of this part, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the security zone established by this temporary section, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative. All other general regulations of Sec. 165.33 of this part apply in the security zone established by this temporary section. Mariners requesting permission to transit through the security zone must request authorization to do so from the Captain of the Port, who may be contacted through Coast Guard Activities San Diego on VHF-FM Channel 16.
Dated: October 25, 2001. S. P. Metruck, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Diego, California.
[FR Doc. 02-2821Filed2-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-U
