[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 250 (Monday, December 31, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67487-67489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-32119]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD01-01-207]
RIN 2115-AA97


Security Zone: Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, Seabrook, New 
Hampshire

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone 
around the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The 
security zone will close off public access to all land and waters 
within 250 yards of the waterside property boundary of Seabrook Nuclear 
Power Plant. This action is necessary to ensure public safety and 
prevent sabotage or terrorist acts. Entry into this security zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Portland, 
Maine.

DATES: This rule is effective from December 7, 2001 until June 15, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket CGD01-01-207 and are available for 
inspection or copying at Marine Safety Office Portland, Maine, 103 
Commercial Street, Portland, Maine between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant (Junior Grade) W. W. Gough, 
Port Operations Department, Captain of the Port, Portland, Maine at 
(207) 780-3251.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

    We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this 
regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553 (b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. 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. 
National security and intelligence officials warn that future terrorist 
attacks against civilian targets may be anticipated. The Seabrook 
Nuclear Power Plant is open to possible attack from waters adjacent to 
nearby Hampton Harbor. Due to the potential catastrophic effect an 
exposure of radiation from the nuclear processes at the plant would 
have on the surrounding area, this rulemaking is urgently required to 
prevent potential future terrorist strikes against the Seabrook Nuclear 
Power Plant. The delay inherent in the NPRM process is contrary to the 
public interest insofar as it may render people and facilities within 
and adjacent to the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant property vulnerable to 
subversive activity, sabotage or terrorist attack.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. The measures implemented in this 
rule are intended to prevent possible terrorist attacks against the 
Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant and are needed to protect the facility, 
persons at the facility, the public and the surrounding community from 
potential sabotage or other subversive activity, sabotage and terrorist 
attacks, either from the water or by access to the facility by 
utilizing public trust lands between the low water and high water tide 
lines. Immediate action is required to accomplish these objectives. Any 
delay in the effective date of this rule is impracticable and contrary 
to the public interest.
    This zone should have minimal impact on the users of Hampton 
Harbor, New Hampshire and the surrounding waters as vessels are able to 
pass safely outside the zone. Public notifications will be made to the 
maritime community via local notice to mariners and signs posted to 
inform the public of the boundaries of the zone.

Background and Purpose

    In light of terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. 
on September 11, 2001 a security zone is being established to safeguard 
the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, persons at the facility, the public 
and surrounding communities from sabotage or other subversive acts, 
accidents, or other events of a similar nature. The Seabrook Nuclear 
Power Plant presents a possible target of terrorist attack due to the 
catastrophic impact a release of nuclear radiation would have on the 
surrounding area. This security zone prohibits entry into or movement 
within the specified areas.
    This rulemaking establishes a security zone in all land and waters 
within 250 yards of the waterside property boundary of Seabrook Nuclear 
Power Plant in Seabrook, New Hampshire bounded by a line beginning at 
position 42 deg.53'58" N, 070 deg.51'06" W, then running along the 
Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant property boundaries, ending at position 
42 deg.53'46" N, 070 deg.51'06" W. The area along the Plant property 
boundaries is an area delineated by a fence, and runs east around the 
easternmost point of the property boundaries of Seabrook Nuclear Power 
Plant, then turns west to the point of termination. This security zone 
also closes all land within the zone to prevent access along areas 
traditionally reserved for public use between the mean low water tide 
line and the mean high water tide line. This rulemaking is necessary to 
provide complete protection of the waterfront areas of the Seabrook 
Nuclear Power Plant.
    No person or vessel may enter or remain in the prescribed security 
zone at any time without the permission of the Captain of the Port. 
Each person or vessel in a security zone shall obey any direction or 
order of the Captain of the Port. The Captain of the Port may take 
possession and control of any vessel in a security zone and/or remove 
any person, vessel, article or thing from a security zone. No person 
may board, take or place any article or thing on board any vessel or 
waterfront facility in a security zone without permission of the 
Captain of the Port.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This temporary final rule is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 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).
    The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposal to be 
so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the 
regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.
    The effect of this regulation will not be significant for several 
reasons: The protected area is not regularly navigated; there is ample 
room for vessels to navigate around the security zone; notifications 
will be made to the local maritime community; and signs

[[Page 67488]]

will be posted informing the public of the boundaries of the zone.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard considered whether this rule would have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term 
``small entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 
U.S.C. 605 (b) that this rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule will affect 
the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners 
or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in a portion of 
Hampton Harbor. For the reasons enumerated in the Regulatory Evaluation 
section above, this security zone will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under subsection 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104-121], the Coast Guard 
wants to assist small entities in understanding this final rule so that 
they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the 
rulemaking. If your small business or organization would be affected by 
this final rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or 
options for compliance, please call Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Wade W. 
Gough, Marine Safety Office Portland, Maine, at (207) 780-3251. 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. The Ombudsman 
evaluates these actions annually and rates each agency's responsiveness 
to small business. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of 
Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).

Collection of Information

    This rule would call for no new collection of information under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132 
and has determined that this rule does not have implications for 
federalism under that order.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
governs the issuance of Federal regulations that require unfunded 
mandates. An Unfunded Mandate is a regulation that requires a state, 
local or tribal government or the private sector to incur costs without 
the Federal government having first provided the funds to pay those 
costs. This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate.

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 section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of 
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

    The Coast Guard has 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 
concern 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. A 
rule with tribal implications has 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.

Environment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
regulation and concluded that, under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34 (g) of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, this rule is categorically excluded 
from further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical Exclusion 
Determination'' is available in the docket where indicated under 
ADDRESSES.

Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations that 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 Administer 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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record 
keeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 
CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

    1. 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.

    2. Add temporary Sec. 165.T01--207 to read as follows:


Sec. 165.T01--207  Security Zone: Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, 
Seabrook, New Hampshire.

    (a) Location. The following area is a security zone: All land and 
waters within 250 yards of the waterside property boundary of Seabrook 
Nuclear Power Plant identified as follows: beginning at position 
42 deg.53'58" N, 070 deg.51'06" W then running along the property 
boundaries of Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant to its position 
42 deg.53'46" N, 070 deg.51'06" W.
    (b) Effective dates. This section is effective from December 7, 
2001 until June 15, 2002.
    (c) Regulations.
    (1) In accordance with the general regulations in Sec. 165.33 of 
this part, entry into or movement within this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Portland, Maine.
    (2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Portland, Maine or designated on-
scene U. S. Coast Guard patrol personnel. On-

[[Page 67489]]

scene Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant and 
petty officers of the Coast Guard on board Coast Guard, Coast Guard 
Auxiliary, local, state, and federal law enforcement vessels.
    (3) No person may enter the waters within the boundaries of the 
security zone unless previously authorized by the Captain of the Port, 
Portland, Maine or his authorized patrol representative.

    Dated: December 7, 2001.
M. P. O'Malley,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Portland, Maine.
[FR Doc. 01-32119 Filed 12-28-01; 8:45 am]
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