Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/09/17/04-21007/security-zones-monterey-bay-and-humboldt-bay-ca
Timestamp: 2018-07-23 00:49:46
Document Index: 429649325

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165']

A Proposed Rule by the Coast Guard on 09/17/2004
Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before November 16, 2004.
69 FR 56011
56011-56015 (5 pages)
04-21007
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-21007 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-21007
The Coast Guard proposes to establish permanent moving and fixed security zones extending 100 yards in the U.S. navigable waters around and under all cruise ships, tankers, and High Interest Vessels (HIVs) that enter, are moored or anchored in, or depart from the designated waters of Monterey Bay or Humboldt Bay, California. These security zones are needed for national security reasons to protect the public and ports of Monterey Bay and Humboldt Bay from potential subversive acts. Entry into these security zones would be prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Start Printed Page 56012San Francisco Bay, or his designated representative.
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (COTP San Francisco Bay 04-003), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know that your submission reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.
The threat of maritime attacks is real as evidenced by the attack on the USS COLE and the subsequent attack in October 2002 against a tank vessel off the coast of Yemen. These threats manifest a continuing threat to U.S. assets as described in the President's finding in Executive Order 13273 of August 21, 2002 (67 FR 56215, September 3, 2002) that the security of the U.S. is endangered by the September 11, 2001 attacks and that such aggression continues to endanger the international relations of the United States. See also Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Certain Terrorist Attacks (67 FR 58317, September 13, 2002), and Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, Or Support Terrorism (67 FR 59447, September 20, 2002). The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) in Advisory 02-07 advised U.S. shipping interests to maintain a heightened status of alert against possible terrorist attacks. MARAD more recently issued Advisory 03-05 informing operators of maritime interests of increased threat possibilities to vessels and facilities and a higher risk of terrorist attack to the transportation community in the United States. Ongoing foreign hostilities have made it prudent for U.S. ports and waterways to be on a higher state of alert because the Al-Qaeda organization and other similar organizations have declared an ongoing intention to conduct armed attacks on U.S. interests worldwide.
In this particular rulemaking, to address the aforementioned security concerns, and to take steps to prevent the catastrophic impact that a terrorist attack against a cruise ship, tanker, or HIV would have on the public interest, the Coast Guard is proposing to establish permanent security zones around and under cruise ships, tankers, and HIVs that enter, are moored or anchored in, or depart from the designated waters of Monterey Bay or Humboldt Bay, California. These security zones help the Coast Guard to prevent vessels or persons from engaging in terrorist actions against these types of vessels. Due to these heightened security concerns, and the catastrophic impact a terrorist attack on a cruise ship, tanker, or HIV would have on the crew and passengers on board, and the surrounding area and communities, security zones are prudent for these types of vessels.
On December 31, 2002, we published the final rule [COTP San Francisco Bay 02-019] adding § 165.1183, “Security Zones; Cruise Ships and Tank Vessels, San Francisco Bay and Delta ports, California” in the Federal Register (67 FR 79854). That section set forth security zones for cruise ships and tank vessels in San Francisco Bay and delta ports. A subsequent final rule [COTP San Francisco Bay 03-002] published in the Federal Register (69 FR 8817) on February 26, 2004, amended § 165.1183 to include HIVs as protected vessels in that section, along with cruise ships and tank vessels.
On March 29, 2004, we published a temporary final rule under COTP San Francisco Bay 04-002 in the Federal Register (69 FR 16163) creating temporary § 165.T11-004 of Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Under temporary § 165.T11-004, the Coast Guard established 100-yard moving and fixed security zones around all cruise ships, tank vessels, and HIVs that enter, are moored or anchored in, or depart from the designated waters of Monterey Bay or Humboldt Bay, California.
Though temporary § 165.T11-004 expired at 11:59 p.m. on September 5, 2004, it was effectively and seamlessly extended by a change in effective period temporary rule that was issued on August 31, 2004. This change in the effective period of the temporary rule is also found under docket COTP San Francisco Bay 04-002, and extended the rule to 11:59 p.m. on March 5, 2005. The Captain of the Port has determined Start Printed Page 56013there is a need for continued security regulations.
We propose to create permanent security zones in the same areas currently protected by temporary security zones under § 165.T11-004. Our proposed rule would amend § 165.1183 “Security Zones; Cruise Ships, Tank Vessels, and High Interest Vessels (HIVs), San Francisco Bay and Delta ports, California” (67 FR 79856) to accomplish the following: (1) Update the definition of “cruise ship” to match the definition in 33 CFR 101.105, (2) change the term “tank vessel” to “tanker” to coincide with the definition in 33 CFR 160.3 and better reflect our intention for the rule to apply to self-propelled vessels, and (3) extend the permanent security zones established around cruise ships, tank vessels, and HIVs in San Francisco Bay and Delta Ports to include cruise ships, tankers, and HIVs in Monterey Bay and Humboldt Bay.
For Humboldt Bay, a security zone would be activated when any cruise ship, tanker, or HIV enters the area shoreward of a 4 nautical mile radius line drawn to the west of the Humboldt Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy HB (LLNR 8130), in position 40°46.25′ N, 124°16.13′ W.
For Monterey Bay, a security zone would be activated when any cruise ship, tanker, or HIV passes shoreward of a line drawn between Santa Cruz Light (LLNR 305) to the north in position 36°57.10′ N, 122°01.60′ W, and Cypress Point, Monterey to the south, in position 36°34.90′ N, 121°58.70′ W.
The security zone would remain in effect while the cruise ship, tanker, or HIV is underway, anchored or moored within the designated waters of Monterey Bay or Humboldt Bay. When activated, the security zone would encompass all waters, extending from the surface to the sea floor, within 100 yards ahead, astern and extending 100 yards along either side of the vessel. This security zone would be automatically deactivated when the vessel departs from the areas of Monterey Bay or Humboldt Bay designated in this rule. Vessels and people may be allowed to enter these proposed security zones on a case-by-case basis with authorization from the Captain of the Port.
These security zones are needed for national security reasons to protect cruise ships, tankers, HIVs, the public, transiting vessels, adjacent waterfront facilities and the ports from potential subversive acts, accidents or other events of a similar nature. Entry into these zones would be prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.
The Captain of the Port would enforce these zones and may enlist the aid and cooperation of any Federal, State, county, municipal and private agency to assist in the enforcement of the regulation. Section 165.33 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, prohibits any unauthorized person or vessel from entering or remaining in a security zone. Vessels or persons violating this section would be subject to the penalties set forth in 33 U.S.C. 1232 and 50 U.S.C. 192. Pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 1232, any violation of the security zone described herein, is punishable by civil penalties (not to exceed $32,500 per violation, where each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation), criminal penalties (imprisonment from 5 to 10 years and a maximum fine of $250,000), and in rem liability against the offending vessel. Any person who violates this section 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, will also face imprisonment from 10 to 25 years. Vessels or persons violating this section are also subject to the penalties set forth in 50 U.S.C. 192: seizure and forfeiture of the vessel to the United States, a maximum criminal fine of $10,000, imprisonment up to 10 years, and a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each day of a continuing violation.
Although this proposed regulation would restrict access to a portion of navigable waters, the effect of this regulation would not be significant because: (i) The zones would encompass only a small portion of the waterway; (ii) vessels would be able to pass safely around the zones; and (iii) vessels may be allowed to enter these zones on a case-by-case basis with permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.
The size of the zones is the minimum necessary to provide adequate protection for all cruise ships, tankers, and HIVs, other vessels operating in the vicinity of these vessels, adjoining areas, and the public. The entities most likely to be affected are fishing vessels and pleasure craft engaged in recreational activities and sightseeing.
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. We expect this rule may affect owners and operators of vessels, some of which may be small entities, intending to fish, sightsee, transit, or anchor in the waters affected by these security zones. These proposed security zones would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for several reasons: vessel traffic would be able to pass safely around the area, vessels engaged in recreational activities, sightseeing and commercial fishing would have ample space outside of the security zones to engage in these activities, and small entities and the maritime public will be advised of these security zones via public notice to mariners.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the proposed rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact Lieutenant Doug Ebbers, Waterways Management Branch, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Francisco Bay, Start Printed Page 56014(510) 437-2770. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question of complain about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. Therefore, this proposed rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, from further environmental documentation because we are establishing a security zone.
(1) San Francisco Bay. All waters, extending from the surface to the sea floor, within 100 yards ahead, astern Start Printed Page 56015and extending 100 yards along either side of any cruise ship, tanker or HIV that is underway, anchored, or moored within the San Francisco Bay and Delta port areas shoreward of the line drawn between San Francisco Main Ship Channel buoys 7 and 8 (LLNR 4190 & 4195, positions 37°46.9′ N, 122°35.4′ W and 37°46.5′ N, 122°35.2′ W, respectively);
(2) Monterey Bay. All waters, extending from the surface to the sea floor, within 100 yards ahead, astern and extending 100 yards along either side of any cruise ship, tanker or HIV that is underway, anchored, or moored within the Monterey Bay area shoreward of a line drawn between Santa Cruz Light (LLNR 305) to the north in position 36°57.10′N, 122°01.60′W, and Cypress Point, Monterey to the south, in position 36°34.90′N, 121°58.70′W.
(3) Humboldt Bay. All waters, extending from the surface to the sea floor, within 100 yards ahead, astern and extending 100 yards along either side of any cruise ship, tanker or HIV that is underway, anchored, or moored within the Humboldt Bay area shoreward of a 4 nautical mile radius line drawn to the west of the Humboldt Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy HB (LLNR 8130), in position 40°46.25′N, 124°16.13′W.
(1) In accordance with the general regulations in § 165.33 of this part, entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, San Francisco Bay, or his designated representative.
[FR Doc. 04-21007 Filed 9-16-04; 8:45 am]