Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2014/05/21/2014-11567.html
Timestamp: 2020-02-16 19:42:10
Document Index: 537789321

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 165', 'art 147', 'art 147', 'art 147', 'art 147', 'art 147', 'ART 147', 'art 147', '§ 147', '§ 147', 'art 165', 'art 165', 'art 147', 'art 147']

Safety Zone; Gulfstar 1 SPAR, Mississippi Canyon Block 724, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico, 29095-29098 [2014-11567] :: Coast Guard :: Department Of Homeland Security :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Homeland Security Coast Guard Safety Zone; Gulfstar 1 SPAR, Mississippi Canyon Block 724, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico, 29095-29098 [2014-11567]
Safety Zone; Gulfstar 1 SPAR, Mississippi Canyon Block 724, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico, 29095-29098 [2014-11567]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 98 / Wednesday, May 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 29095 TABLE 1 TO § 165.151—Continued • Location: Waters of the Great South Bay off The Pines, East Fire Island, NY within 600 feet on the fireworks barge located in approximate position 40°40′07.47″ N, 073°04′31.73″ W (NAD 83). 9 September 9.1 East Hampton Fire Department Fireworks ...................................... • • • • Date: August 30, 2014. Rain Date: August 31, 2014. Time: 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Location: Waters off Main Beach, East Hampton, NY within 1000 feet of the fireworks launch site located in approximate position 40°56′44″ N, 072°11′17″ W (NAD 83). 9.4 The Creek Fireworks ....................................................................... • • • • Date: August 30, 2014. Rain Dates: August 31, 2014 or September 6, 2014. Time: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Location: Waters of Long Island Sound off the Creek Golf Course, Lattingtown, NY within 600 feet of the fireworks launch site located in approximate position 40°54′13’’ N 073°35′58’’ W (NAD 83). Under the provisions of 33 CFR 100.100 and 33 CFR 165.151, the regatta and fireworks displays listed above in DATES are established as a special local regulation or safety zones. During the enforcement periods, persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within the regulated area or safety zone unless they receive permission from the COTP or designated representative. This notice is issued under authority of 33 CFR 100 and 33 CFR 165 and 5 U.S.C. 552 (a). In addition to this notice in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard will provide the maritime community with advance notification of this enforcement period via the Local Notice to Mariners or marine information broadcasts. If the COTP determines that the regulated area or safety zone need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice, a Broadcast Notice to Mariners may be used to grant general permission to enter the regulated area or safety zone. Dated: May 1, 2014. E.J. Cubanski, III, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Long Island Sound. [FR Doc. 2014–11564 Filed 5–20–14; 8:45 am] emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 9110–04–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:26 May 20, 2014 Jkt 232001 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 147 [Docket No. USCG–2014–0242] RIN 1625–AA00 Safety Zone; Gulfstar 1 SPAR, Mississippi Canyon Block 724, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard proposes a safety zone around the Gulfstar 1 SPAR, Mississippi Canyon Block 724 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the safety zone is to protect the facility from vessels operating outside the normal shipping channels and fairways. Placing a safety zone around the facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, oil spills, and releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment. DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before June 20, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG– 2014–0242 using any one of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. (2) Fax: 202–493–2251. (3) Mail or Delivery: Docket Management Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001. Deliveries accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The telephone number is 202– 366–9329. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed rule, call or email Mr. Rusty Wright, U.S. Coast Guard, District Eight Waterways Management Branch; telephone 504–671–2138, rusty.h.wright@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Acronyms DHS Department of Homeland Security FR Federal Register NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking OCS Outer Continental Shelf USCG United States Coast Guard A. Public Participation and Request for Comments We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted without change to http:// www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. 1. Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and E:\FR\FM\21MYR1.SGM 21MYR1 29096 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 98 / Wednesday, May 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations material online at http:// www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number [USCG–2014–0242] in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ on the line associated with this rulemaking. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change the rule based on your comments. 2. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number (USCG–2014–0242) in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES 3. Privacy Act Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008 issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:26 May 20, 2014 Jkt 232001 4. Public Meeting We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for one by using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES. Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register. B. Basis and Purpose Under the authority provided in 14 U.S.C. 85, 43 U.S.C. 1333, and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, Title 33, CFR Part 147 permits the establishment of safety zones for facilities located on the OCS for the purpose of protecting life, property and the marine environment. Williams Midstream requested that the Coast Guard establish a safety zone around its facility located in the deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico on the OCS. Placing a safety zone around this facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, oil spills, and releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment. The safety zone proposed by this rulemaking is on the OCS in the deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi Canyon Block 724 with a center point at 28°14′05.904″ N 88°59′43.306″ W. For the purpose of safety zones established under 33 CFR Part 147, the deepwater area is considered to be waters of 304.8 meters (1,000 feet) or greater depth extending to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) contiguous to the territorial sea of the United States and extending to a distance up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the sea is measured. Navigation in the vicinity of the safety zone consists of large commercial shipping vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, tugs with tows and the occasional recreational vessel. The deepwater area also includes an extensive system of fairways. C. Discussion of Proposed Rule Williams Midstream requested that the Coast Guard establish a safety zone extending 500 meters from each point on the Gulfstar 1 SPAR facility structure’s outermost edge. The request for the safety zone was made due to safety concerns for both the personnel aboard the facility and the environment. Williams Midstream indicated that it is highly likely that any allision with the facility would result in a catastrophic event. In evaluating this request, the PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Coast Guard explored relevant safety factors and considered several criteria, including but not limited to, (1) the level of shipping activity around the facility, (2) safety concerns for personnel aboard the facility, (3) concerns for the environment, (4) the likeliness that an allision would result in a catastrophic event based on proximity to shipping fairways, offloading operations, production levels, and size of the crew, (5) the volume of traffic in the vicinity of the proposed area, (6) the types of vessels navigating in the vicinity of the proposed area, and (7) the structural configuration of the facility. Results from a thorough and comprehensive examination of the criteria, International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines, and existing regulations warrant the establishment of a safety zone of 500 meters around the facility. The proposed safety zone would reduce significantly the threat of allisions, oil spills, and releases of natural gas and increase the safety of life, property, and the environment in the Gulf of Mexico by prohibiting entry into the zone unless specifically authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District or a designated representative. D. Regulatory Analyses We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on a number of these statutes or executive orders. 1. Regulatory Planning and Review This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. This rule is not a significant regulatory action due to the location of the Gulfstar 1 SPAR—on the Outer Continental Shelf—and its distance from both land and safety fairways. Vessels traversing waters near the proposed safety zone will be able to safely travel around the zone using alternate routes. Exceptions to this proposed rule include vessels measuring less than 100 feet in length overall and not engaged in towing. Deviation to transit through the E:\FR\FM\21MYR1.SGM 21MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 98 / Wednesday, May 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations proposed safety zone may be requested. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District or a designated representative. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES 2. Impact on Small Entities The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601–612, as amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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 proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This proposed rule would affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in Mississippi Canyon Block 724. This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact or a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: Vessel traffic can pass safely around the safety zone using alternate routes. Based on the limited scope of the safety zone, any delay resulting from using an alternate route is expected to be minimal depending on vessel traffic and speed in the area. Additionally, exceptions to this proposed rule include vessels measuring less than 100 feet in length overall and not engaged in towing. Deviation to transit through the proposed safety zone may be requested. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District or a designated representative. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it. 3. Assistance for Small Entities 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. If the rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:26 May 20, 2014 Jkt 232001 concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard. 4. Collection of Information This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.). 5. Federalism A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism. 6. Protest Activities The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places or vessels. 7. 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 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble. 8. Taking of Private Property This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights. 9. Civil Justice Reform This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 29097 Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. 10. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children. 11. Indian Tribal Governments This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would 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. 12. Energy Effects This proposed rule is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. 13. Technical Standards This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards. 14. Environment We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023–01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This proposed rule involves the establishment of a safety zone around an OCS facility to protect life, property and the marine environment. This proposed rule is categorical excluded from further review, under figure 2–1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and the Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the E:\FR\FM\21MYR1.SGM 21MYR1 29098 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 98 / Wednesday, May 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule. List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 147 Continental shelf, Marine safety, Navigation (water). For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR part 147 as follows: PART 147—SAFETY ZONES 1. The authority citation for part 147 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 14 U.S.C. 85; 43 U.S.C. 1333; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. ■ 2. Add § 147.859 to read as follows: § 147.859 Zone. Gulfstar 1 SPAR Facility Safety (a) Description. The Gulfstar 1 Spar is in the deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico at Mississippi Canyon Block 724. The facility is located at 28°14′05.904″ N, 88°59′43.306″ W, and the area within 500 meters (1640.4 feet) from each point on the facility structure’s outer edge is a safety zone. (b) Regulation. No vessel may enter or remain in this safety zone except the following: (1) An attending vessel; (2) A vessel under 100 feet in length overall not engaged in towing; or (3) A vessel authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District or a designated representative. Dated: April 25, 2014. Kevin S. Cook, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2014–11567 Filed 5–20–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–15–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket No. USCG–2014–0282] emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES Safety Zone; Fourth of July Fireworks, Berkeley Marina, San Francisco Bay, Berkeley, CA Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of enforcement of regulation. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Berkeley Marina Fourth of July Fireworks display in the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:26 May 20, 2014 Jkt 232001 of responsibility on July 4, 2014, from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This action is necessary to protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM). DATES: The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1191, Table 1, Item number 8 will be enforced from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 4, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, call or email Lieutenant Junior Grade William Hawn, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco; telephone (415) 399– 7442 or email at D11-PF-MarineEvents@ uscg.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard will enforce a 1,000 foot safety zone around the Berkeley Pier in approximate position 37°51′40″ N, 122°19′19″ W (NAD 83) from 9:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on July 4, 2014. Upon the commencement of the 60 minute fireworks display, scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, 2014, the safety zone will encompass the navigable waters around and under the Berkeley Pier within a radius 1,000 feet in approximate position 37°51′40″ N, 122°19′19″ W (NAD 83) for the Fourth of July Fireworks, Berkeley Marina in 33 CFR 165.1191, Table 1, Item number 8. At the conclusion of the fireworks display the safety zone shall terminate. This safety zone will be in effect from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 4, 2014. Under the provisions of 33 CFR 165.1191, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone during all applicable effective dates and times, unless authorized to do so by the PATCOM. Additionally, each person who receives notice of a lawful order or direction issued by an official patrol vessel shall obey the order or direction. The PATCOM is empowered to forbid entry into and control the regulated area. The PATCOM shall be designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. The PATCOM may, upon request, allow the transit of commercial vessels through regulated areas when it is safe to do so. This notice is issued under authority of 33 CFR 165.1191 and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). In addition to this notice in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard will provide the maritime community with extensive advance notification of the safety zone PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 and its enforcement period via the Local Notice to Mariners. If the Captain of the Port determines that the regulated area need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice, a Broadcast Notice to Mariners may be used to grant general permission to enter the regulated area. Dated: April 24, 2014. Gregory G. Stump, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Francisco. [FR Doc. 2014–11792 Filed 5–20–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket No. USCG–2014–0227] Safety Zone; Fourth of July Fireworks, Redwood City, Redwood City Harbor, Redwood City, CA Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of enforcement of regulation. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Redwood City Fourth of July Fireworks display in the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area of responsibility on July 4, 2014, from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. This action is necessary to protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM). DATES: The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1191, Table 1, Item number 6 will be enforced from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, call or email Lieutenant Junior Grade William Hawn, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco; telephone (415) 399– 7442 or email at D11-PF-MarineEvents@ uscg.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone established in 33 CFR 165.1191, Table 1, Item number 6 on July 4, 2014. Upon commencement of the 30 minute fireworks display, scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, 2014, the safety zone will encompass the navigable waters surrounding the land based launch site on the pier located in SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21MYR1.SGM 21MYR1
[Pages 29095-29098]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11567]
[Docket No. USCG-2014-0242]
Safety Zone; Gulfstar 1 SPAR, Mississippi Canyon Block 724, Outer
Continental Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes a safety zone around the Gulfstar 1
SPAR, Mississippi Canyon Block 724 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the safety zone is to protect the
facility from vessels operating outside the normal shipping channels
and fairways. Placing a safety zone around the facility will
significantly reduce the threat of allisions, oil spills, and releases
of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and
Guard on or before June 20, 2014.
2014-0242 using any one of the following methods:
rule, call or email Mr. Rusty Wright, U.S. Coast Guard, District Eight
recommendation. You may submit your comments and
[[Page 29096]]
material online at http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand
type the docket number [USCG-2014-0242] in the ``SEARCH'' box and click
type the docket number (USCG-2014-0242) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click
request for one by using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES.
Under the authority provided in 14 U.S.C. 85, 43 U.S.C. 1333, and
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, Title 33, CFR
Part 147 permits the establishment of safety zones for facilities
located on the OCS for the purpose of protecting life, property and the
marine environment. Williams Midstream requested that the Coast Guard
establish a safety zone around its facility located in the deepwater
area of the Gulf of Mexico on the OCS. Placing a safety zone around
this facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, oil
spills, and releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of
The safety zone proposed by this rulemaking is on the OCS in the
deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi Canyon Block 724
with a center point at 28[deg]14'05.904'' N 88[deg]59'43.306'' W. For
the purpose of safety zones established under 33 CFR Part 147, the
deepwater area is considered to be waters of 304.8 meters (1,000 feet)
or greater depth extending to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) contiguous to the territorial sea of the United States and
extending to a distance up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline from
which the breadth of the sea is measured. Navigation in the vicinity of
the safety zone consists of large commercial shipping vessels, fishing
vessels, cruise ships, tugs with tows and the occasional recreational
vessel. The deepwater area also includes an extensive system of
Williams Midstream requested that the Coast Guard establish a
safety zone extending 500 meters from each point on the Gulfstar 1 SPAR
facility structure's outermost edge. The request for the safety zone
was made due to safety concerns for both the personnel aboard the
facility and the environment. Williams Midstream indicated that it is
highly likely that any allision with the facility would result in a
catastrophic event. In evaluating this request, the Coast Guard
explored relevant safety factors and considered several criteria,
including but not limited to, (1) the level of shipping activity around
the facility, (2) safety concerns for personnel aboard the facility,
(3) concerns for the environment, (4) the likeliness that an allision
would result in a catastrophic event based on proximity to shipping
fairways, offloading operations, production levels, and size of the
crew, (5) the volume of traffic in the vicinity of the proposed area,
(6) the types of vessels navigating in the vicinity of the proposed
area, and (7) the structural configuration of the facility.
criteria, International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines, and
existing regulations warrant the establishment of a safety zone of 500
meters around the facility. The proposed safety zone would reduce
significantly the threat of allisions, oil spills, and releases of
natural gas and increase the safety of life, property, and the
environment in the Gulf of Mexico by prohibiting entry into the zone
unless specifically authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard
This rule is not a significant regulatory action due to the
location of the Gulfstar 1 SPAR--on the Outer Continental Shelf--and
its distance from both land and safety fairways. Vessels traversing
waters near the proposed safety zone will be able to safely travel
around the zone using alternate routes. Exceptions to this proposed
rule include vessels measuring less than 100 feet in length overall and
not engaged in towing. Deviation to transit through the
[[Page 29097]]
proposed safety zone may be requested. Such requests will be considered
on a case-by-case basis and may be authorized by the Commander, Eighth
Coast Guard District or a designated representative.
intending to transit or anchor in Mississippi Canyon Block 724.
This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact or a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: Vessel
traffic can pass safely around the safety zone using alternate routes.
Based on the limited scope of the safety zone, any delay resulting from
using an alternate route is expected to be minimal depending on vessel
traffic and speed in the area. Additionally, exceptions to this
proposed rule include vessels measuring less than 100 feet in length
overall and not engaged in towing. Deviation to transit through the
The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have
establishment of a safety zone around an OCS facility to protect life,
property and the marine environment. This proposed rule is categorical
excluded from further review, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of
the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary environmental analysis
checklist supporting this determination and the Categorical Exclusion
Determination are available in the
[[Page 29098]]
Authority:  14 U.S.C. 85; 43 U.S.C. 1333; and Department of
2. Add Sec.  147.859 to read as follows:
Sec.  147.859  Gulfstar 1 SPAR Facility Safety Zone.
(a) Description. The Gulfstar 1 Spar is in the deepwater area of
the Gulf of Mexico at Mississippi Canyon Block 724. The facility is
located at 28[deg]14'05.904'' N, 88[deg]59'43.306'' W, and the area
within 500 meters (1640.4 feet) from each point on the facility
structure's outer edge is a safety zone.