17 January 2004 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: January 16, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 11)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 2554-2557] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr16ja04-21] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [COTP San Diego 03-032] RIN 1625-AA00 Security Zone: Coronado Bay Bridge, San Diego, CA AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish permanent security zones [[Page 2555]] encompassing the navigable waters of San Diego Bay within 25 yards of all piers, abutments, fenders and pilings of the Coronado Bay Bridge. These temporary security zones are needed for national security reasons to protect the public ports from potential subversive actions. Persons and vessels would be prohibited from entering into, transiting through, loitering, or anchoring within these security zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative. DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before March 16, 2004. ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Diego, 2716 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-1064. The Port Operations Department maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at the Marine Safety Office San Diego, Port Operations Department between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief Petty Officer Todd Taylor, USCG, c/o U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, telephone (619) 683-6495. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments 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 (03-032), 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 8\1/ 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. Public Meeting We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for a meeting by writing to Marine Safety Office San Diego, Port Operations Department, at the address under ADDRESSES explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a separate notice in the Federal Register. Background and Purpose Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and Flight 93, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued several warnings concerning the potential for additional terrorist attacks within the United States. In addition, the ongoing hostilities in Afghanistan and Iraq have made it prudent for U.S. ports to be on 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 its effort to thwart terrorist activity, the Coast Guard has increased safety and security measures on U.S. ports and waterways. As part of the Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-399), Congress amended section 7 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PAWSA), 33 U.S.C. 1226, 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. In this particular rulemaking, to address the aforementioned security concerns and to take steps to prevent the catastrophic impact that a terrorist attack against the Coronado Bridge would have on the public interest, the Coast Guard proposes to establish security zones around the Coronado Bridge. These security zones would help the Coast Guard to prevent vessels or persons from engaging in terrorist actions against these bridges. Due to these heightened security concerns and the catastrophic impact a terrorist attack on these bridges would have on the public transportation system and surrounding areas and communities, security zones are prudent for these structures. This notice of proposed rulemaking is intended to notify the public that the Coast Guard intends to create permanent security zones around the Coronado Bay Bridge. Discussion of Proposed Rule In this proposed rule, the Coast Guard would establish fixed security zones extending, from the surface to the sea floor, 25 yards in the waters around all piers, abutments, fenders and pilings of the Coronado Bridge, San Diego Bay, California. Entry into these security zones would be prohibited, unless doing so would be necessary for safe navigation or you have the permission of the Captain of the Port. Vessels and people would be allowed to enter an established security zone on a case-by-case basis with authorization from the Captain of the Port. Vessels or persons violating this section would be subject to the penalties set forth in 33 U.S.C. 1232. Pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 1232, any violation of the security zone described herein could be punishable by civil penalties, criminal penalties (including imprisonment up to 6 years), and in rem liability against the offending vessel. Any person who would violate this proposed regulation using a dangerous weapon or who would engage in conduct that causes bodily injury or fear of imminent bodily injury to any officer authorized to enforce this regulation, would also face imprisonment up to 12 years. Coast Guard personnel would enforce this regulation and the Captain of the Port may be assisted by other Federal, State, or local agencies in the patrol and enforcement of the regulation. This regulation is proposed under the authority of 33 U.S.C. 1226 in addition to the authority contained in 33 U.S.C. 1231. Regulatory Evaluation This proposed 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 Homeland Security (DHS). We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies and procedures of DHS is unnecessary. Although the proposed rule would restrict access to portions of the navigable waterways around the bridge, 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 would 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 sizes of the proposed zones are the minimum necessary to provide adequate protection for the bridges, vessels operating in the vicinity, their [[Page 2556]] crew and passengers, adjoining areas and the public. The entities most likely to be affected are commercial vessels transiting the main ship channel en route the southern San Diego Bay and Chula Vista ports and pleasure craft engaged in recreational activities and sightseeing. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this proposed 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 proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The security zones would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for several reasons: small vessel traffic could pass safely around the security zones and vessels engaged in recreational activities, sightseeing and commercial fishing would have ample space outside of the security zones to engage in these activities. Small entities and the maritime public would be advised of these security zones via public notice to mariners. 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. Assistance for Small Entities Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. If the rule will affect your small business, organization, or government jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT for assistance in understanding this rule. 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.). Federalism Arule 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 proposed rule under that Order and have determined that it 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 proposed rule would not result in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble. Taking of Private Property This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 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. 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. Energy Effects We have analyzed this proposed 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. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211. Environment 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 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. A draft ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a draft ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' (CED) are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. Comments on this section will be considered before we make the final decision on whether the rule should be categorically excluded from further environmental review. 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 proposes to amend 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. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 2. Add Sec. 165.1110 to read as follows: [[Page 2557]] Sec. 165.1110 Security Zone: Coronado Bay Bridge, San Diego, CA. (a) Location. All navigable waters of San Diego Bay, from the surface to the sea floor, within 25 yards of all piers, abutments, fenders and pilings of the Coronado Bay Bridge. These security zones will not restrict the main navigational channel nor will it restrict vessels from transiting through the channel. (b) Regulations. (1) Under Sec. 165.33, entry into, transit through, loitering, or anchoring within any of these security zones by all persons and vessels is prohibited, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative. Mariners seeking permission to transit through a security zone may request authorization to do so from Captain of the Port or his designated representative. The Coast Guard can be contacted on San Diego Bay via VHF-FM channel 16. (2) Vessels may enter a security zone if it is necessary for safe navigation and circumstances do not allow sufficient time to obtain permission from the Captain of the Port. Dated: December 16, 2003. Stephen P. Metruck, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Diego. [FR Doc. 04-1058 Filed 1-15-04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-P