Security Zone; Suisun Bay, Concord, CA, 3299-3302 [05-1232]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 14 (Monday, January 24, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3299-3302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1232]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[COTP San Francisco Bay 04-007]
RIN 1625-AA87


Security Zone; Suisun Bay, Concord, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing fixed security zones in the 
navigable waters of the United States around each of the three piers at 
the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO), California (formerly 
United States Naval Weapons Center Concord, California), any 
combination of which can be enforced by the Captain of the Port (COTP) 
San Francisco Bay during the onloading or offloading of military 
equipment and ordnance, depending on which pier, or piers, are being 
used. In light of recent terrorist actions against the United States, 
these security zones are necessary to ensure the safe onloading and 
offloading of military equipment and to ensure the safety of the public 
from potential subversive acts. The security zones prohibit all persons 
and vessels from entering, transiting through or anchoring within 
portions of the Suisun Bay within 500 yards of any MOTCO pier, or 
piers, where military onload or offload operations are taking place, 
unless authorized by the COTP or his designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective February 23, 2005.

ADDRESSES: 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 04-007 and are available for inspection or 
copying at the Waterways Branch of the Marine Safety Office San 
Francisco Bay, Coast Guard Island, Alameda, California, 94501, between 
9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Doug Ebbers, U.S. Coast 
Guard Marine Safety Office San Francisco Bay, at (510) 437-3073.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    On July 19, 2004, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) in the Federal Register (69 FR 42950) proposing to establish 
permanent security zones around the three piers at the MOTCO facility. 
This NPRM incorrectly stated that lighted buoys would be used to mark 
the perimeter of the proposed security zones and that the MOTCO Piers 
were numbered from east to west instead of west to east. Because of 
these errors, a supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
(69 FR 55125) on September 13, 2004 to correct the errors in the 
initial NPRM and provide 60 more days for the public to comment. We 
received no letters commenting on the proposed rule. No public hearing 
was requested, and none was held.

Penalties for Violating Security Zone

    Vessels or persons violating this security zone will 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

[[Page 3300]]

violation, where each day of a continuing violation is a separate 
violation), criminal penalties (imprisonment up to 6 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, 
also faces imprisonment up to 12 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, and imprisonment up to 10 years.
    The Captain of the Port will 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.

Background and Purpose

    In its effort to thwart potential 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 (Public Law 99-399), Congress amended section 7 of the Ports and 
Waterways Safety Act (PWSA), 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. The Coast Guard also has 
authority to establish security zones pursuant to the Act of June 15, 
1917, as amended by the Magnuson Act of August 9, 1950 (50 U.S.C. 191 
et seq.) and implementing regulations promulgated by the President in 
subparts 6.01 and 6.04 of part 6 of title 33 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    In this particular rulemaking, to take steps to prevent the 
catastrophic impact that a terrorist attack against the MOTCO facility 
would have on the people, ports, waterways, and properties of the Port 
Chicago and Suisun Bay areas, the Coast Guard is establishing three 
security zones in the navigable waters of the United States within 500 
yards of any MOTCO pier, or piers, where military onload or offload 
operations are taking place. These security zones are necessary to 
safeguard vessels, cargo, crew, the MOTCO terminal, and the surrounding 
property from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents or criminal 
acts. These zones are also necessary to protect military operations 
from compromise and interference.
    Previously, for each military operation at MOTCO, a temporary final 
rule would be written and published to establish a temporary security 
zone around the entire MOTCO facility, and the maritime public would be 
advised of the security zone using a Broadcast Notice to Mariners 
(BNM). In this rulemaking, we are creating three smaller security zones 
that surround only the pier, or piers, being used for a military onload 
or offload, and the security zone(s) will only be enforced during an 
onload or offload operation. This allows the Coast Guard to provide 
additional security for the facility during military operations without 
having to publish a temporary final rule each time an operation occurs, 
while minimizing the negative impacts to vessel traffic, fishing, and 
other activities in Suisun Bay. Five hundred yards around the pier(s) 
is estimated to be an adequate zone size to provide increased security 
for military operations by providing a standoff distance for blast and 
collision, a surveillance and detection perimeter, and a margin of 
response time for security personnel.
    This rule, for security reasons, prohibits the entry of any vessel 
or person inside the security zone without specific authorization from 
the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. Due to 
heightened security concerns and the catastrophic impact a terrorist 
attack on this facility would have on the public, environment, 
transportation system, surrounding areas, and nearby communities, 
establishing security zones is a prudent and necessary action for this 
facility.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    We received no letters commenting on either the initial proposed 
rule or the revised rule we proposed in our September 2004 supplemental 
NPRM (69 FR 55125). No public hearing was requested, and none was held. 
Therefore, we made no change from the rule we proposed in our 
supplemental NPRM.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This 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 rule to be so minimal that a 
full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies and procedures 
of DHS is unnecessary. Although this rule restricts access to the 
waters encompassed by the security zones, the effect of this regulation 
is not significant because: (i) The zones only encompass small portions 
of the waterway; (ii) smaller vessels are able to pass safely around 
the zones; and (iii) larger 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 security zones are the minimum necessary to provide 
adequate protection for MOTCO, vessels engaged in operations at MOTCO, 
their crews, other vessels operating in the vicinity, and the public. 
The entities most likely to be affected are commercial vessels 
transiting to or from Suisun Bay via the Port Chicago Reach section of 
the channel 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 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 for several reasons: (i) Small vessel traffic is able to pass 
safely around the area, (ii) vessels engaged in recreational 
activities, sightseeing and commercial fishing have ample space outside 
of the security zones to engage in these activities, and (iii) vessels 
may receive authorization to transit through the zones by the Captain 
of the Port or his designated representative on a case-by-case basis. 
In addition, small entities and the maritime public will be advised of 
these security zones via public notice to mariners and by Coast Guard 
patrol personnel.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we offered to assist small 
entities in understanding the rule so that they

[[Page 3301]]

could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the 
rulemaking process.
    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 the Cast Guard, call 1-800-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 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 rule does 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 might 
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 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.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this 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 it would establish security zones. 
A draft ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a draft ``Categorical 
Exclusion Determination'' (CED) will be available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.


0
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

0
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.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.1199, to read as follows:


Sec.  165.1199  Security Zones; Military Ocean Terminal Concord 
(MOTCO), Concord, California.

    (a) Location. The security zone(s) encompass the navigable waters 
of Suisun Bay, California, extending from the surface to the sea floor, 
within 500 yards of the three Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) 
piers in Concord, California.
    (b) Regulations. (1) The Captain of the Port (COTP) San Francisco 
Bay will enforce the security zone(s) established by this section 
during military onload or offload operations only upon notice. Upon 
notice of enforcement by the COTP, entering, transiting through or 
anchoring in the zone(s) is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or 
his designated representative. Upon notice of suspension of enforcement 
by the COTP, all persons and vessels are granted general permissions to 
enter, transit, and exit the security zone(s).
    (2) If more than 1 pier is involved in onload or offload operations 
at the same time, the 500-yard security zone for each involved pier 
will be enforced.
    (3) Persons desiring to transit the area of a security zone may 
contact the Patrol Commander on scene on VHF-FM channel 13 or 16 or the 
COTP at

[[Page 3302]]

telephone number 415-399-3547 to seek permission to transit the area. 
If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the 
instructions of the COTP or his designated representative.
    (c) Enforcement. All persons and vessels must comply with the 
instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated 
on-scene patrol personnel. Patrol personnel comprise commissioned, 
warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard onboard Coast Guard, 
Coast Guard Auxiliary, local, state, and federal law enforcement 
vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and 
enforcement of the security zones by local law enforcement and the 
MOTCO police as necessary. Upon being hailed by U.S. Coast Guard patrol 
personnel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator 
of a vessel must proceed as directed.
    (d) Notice of enforcement or suspension of enforcement of security 
zone(s). The COTP San Francisco Bay will cause notification of 
enforcement of the security zone(s) to be made by issuing a Local 
Notice to Mariners and a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to inform the 
affected segments of the public. During periods that the security 
zone(s) are being enforced, Coast Guard patrol personnel will notify 
mariners to keep out of the security zone(s) as they approach the area. 
In addition, Coast Guard Group San Francisco Bay maintains a telephone 
line that is maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The public can 
contact Group San Francisco Bay at (415) 399-3530 to obtain information 
concerning enforcement of this rule. When the security zone(s) are no 
longer needed, the COTP will cease enforcement of the security zone(s) 
and issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to notify the public. Upon 
notice of suspension of enforcement, all persons and vessels are 
granted general permissions to enter, move within and exit the security 
zone(s).

    Dated: January 12, 2005.
Gerald M. Swanson,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Francisco Bay, 
California.
[FR Doc. 05-1232 Filed 1-21-05; 8:45 am]
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