[Federal Register: November 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 216)]

[Rules and Regulations]               

[Page 56212-56214]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr07no01-9]                         



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION



Coast Guard



33 CFR Part 165



[COTP Prince William Sound 01-003]

RIN 2115-AA97



 

Security Zone; Trans-Alaska Pipeline Valdez Terminal Complex, 

Valdez, Alaska



AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.



ACTION: Temporary final rule.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone 

around the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) Valdez Terminal Complex in 

Valdez, Alaska. The boundaries of the zone encompass all waters 

approximately one mile north and east and two miles west of all 

terminal berths. This security zone is necessary to protect the TAPS 

terminal and TAPS tank vessels from damage or injury from sabotage, 

destruction or other subversive acts. Entry into this security zone is 

prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, 

Prince William Sound, Alaska.



DATES: This regulation is effective from 6 p.m. September 15, 2001 

through June 1, 2002.



ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 

the docket are part of docket [COTP Prince William Sound 01-003] and 

are available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine 

Safety Office, PO Box 486, Valdez, Alaska 99686, between 7:30 a.m. and 

4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT V.J. Kammer, U.S. Coast Guard 

Marine Safety Office Valdez, Alaska, (907) 835-7229.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:



Regulatory History



    A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was not published for this 

regulation. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard 

finds good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. The Coast Guard is 

taking this action for the immediate protection of the national 

security interests in light of terrorist acts perpetrated on September 

11, 2001. Also, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard 

finds good cause to exist for making this regulation effective less 

than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Publication of 

a notice of proposed rulemaking and delay of effective date would be 

contrary to the public interest because immediate action is necessary 

to provide for the safety of the TAPS terminal and TAPS tank vessels.



Discussion of the Regulation



    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone around 

the TAPS terminal, Port Valdez, Valdez, Alaska. This security zone is 

necessary to protect the TAPS terminal and TAPS tank vessels transiting 

to, from and within Port Valdez from damage or injury from sabotage, 

destruction or other subversive acts. The security zone encompasses all 

waters approximately one mile north and east and two miles west of all 

terminal berths. The specific boundaries are enclose waters within a 

line beginning on the southern shoreline of Port Valdez at 61 deg.04.8' 

N, 146 deg.29.4' W; thence northerly to 61 deg.06.5' N, 146 deg.29.4' 

W; thence west to 61 deg.06.5' N, 146 deg.19.7' W; thence south to 

61 deg.05.0' N, 146 deg.19.7' W; thence east along the shoreline and 

including the area 2000 yards inland along the shoreline to the 

starting point at 61 deg.04.8' N, 146 deg.29.4' W. This security zone 

includes the current 200-yard safety zone as set forth in 33 CFR 

165.1701.



Regulatory Evaluation



    This 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. It 

has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 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. Economic impact is expected to be



[[Page 56213]]



minimal because of the short duration of this rule and the season in 

which it is in effect.



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. The number of small entities impacted by this rule is 

expected to be minimal because of the short duration of the rule. The 

entities most likely affected are commercial and native subsistence 

fishermen. The time frame this rule is in effect does not cover any 

commercial harvests of fish in the area delineated by this rule; 

therefore, it is likely that very few, if any, small entities will be 

impacted by this rule.



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 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 Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).



Collection of Information



    This rule contains no information collection requirements under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).



Federalism



    The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under the principles and 

criteria contained in Executive Order 13132 and has determined that 

this temporary final rule does not have sufficient federalism 

implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.



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 will 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 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, 

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. It has not been designated by the Administrator 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.



Environment



    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule 

and concluded that, under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g) of Commandant 

Instruction M16745.1C, this rule is categorically excluded from further 

environmental documentation.



List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165



    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements, Safety measures, Vessels, Waterways.



    For the reasons set forth 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. A new temporary Sec. 165.T17-003 is added to read as follows:





Sec. 165.T17-003  Security zone; Trans-Alaska Pipeline Valdez Terminal 

Complex, Valdez, Alaska.



    (a) Location. The following is a security zone: all waters 

encompassed by a line beginning on the southern shoreline of Port 

Valdez at 61 deg.04.8' N, 146 deg.29.4' W; thence northerly to 

61 deg.06.5' N, 146 deg.29.4' W; thence west to 61 deg.06.5' N, 

146 deg.19.7' W; thence south to 61 deg.05.0' N, 146 deg.19.7' W; 

thence east along the shoreline and including the area 2000 yards 

inland along the shoreline to the starting point at 61 deg.04.8' N, 

146 deg.29.4' W. These boundaries encompass approximately one mile 

north and east and two miles west of all terminal berths. This security 

zone is necessary to protect the TAPS terminal and TAPS vessels from 

damage or injury from sabotage, destruction or other subversive acts.

    (b) Effective dates. This section is effective from 6 p.m. 

September 15, 2001 through June 1, 2002.

    (c) Authority. In addition to 33 U.S.C. 1231 and 49 CFR 1.46, the 

authority for this section includes 33 U.S.C. 1226.

    (d) Regulations. (1) The general regulations governing security 

zones contained in 33 CFR 165.33 apply.

    (2) Tank vessels transiting directly to the TAPS terminal complex, 

engaged in the movement of oil from the terminal



[[Page 56214]]



or fuel to the terminal, and vessels used to provide assistance or 

support to the tank vessels directly transiting to the terminal, or to 

the terminal itself, and that have reported their movements to the 

Vessel Traffic Service may operate as necessary to ensure safe passage 

of tank vessels to and from the terminal.

    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 

the Coast Guard Captain of the Port and the designated on-scene patrol 

personnel. These personnel comprise commissioned, warrant, and petty 

officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a vessel displaying a 

U.S. Coast Guard ensign by siren, radio, flashing light, or other 

means, the operator of the vessel shall proceed as directed. Coast 

Guard Auxiliary and local or state agencies may be present to inform 

vessel operators of the requirements of this section and other 

applicable laws.



    Dated: September 11, 2001.

P.M. Coleman,

Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Prince William Sound, 

Alaska.

[FR Doc. 01-27874 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-15-U