AGENCY:
Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
SUMMARY:
The Coast Guard proposes to establish regulated navigation areas around a recently constructed deepwater port facility in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the entrance to Boston Harbor and to establish safety and security zones around liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs) calling on these deepwater port facilities. The purpose of these regulated navigation areas is to protect vessels and mariners from the potential safety hazards associated with deepwater port operations, and to protect the LNGCs and deepwater port infrastructure from security threats or other subversive acts. All vessels, with the exception of LNGCs and deepwater port support vessels, would be prohibited from anchoring or otherwise deploying equipment that could become entangled in submerged infrastructure within 1000 meters of the submerged turret loading (STL) buoys associated with the deepwater port, and would be prohibited from entering waters within 500 meters of the deepwater port STL buoys or the LNGCs using them. Additionally, this proposed rule would make minor amendments to the existing LNG security regulations for the Boston Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone to reflect multi-agency enforcement of those regulations.
DATES:
Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before May 12, 2008.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments identified by Coast Guard docket number USCG-2007-0087 to the Docket Management Facility at the U.S. Department of Transportation. To avoid duplication, please use only one of the following methods:
(1) Online: http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Mail: 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.
(3) Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the Ground Floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
(4) Fax: 202-493-2251.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
If you have questions on this proposed rule, call LCDR Heather Morrison, Coast Guard Sector Boston, at 617-223-3028, e-mail: Heather.L.Morrison@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to use the Docket Management Facility. Please see DOT's “Privacy Act” paragraph below.
Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2007-0087), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission. You may submit your comments and material by electronic means, mail, fax, or delivery to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES; but please submit your comments and material by only one means. If you submit them by mail or delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit them 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. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.
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 at any time, click on “Search for Dockets,” and enter the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2007-0087) in the Docket ID box, and click enter. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of all 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 the Department of Transportation's Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for one to the Docket Management Facility 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 later notice in the Federal Register.
Background and Purpose
On May 14, 2007, the Maritime Administration (MARAD), in accordance with the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended, issued a license to Excelerate Energy to own, construct, and operate a natural gas deepwater port, “Northeast Gateway.” Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port (NEGDWP) is located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 13 nautical miles south-southeast of the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts, in Federal waters. The coordinates for its two submerged turret loading (STL) buoys are: STL Buoy A, Latitude 42°23′38″ N, Longitude 070°35′31″ W and STL Buoy B, Latitude 42°23′56″ N, Longitude 070°37′00″ W. The NEGDWP can accommodate the mooring, connecting, and offloading of two liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs) at one time. The NEGDWP operator plans to offload LNGCs by regasifying the liquefied natural gas (LNG) on board the vessels. The regasified natural gas is then transferred through two submerged turret loading buoys, via a flexible riser leading to a seabed pipeline that ties into the Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline for transfer to shore.
In order to protect mariners from the hazards associated with submerged deepwater port infrastructure and to ensure safety and security at and around LNGCs engaged in regasification and transfer operations at deepwater ports, the Coast Guard proposes to exercise its authority under the Ports and Waterway Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1221, et seq.) to establish regulated navigation areas (RNAs) around the primary components of NEGDWP. The RNAs would prohibit vessels from anchoring or otherwise deploying equipment that could become entangled in submerged infrastructure within 1000 meters of the STL buoys associated with NEGDWP facilities. Specifically, in addition to anchoring, vessels would be precluded from engaging in commercial fishing in the RNAs using nets, dredges, or traps.
Under the authority of the Port and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1226) and the Magnuson Act (50 U.S.C. 191), the Coast Guard also proposes to place safety and security zones within the corresponding RNAs that would prohibit vessels from entering all waters within a 500-meter radius of the same STL buoys. The Coast Guard considers the RNAs that would be established by this rule as meeting the requirement and intent of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended, and as codified at 33 U.S.C. 1509(d). Accordingly, in addition to amending 33 CFR part 165 (Regulated Navigation Areas and Limited Access Areas), this rulemaking would also amend a corresponding section in 33 CFR part 150 (Deepwater Ports: Operations). The proposed amendments to 33 CFR part 150 include amending that part to reflect a ship's routing measure—an “area to be avoided”—that is being concurrently established in consultation with the International Maritime Organization. The area to be avoided will be reflected on nautical charts of the affected area along with the restricted navigation areas that would be established by this proposed rulemaking.
This proposed rule would also promote safety and security of LNG transfer operations by amending the existing regulations regarding LNGCs in the Boston Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone, to place safety and security zones around LNGCs while they are anchored, moored, or otherwise engaged in regasification and transfer procedures with deepwater ports within the navigable waters of the United States in the Boston COTP Zone.
Regulations already exist that provide for safety and security zones around LNGCs while transiting, anchored, or moored in other portions of the Boston COTP Zone. These regulations can be found at 33 CFR 165.110. The current regulations provide for safety and security zones for LNGCs transiting the Boston COTP Zone, anchored in the Broad Sound, or moored at the Distrigas LNG facility in Everett, Massachusetts. This rule would amend those regulations to add safety and security zones around vessels calling at deepwater ports in the Boston COTP Zone and within the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in 33 CFR 2.36(a) (i.e., out to 12 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline). The proposed rule would add definitions to make the rule more clear. The proposed rule would eliminate the definition of “navigable waters of the United States” currently found at 33 CFR 165.110(a) as that paragraph is duplicative of the standard definition found at 33 CFR 2.36(a). Without these proposed changes, the security zone around a transiting LNGC would cease to exist once the vessel moored to NEGDWP. This proposed rule would eliminate that potential gap in security coverage.
Finally, this proposed rule would amend the language describing who may enforce the safety and security zones surrounding LNGCs in the Boston COTP Zone to better reflect recently executed Memoranda of Agreement between the Coast Guard and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, and other local municipalities. Under the terms of these agreements, State and local law enforcement officers may enforce, on behalf of the Coast Guard, maritime safety and security zones implemented by the Coast Guard under the authority of the Magnuson Act and the Port and Waterways Safety Act when falling within their respective jurisdictions. Copies of these agreements are available in the public docket for this rule where indicated in the ADDRESSES section, above.
Discussion of Proposed Rule
The Coast Guard would establish a regulated navigation area in which vessels may not anchor within 1000 meters of the STL buoys for NEGDWP as described above. Additionally, safety and security zones within the RNA would be established to prohibit vessels, other than LNGCs and support vessels as defined in 33 CFR 148.5, from entering waters within 500 meters of the aforementioned STL buoys.
The Coast Guard also proposes to establish safety and security zones encompassing all waters within a 500-meter radius of vessels carrying LNG while they are anchored, moored, or attached to or otherwise engaged in regasification or transfer procedures with deepwater ports.
Additionally, the Coast Guard intends to amend 33 CFR Part 150 to reflect a recommendatory ship's routing measure—an “area to be avoided”—that is being concurrently established with, but separate and apart from, this rulemaking in consultation with the International Maritime Organization.
Finally, this proposed rule would alter the existing language of the regulations for LNGCs operating in the Boston COTP Zone to reflect the fact that federal, state, and local, law enforcement personnel may enforce such zones within their respective jurisdictions on behalf of the COTP.
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.
The USCG and MARAD are responsible for processing license applications to own, construct, and operate deepwater ports. To meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Coast Guard, in cooperation with MARAD, prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in conjunction with reviewing the NEGDWP licensing application. Among other things, the EIS assessed the potential economic impacts associated with the construction and operation of NEGDWP, including the no anchoring and limited access areas that would be implemented by this rule. That EIS is available in the public docket for the licensing application (USCG-2005-22219) at http://www.regulations.gov.
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. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or fish within 1000 meters of the STL Buoys for NEGDWP. The impact on small entities is expected to be minimal because vessels wishing to transit the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the deepwater port may do so, provided they remain more than 500 meters from NEGDWP's STL Buoys and any LNGC vessels calling on the deepwater port, and provided they refrain from anchoring or deploying nets, dredges, or traps, within 1000 meters of the STL Buoys. Vessels wishing to fish in the area may do so in nearby and adjoining areas when otherwise permitted by applicable fisheries regulations.
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 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 rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact LCDR Heather Morrison, Coast Guard Sector Boston, at 617-223-3028, e-mail: Heather.L.Morrison@uscg.mil. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.
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
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 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 an 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.
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 proposed 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 M16475.1D, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (4321-4370f), and have made a preliminary determination that this action is not likely to have a significant effect on the human environment. A preliminary “Environmental Analysis Check List” supporting this preliminary determination is available in the 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
33 CFR Part 150
- Harbors
- Marine safety
- Navigation (water)
- Occupational safety and health
- Oil pollution, and Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
33 CFR Part 165
- Harbors
- Marine safety
- Navigation (water)
- Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
- Security measures, and Waterways
Words of Issuance and Proposed Regulatory Text
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR Parts 150 and 165 as follows:
PART 150—DEEPWATER PORTS: OPERATIONS
1. The authority citation for Part 150 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231, 1321(j)(1)(C), (j)(5), (j)(6), (m)(2); 33 U.S.C. 1509(a); E.O. 12777, sec. 2; E.O. 13286, sec. 34, 68 FR 10619; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1(70), (73), (75), (80).
2. In § 150.940, add paragraph (c) to read as follows:
(c) Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port (NEGDWP).
(1) Location. The safety zones for the NEGDWP consist of circular zones, each with a 500-meter radius and centered on each of the deepwater port's two submerged turret loading (STL) buoys. STL Buoy “A” is centered at the following coordinates: 42°23′38″ N, 070°35′31″ W. STL Buoy “B” is centered at the following coordinates: 42°23′56″ N, 070°37′00″ W. Each safety zone encompasses, within the respective 500-meter circles, the primary components of NEGDWP, including a submerged loading turret (buoy) and a pipeline end manifold (STL/PLEM). Each safety zone is located approximately 13 miles south-southeast of the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts, in Federal waters.
(2) No anchoring area. Two mandatory no anchoring areas for NEGDWP are established for all waters within circles of 1,000-meter radii centered on the submerged turret loading buoy positions set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(3) Area to be avoided. An area to be avoided (ATBA) that is approximately 2.8625 square nautical miles in size has been established surrounding the safety zones and no anchoring areas described in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2), of this section, and is bounded as follows:
Starting at point (i) 42°24′17″ N, 070°35′16″ W; then a rhumb line to point (ii) 42°24′35″ N, 070°36′46″ W; then an arc with a 1250 m radius centered at point (iii) 42°23′56″ N, 070°37′00″ W, to a point (iv) 42°23′17″ N, 070°37′15″ W; then a rhumb line to point (v) 42°22′59″ N, 070°35′45″ W; then an arc with a 1250 m radius centered at point (vi) 42°23′38″ N, 070°35′31″ W, to start.
(4) Regulations. (i) In accordance with the general regulations set forth in 33 CFR 165.23 and elsewhere in this part, no person or vessel may enter the waters within the boundaries of the safety zones described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section unless previously authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Boston, or his/her authorized representative.
(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section, tankers and support vessels, as defined in 33 CFR 148.5, operating in the vicinity of NEGDWP are authorized to enter and move within such zones in the normal course of their operations following the requirements set forth in 33 CFR 150.340 and 150.345, respectively.
(iii) All other vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety zones described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section must contact the COTP or the COTP's authorized representative to obtain permission by calling the Sector Boston Command Center at 617-223-5761. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's authorized representative.
(iv) No vessel, other than a support vessel or tanker calling on NEGDWP, may anchor in the area described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
PART 165—WATERWAYS SAFETY; REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
3. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
4. In § 165.110, revise paragraphs (a), (c)(2), and (c)(3); and add paragraph (b)(4) to read as follows:
(a) Definitions. As used in this section—
Authorized representative means a Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer or a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port (COTP) Boston.
Deepwater port means any facility or structure meeting the definition of deepwater port in 33 CFR 148.5.
Support vessel means any vessel meeting the definition of support vessel in 33 CFR 148.5.
(b) * * *
(4) Vessels calling on a deepwater port. All waters within a 500-meter radius of any LNGC engaged in regasification or transfer, or otherwise moored, anchored, or affixed to a deepwater port listed in 33 CFR 150.490 and falling within the waters of the Boston COTP Zone, as defined in 33 CFR 3.05-10.
(c) * * *
(2) No person or vessel may enter the waters within the boundaries of the safety and security zones described in paragraph (b) of this section unless previously authorized by the COTP Boston, or his/her authorized representative. However, LNGCs and support vessels, as defined in 33 CFR 148.5, operating in the vicinity of NEGDWP are authorized to enter and move within such zones in the normal course of their operations following the requirements set forth in 33 CFR 150.340 and 150.345, respectively.
(3) All vessels operating within the safety and security zones described in paragraph (b) of this section must comply with the instructions of the COTP or his/her authorized representative.
5. Add § 165.117 to read as follows:
(a) Location. (1) Regulated navigation areas. All waters within a 1,000-meter radius of the geographical positions set forth in paragraph (a)(3) of this section are designated as regulated navigation areas.
(2) Safety and security zones. All waters within a 500-meter radius of the geographic positions set forth in paragraph (a)(3) of this section are designated as safety and security zones.
(3) Coordinates. (i) The geographic coordinates forming the loci for the regulated navigation areas, safety, and security zones for Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port are: 42°23′38″ N, 070°35′31″ W; and 42°23′56″ N, 070°37′00″ W.
(ii) [Reserved]
(b) Definitions. As used in this section—
Authorized representative means a Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer or a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port (COTP) Boston.
Deepwater port means any facility or structure meeting the definition of deepwater port in 33 CFR 148.5.
Dredge means fishing gear consisting of a mouth frame attached to a holding bag constructed of metal rings or mesh.
Support vessel means any vessel meeting the definition of support vessel in 33 CFR 148.5.
Trap means a portable, enclosed device with one or more gates or entrances and one or more lines attached to surface floats used for fishing. Also called a pot.
(c) Applicability. This section applies to all vessels operating in the regulated navigation areas set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, except—
(1) Those vessels conducting cargo transfer operations with the deepwater ports whose coordinates are provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section,
(2) Support vessels operating in conjunction therewith, and
(3) Coast Guard vessels or other law enforcement vessels operated by or under the direction of an authorized representative of the COTP Boston.
(d) Regulations. (1) No vessel may anchor or engage in commercial fishing using nets, dredges, or traps (pots) in the regulated navigation areas set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(2) In accordance with the general regulations in §§ 165.23 and 165.33 of this part, entry into or movement within the safety and security zones designated in paragraph (a)(2) of this section is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Boston, or his/her authorized representative.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(2) of this section, tankers and support vessels, as defined in 33 CFR 148.5, operating in the vicinity of NEGDWP are authorized to enter and move within such zones in the normal course of their operations following the requirements set forth in 33 CFR 150.340 and 150.345, respectively.
(4) All vessels operating within the safety and security zones described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section must comply with the instructions of the COTP or his/her authorized representative.
Dated: March 26, 2008.
T.V. Skuby,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E8-7676 Filed 4-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P