[Federal Register: June 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 119)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 41838-41840] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20jn02-16] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [COTP San Diego 02-015] RIN 2115-AA97 Security Zone; Waters Adjacent to San Onofre, San Diego County, CA AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Temporary final rule; change in effective period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is revising the effective period for a temporary security zone in the waters adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in San Diego County, CA. This action is necessary to ensure public safety and prevent sabotage or terrorist acts against the public and commercial structures and individuals near or in this structure. This security zone will prohibit all persons and vessels from entering, transiting through or anchoring within the security zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), or his designated representative. DATES: The amendment to Sec. 165.T11-048(b) in this rule is effective June 20, 2002. Section 165.T11-048, added at 67 FR 5482, February 6, 2002, effective from 6 p.m. October 25, 2001 to 3:59 p.m. June 21, 2002, as amended in this rule, is extended in effect through 11:59 p.m. March 21, 2003. ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket COTP San Diego 02-015, and are available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Diego, 2716 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief Petty Officer Raymond Taylor, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at (619) 683-6495. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulatory Information On February 6, 2002, we published a temporary final rule for waters adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station entitled ``Security Zone; Waters adjacent to San Onofre, San Diego County, California'' in the Federal Register (67 FR 5480) under Sec. 165.T11- 048. It has been in effect since October 25, 2001 and is set to expire 3:59 p.m. PDT on June 21, 2002. We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a NPRM. Due to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the warnings given by national security and intelligence officials, there is an increased risk that further subversive or terrorist activity may be launched against the United States. A heightened level of security has been established concerning all vessels operating in the waters adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station area. This security zone is needed to protect the United States and more specifically the personnel and property of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The original TFR was urgently required to prevent possible terrorist strikes against the United States and more specifically the people, waterways, and properties near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. It was anticipated that we would assess the security environment at the end of the effective period to determine whether continuing security precautions were required and, if so, propose regulations responsive to existing conditions. We have determined the need for continued security regulations exists. The Coast Guard plans to utilize the extended effective period of this TFR to engage in notice and comment rulemaking to develop permanent regulations tailored to the present and foreseeable security environment with the Captain of the Port (COTP) San Diego. Therefore, the public will still have the opportunity to comment on this rule. The measures contemplated by the rule were intended to facilitate ongoing response efforts and prevent future terrorist attack. In this case, doing a NPRM will be repetitious in nature and since delay is inherent in the NPRM process, any delay in the effective date of this rule, is contrary to the public interest insofar as it may render individuals and facilities within and adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station vulnerable to subversive activity, sabotage or terrorist attack. The measures contemplated by this rule are intended to prevent future terrorist attacks against individuals and facilities within or adjacent to San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Immediate action is required to accomplish these objectives and necessary to continue safeguarding these vessels and the surrounding area. Any delay in the effective date of this rule is impractical and contrary to the public interest. The Coast Guard plans to publish a NPRM to establish permanent security zones that are temporarily effective under this rule. This revision preserves the status quo within the Port while permanent rules are developed. For the reasons stated in the paragraphs above under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard also finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Background and Purpose On September 11, 2001, terrorists launched attacks on civilian and military targets within the United States killing large numbers of people and damaging properties of national significance. Vessels operating near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station present possible platforms from which individuals may gain unauthorized access to this installation, or launch terrorist attacks upon the waterfront structures and adjacent population centers. In response to these terrorist acts, and in order to prevent similar occurrences, the Coast Guard has established a temporary security zone in the navigable waters of the United States [[Page 41839]] adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. This temporary security zone is necessary to provide for the safety and security of the United States of America and the people, ports, waterways and properties within the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station area. As of today, the need for this security zone still exists. The effective period of this temporary final rule will extend through 11:59 p.m. PST March 21, 2003. During this time, the Coast Guard plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register, which will include a public comment period, and for a final rule to be put into effect without there being an interruption in the protection provided by this security zone. Discussion of Rule This regulation extends the current security zone that prohibits all vessel traffic from entering, transiting or anchoring within a one nautical mile radius of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that is centered at the following coordinate: 33 deg. 22' 30" N, 117 deg. 33' 50" W. As part of the Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-399), Congress amended the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) 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. This authority, under section 7 of the PWSA (33 U.S.C. 1226), supplements the Coast Guard's authority to issue security zones under The Magnuson Act regulations promulgated by the President under 50 U.S.C. 191, including Subparts 6.01 and 6.04 of Part 6 of Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Vessels or persons violating this section 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 $27,500 per 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. This regulation is proposed under the authority of 33 U.S.C. 1226 in addition to the authority contained in 50 U.S.C. 191 and 33 U.S.C. 1231. Regulatory Evaluation This temporary final 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 Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). Due to the recent terrorist actions against the United States the implementation of this security zone is necessary for the protection of the United States and its people. Because these security zones are established in an area near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that is seldom used, the Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that full regulatory evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Coast Guard considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small entities'' includes small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations less than 50,000. This security zone will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because the portion of the security zone that affects the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station area is infrequently transited. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this temporary final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Assistance for Small Entities In accordance with section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), the Coast Guard offers to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. If your small business or organization is affected by this rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact Chief Petty Officer Raymond Taylor, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at (619) 683-6495. 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. 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 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 and have determined that this rule 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 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. [[Page 41840]] 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 We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34), of Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, this rule, which establishes a security zone, is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation because we are establishing a security zone. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES. 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 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. Revise Sec. 165.T11-048(b) to read as follows: Sec. 165.T11-048 Security Zone; Waters adjacent to San Onofre, San Diego County, California * * * * * (b) Effective dates. These security zones are in effect from 6 p.m. (PDT) on October 25, 2001 to 11:59 p.m. (PST) March 21, 2003. * * * * * Dated: June 12, 2002. S.P. Metruck, Commander, Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Diego, California. [FR Doc. 02-15604 Filed 6-19-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-P