[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 24, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53713-53716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26816]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[COTP Los Angeles-Long Beach 01-008]
RIN 2115-AA97


Security Zones; Los Angeles Harbor, Los Angeles, CA and Avila 
Beach, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing three temporary security 
zones--one in the waters surrounding the Coast Guard Base-ISC San Pedro 
at Reservation Point in the Los Angeles Harbor, the second one in the 
waters surrounding the Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal in the Los 
Angeles Harbor and the third zone is in the waters adjacent to the 
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in Avila Beach, CA. These actions are 
necessary to ensure public safety and prevent sabotage or terrorist 
acts against the public and commercial structures and individuals near 
or in these structures. These security zones will prohibit all persons 
and vessels from entering,

[[Page 53714]]

transiting through or anchoring within the security zones unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), or his designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 4 p.m. (PDT) on September 28, 2001 
to 3:59 p.m. (PDT) March 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Any 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach 01-008, and are 
available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety 
Office/Group Los Angeles-Long Beach, 1001 S. Seaside Avenue, Bldg 20, 
San Pedro, California, 90731, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: BM1 George Kirk, Waterways Management 
Division, Marine Safety Office/Group Los Angeles-Long Beach, at (310) 
732-2020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this 
regulation. In keeping with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the 
Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. In 
keeping with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard 
also finds that good cause exists for making this regulation effective 
less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
    On September 11, 2001, two commercial aircraft were hijacked from 
Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts and flown into the World Trade 
Center in New York, New York inflicting catastrophic human casualties 
and property damage. A similar attack was conducted on the Pentagon in 
Arlington, Virginia on the same day. National security officials warn 
that future terrorist attacks against civilian targets may be 
anticipated. A heightened level of security has been established 
concerning all vessels transiting in the Los Angeles Harbor and Diablo 
Canyon Nuclear Power Plant areas. These security zones are needed to 
protect the United States and more specifically the people, ports, 
waterways, and properties of the Los Angeles Harbor and Diablo Canyon 
Nuclear Power Plant areas.
    The delay inherent in the NPRM process, and 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 
Coast Guard Base-ISC San Pedro, Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal and 
the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant vulnerable to subversive 
activity, sabotage or terrorist attack. The measures contemplated by 
the rule are intended to prevent future terrorist attacks against 
individuals and facilities within or adjacent to these Los Angeles 
Harbor and Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant area facilities. Immediate 
action is required to accomplish these objectives. Any delay in the 
effective date of this rule is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest.

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 these installations within Los Angeles Harbor and the 
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant present possible platforms from which 
individuals may gain unauthorized access to these installations, or 
launch terrorist attacks upon the waterfront structures and adjacent 
population centers.
    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. 33 U.S.C. 1226. The terrorist acts against the United 
States on September 11, 2001 have increased the need for safety and 
security measures on U.S. ports and waterways. In response to these 
terrorist acts, and in order to prevent similar occurrences, the Coast 
Guard is establishing three temporary security zones in the navigable 
waters of the United States within Los Angeles Harbor and the navigable 
waters of the United States adjacent to the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power 
Plant.
    These temporary security zones are necessary to provide for the 
safety and security of the United States of America and the people, 
ports, waterways and properties within the Los Angeles Harbor and 
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant area. These temporary security zones, 
prohibiting all vessel traffic from entering, transiting or anchoring 
within the above described areas, are necessary for the security and 
protection of the Coast Guard Base-ISC San Pedro, the Los Angeles 
Cruise Ship Terminal and any vessels moored there, as well as the 
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. These zones will be enforced by 
Coast Guard patrol craft or any patrol craft enlisted by the COTP. 
Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into these security 
zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated 
representative. Each person and vessel in a security zone shall obey 
any direction or order of the COTP. The COTP may remove any person, 
vessel, article, or thing from a security zone. No person may board, or 
take or place any article or thing on board, any vessel in a security 
zone without the permission of the COTP.
    Any violation of either security zone described herein, is 
punishable by, among other things, civil penalties (not to exceed 
$25,000 per violation, where each day of a continuing violation is a 
separate violation), criminal penalties (imprisonment for not more than 
12 years and a fine of not more than $250,000), in rem liability 
against the offending vessel, and license sanctions.

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 of the Los Angeles Harbor that is seldom used by 
non-Coast Guard vessels and non-cruise ships; and in an area near the 
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant that is seldom used, the Coast Guard 
expects the economic impact of this rule to 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'' include 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.

[[Page 53715]]

    These security zones will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities because these security zones are 
only closing small portions of the navigable waters of the Los Angeles 
Main Channel. Vessels may still continue to transit other portions of 
the Los Angeles Main Channel. The portion of the security zone that 
affects the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant will also have an 
insignificant impact on small entities, because the area is 
infrequently transited. In addition, there are no small entities 
shoreward of any of these security zones, and no vessels other than 
Coast Guard vessels and/or cruise ships would normally transit these 
zones. 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 Sec. 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 BM1 George Kirk, Waterways 
Management Division, Marine Safety Office/Group Los Angeles-Long Beach, 
at (310) 732-2020.
    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 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.

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.lD, this rule, which establishes three security 
zones, is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. 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. Add new Sec. 165.T11-055 to read as follows:


Sec. 165.T11-055  Security Zones: Waters surrounding Coast Guard Base-
ISC San Pedro, Reservation Point; Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal, Los 
Angeles Harbor; and Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Avila Beach, CA.

    (a) Location. (1) Coast Guard Base-ISC San Pedro. This security 
zone encompasses all waters of Los Angeles Harbor Main Channel within 
100 yards of the western shore of Reservation Point including the small 
boat basin.
    (2) Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal. This security zone 
encompasses all waters of Los Angeles Harbor Main Channel within 100 
yards of the cruise ship terminal, including the entire basin at berth 
93 to a point 100 yards east of the south end of berth 94.
    (3) Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. This security zone 
encompasses waters within a one-nautical-mile radius of Diablo Canyon 
Nuclear Power Plant that is centered at the following coordinate: 
latitude 35 deg.12'30" N, longitude 120 deg.51'30" W.
    (b) Effective dates. These security zones will be in effect from 4 
p.m. (PDT) on September 28, 2001 to 3:59 p.m.

[[Page 53716]]

(PST) on March 29, 2002. If the need for these security zones ends 
before the scheduled termination time and date, the Captain of the Port 
will cease enforcement of the security zones and will also announce 
that fact via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and Local Notice to 
Mariners.
    (c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec. 165.33 of this part, no person or vessel may enter or remain in 
the security zone established by this temporary section, unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated 
representative. All other general regulations of Sec. 165.33 of this 
part apply in the security zones established by this temporary section. 
Mariners requesting permission to transit through the security zones 
must request authorization to do so from the Captain of the Port, who 
may be contacted through Coast Guard Group Los Angeles--Long Beach on 
VHF-FM Channel 16.

    Dated: October 2, 2001.
J.M. Holmes,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Los Angeles-Long Beach, 
California.
[FR Doc. 01-26816 Filed 10-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-U