01-27255. Security Zones; San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CA and Oakland, CA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing two temporary security zones in areas of the San Francisco Bay adjacent to San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport. These actions are necessary to ensure public safety and prevent sabotage or terrorist acts at these airports. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into or remaining in these security zones without permission of the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 5 p.m. (PDT) on September 21, 2001 to 4:59 p.m. (PDT) on March 21, 2002. Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before December 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to: U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, San Francisco Bay, Coast Guard Island, Alameda, CA 94501. Any comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, will become part of docket COTP San Francisco Bay 01-009, and will be available for inspection or copying at the same address between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lieutenant Andrew B. Cheney, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Francisco Bay, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

As authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553, 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, and that under 5 U.S.C. 553 (d)(3), 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. On the same day, a similar attack was conducted on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Also, on the same date, a fourth commercial passenger airplane was hijacked, this one from Newark, New Jersey, and later crashed in Pennsylvania. 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 San Francisco Bay, and particularly in waters adjacent to San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport. These security zones are needed to protect the United States and more specifically the people, ports, waterways, and properties of the San Francisco Bay area.

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 San Francisco and Oakland airports 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 these west coast airports. 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.

Request for Comments

Although the Coast Guard has good cause in implementing this regulation, we want to afford the maritime community the opportunity to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related material regarding the size and boundaries of these security zones in order to minimize unnecessary burdens. If you do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking, COTP San Francisco Bay 01-009, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know they reached us, 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 temporary final rule in view of them.

Public Meeting

We do not plan to hold a public meeting. However, you may submit a request for a meeting by writing to the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, or to the address under ADDRESSES explaining why a public meeting 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 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 airports adjacent to the San Francisco Bay present possible platforms from which individuals may gain unauthorized access to the airports. 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 two temporary security zones in the navigable waters of the United States surrounding San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport.

San Francisco International Airport

This security zone will extend 2000 yards seaward from the shoreline of the San Francisco International Airport. This distance from the shoreline is estimated to be an adequate zone size to provide increased security for San Francisco International Airport.

Oakland International Airport

This security zone will extend 1800 yards seaward from the shoreline of the Oakland International Airport. This distance from the shoreline is estimated to be an adequate zone size to provide increased security for Oakland International Airport.

The size of each security zone is tailored to each airport and their specific navigational limitations, and therefore, are not the same exact size. The two security zones are uniform, however, in their purpose—to provide increased security for the airports, while minimizing the impact to vessel traffic on the San Francisco Bay.

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 San Francisco Bay area. These security 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 or remaining in these security zones without permission of 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.

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 for not more than 6 years and a fine of not more than $250,000), in rem liability against the offending vessel, and license sanctions. Any person who violates this regulation, 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 (class C felony).

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 these security zones are necessary for the protection of the United States and its people. Because these security zones are established in an area of the San Francisco Bay 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” 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.

These security zones will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because these security zones will not occupy an area of the San Francisco Bay that is frequently 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

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), the Coast Guard offers to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could 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 Lieutenant Andrew B. Cheney, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Office San Francisco Bay at [phone].

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 is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation, because we are establishing security zones. 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 § 165.T11-095 to read as follows:

§ 165.T11-095

Security Zones; Waters surrounding San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport, San Francisco Bay, California.

(a) Locations. (1) San Francisco International Airport Security Zone. This security zone extends 2000 yards seaward from the shoreline of the San Francisco International Airport and encompasses all waters in San Francisco Bay within an area drawn from the following coordinates beginning at a point latitude 37°39′06″ N and longitude 122°22′37″ W; thence to 37°38′28″ N and 122°21′04″ W; thence to 37°36′59″ N and 122°19′52″ W; thence to 37°35′33″ N and 122°20′44″ W; and along the shoreline back to the beginning point.

(2) Oakland International Airport Security Zone. This security zone extends 1800 yards seaward from the shoreline of the Oakland International Airport and encompasses all waters in San Francisco Bay within an area drawn from the following coordinates beginning at a point latitude 37°44′21″ N and longitude 122°15′34″ W; thence to 37°43′51″ N and 122°16′09″ W; thence to 37°43′12″ N and 122°16′17″ W; thence to 37°41′00″ N and 122°13′29″ W; thence to 37°41′13″ N and 122°12′09″ W; thence to 37°41′37″ N and 122°11′38″ W; and along the shoreline back to the beginning point.

(b) Effective dates. This section is in effect from 5 p.m. (PDT) on September 21, 2001 to 4:59 p.m. (PDT) on March 21, 2002. If the need for these security zones ends before the scheduled termination time, the Captain of the Port will cease enforcement of these security zones and will also announce that fact via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

(c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in § 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 § 165.33 of this part apply in the security zone established by this temporary section.

Dated: September 21, 2001.

L.L. Hereth,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Francisco Bay, California.