[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 4 (Thursday, January 6, 1994)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 674-675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-264]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 6, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 147

[CGD08-93-026]
RIN 2115-AA97

 

Safety Zone; Chevron #1 Well on Destin Dome #97

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rulemaking establishes a 500 meter safety zone around the 
structure at the Chevron #1 Well on Destin Dome #97. The overall impact 
of these regulations will be to promote the safety of lives and 
property on the structure, its appurtenances and attending vessels, and 
on vessels in adjacent waters.

DATES: This regulation becomes effective on November 3, 1993, and 
terminates on September 1, 1994, unless sooner terminated by Commander, 
Eighth Coast Guard District. Comments on this regulation must be 
received on or before February 22, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Commander (mps), Eighth Coast 
Guard District, Hale Boggs Federal Building, 501 Magazine Street, New 
Orleans, LA 70130-3396. The comments will be available for inspection 
and copying at the Marine Safety Division, Eighth Coast Guard District, 
room 1319, Hale Boggs Federal Building, 501 Magazine Street, New 
Orleans, LA. Normal office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. Comments may also be hand-
delivered to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Verne Gifford, Marine Safety Division, Eighth Coast Guard 
District, Hale Boggs Federal Building, 501 Magazine Street, New 
Orleans, LA 70130-3396. Phone number: (504) 589-6271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553, a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking was not published for this regulation and good 
cause exists for making it effective in less than 30 days from the date 
of publication. Following normal rulemaking procedures would have been 
contrary to the public interest. Immediate action is needed to prevent 
possible loss of life and damage to vessels in the area and to the 
structure itself. Although this regulation is published as a final rule 
without prior notice, an opportunity for public comment is nevertheless 
desirable to ensure that the regulation is both reasonable and 
workable. Accordingly, persons wishing to comment may do so by 
submitting written comments to the office listed under ADDRESSES in 
this preamble. Commenters should include their names and addresses, 
identify the docket number for the regulations, and give reasons for 
their comments. Based upon comments received, the regulations may be 
changed.

Drafting Information

    The drafters of this notice are Lieutenant Verne Gifford, project 
officer, and Commander D.G. Dickman, project attorney, Eighth Coast 
Guard District Legal Office.

Discussion of Regulation

    The circumstances creating the need for this regulation is 
information received by Chevron and by the Coast Guard that vessels 
intend to protest and possibly interfere with drilling operations at 
this site. This is the first site at which drilling will begin in this 
particular area, which has been a subject of controversy. Precautionary 
measures for safety at a drilling site require that the structure and 
waters around it be maintained free of interference and traffic in 
order to allow for immediate evacuation of personnel aboard the 
structure and by attending vessels in case of emergency. The 
establishment of a safety zone will prevent non-attending vessels from 
remaining in close proximity to the offshore structure and hindering 
any necessary evacuation of the area.
    The final rule amends part 147 to add a temporary safety zone 
around the Chevron Well #1, Destin Dome #97, which is about 27 miles 
south of Pensacola, Florida. The regulation contains a description of 
the area of the safety zone, including the location of the center of 
the structure and information pertinent to the safety zone. The 
regulations restrict the entry of vessels into the safety zone, except 
for attending vessels and those vessels authorized by the Commander, 
Eighth Coast Guard District.

Economic Assessment and Certification

    This regulation is not considered a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866 and is nonsignificant under Department of 
Transportation regulatory policies and procedures (44 FR 11034; 
February 26, 1979). The economic impact has been found to be so minimal 
that a full regulatory evaluation is unnecessary. The Coast Guard 
certifies that this regulation will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Federalism Assessment

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that this rulemaking does not raise sufficient federalism implications 
to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
regulation and concluded that under section 2.B.2.c of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B, it will have no significant environmental impact 
and it is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination is available in 
the docket for examination or a copy may be obtained by contracting the 
person identified under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The rule contains no information collection or recordkeeping 
requirements.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 147

    Continental shelf, Marine safety, Navigation (water).

Final Regulation

    In consideration of the foregoing, part 147 of title 33, Code of 
Federal Regulations, is amended as follows:

PART 147--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for this part is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1333 as amended; 49 CFR 1.46.

    2. A new Sec. 147.T801 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 147.T801  Safety Zone: Chevron #1 Well at Destin Dome #97.

    (a) Description. The area within a line 500 meters from each point 
on the structure's outer edge. The position of the center of the 
structure is 29 deg.51'57.91'' N, 87 deg.20'07.74'' W.
    (b) Effective date. This regulation becomes effective November 3, 
1993. It terminates on September 1, 1994, unless sooner terminated by 
Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
    (c) Regulation. No vessel may enter or remain in this safety zone 
except the following:
    (1) An attending vessel or
    (2) A vessel authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard 
District.

    Dated: November 3, 1993.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-264 Filed 1-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M