[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29972]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD05-02-095]
RIN 2115-AA97


Safety Zone; Cove Point, Chesapeake Bay, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of enforcement of regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will resume enforcement of the safety zone at 
the Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility's offshore terminal 
on the Chesapeake Bay. The Coast Guard has not enforced the safety zone 
since the facility discontinued LNG operations in 1980. Due to 
construction activity at the terminal, the Coast Guard will resume 
enforcement of the safety zone.

DATES: This notice of enforcement is effective on November 26, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Dulani Woods, at Coast 
Guard Activities Baltimore, Port Safety, Security and Waterways 
Management Branch, at (410) 576-2513.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    The liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility at Cove Point, Maryland is 
in the process of updating its terminal equipment in anticipation of 
transfer operations beginning in the spring of 2003. Although the 
Captain of the Port (COTP) Baltimore has not yet issued a Letter of 
Recommendation under 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 127.009, 
enforcement of the safety zone established in 33 CFR 165.502 will now 
resume.
    The Cove Point facility originally started terminal operations in 
1978 and conducted transfers of LNG from vessels until 1980. During 
this period a safety zone was established and actively enforced. Safety 
zone enforcement ceased when LNG transfer operations were stopped. The 
facility's terminal is located approximately one mile from shore and 
has developed into a fishing area since the terminal ceased transfer 
operations. Numerous commercial and recreational boats frequent this 
area during fishing seasons and at other times throughout the year.
    The Coast Guard will resume continual enforcement of the safety 
zone during the construction process at the terminal, when heavy 
equipment will be in operation in the area. The enforcement of the 
safety zone will prevent unauthorized vessels from entering the work 
zone and creating safety hazards.

    Dated: November 8, 2002.
R.B. Peoples,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 02-29972 Filed 11-25-02; 8:45 am]
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