[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-920]



[[Page 5204]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Chapter I

[USCG-2004-19615]


Exclusion Zones for Marine LNG Spills

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of its response to 
a petition for rulemaking requesting issuance of regulations 
establishing thermal and vapor dispersion exclusion zones for marine 
spills of liquefied natural gas (LNG), by the City of Fall River, MA. 
The Coast Guard has determined that such a rulemaking project is 
unnecessary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions regarding this 
notice, call Commander John Cushing, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone 202-
267-1043 or via e-mail at [email protected]. If you have 
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, 
Docket Operations, telephone 202-493-0402.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard previously published three 
documents with requests for comments regarding the petition for a 
rulemaking by the City of Fall River, MA, on the subject of thermal and 
vapor dispersion exclusion zones for marine spills of LNG [see 69 FR 
63979, Nov. 3, 2004; 70 FR 11912, March 10, 2005; 70 FR 36363, June 23, 
2005]. Supplementary information was posted and made available in the 
docket (see ``Viewing the Notice''). We received and reviewed 91 
comments. After reviewing the comments and reaching a decision, we 
wrote a letter back to the petitioner denying the petition (also 
available in the docket).
    The comments in support of establishing exclusion zones around 
transiting LNG ships focused on the consequences of a major LNG spill 
in close proximity to a densely populated urban area, particularly Fall 
River, MA.
    The comments in opposition to the establishment of the 
aforementioned exclusion zones cited the proven safety record of the 
LNG industry, the robust safety features designed into LNG ships, and 
the effective safety and security procedures that have already been 
established by regulation and industry best practices and guidelines.
    Taking into account the proven safety record of the LNG ships, we 
determined exclusion zone regulations are not needed because we already 
implemented policy (on June 14, 2005) through our Navigation and Vessel 
Inspection Circular (NVIC) 05-05, Guidance on Assessing the Suitability 
of a Waterway for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Marine Traffic. This NVIC 
established a comprehensive process for a Waterway Suitability 
Assessment (WSA) to be completed and then reviewed and validated by the 
Coast Guard, in consultation with stakeholders at the port, to ensure 
all safety and security issues relating to the marine transportation of 
LNG for a proposed waterfront LNG facility are addressed.
    Viewing the Notice: To view the notice and related documents, go to 
http://dms.dot.gov at any time, click on ``Simple Search,'' enter the 
last five digits of the docket number for this notice (19615), and 
click on ``Search.'' You may also visit the Docket Management Facility 
in room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

    Dated: January 23, 2006.
Howard L. Hime,
Acting Director of Standards, Office of Prevention.
[FR Doc. 06-920 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P