[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 84316-84322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24393]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 147
[Docket Number USCG-2024-0704]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Empire Wind 1 Wind Farm Project Area, Outer
Continental Shelf, Lease OCS-A 0512, Offshore New York and New Jersey,
Atlantic Ocean
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish 55 temporary safety
zones around the construction of each facility during the development
of the Empire Wind 1 Wind Farm project area within federal waters on
the Outer Continental Shelf, specifically in the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0512, approximately 12
nautical miles south of Long Island, NY. This action protects life,
property, and the environment during construction of each facility from
March 1, 2025, to February 29, 2028. When enforced, only attending
vessels and vessels with authorization are permitted to enter or remain
in the temporary safety zones.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before November 21, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2024-0704 using the Federal Decision-Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further
instructions on submitting comments. This notice of proposed rulemaking
with its plain-language, 100-word-or-less proposed rule summary will be
available in this same docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rulemaking, call or email Mr. Craig Lapiejko, Waterways
Management, at Coast Guard First District, telephone 617-603-8592,
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
BOEM Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DD Degrees Decimal
DHS Department of Homeland Security
EW1 Empire Wind 1
FR Federal Register
NJ New Jersey
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
NY New York
OCS Outer Continental Shelf
OSS Offshore Substation
NAD 83 North American Datum of 1983
NM Nautical Mile
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
WTG Wind Turbine Generator
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
Empire Offshore Wind LLC, an offshore wind farm developer, notified
the Coast Guard that they plan to begin construction of the Empire Wind
1 (EW1) facilities in the EW1 Wind Farm project area within federal
waters on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Specifically, construction
will begin in a portion of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0512, approximately 12 nautical miles
(NM) offshore south of Long Island, New York (NY), and 17 NM offshore
east of Long Branch, New Jersey (NJ), possibly as early as March 2025.
The extremely complex offshore construction of these OCS facilities
presents many unusually hazardous conditions including hydraulic pile
driving hammer operations, heavy lift operations, overhead cutting
operations, potential falling debris, increased vessel traffic, and
stationary vessels and barges in close proximity to the facilities and
each other.
Based on these circumstances, the First Coast Guard District
Commander has determined that establishment of 55 temporary safety
zones through rulemaking is warranted to ensure the safety of life,
property, and the environment within a 500-meter radius of each of the
55 facilities during their construction.
The Coast Guard is proposing this rule under the authorities
provided in 14 U.S.C. 544, 43 U.S.C. 1333, and Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3. As an
implementing regulation of this authority, 33 CFR part 147 permits the
establishment of safety zones for non-mineral energy resource permanent
or temporary structures located on the OCS for the purpose of
protecting life and property on the facilities, appurtenances and
attending vessels, and on the adjacent waters within the safety zone
(see 33 CFR 147.10). Accordingly, a safety zone established under 33
CFR part 147 may also include provisions to restrict, prevent, or
control certain activities, including access by vessels or persons to
maintain safety of life, property, and the environment.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The District Commander is proposing to establish 55 temporary 500-
meter safety zones around the construction of 54 wind turbine
generators (WTGs) and one offshore substation (OSS) on the OCS from
March 1, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on February 29, 2028.
The construction of these facilities is expected to repeatedly
include the installation of the foundations followed by the
installation of the upper structures for all 55 facilities. Major
construction activity could take place for a period lasting
approximately 96 hours or more at several locations, sometimes
simultaneously, in the lease area for these 55 facilities. The Coast
Guard will make notice of each enforcement period via the Local Notice
to Mariners and issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via marine channel
16 (VHF-FM) as soon as practicable in response to an emergency or
hazardous condition. The Coast Guard is publishing this rulemaking to
be effective, and enforceable, through February 29, 2028, to encompass
any construction delays due to weather or other unforeseen
circumstances. If, as currently scheduled, the project is completed
before February 29, 2028, enforcement of the safety zones would be
suspended, and notice given via Local Notice to Mariners.
Additional information about the construction process of the EW1
can be found at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/empire-wind.
The 55 temporary 500-meter safety zones around the construction of
54 WTGs and one OSS are in the EW1
[[Page 84317]]
project area, specifically in a portion of the BOEM Renewable Energy
Lease Area OCS-A 0512, approximately 12 NM offshore south of Long
Island, NY, and 17 NM offshore east of Long Branch, NJ.
The positions of each individual safety zone proposed by this
rulemaking will be referred to using a unique alpha-numeric naming
convention.
Aligning with authorities under 33 CFR 147.15, the proposed safety
zones would include the area within 500-meters of the center point of
the positions provided in the table below expressed in Degrees ([deg])
Minutes (') Seconds ('') (DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD
83).
Table 1--List of Proposed Safety Zones Using Unique Alpha-Numeric Naming Convention, Facility Type, and Latitude
and Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Facility type Latitude Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B01.......................... WTG 40[deg]22'25.878'' N 73[deg]33'41.509'' W
C01.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'35.382'' N 73[deg]33'42.583'' W
B02.......................... WTG 40[deg]22'15.912'' N 73[deg]32'49.958'' W
D02.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'12.870'' N 73[deg]32'51.312'' W
B03.......................... WTG 40[deg]22'05.938'' N 73[deg]31'58.412'' W
D03.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'50.352'' N 73[deg]32'00.051'' W
B04.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'55.959'' N 73[deg]31'06.870'' W
D04.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'27.828'' N 73[deg]31'08.799'' W
B05.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'45.973'' N 73[deg]30'15.333'' W
D05.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'05.299'' N 73[deg]30'17.557'' W
B06.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'35.981'' N 73[deg]29'23.800'' W
E06.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'42.762'' N 73[deg]29'26.325'' W
B07.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'25.983'' N 73[deg]28'32.271'' W
E07.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'20.220'' N 73[deg]28'35.102'' W
B08.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'15.978'' N 73[deg]27'40.747'' W
E08.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'57.671'' N 73[deg]27'43.888'' W
B09.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'05.967'' N 73[deg]26'49.227'' W
C09.......................... OSS 40[deg]20'25.307'' N 73[deg]26'50.160'' W
F09.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'35.116'' N 73[deg]26'52.685'' W
B10.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'55.950'' N 73[deg]25'57.712'' W
C10.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'15.2898'' N 73[deg]25'58.653'' W
D10.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'34.629'' N 73[deg]25'59.594'' W
E10.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'53.969'' N 73[deg]26'00.534'' W
B11.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'45.926'' N 73[deg]25'06.201'' W
C11.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'05.266'' N 73[deg]25'07.150'' W
D11.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'24.606'' N 73[deg]25'08.100'' W
E11.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'43.946'' N 73[deg]25'09.048'' W
F11.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'49.988'' N 73[deg]25'10.306'' W
B12.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'35.896'' N 73[deg]24'14.694'' W
C12.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'55.236'' N 73[deg]24'15.652'' W
B13.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'25.860'' N 73[deg]23'23.192'' W
C13.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'45.200'' N 73[deg]23'24.159'' W
B14.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'15.817'' N 73[deg]22'31.694'' W
D14.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'54.499'' N 73[deg]22'33.644'' W
C15.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'25.110'' N 73[deg]21'41.185'' W
H15.......................... WTG 40[deg]16'19.659'' N 73[deg]21'45.664'' W
B16.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'55.714'' N 73[deg]20'48.712'' W
G16.......................... WTG 40[deg]16'32.420'' N 73[deg]20'53.667'' W
H16.......................... WTG 40[deg]15'57.881'' N 73[deg]20'54.528'' W
B17.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'45.652'' N 73[deg]19'57.228'' W
D17.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'24.335'' N 73[deg]19'59.229'' W
F17.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'03.018'' N 73[deg]20'01.227'' W
C18.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'54.926'' N 73[deg]19'06.757'' W
D18.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'14.268'' N 73[deg]19'07.766'' W
E18.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'33.610'' N 73[deg]19'08.774'' W
F18.......................... WTG 40[deg]16'52.952'' N 73[deg]19'09.781'' W
B19.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'25.511'' N 73[deg]18'14.273'' W
C19.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'44.853'' N 73[deg]18'15.290'' W
D19.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'04.195'' N 73[deg]18'16.307'' W
E19.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'23.537'' N 73[deg]18'17.324'' W
B20.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'15.431'' N 73[deg]17'22.802'' W
C20.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'34.773'' N 73[deg]17'23.828'' W
D20.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'54.115'' N 73[deg]17'24.853'' W
B21.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'05.344'' N 73[deg]16'31.335'' W
C21.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'24.687'' N 73[deg]16'32.370'' W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 84318]]
The positions of the 55 proposed safety zones are shown on the
chartlets below. For scaling purposes, there is approximately 0.65 NM
spacing between each position.
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
Figure 1 Small Scale Chartlet Showing the Positions of the Proposed
Safety Zones in Relation to the Approaches to New York and New Jersey
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22OC24.006
Figure 2 Large Scale Chartlet Showing the Positions of the Proposed
Safety Zones With a 500-Meter Safety Zone
[[Page 84319]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22OC24.007
Figure 3 Chartlet Showing Locations Using Alpha-Numeric Naming
Convention
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22OC24.008
BILLING CODE 9110-04-C
Navigation in the vicinity of the proposed safety zones consists of
large commercial shipping vessels, fishing
[[Page 84320]]
vessels, cruise ships, tugs with tows, and recreational vessels.
When enforced, no unauthorized vessel or person would be permitted
to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the First
Coast Guard District Commander or a designated representative. Requests
for entry into the safety zone would be considered and reviewed on a
case-by-case basis. Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone
must request authorization from the First Coast Guard District
Commander or designated representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or by
phone at 866-842-1560 (First Coast Guard District Command Center). If
permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the
instructions of the First Coast Guard District Commander or designated
representative.
The proposed regulatory text appears at the end of this document.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes
and Executive Orders related to rulemaking. A summary of our analyses
based on these statutes and Executive Orders follows.
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits. This NPRM has not been designated a ``significant
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Aligning with 33 CFR 147.15, the safety zones established would
extend to a maximum distance of 500-meters around the OCS facility
measured from its center point. Vessel traffic would be able to safely
transit around the proposed safety zones, which would impact a small,
designated area in the Atlantic Ocean, without significant impediment
to their voyage. This safety zone would provide for the safety of life,
property, and the environment during the construction of each
structure, in accordance with Coast Guard maritime safety missions.
B. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
This rule may affect owners or operators of vessels intending to
transit or anchor in the EW1, some of which might be small entities.
However, these safety zones would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of these entities because they are
temporarily enforced, allow for deviation requests, and do not impact
vessel transit significantly. Regarding the enforcement period,
although these safety zones would be in effect from March 1, 2025,
through February 29, 2028, vessels would only be prohibited from the
regulated zone during periods of actual construction activity in
correspondence to the period of enforcement. We expect the enforcement
period at each location to last for a short period. Additionally,
vessel traffic could pass safely around each safety zone using an
alternate route. Use of an alternate route likely will cause minimal
delay for the vessel in reaching their destination depending on other
traffic in the area and vessel speed. Vessels would also be able to
request deviation from this rule to transit through a safety zone. Such
requests would be considered on a case by-case basis and may be
authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander or a designated
representative. For these reasons, the Coast Guard expects any impact
of this rulemaking establishing a temporary safety zone around these
OCS facilities to be minimal and have no significant economic impact on
small entities.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule
would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment
(see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to
what degree this rule would economically affect it.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small
entities in understanding this proposed rule. If the proposed rule
would affect your small business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or
options for compliance, please call or email the person listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. The Coast Guard will not
retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this
proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.
C. Collection of Information
This proposed rule would not call for a new collection of
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520).
D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132
(Federalism), if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on
the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels
of government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132.
Also, this proposed rule does not have Tribal implications under
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments) because it would 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. If
you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or
Indian tribes, please call or email the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
E. 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 (adjusted for
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the potential effects of
this proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.
F. Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland
Security Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing
instructions, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series),
which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy
[[Page 84321]]
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made a preliminary
determination that this action is one of a category of actions that do
not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human
environment. This proposed rule involves the establishment of a safety
zone around an OCS facility to protect life, property, and the marine
environment. Normally such actions are categorically excluded from
further review under paragraph L60(a) of appendix A, table 1 of DHS
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A preliminary Record of
Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available
in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see the
ADDRESSES section of this preamble. We seek any comments or information
that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact
from this proposed rule.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to call or email the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so
that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or
security of people, places, or vessels.
V. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation.
Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments through
the Federal Decision-Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. To
do so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2024-0704 in the
search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the
Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment
option. If you cannot submit your material by using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate
instructions.
Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this
proposed rule as being available in the docket, find the docket as
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting &
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will
also be placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following
instructions on the https://www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked
Questions web page. We review all comments received, but we will only
post comments that address the topic of the proposed rule. We may
choose not to post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that
we receive.
Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we
post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions
to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking
System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 147
Continental shelf, Marine safety, Navigation (waters).
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is
proposing to amend 33 CFR part 147 as follows:
PART 147--SAFETY ZONES
0
1. The authority citation for part 147 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 14 U.S.C. 544; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 33 CFR 1.05-1;
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No.
01.3.
0
2. Add Sec. 147.T01-0704 to read as follows:
Sec. 147.T01-0704 Safety Zone; Empire Wind 1 Wind Farm Project Area,
Outer Continental Shelf, Lease OCS-A 0512, Offshore New York and New
Jersey, Atlantic Ocean.
(a) Description. The area within 500-meters of the center point of
the positions provided in the table below is an individual safety zone:
Table 1 to Paragraph (a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Facility type Latitude Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B01.......................... WTG 40[deg]22'25.878'' N 73[deg]33'41.509'' W
C01.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'35.382'' N 73[deg]33'42.583'' W
B02.......................... WTG 40[deg]22'15.912'' N 73[deg]32'49.958'' W
D02.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'12.870'' N 73[deg]32'51.312'' W
B03.......................... WTG 40[deg]22'05.938'' N 73[deg]31'58.412'' W
D03.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'50.352'' N 73[deg]32'00.051'' W
B04.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'55.959'' N 73[deg]31'06.870'' W
D04.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'27.828'' N 73[deg]31'08.799'' W
B05.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'45.973'' N 73[deg]30'15.333'' W
D05.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'05.299'' N 73[deg]30'17.557'' W
B06.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'35.981'' N 73[deg]29'23.800'' W
E06.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'42.762'' N 73[deg]29'26.325'' W
B07.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'25.983'' N 73[deg]28'32.271'' W
E07.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'20.220'' N 73[deg]28'35.102'' W
B08.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'15.978'' N 73[deg]27'40.747'' W
E08.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'57.671'' N 73[deg]27'43.888'' W
B09.......................... WTG 40[deg]21'05.967'' N 73[deg]26'49.227'' W
C09.......................... OSS 40[deg]20'25.307'' N 73[deg]26'50.160'' W
F09.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'35.116'' N 73[deg]26'52.685'' W
B10.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'55.950'' N 73[deg]25'57.712'' W
C10.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'15.2898'' N 73[deg]25'58.653'' W
D10.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'34.629'' N 73[deg]25'59.594'' W
E10.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'53.969'' N 73[deg]26'00.534'' W
B11.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'45.926'' N 73[deg]25'06.201'' W
C11.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'05.266'' N 73[deg]25'07.150'' W
D11.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'24.606'' N 73[deg]25'08.100'' W
E11.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'43.946'' N 73[deg]25'09.048'' W
[[Page 84322]]
F11.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'49.988'' N 73[deg]25'10.306'' W
B12.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'35.896'' N 73[deg]24'14.694'' W
C12.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'55.236'' N 73[deg]24'15.652'' W
B13.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'25.860'' N 73[deg]23'23.192'' W
C13.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'45.200'' N 73[deg]23'24.159'' W
B14.......................... WTG 40[deg]20'15.817'' N 73[deg]22'31.694'' W
D14.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'54.499'' N 73[deg]22'33.644'' W
C15.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'25.110'' N 73[deg]21'41.185'' W
H15.......................... WTG 40[deg]16'19.659'' N 73[deg]21'45.664'' W
B16.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'55.714'' N 73[deg]20'48.712'' W
G16.......................... WTG 40[deg]16'32.420'' N 73[deg]20'53.667'' W
H16.......................... WTG 40[deg]15'57.881'' N 73[deg]20'54.528'' W
B17.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'45.652'' N 73[deg]19'57.228'' W
D17.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'24.335'' N 73[deg]19'59.229'' W
F17.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'03.018'' N 73[deg]20'01.227'' W
C18.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'54.926'' N 73[deg]19'06.757'' W
D18.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'14.268'' N 73[deg]19'07.766'' W
E18.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'33.610'' N 73[deg]19'08.774'' W
F18.......................... WTG 40[deg]16'52.952'' N 73[deg]19'09.781'' W
B19.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'25.511'' N 73[deg]18'14.273'' W
C19.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'44.853'' N 73[deg]18'15.290'' W
D19.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'04.195'' N 73[deg]18'16.307'' W
E19.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'23.537'' N 73[deg]18'17.324'' W
B20.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'15.431'' N 73[deg]17'22.802'' W
C20.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'34.773'' N 73[deg]17'23.828'' W
D20.......................... WTG 40[deg]17'54.115'' N 73[deg]17'24.853'' W
B21.......................... WTG 40[deg]19'05.344'' N 73[deg]16'31.335'' W
C21.......................... WTG 40[deg]18'24.687'' N 73[deg]16'32.370'' W
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain,
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the First
Coast Guard District Commander in the enforcement of the safety zones.
Local officer means any officer, agent, or employee of a unit of local
government authorized by law or by a local government agency to engage
in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or
prosecution of any violation of criminal law.
(c) Regulations. No vessel may enter or remain in this safety zone
except for the following:
(1) An attending vessel as defined in 33 CFR 147.20;
(2) A vessel authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander
or a designated representative.
(d) Request for Permission. Persons or vessels seeking to enter the
safety zone must request authorization from the First Coast Guard
District Commander or a designated representative. If permission is
granted, all persons and vessels must comply with lawful instructions
of the First Coast Guard District Commander or designated
representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or by phone at 866-842-1560 (First
Coast Guard District Command Center).
(e) Effective and enforcement periods. This section will be
effective from March 1, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on February 29, 2028.
But it will only be enforced during active construction or other
instances which may cause a hazard to navigation deemed necessary by
the First Coast Guard District Commander. The First Coast Guard
District Commander will make notification of the exact dates and times
in advance of each enforcement period for the safety zones in paragraph
(a) of this section to the local maritime community through the Local
Notice to Mariners and will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via
marine channel 16 (VHF-FM) as soon as practicable in response to an
emergency. If the project is completed before February 29, 2028,
enforcement of the safety zones will be suspended, and notice given via
Local Notice to Mariners. The First Coast Guard District Local Notice
to Mariners can be found at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov.
(f) Processing of violations. Violations of this section may be
processed in accordance with 33 CFR 140.40 on civil and criminal
penalty proceedings.
M.E. Platt,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2024-24393 Filed 10-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P