[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 1995)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 3185-3186] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-947] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 156 [CGD 93-081] RIN 2115-AE90] Designation of Lightering Zones AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Notice of meeting; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces a public meeting on February 16, 1995, in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area to [[Page 3186]] provide the public an opportunity to comment on its proposal to establish three lightering zones in the Gulf of Mexico. The proposed zones are more than 60 miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured and will allow single hull tankers using these zones to conduct lightering operations until the year 2015. The views presented at this meeting together with written comments on the proposal will be considered by the Coast Guard in formulating a final rule. DATES: The meeting will be held February 16, 1995, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Best Western Landmark Hotel, Mardi Gras Ballroom, 2601 Severn Avenue, Metairie, LA. Comments become part of this docket (CGD 93-081) and are available for inspection or copying at room 3406, Coast Guard Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LCDR Stephen Kantz, Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90) Staff (G-MS-A), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593, telephone (202) 267-6740. This telephone is equipped to record messages on a 24- hour basis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulatory History In November 1993, the Coast Guard received several requests to establish lightering zoned in the Gulf of Mexico. On December 2, 1993, the Coast Guard published in the Federal Register a notice of these petitions for rulemaking and request for comment (58 FR 63544). Currently, 33 CFR part 156 provides that the Coast Guard will consider various factors in designating lightering zones--traditional use of the area for lightering; weather and sea conditions; water depth; proximity to shipping lanes, vessel traffic schemes, anchorages, fixed structures, designated marine sanctuaries, fishing areas, and designated units of the National Park System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, National Wilderness Preservation System, properties included on the National Register of Historic Places and National Registry of Natural Landmarks, and National Wildlife Refuge System; and other relevant safety, environmental, or economic data (33 CFR 156.230). On December 16, 1993, the Coast Guard published in the Federal Register a notice of public meeting to solicit opinions on whether lightering zones should be established and, if so, where they should be located and what operating conditions should be mandated (58 FR 65683). A public meeting was held in Houston, Texas, on January 18, 1994. At that time, the Oil Spill Coordinator from the State of Louisiana requested that a public meeting be held in Louisiana after there was an opportunity to review any proposal by the Coast Guard to designate lightering zones. On January 5, 1995, the Coast Guard published the notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (60 FR 1958). The coordinates of the three lightering zones proposed to be established are set forth in the proposed rulemaking. Summary of the Rulemaking By using these proposed designated lightering zones more than 60 miles from the baseline, single hull tank vessels contracted for after June 20, 1990, and older single hull tank vessels phased out by OPA 90, would be able to lighter in the U.S. Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) until January 1, 2015. In addition to establishing the first lightering zones designated by the Coast Guard, the proposed rulemaking would also incorporate the use of recognized industry guidelines, impose certain weather and sea state restrictions, and require compliance with U.S. work hour limitations. It would also designate three other areas within the vicinity of the ecologically sensitive Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in which all lightering will be prohibited. In the NPRM, the Coast Guard specifically requested comments on the practicality of also designating a smaller northern area as an additional, fourth lightering zone. The boundaries of this northern area, which would be called ``South Sabine Point,'' would consist of the waters bounded by a line connecting the following points beginning at: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Latitude N. Longitude W. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 28 deg.30'00''............................ 92 deg.38'00'', thence to 28 deg.44'00''............................ 93 deg.24'00'', thence to 28 deg.33'00''............................ 94 deg.00'00'', thence to 28 deg.18'00''............................ 94 deg.00'00'', thence to 28 deg.18'00''............................ 92 deg.38'00'', and thence to the point of beginning. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This rulemaking has been determined to be a significant regulatory action under established criteria of the Department of Transportation and the Office of Management and Budget. Meeting Procedure Members of the public planning to make oral presentations during the meeting should call the number listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than the day before the meeting, and state their intention to speak about docket number 93-081, provide their name, and the approximate duration of their presentation. Persons making oral presentations are also encouraged to submit a copy of their remarks in writing during the meeting. Dated: January 9, 1994. J.C. Card, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection. [FR Doc. 95-947 Filed 1-12-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-14-M