Regulations

In accordance with section 553 of title 5, the Secretary shall issue, and may from time to time amend or repeal, regulations necessary to implement subchapters I through III and this subchapter. interested Federal departments and agencies; officials of State and local governments; representatives of the maritime community; representatives of port and harbor authorities or associations; representatives of environmental groups; any other interested persons who are knowledgeable or experienced in dealing with problems involving vessel safety, port and waterways safety, and protection of the marine environment; and advisory committees consisting of all interested segments of the public when the establishment of such committees is considered necessary because the issues involved are highly complex or controversial. establish safety zones to address special activities in the exclusive economic zone; account for the number of safety zones established for special activities; an individual; an organization; or a government entity; and the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels used; and the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol hours required. the process required under subsection (a); and whether the authority to establish safety zones to address special activities in the exclusive economic zone should be extended or made permanent in the interest of safety. The pilot program under subsection (a) is authorized for fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032. The term ‘safety zone’ has the meaning given such term in section 165.20 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations. space activities, including launch and reentry, as such terms are defined in section 50902 of title 51, United States Code, carried out by United States citizens; and offshore energy development activities, as described in section 8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)), on or near a fixed platform. The term ‘United States citizen’ has the meaning given the term ‘eligible owners’ in section 12103 of title 46, United States Code. The term ‘fixed platform’ means an artificial island, installation, or structure permanently attached to the sea-bed for the purpose of exploration or exploitation of resources or for other economic purposes.” account for the number of safety zones established for permitted marine events; an individual; an organization; or a government entity; and the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels used; and the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol hours required.” In the exercise of the regulatory authority under subchapters I through III and this subchapter, the Secretary shall consult with, and receive and consider the views of all interested persons, including— The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall conduct a pilot program to establish and implement a process to— differentiate whether an applicant who requests a safety zone for such activities is— account for Coast Guard resources utilized to enforce safety zones established for special activities, including— Not later than 180 days after the expiration of the pilot program, the Commandant [of the Coast Guard] shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding— In this section: The term ‘special activities’ includes— differentiate whether the event sponsor who requested a permit for such an event is— account for Coast Guard resources utilized to enforce safety zones established for permitted marine events, including for— (Source: (Added Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, § 401(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4261; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8507(a)(7), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4753.))