TITLE 33 - NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

CHAPTER I - COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

SUBCHAPTER NN - DEEPWATER PORTS

PART 148 - DEEPWATER PORTS: GENERAL

subpart e - SITE EVALUATION AND PRE - CONSTRUCTION TESTING

148.405 - What are the procedures for notifying the Commandant (G - M) of proposed site evaluation and pre - construction testing?

  (a) Any person who wants to conduct site evaluation and pre-construction testing at a potential site for a deepwater port must submit a written notice to the Commandant (G-M) at least 30 days before the beginning of the evaluation or testing. The Commandant (G-M) advises and coordinates with appropriate Federal agencies and the States concerning activities covered by this subpart.

  (b) The written notice must include the following: (1) The names of all parties participating in the site evaluation and pre-construction testing; (2) The type of activities and the way they will be conducted; (3) Charts showing where the activities will be conducted and the locations of all offshore structures, including pipelines and cables, in or near the proposed area; (4) The specific purpose for the activities; (5) The dates when the activities will begin and end; (6) The available data on the environmental consequences of the activities; (7) A preliminary report, based on existing data, of the historic and archeological significance of the area where the proposed activities are to take place. A report of each contact made with any appropriate State liaison officer for historic preservation must be included; and (8) Additional information, if necessary, in individual cases.

  (c) For the following activities, the notice need have only the information required in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(5) of this section, as well as a general indication of the proposed location and purpose of the activities: (1) Gravity and magneto-metric measurements; (2) Bottom and sub-bottom acoustic profiling without the use of explosives; (3) Sediment sampling of a limited nature using either core or grab samplers, if geological profiles indicate no discontinuities that may have archeological significance; (4) Water and biotic sampling, if the sampling does not adversely affect shellfish beds, marine mammals, or an endangered species, or if the sampling is permitted by another Federal agency; (5) Meteorological measurements, including the setting of instruments; (6) Hydrographic and oceanographic measurements, including the setting of instruments; and (7) Small diameter core sampling to determine foundation conditions.

  (d) A separate written notice is required for each site.