§1509 Marine environmental protection and navigational safety

Summary

The Secretary must set and enforce rules, either by regulation or in the port operator’s operations manual, for how vessels move, load and unload, anchor, and are maintained. The rules must cover law enforcement, required equipment, and training. The goal is to prevent pollution, clean up any spills, and reduce harm from building and running a deepwater port. The Secretary must also require lights, warning devices, and safety gear to protect people and property. If the port operator does not mark a port part as required, the Secretary will mark it and charge the operator for the cost. Under recognized principles of international law and after consulting with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary must set a safety zone of proper size around any deepwater port. No structures or uses that conflict with the port’s operation may be allowed there, and the Secretary will define allowed activities by regulation. The Secretary must designate that safety zone not later than 30 days after publication of notice pursuant to section 1504(c) of this title and may also create a safety zone during port construction and issue rules for it.