§70004 Considerations by Secretary

Summary

Whenever the Secretary carries out the duties under sections 70001, 70002, and 70003, the Secretary must consider a wide range of things about navigation, vessel and port safety and security, and protecting the marine environment. These include the level of risk, vessel traffic patterns (such as how many ships, their sizes and types, possible interference with commercial traffic, and any unusual cargo), port and waterway layouts and local geography and weather, whether small boats should be allowed exceptions for certain traffic equipment, nearby activities like fishing or oil and gas work, environmental concerns, economic effects, existing vessel-traffic systems, and local practices or voluntary agreements. The Secretary must also, as early as possible, talk with and listen to people who may be affected, such as maritime representatives, port and harbor authorities or associations, environmental groups, and others, and consider their views.