FWS, OSHA and other Federal agencies. By virtue of Secretarial Order 

 2974, FWS may comment on, prior to USGS approval, rights of easements to 

 construct and maintain platforms, pipelines, etc.; design and plans of 

 same; on exploratory drilling; and on development plans. However their 

 primary concern is in disposal of drill cuttings and effluent discharges 

 which may affect natural resources in the area. These conditions are 

 then incorporated in the management standards enforced by USGS in the 

 post-leasing phases. USGS has the specific responsibility to inspect, 

 monitor, and document the day-to-day activities and operations under OCS 

 leases by on-site inspections. USGS 'checklists cover the full spectrum 

 of operational issues except platform-to-shore oil pipelines which are 

 regulated by other federal agencies, principally BLM and platform-to- 

 shore gas pipelines which are regulated by FPC. 



Section 1333(f) of the OCS Lands Act extends the authority of the 

 Secretary of the Army (Corps of Engineers) to prevent obstruction to 

 navigation in the navigable waters of the United States, to artificial 

 islands and fixed structures on the Outer Continental Shelf. Pursuant 

 to this authority, the Corps of Engineers must approve a permit application 

 for any production platform. Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act 

 of 1899 authorizes issuance of these permits. Permit review does not 

 include assessment of environmental effects, and is restricted to issues 

 related to navigability. Federal agencies such as FWS and USGS review 

 these applications prior to drilling and installation of production 

 platforms and related equipment. 



The Coast Guard has the responsibility for the enforcement of all 

 applicable Federal laws on and under the high seas and navigable waters 

 of the U.S. It administers the laws and regulations to promote safety 

 of life and property, as well as to establish and to maintain aids to 

 navigation for the promotion of the safety on the high seas and waters 

 subject to U.S. jurisdiction. 



The siting and operation of a production platform may be subject to 

 additional Federal regulation, particularly related to water quality and 

 discharges of oil and hazardous substances. 



State Role : The 1976 Amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Act 

 added a provision that may bring states into this process insofar as 

 exploration brings associated coastal zone impacts. Section 307 (c) (3) 

 (B) requires that any "plan for the exploration or development of... any 

 area which has been leased under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 

 Act... shall attach to such plan a certification that each activity which 

 is described in detail in such plan complies with such State's approved 

 management program " 



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